Transcript Highlights:

• There's an empowering small cities program to help smaller communities utilize more grant programs and
• </c> for-profit colleges from the state grant for-profit colleges from the state grant program.<02:52
• And so, the state grant program program.
• Um, and this bill does grant program.
• Um, the state grant program, Chair Eric.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• program to make Pell Grants available to eligible students in short-term workforce training programs
• Expanding the state Cal Grant transfer entitlement program to students age 29 and 30 for new and renewable
• , but other housing programs that we have seen work: the multifamily housing program, low-income tax
• program capacity.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this uh particular bill, House File 1112, would um establish a regional food bank grant program with
• </c><00:19:50.480><c> the</c> efficiency of the program the efficiency of the program the percentages
• </c> see that it's a uh 100% Federal program see that it's a uh 100% Federal program and<00:20:27.640
• Um, again, this is about a regional food bank grant program. I appreciate this robust conversation.
• Um, again, this is about a regional food bank grant program. Regional Food Bank grant program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Including the California Workforce Development Board's High Road Training Partnership grant program that
• And so we have a lot of statewide initiatives such as the Strong Workforce Grant Program and other CT
• These types of programs are programs we should look at statewide.
• We're currently involved in a program that is funded by the state with a $3.5 million grant called Designing
• We're seeking another grant for $3.5 million to continue this program and to expand it.

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing Development Program.
• , and the Bridges Program.
• , and the Bridges Program.
• FHPAP is a program that provides grants to counties and to nonprofits, which assist families who are
• ><00:35:28.760><c> rehab</c> reimbursement Grant or a grant to rehab reimbursement Grant or a grant to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• State Teacher Grant Program, which many of you are familiar with, and teacher residency programs.
• . program.
• Specifically on, as well as a $20 million area for the right grant for rehabilitative programs in CDCR
• We have $100 million to support survivors of crime by backfilling the VOCA program, the grant program
• Fills for the VOCA program are essential, and funding to support sister warriors and the right grant

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million</c><00:18:27.200><c> in</c> grants program, putting $52 million in grants program, putting $52
• Uh, article two allocates $52 million to the Minnesota State Grant Program.
• <01:16:31.800><c> program</c> grant program grant program and<01:16:33.360><c> we</c><01:16:33.480><c
• There is absolutely no need to see 20% of a grant program going just to administer it.
• c> to</c> of a grant program going just to of a grant program going just to administer<02:33:53.680><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was asked to provide some brief background on the tribal youth diversion grant program. state and community
• It provides competitive grants to tribes to implement diversion programs using trauma-informed, community-based
• other important positions in this program.
• from a highly-restricted program.
• Diversion program funding.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the paint stewardship program and other EPR programs that you all have helped champion over the
• I started the program here. We're about to celebrate our fifth anniversary of the program in April.
• So a program like this, although that state funding is very important for our budget, gives programs
• The hazardous waste program enthusiastically supports addition of new products to the PaintCare program
• The hazardous waste program enthusiastically supports addition of new products to the PaintCare program

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2343, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to obtain CAFO or individual discharge permit coverage for its game farms, and to treat game farms with at least 5,000 birds as large CAFOs. The prime sponsor and local officials from Centralia said the WDFW pheasant farm has contributed to nitrate contamination in a critical aquifer, affecting drinking water and public health, and argued the state should be held to the same standards as private operators. WDFW testified that it has already voluntarily secured the permit the bill would require and is working with Ecology and local partners. Testimony from county health and residents largely supported the bill, citing elevated nitrate levels and health risks, especially for infants and pregnant people. The committee then heard House Bill 2301, which expands Washington’s paint stewardship program to cover additional paint-related products, aerosol paints, and certain non-industrial coatings. The sponsor and industry supporters said the existing paint recycling program is working well and should be broadened to keep more materials out of landfills and reduce local hazardous waste costs. Local government witnesses supported the expansion but asked for changes on convenience standards, packaging coverage, and reimbursement for local collection costs. Ecology supported the overall concept but raised implementation concerns, including the need for uniform standards, full reporting, and more time for rulemaking. A wood preservatives industry representative opposed including wood preservatives, saying they are not paint and have different handling requirements. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 2515, a proposed substitute addressing emerging large energy use facilities, defined mainly as large data centers and virtual currency mining facilities. The bill would require utilities to adopt tariffs or policies to protect other ratepayers, require long-term contracts, demand response or curtailment provisions, reporting on energy and water use, and new clean energy targets for these facilities, while also changing how no-cost allowances under the Climate Commitment Act are allocated and creating an annual fee for the facilities. Supporters, including environmental groups, community action agencies, some utilities, and labor and tribal representatives, said the bill would protect ratepayers, improve transparency, and keep Washington on track for climate goals. Opponents, including data center and business groups, some ports, and several labor organizations, argued the bill is too prescriptive, could raise costs or discourage investment, may affect existing contracts and other large industrial loads, and could reduce construction jobs. No votes or final actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week this committee heard a bill to allocate more funds to the local government planning grant program
• Last week this committee heard a bill to allocate more funds to the local government planning grant program
• grants, and then we can actually have a rebate program to kind of help Woodbury maintain priority for
• and then we can actually have a grants and then we can actually have a rebate<00:10:55.079><c> program
• on</c><01:11:57.440><c> the</c> mental grant program to build on the mental grant program to build on

