Transcript Highlights:

• But the last question that I'll ask is: What are states doing? Do they have programs?
• Just for a few of the top states in their programs, the state of New York, with a GDP of $2.32 trillion
• The state of Delaware actually has declined to use the STEP program.
• the program using their own funds from the Delaware Department of State.
• Under Program 4.0, 1,188 will be filmed up and down the state of California.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's subsidy programs that the state offers, like ACD programs, the federal programs, as well as local
• This is a federal program that's administered to the states.
• I've designed our programs to work better with state programs in order to leverage state grants, loans
• And then we as a state layer our own financing, including state housing bonds and dedicated programs
• And then we as a state layer our own financing, including state housing bonds and dedicated programs

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine California’s housing finance system, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for practical recommendations to the Legislature and Governor. Co-chairs described the committee as an educational and problem-solving forum focused on financing housing production, first-time homeownership, mixed-income developments, and affordability across the income spectrum. Witnesses from state agencies and the development sector were invited to explain how housing is financed and where the system is breaking down. Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee/State Treasurer’s Office, CalHFA, and Related outlined the “capital stack” used to finance affordable housing, stressing that projects typically rely on multiple public and private sources, including federal and state low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental income. Speakers noted that affordable housing rents generally cannot support full project costs without public subsidy, and that recent federal changes—especially the expansion of the 4% and 9% tax credit programs and the reduction of the bond financing threshold for 4% credits—should allow California to finance substantially more units. CalHFA also described its homeownership programs, including My Home, Dream For All, and disaster-related mortgage assistance, as well as its multifamily lending and bond issuance programs. Several witnesses and committee members emphasized that the system remains too complex, too slow, and underfunded. They pointed to the need for more state funding, a housing bond, a permanent funding source, and better coordination among agencies, while also citing recent streamlining efforts such as AB 434’s SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency reorganization. Members raised concerns about equity, access, missing-middle housing, gender and racial disparities, and whether current programs adequately serve extremely low-income households and those at risk of homelessness. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing; the discussion ended with committee members and witnesses agreeing that both funding and administrative reform are needed to increase production and improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our programs and offerings are in state statute in every state, and the statute's similar across the
• It would sort of sit alongside some of the other reciprocity, state-to-state reciprocity programs that
• <00:17:18.799> I program here in Minnesota many states I program here in Minnesota many states
• of<00:19:34.400> course<00:19:34.640> is state grant program which of course is state
• <00:58:07.720> for there's a program at St Cloud State for there's a program at St Cloud State

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• number of programs as the state of California.
• programs as the state of California. programs as the state of California.
• We do have the only associate degree program for flight in the state.
• We only have the only, and I am going to use your phrase, flagship helicopter program in the state of
• We do have the only associate degree program for flight in the state.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the status of program spending and wind down across the state, program levels continue to decline
• These expenditures do not account for the tribal spending or state operations associated with program
• There is no state funding allocated for this critical and evidence-based program beyond June 30th of
• To keep this program going, we have got to deliver for families and children in the state of California
• What was a $1 million reduction in state funding resulted in a $3 million hit to our program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have programs like this already enacted in the state, but this was a missing group that we were not
• Medicaid is a joint federal-state funded program.
• Does it cost less for the state to have this program? Yes or no?
• And so my team works with several state Medicaid plans on programs just like this one.
• And so my team works with several state Medicaid plans on programs just like this one.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting of the 2025-2026 term, took attendance, confirmed a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from members and staff. Chair Anderson outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction over access and affordability issues, including health facility regulation, insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, and state employee health coverage. The main agenda item was an update on implementation of HB 391, which created a family home health aide program for medically fragile children. Representative Tramont, the bill sponsor, explained that the law was intended to let trained family caregivers be paid through Medicaid to care for their children, reduce reliance on private duty nursing, and relieve families. He and several members expressed frustration that implementation had taken nearly two years and that families still faced barriers. Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer of AHCA and Bridget Royce of DCF said the program was implemented October 1, 2024, with billing available, but no home health agencies had yet launched the required 80-hour training program and no claims had been paid. They described the program’s requirements, including agency employment, background screening, training, a $25-per-hour Medicaid rate paid to the agency, and an annual assessment report. A major issue discussed was that income earned by family caregivers counts toward Medicaid eligibility and could cause families to lose coverage. AHCA and DCF outlined two possible fixes that would require CMS approval: disregarding the income for eligibility purposes or treating the child as a family of one. Members and public witnesses strongly urged changes to avoid forcing families to choose between income and coverage. Several providers said they had begun preparing training programs, but asked for clearer approval processes and more patient-specific training requirements. The committee then heard extensive public testimony from parents and caregivers of medically fragile children, who described the financial, emotional, and logistical strain of caring for children with severe disabilities and argued that the bill should be expanded to include Florida KidCare families and others in the coverage gap. They also raised concerns about the eight-hour-per-day limit, low pay, and the need for simpler rules and direct support. Home health providers and associations supported the concept but asked for modifications, including more targeted training and clearer implementation guidance. The meeting then shifted to a second agenda item on the Andrew John Anderson Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Program, which was funded in the 2023 budget. Deputy Secretary Meyer said the program has been implemented since January 1, 2024, but utilization has been lower than expected, with only about 60 claims paid and many denials occurring through managed care. Public testimony from a lab, a hospital, and a pediatric rare disease expert said the program is clinically valuable and cost-saving, but managed care billing barriers, prior authorization issues, and DRG-related denials are limiting access; they urged direct billing to Medicaid and possible expansion to all newborns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Indeed, there is not a single children's crisis residential program in the state, even outside of the
• The state must still review and approve the program design.
• With me today to testify and answer technical questions about the bill is Steve Barrow, state program
• access to the state child support debt reduction program.
• program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we've stated, we've had a very fragmented and very uncoordinated workforce development program in
• It is a federal program, yet the state had a lot of authority in how it would be implemented.
• It is a program that is a federal program, yet the state had a It is a program that is a federal program
• So all of our programs across the state and all of our schools have local advisory boards, and I think
• So all of our programs across the state and all of our schools have local advisory boards, and I think

