Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, this committee has had jurisdiction over the public subsidy program, which I'm sure you
• which I'm sure you know much program which I'm sure you know much more<00:05:12.280><c> about</c><00
• in addition there's what subsidy program in addition there's what we<00:05:37.039><c> call</c><00:05
• That provides additional funding for the public subsidy program, and that, of course, will fluctuate
• funding uh for dollars in Federal grant funding uh for physical<00:08:56.880><c> or</c><00:08:57.399

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• issue grants to nonprofit organizations.
• And so the Food Justice Frontline Program is aimed to do four things.
• First, grant funding: the program would provide financial support to nonprofit food security organizations
• And so the Food Justice Frontline Program is aimed to, as proposed, would do four things, grant funding
• incentive grants to supplement the state funding.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held its second hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including food security, cottage food entrepreneurship, hemp regulation, lobster industry support, pesticide restrictions, pollinator protections, pet cemeteries, and municipal land rights. Committee chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted that 19 bills were on the docket, and took testimony both in person and remotely, with several legislators testifying out of turn because of scheduling conflicts. Several speakers supported food access and local economic opportunity bills. Representative Howard and Senator Oliveira backed the Food Justice Frontline Program and a cottage food/food entrepreneur bill, arguing they would fund nonprofit food security organizations, create jobs, improve SNAP/HIP outreach, and reduce barriers for home-based food businesses. Eastie Farm representatives and a student testified in favor of the food justice bill, describing food insecurity in East Boston and the need for grants, youth involvement, and multilingual outreach. Sidney Travis of the Institute for Justice also supported cottage food reforms, saying current municipal permitting rules create unequal access and that cottage foods are generally safe. The committee also heard sharply divided testimony on hemp legislation. Senator Comerford supported S. 54 as a public health measure to ban synthetic THC products, restrict intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, and fund local enforcement, while Laura Beiner, John Nathan, and Elizabeth Wendorf opposed the bill or parts of it, warning it would harm compliant hemp businesses and small farmers. Representative Arena-DeRosa testified in support of a related pollinator bill, and Adam Karachi opposed pesticide restrictions for schools while Deborah Smith supported them, arguing existing protections should be expanded to other child-centered locations. The committee also heard support for a bill to aid lobstermen affected by right whale protections, a bill to preserve private pet cemeteries, and a municipal right-of-first-refusal bill for agricultural and recreational land. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but I do believe the most impactful program that we have is a federally funded program.
• programs later?
• Now, it can vary program by program. Yes, it can vary.
• Will you grant us a waiver?
• been waivers granted.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid, block grant. Food stamps, block grant.
• Medicaid, block grant. Food stamps, block grant.
• Medicaid, block grant. Food stamps, block grant.
• , and ongoing grant support for the child nutrition program.
• I mean, its... ...program. And that program alone has been beyond successful.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House convened with roll call, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members also received multiple messages from the Senate and Governor regarding enrolled bills, new Senate bills, and committee reports. The House Business Committee’s report on pending and temporary administrative rules was filed, including recommendations to approve several insurance and licensing rules, extend temporary building-related rules, and reject one proposed building code rule as inconsistent with legislative intent. A number of memorials and resolutions were considered. House Joint Memorial 20, which argues that Plyler v. Doe imposes an unfunded mandate on Idaho for educating non-citizen students and asks Congress to make the state whole, passed on a voice vote. House Joint Memorial 19, supporting efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and urging Congress to cooperate, passed 61-8 after debate over whether eliminating the department would shift enforcement costs to the state. House Concurrent Resolution 34, directing the Idaho Water Resource Board to study Bear River Basin water development feasibility, passed 67-2. House Concurrent Resolution 23 was held on the calendar. The House also passed several Senate bills, including SB 1301 on allowing small breweries an additional retail location, SB 1256 cleaning up an outdated reporting requirement for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, SB 1345 allowing voluntary electronic communications from the Tax Commission, SB 1304 clarifying ditch and easement maintenance, SB 1305 establishing a fixed-fee process for water district title-tracing services, SB 1306 clarifying water district withdrawal procedures, SB 1307 cleaning up canal and lateral ditch maintenance rules, SB 1337 expanding eligibility for irrigation district board service, and SB 1286 restricting predatory fees in veterans’ disability claims assistance. Most passed with substantial majorities, though SB 1304 and SB 1305 drew some opposition. The House then moved a large group of appropriation and policy bills onto the third-reading calendar and suspended rules to immediately consider several budget bills. It passed HB 919 for the Department of Administration, HB 920 for health education programs and residency slots, HB 921 for State Department of Education enhancements, HB 922 for colleges and universities, HB 923 for Department of Administration enhancements tied to procurement and Medicaid contracting, HB 924 for the State Liquor Division, HB 925 for the judicial branch, HB 889 on state procurement reforms, and HB 931 as a trailer bill for portable benefits. Members also discussed the need for fiscal restraint, the value of guardian ad litem and drug court programs, and procurement process reforms. The House adjourned until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are expanding, and they've taken out a loan on that grant, and that grant was pulled.
• They are expanding, and they've taken out a loan on that grant, and that grant was pulled.
• They are expanding, and they've taken out a loan on that grant, and that grant was pulled.
• They are expanding, and they've taken out a loan on that grant, and that grant was pulled.
• Grant and that Grant was pulled um and Grant and that Grant was pulled um and so<01:15:35.840><c> they're