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• $2.4 billion, or just over 60% of our spending, is in grant programs.
• Other grant programs at DCYF do things like provide and expand the availability of child care, fund programs
• </c><00:13:55.040><c> programs</c><00:13:56.040><c> um</c> billion per year on Grant programs um billion
• <c> food</c> of grant program spending uh food of grant program spending uh food assistance<00:14:03.920
• do</c> funded other Grant programs at DCF do funded other Grant programs at DCF do things<00:14:13.120

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is designed to award grants for the development of subsidized housing and provide services
• The fund was established as a grant program.
• The fund was established as a grant program.
• programs.
• AB 366 builds on that foundation by appropriating additional funds to bolster that grant program and

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, isn't that how all grant programs work?
• that there are all grant programs work?
• </c> housing champion designation and grant housing champion designation and grant program. program.
• And so, you know, whether to fund the grant program, that's up to the next budget debate.
• program, that's up to the next the grant program, that's up to the next budget<00:30:20.399><c> debate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You may find this hard to believe, but when offered between grants and loans, applicants prefer grants
• I'm sorry, my apologies: loans to grants, 60% loans, 40% grants.
• Then there was the Water Conservation Grant Fund, which is exactly like it sounds: it's a grant fund
• Then there was the Water Conservation Grant Fund, which is exactly like it sounds: it's a grant fund
• So next we will move to another program I am extremely proud of, and that's the Water Conservation Grant

Bills: HB2024, HB2053, HB2097, HB2116, HB2117

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• This does affect also eligibility for programs like the Job Growth Grant Fund.
• More broadly, for grant programs and financing programs that maybe are not explicitly tied to these target
• But a lot of our work, a lot of the grant programs, finance programs, incentive programs that we provide
• Some of our grant programs, the Department of Education actually has to review, depending if it's a workforce
• programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to satisfy a grant requirement federally mandated by the U.S.
• And as such, we oversee the implementation of a number of federal and state funded programs.
• The Community Development, the Community Service, I'm sorry, Community Services Block Grant.
• And as such, we oversee the implementation of a number of federal and state funded programs.
• Block Grant. We also have CDBG and CSBG. Today I'm talking about CSBG.

