Transcript Highlights:

• We provide generous financial aid packages, including exceptional offerings from the state like North
• We provide generous financial aid packages, including exceptional offerings from the state like North
• Through these agreements, M State provides resources for our partners, such as personnel to aid in career
• Financial aid and state grants are the reasons that college has been affordable for me, including the
• State the state regards systems through State the state regards of<01:23:24.760> their<01:23:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• into the overall state state debt so so into the overall state state debt so so the<01:12:48.000
• It represents about $21 million per year, and this is used for non-federal-aid construction work on state
• State on state highways um on on um on State on state highways um it<02:21:24.000> supports<02
• Yes, the state owns it. The state backs it. Why need a dedicated fund?
• That's our state system.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with New Hampshire DOT Commissioner Bill Cass and Finance Director Danielle Shandra to review the agency’s FY 2026 budget. Cass gave a high-level overview of DOT’s mission, organization, funding structure, and staffing trends, noting the agency has about 650 employees across five divisions. He said the Governor’s recommended FY 2026 budget totals $95.99 million, essentially flat from FY 2025, with funding primarily from Turnpike funds, Highway funds, federal sources, and a small General Fund share for non-highway units. Members asked about how Turnpike and Highway funds are treated in state accounting, and DOT explained that while they are enterprise funds restricted to their purposes, they are considered unrestricted from the statewide perspective and are appropriated through the budget process. A major topic was staffing and budget targets. DOT said its full-time staffing level has remained relatively flat since 2014 even as vehicle miles traveled increased and vacancies rose. To meet budget targets, the department unfunded seven permanent positions and nine temporary full-time positions, and later noted additional reductions in Finance, including the elimination of two full-time positions, reduced print shop equipment purchases, and deeper cuts to overtime, temporary help, equipment, and supplies in FY 2027. DOT also explained that it shifted funding for one unmanned aerial system position from General Funds to Highway Funds, saying the change was workable because the position supports highway-related work and federal-aid-eligible activities. Members asked for clarification on the state transit operating match, and DOT explained that the Legislature had previously provided about $1.8 million annually in General Funds to help local transit agencies meet federal match requirements, but that funding was not included in this budget. DOT said that could reduce the ability to draw down some federal transit funds, though the impact may not be immediate because those funds can be used over several years. The department also described its unmanned aerial system program, saying it has been used for about five years for mapping, survey work, construction oversight, and storm damage assessment, and that it now has about five drones and two full-time positions supporting the program. DOT said it is expanding cross-training so more employees can operate drones without adding positions. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• is is it really advisable for the state is is it really advisable for the state to<00:47:32.800>
• overall impact of forests in the state overall impact of forests in the state and<00:53:19.200><
• <00:53:53.000> is Forest canopy in the state is Forest canopy in the state is significant<
• <01:03:23.240> Bar I represent the Minnesota State Bar I represent the Minnesota State Bar
• capacity to do compliance at the state capacity to do compliance at the state level<01:24:46.000

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota State is the economic imperative for the state of Minnesota.
• The majority of that is financial aid, and then from federal, state, and private grants.
• appropriation state investment or state appropriation state investment or state appropriation increased
• state but also um into the financial aid state but also um into the financial aid programs<00:52
• from the state which is our state from the state which is our state Appropriations<00:53:11.319>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• but, you know, as I've mentioned to a few organizations, please apply during our regular grant and aid
• ><00:13:06.959> regular<00:13:07.200> grant<00:13:07.519> and<00:13:07.680> aid
• apply during our regular grant and aid apply during our regular grant and aid process,<00:13:08.399
• Hawaii Islands HIV AIDS Foundation, 180,000. Hoy Island United Way, 80,000.
• Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, 300,000. Living Pono Project, 250,000. Malama Kawaii, 100,000.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational briefing on Act 310, which set aside $50 million to support Hawaii nonprofits facing uncertainty, including organizations affected by federal funding disruptions. The chair and Senate co-chair thanked Aloha United Way for handling applications, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, legislative leadership, and House and Senate members for helping craft the measure and review the needs statewide. They noted the process drew more than 200 applications totaling over $150 million, showing demand far exceeded available funds, and encouraged unsuccessful applicants to apply again through the regular grant-and-aid process in January. The Senate co-chair explained that the committee prioritized organizations serving healthcare, human services, education, the arts, food distribution, and at-risk populations, especially amid concerns about SNAP, WIC, federal employees, and possible future disruptions. The co-chair then read a long list of recommended awardees and funding amounts, including major allocations to groups such as Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, Child and Family Service, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Hawaii Food Bank, The Food Basket, West Hawaii Community Health Center, and several YWCA and YMCA organizations, among many others. After the awards list was read, the chair asked for discussion or objections. Hearing none, the list of nonprofit awards was adopted, and the informational briefing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That goes to the State Police.
• That goes to the State Police.
• That goes to the State Police.
• , special education aid.
• education aid.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries. Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• To share responsibility to the state, to taxpayers in the state, students who pay tuition, the federal
• Today, we're at just over 62% as a state.
• student financial aid programs, or just state financial aid programs, and then workforce development
• Today, we're at just over 62% as a state back in 2013. Today, we're at just over 62% as a state.
• funded student financial aid programs or just state financial aid programs, and then workforce development