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CTE programs.
• Programs.
• our state.
• state plan.
• using state CTE funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as you just stated, the program right now has a million dollars in the budget each year, and... .
• We have three dental programs that we manage and oversee in the foundation, beginning with our state
• But if it's a state program, then we can use the federal AGVets. We can't train spouses.
• But if it's a state program, then we can use the federal Federal AGVets, we can't train spouses.
• But if it's a state program, then we can use the funds to train spouses.

Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Child Care Assistance Program, you'll see on the bottom of page nine, the current state rates
• To be eligible for this program, a household must have an income equal to or less than 150% of the state
• , but do they participate in the state programs with child care?
• As you can see, the federal Medicaid drug rebate program enables states to save significant dollars on
• Can you just remind me what is the breakout of state and federal funding for the CHIP program?

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Texas has curriculum for the competency restoration. Program that we utilize. OK.
• program.
• There is not another state that has a program like ours.
• Yes, yes, that is, but thankfully we have other programs within the state that would.
• State Board of Pharmacy to the Department of State Health Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also launched an ambassador program to pull in creative professionals across the state.
• The Places Program was established by state statute, giving New Mexico Arts another major program area
• So it's 18 local, state, and federal grant programs.
• Madam Chair, we were at New Mexico State recently and we went through their program there.
• For the State Meat Inspection Program and the Meat Processor Grant Program that went through the legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• in those programs.
• in those programs.
• "As of February 1st, our Our Kids B program served approximately 44,000 children in the state of Arkansas
• Has there been any movement or hearing from the municipalities across the state that feel like this program
• program?

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• This investment would continue to add programs across the state that work together with our K-12 schools
• The state investment to those programs is merely about $250,000.
• , and it will only allow programs to be state-funded if they're at 60% full, and then we track their
• I might add to that if I may That an example would be we partner several programs with Wichita State
• So, they have two divisions of Wichita State, and we partner with them to offer some programs as well

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without these programs, Americans would not have We have seen that many of these programs have novel
• , we're also the Brain State.
• What I can tell you is the SBIR program should not be a welfare program to award 50 plus contracts to
• I hope to maybe move that up, but the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program was created The
• Strauchacker, I think you talked about working together with neighboring states on the FAST program.

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Transcript Highlights:

• this program.
• And so all of our programs must become federal program.
• Maybe University State college is technical colleges, private colleges or universities where these programs
• It's a transition program.
• I really think that 120 programs in the state, and I'm certainly I don't have any experience in or profit

Transcript Highlights:

• The program has generated a substantial revenue stream that can support a range of state priorities,
• Program.
• And that's true for all 100 and something programs. issued by the 27 different state agencies.
• for home hardening in a city area that is also the equivalent of home hardening program in the state
• program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the director of program integrity for the State of Michigan. Welcome.
• The state established a program called periodic data matching, which kind of was the interim check every
• The state established a program called Periodic Data matching, which kind of was the interim checked
• There are other states that do this; many other states...
• This program has been very successful. It did curb fraud in the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Receiving state funding has better aligned our state's program with other states operating similar programs
• Thank you. program by paying into the state budget program by paying into the state budget which<00:35
• 46.480> federal program leverages state and federal program leverages state and federal funds<
• The state subsidy program would be entirely using state money.
• The state subsidy program would be entirely using state money.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all