Summary: The committee first laid over SB 1101 and SB 1813, then heard and advanced SB 1966 and SB 80. SB 1966, presented by Chairman Johns, was amended with a PCS to incorporate the House’s Memorial Roads and Bridges language after a House-Senate coordination issue; the committee adopted the PCS and passed the bill out unanimously, 9-0. SB 80, presented by Representative Clay Staires, was also amended with a PCS and described as a cleanup bill removing several outdated turnpike provisions; members noted it reflected a negotiated consensus, and it passed unanimously, 11-0. After the bill votes, the committee received a required informational presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). Director Marshall Votes explained that Commerce administers the grant, keeps 5% for oversight, and passes 90% to 17 community action agencies serving all 77 counties. He said the program currently manages about $8.9 million, served about 33,000 low-income families last year, and leverages that funding into more than $250 million in broader community impact through services such as employment support, housing, transportation, education, health, and childcare. Members asked about Commerce staffing and oversight, and Votes said a small team of a few employees handles planning, monitoring, training, and compliance for CSBG alongside other programs. Committee members thanked Commerce for its work and emphasized the importance of the program for rural communities and all 77 counties. The meeting ended with expressions of appreciation and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The third thing there is the E-CORE federal grant.
• So on the $56,200 one-time, that's the federal grant.
• Here's the organizational structure of those programs.
• You can see those five budgeted programs as well as the FTP that are authorized for those programs.
• That program from House Bill 93 last year.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation for the Office of Information Technology Services (ITS), which is in the middle of a multi-year consolidation of IT staff and functions from other agencies. The analyst and administrator explained that ITS now has 243 authorized FTP, with more growth expected as Health and Welfare IT staff move over, and that much of ITS’s budget is driven by personnel, security, and pass-through technology purchases funded through dedicated revenues. The agency’s main 2027 requests included a personnel cash transfer to move costs off general fund and onto dedicated funds, $2.7 million for enterprise firewall/security upgrades, continued access to a federal E-CORE grant for an AI/data repository project, and funding for the Health and Welfare modernization/consolidation. Members asked about the grant, the 3% holdback, whether Health and Welfare’s budget would be reduced, the cost of delaying security upgrades, and why the agency’s FTP count has grown while overall IT costs are being centralized. ITS Administrator Alberto Gonzalez emphasized that the agency is defending against more than 100 million cyberattacks per month, with only a small fraction getting through, and said the firewall request was a critical security need. He said consolidation has produced efficiencies and a net reduction in IT personnel statewide, while also improving security and service delivery. He also explained that the agency is working on a possible policy change to separate continuously appropriated cash into a different fund for cleaner accounting. Questions from members focused on cybersecurity, bandwidth pressures from video/body-cam traffic, procurement speed, AI uses, and the rationale for office furnishings and equipment requests tied to the Health and Welfare move. The committee then moved to the Idaho State Tax Commission budget, another roughly $55 million portfolio with five programs and 447 authorized FTP. The analyst noted that the commission’s budget is heavily general-fund supported, but it also has several dedicated funds and large continuously appropriated flows tied to tax distributions and rebates. For fiscal year 2027, the commission requested additional dedicated-fund support for property tax outreach, $400,000 for GenTax automation, use of dedicated funds for the chief operating officer, replacement items, and the governor’s rescission. Chairman Jeff McRae said the agency returns more than $7.8 billion in revenue for about $55 million in spending, but warned the commission is at a “tipping point” where further cuts would reduce its ability to process revenue and serve taxpayers. Members questioned the commission about phone wait times, staffing levels, the multi-state tax compact, conformity work tied to the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and the parental choice tax credit program. McRae said the call center would need about 45 staff to meet standard service levels but currently has about seven, and that conformity changes would require significant software, form, and testing work, likely with overtime and possible taxpayer filing delays. He also explained that the tax credit program was designed with electronic-only applications, income prioritization, audits, and criminal penalties to reduce fraud. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting consisted of budget presentations, member questions, and agency responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs, you funded about 70%.
• We know these programs work.
• , including the Safe Routes to School Program, bike and pedestrian grant program, Sandy Williams Connecting
• Communities Program, bike education safety program, and the Complete Streets Grant Program.
• The bike education grant program centers safety as a key learning outcome for the next generation of

Bills: HB2306, HB2711

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• We have also worked on the CHIP program for the blue stamp theft program and joined the Governor in her
• program.
• program is in the final budget.
• program is in the final budget.
• program, and also we have talked about a lot in our conference, the fully funding of the C-CAP program

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services and Labor budget hearing opened with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members and naming secretaries for the record. The agencies covered included Human Services, Labor, Temporary and Disability Assistance, Children and Family Services, Veterans Services, Human Rights, Workers’ Compensation, the Welfare Inspector General, and the Public Employment Relations Board. Members then gave brief statements on their priorities for the upcoming budget negotiations. A major theme was affordability, with repeated discussion of child care, SNAP, housing, and worker supports. Senators and Assembly members highlighted the Senate and Assembly one-house proposals for a $500 million child care worker retention grant program, additional child care slots and subsidies, cost-of-living adjustments for human services workers, and expanded support for supportive housing, youth employment, HEAP, and energy affordability. Several members also emphasized food insecurity and SNAP-related issues, including funding to address payment errors, prevent penalties, expand SNAP education, and respond to expected federal changes. Labor-related issues included workers’ compensation fraud, wage theft enforcement, workplace violence, temporary disability insurance reform, and the creation of dedicated enforcement funding for the Department of Labor. Some members supported using workers’ compensation assessments or insurance-company-related funding to pay for anti-fraud efforts, while others preferred grants to district attorneys or broader DOL enforcement. There was also discussion of occupational health clinics, labor standards in any SEQRA changes, and expanding access to doctors in the workers’ compensation system. Veterans, child care, and public assistance fraud prevention were also discussed, including funding for veterans legal defense and mental health services, microchip/secure EBT cards to reduce skimming, and restoring or protecting various programs. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs stating that the Senate, Assembly, and Executive would continue negotiations toward a final budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• A record vote is granted. The clerk will ring the bell. Garn voting on. So Garin voting on.
• The excuse is not granted. The following proclamation from the governor.
• program administered by the council on the purchase of certain.
• programs, and the disaster relief and prevention account for the Committee on Disaster Preparedness
• HB number 94 by TOTH relating to creating a grant program administered by the Texas Division of Emergency