Summary: The Joint Higher Education Committee met for a work session on higher education accounting practices and financial transparency. OFM Deputy Director Sarah Rupp explained how state accounting rules and higher education reporting differ, including what data is captured in AFRS today and what will move into Workday, with universities generally reporting summary-level fund data, mandatory codes, and most balance sheet and income statement activity, but not transaction-level detail or vendor payment information. Representatives from the University of Washington and Washington State University described the complexity of their own accounting systems, the many entities and business lines they must track for audits and compliance, and the need to reconcile university-level accrual accounting with state reporting requirements. The committee also heard from the Education Research and Data Center on the public four-year finance dashboard created under Senate Bill 5512; ERDC said the dashboard is based on publicly available data, is best used to examine institutions individually rather than compare them directly, and will be updated with additional metrics in 2025 and 2026. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Workforce Education Investment Account (WIA). Joel Anderson reviewed WIA’s creation under House Bill 2158, its revenue sources, and its intended uses for higher education, financial aid, and workforce development. He said recent legislation significantly increased WIA revenues and that, in the 2025–27 budget, the account is being used in new ways, including to replace general fund support for University of Washington operations and to fund a larger share of the Washington College Grant and some faculty compensation costs. Anderson said roughly 98% of current WIA appropriations go to higher education, but the share used to supplant other higher education funding has grown, and he estimated about 60% to 70% of current spending still aligns with the account’s original intent. He also described a new effort to track WIA appropriations across biennia in more detail and noted the WIA Oversight Board’s role in recommending uses of the account and monitoring outcomes. No votes were taken; the committee ended by moving into executive session for staffing issues and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:03.239> EMS actually posted the new state EMS actually posted the new state EMS medical
• focusing on formulating that new state focusing on formulating that new state EMS<00:06:36.240><
• The state emergency physicians and the state EMS medical directors were adamant that there needed to
• <00:29:27.679> without Services across the state without Services across the state without
• <00:29:43.919> that and a guarantee from the state that and a guarantee from the state that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• look for a payee other than the state. look for a payee other than the state.
• the states in this bianium. the states in this bianium.
• the full faith and credit of the state. the full faith and credit of the state.
• It wasn't clear the way you stated<01:20:41.440> it. stated it. stated it.
• ,<01:24:09.600> it's state, the people of the state, it's state, the people of the state,

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and that is going to affect people all across the state of Minnesota.
• burden for those families, for those individuals, and also for the hospital systems all around our state
• of Minnesota, to states all across the country.
• <00:10:27.920> programs actively hostile to the states programs actively hostile to the states
• and state programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But community goodwill and mutual aid cannot replace our responsibility of the state to prevent further
• for this type of aid. for this type of aid.
• . state. state.
• throughout this state. throughout this state.
• . state. state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that correct, or do you receive any money from Farm Aid?
• So this is a wonderful investment for the state.
• Were fickle had other states.
• We know that the state and federal funding has not increased.
• The Minnesota State Farm is this management program. Rather.