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got four guests from the New Mexico Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research: Andrea
• EPSCoR, it's the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
• EPSCoR is the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and is a program started by the National
• In their program, the main goals are to support students who want to study science and engineering, yay
• House Bill 168 continues: creating the New Homes for New Mexico program, providing for program administration

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will there be funding for these grant programs again in the future? Thank you for that question.
• So to answer your question specifically, our grant program is dependent on, or grounded in, existing
• programs specific to the California Conservation Corps. ...ongoing contributions or grant programs specific
• And as was mentioned, the grant programs at CalRecycle are in need of funding.
• We've put together a ...mentioned, the grant programs at CalRecycle are in need of funding.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they are in the program right now, they are there in that outpatient program.
• A state program?
• This is the crisis counseling program. It's also known better as the Show Me Hope program.
• It is federal grant funding to support the crisis counseling assistance training programs.
• These grants do support a lot of a variety of programs that includes prevention services and recovery

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now that program is called the Consolidated Endowment Fund, or the CEF.
• In addition, the UW has established an investment program for other funds called the Invested Funds Program
• And one other thing that this amendment does is that it forces those grant recipients who are grant recipients
• , important safety net programs, and programs that do help our most vulnerable Washingtonians.
• It's a good program, the PALS line.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2565, which would require University of Washington gifts, grants, and similar funds to be invested through the Washington State Investment Board instead of UW’s internal investment office. Staff and the prime sponsor argued the change would lower fees and improve returns, while UW’s representatives opposed the bill, citing concerns about donor intent, legal restrictions on thousands of individual endowments, and differences in portfolio management and liquidity needs. No questions were raised in the hearing, and no action was taken on the bill at that time. The committee then moved into executive session on several bills. On Third Substitute House Bill 1607, related to recycling and waste reduction, members adopted a technical amendment but rejected amendments that would have directed unredeemed deposits to the Working Families Tax Credit and litter programs, added accountability requirements for grants, or created a SNAP-related benefit. The bill was then reported out of committee with a do pass recommendation on a 17-13 vote. On Second Substitute House Bill 1622, concerning bargaining over public employers’ use of artificial intelligence, members adopted one amendment updating the AI definition and rejected three others that would have narrowed bargaining triggers or limited the bill to technologies with demonstrable material impacts. The bill was reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 19-11 vote. The committee also advanced House Bill 2254, which would cover administrative costs for the Partnership Access Line assessment, and House Bill 2385, which extends timelines for the Medicaid access program after federal changes affected implementation; both were reported out with do pass recommendations. House Bill 2531, continuing and adjusting the ground transportation quality assurance fee structure, also passed out of committee. Finally, House Bill 2543, allowing county clerks to increase certain fees to cover court-related costs, was reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 22-6 vote. The committee adjourned after completing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the State Grant in Minnesota, we're very fortunate to have a robust financial aid program here in Minnesota
• So $210 a half million projected shortfall in our state grant program, which of course is almost one
• </c> created a huge hole in the state grant created a huge hole in the state grant program<00:19:28.159
• course</c><00:19:34.640><c> is</c> state grant program which of course is state grant program which
• </c><01:10:44.920><c> began</c> the program so this this program began the program so this this program

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill establishes the Renaissance grant program to help them rebuild capacity by closing technology
• , aptly called the FARM program.
• I saw that you changed the name of the HOPE Scholarship Program to just the HOPE Program.
• I saw that you changed the name of the HOPE Scholarship Program to just the HOPE Program.
• in the program?

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SB 250 on rural communities by Senator Simon, was described as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and transportation investments, added funding for rural education consortiums, and health care initiatives for rural areas. Senator Harrell asked about overlap between road funding programs, and the sponsor explained that eligible counties could receive both SCRAP and FARM funding. Several organizations waived in support or spoke in support, and the bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee then heard SB 318, the committee substitute for educational scholarship programs by President Gates. The bill was presented as a response to Auditor General findings about the rapid growth and administration of Florida’s school choice and scholarship programs. It would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding from the FEFP, require more frequent student enrollment verification, lower scholarship funding organization administrative fees, require return of overpayments, create a student ID system, establish a $250 million stabilization fund, require annual audits, and direct DOE to recommend future program administration through competitive procurement. Gates also offered five amendments, including technical changes to eligibility documentation and a substantive amendment requiring a DOE report on future administration and competitive selection; all five amendments were adopted. During debate and public testimony, senators and witnesses discussed accountability, software solutions, reimbursement delays, monthly attestations, and impacts on public schools and families. Supporters and opponents alike raised concerns about bureaucracy, fraud prevention, special education services, and whether the bill would help or burden parents. Gates said the bill aimed to fix tracking and payment problems without capping the program, and he noted the IEP timeline would be aligned with public school timelines. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 318 favorably by unanimous vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a one-time grant opportunity. Thank you. Projects. This is a one-time grant opportunity.
• Are they grants? Straight grants. Straight grants. Yes, sir.
• So there are a few program requirements that will also apply to these grants.
• WISC is a one-time 100% grant program.
• It's a very complex program.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the years, programs such as the Healthy Soils Program, the Soil Program, the State Water Efficiency
• Habitat Program, our Organic Transition Program, and the Conservation Agriculture Planning Grant Program
• And without CDFA's capital grants through the DDRDP and ongoing revenue streams from programs like the
• Brian Shob: Second, the SWEEP Program, the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program, offers grants
• These matching grant programs also provide multiple co-benefits such as energy savings, NOx reductions