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and prompt state agencies to consider the goal of...
• This bill will promote healthy homes throughout the state and prompt state agencies to consider the goal
• to people aiding and abetting.
• for a state that has more than the population of Canada and Australia.
• of the states across the board.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills and moved most of them forward. SB 655 (Stern) would establish a state policy that residential units should be able to maintain a safe maximum indoor temperature, with supporters citing extreme heat deaths and the need for statewide guidance. Members raised concerns about the lack of a specific temperature standard and possible impacts on the electric grid, but the bill passed the committee 8-0 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 634 (Perez), which would bar state and local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances that punish people or organizations for providing basic survival services to unhoused people. Supporters, including people with lived experience and homelessness advocates, argued that criminalizing food, water, blankets, and outreach prolongs homelessness and harms vulnerable residents; opponents from some cities and counties warned about limits on local control. The bill passed 8-2. SB 772 (Cabaldon) would continue and expand the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program by better supporting walkability, transit, and climate-resilient infrastructure for infill housing; it passed 8-0. The committee also considered SB 838 (Dutraslo/DeRazzo), which would keep the Housing Accountability Act focused on housing by excluding transient lodging from housing streamlining protections. Supporters said some developers have used housing laws to fast-track hotel projects instead of homes, while opponents worried the bill could be too broad and limit mixed-use financing. After discussion about possible clarifying amendments, the bill passed 8-2 to Local Government. Several consent items—SB 484, SB 489, SB 686, and SB 724—also passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• aid.
• <00:13:18.160> Police policies to allow Vermont State Police policies to allow Vermont State
• <00:13:41.760> police policies to allow Vermont state police policies to allow Vermont state
• , taxcharge for school construction aid, taxcharge for school construction aid, introduced<00:14:
• . aid. aid.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:23.440> that the security and humanitarian Aid that the security and humanitarian Aid
• removal programs led by the state removal programs led by the state department<00:07:47.000>
• <00:19:19.799> and 16-year-old pediatric nurse's aid and 16-year-old pediatric nurse's aid
• crisis is not just a border state crisis is not just a border state problem<02:18:39.920> it's
• further parliamentary inquiry State further parliamentary inquiry State Department<02:57:28.279>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• school building aid again. school building aid again.
• And workforce growth in our state has been less than in other states.
• > states.
• the state. This is a state program. the state. This is a state program.
• If you're going to come to this state and bring a poison to our state that's killing people in this state

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That person left the room and, from the looks of it, was trying to find somebody to render aid.
• An aid came in, but she continued to argue with some kitchen staff about what to do.
• that was on staff that came into the aid that was on staff that came into the dining<00:20:19.919>
• and um during the somebody to render aid and um during the three<00:21:08.400> minutes<00:21:
• that came in uh but uh p uh aid that came in uh but uh p uh continued<00:21:19.120> to<00:21:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of Florida is investing in financial aid programs at Florida State, which we're very appreciative of
• state priorities.
• So we're a value in state and we're a value out of state.
• their home state.
• So we're a value in state and we're a value out of state.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the state. in the state.
• like Kool-Aid, right? like Kool-Aid, right?
• , Kool-Aid, Kool-Aid, >> right?
• the state of Alabama. the state of Alabama.
• Power Aid? Power Aid?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Duty nursing through Medicaid, but as you all know, we have a nursing shortage in this state.
• A complex care aide in home health is a trained caregiver who provides specialized care.
• health aide training, plus 10 hours that are tailored to that individual child.
• And it's been reported that states with complex care aid programs like these, about seven so far, have
• Living in the state, which would be accessible to the state and local emergency response agencies.

Bills: HB660, HB4845, HB3902, HB5396, HB4615, HB1825, HB1403, HB4336, HB4585, HB4371, HB863, SB1589, HB5223, HB3195, HB2734

Keywords: child protective services, adult protective services, caseload limits, call processing goals, child-care licensing, employee workload, reporting requirements, employee caseload limits, protective services, workload management, accountability, Department of Family and Protective Services, employee goals, call processing, child care, human resources, government accountability, Medicaid, provider enrollment, revalidation