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> programs at institutions. programs at institutions.
• ><c> programs</c> and we review programs and we review programs on<00:24:21.600><c> a</c><00:24:21.720
• </c><00:25:50.240><c> Um,</c> programs here. Um, programs here.
• we got that grant.
• we got that grant.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can go into some more details on the program.
• adding it on to the statewide consistent one-source program.
• programs that we already have through the... ...to be able to go through some of the grant programs
• For example, I think for state and federal agencies in their grant programs, we're used to phone-knock
• sort of process and granting mechanism?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, the County Road Administration Board: there's $2.2 million for a local road grant program
• program.
• program.
• program.
• We are thrilled to be getting our first new grant program in over 30 years at the county road board.

Bills: HB2306

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:

• program.
• And then we also rolled out the aggregate grant program that the legislature gave us the authority for
• The way the grant program has been working is, I'll say, an individual rail company or a seaport or an
• I think the aggregate grant program is probably the best example of how the legislature has helped us
• And through that grant program, we have the ability to purchase aggregate and stockpile it for those

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how the programs work, including human review of recorded violations, issuance of civil notices to vehicle owners, and escalation to uniform traffic citations if unpaid or uncontested. Officials also outlined the fee structure and reported preliminary data showing 42 red light camera jurisdictions, 496 red light cameras, and more than 923,000 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025, along with growth in school zone and school bus programs. Senators asked about camera placement, signage, review procedures, and whether reviewers or vendors receive revenue from citations; several questions were left for follow-up because the witness did not have all statutory or operational details. The committee then heard an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, funded by a $4 billion general revenue investment leveraged into a $7 billion program for 20 major projects. He said the initiative is advancing high-priority congestion relief projects across the state, with 80% of the plan expected to be underway by the end of 2026 and the remaining projects in 2027. Perdue highlighted new delivery methods such as modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, along with workforce and supply-chain efforts, including regional hiring events and aggregate planning. He cited projects such as I-4 congestion relief lanes, Golden Glades, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, and I-275 improvements as examples of the program’s progress. Members questioned FDOT about traffic management during construction, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, public transit planning, contractor safety and fatalities, bridge strikes, logistics access near ports and airports, aggregate supply, local government coordination, and federal funding uncertainty. Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic control plans, works with local governments and industry partners, uses small business participation targets, and requires contractors to be in good standing with OSHA and to implement corrective action plans after incidents. He also said Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, the state remains largely state-funded, and additional resources are the main need for future transportation delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project information.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program if we're not growing the program program if we're not growing the program from<00:09:26.959
• </c> the program. the program.
• </c> and others to be a part of this program. and others to be a part of this program.
• </c><00:51:42.160><c> So,</c> program is. So, program is.
• </c> program we're offering. program we're offering.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess we can grant you an exception. I guess we can grant you an exception.
• House Bill 2727 concerns establishing the Educational Transit Access Grant Program.
• Under this bill, WSDOT is required to establish an Educational Transit Access Grant Program to provide
• - or certificate-seeking programs at such colleges.
• We commend the prime sponsor on our work to refine areas of concern on where the grant program originated

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits. In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was asked to take part in this program, I jumped at the chance.
• This account is authorized to accept gifts, grants, or endowments.
• So what this bill does is authorize the board to solicit grants.
• All the other youth programs were moved.
• to apply for grants.

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of the 2006 session with member and staff introductions, then took up five bills. Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 would reestablish and expand the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health through the start of the 2029 session. Lieutenant Governor Heck, Senator Lovick, and Senator Muzzall testified in support, emphasizing respectful civic discourse and bipartisan cooperation. The bill drew 20 pro and 53 con sign-ins, but no questions or vote were taken at the hearing. Senate Bill 5825 would authorize the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts, grants, and endowments. Senator Claire Wilson and board representatives said the change would help sustain youth leadership, mentorship, and civic engagement programs, with an initial fundraising goal of under $50,000 and policies to be developed with OFM and legal counsel to manage donor expectations. Testimony from board members and volunteers was strongly supportive, and the sign-in sheet showed four in favor and one opposed. Senate Bill 5842 would exempt display of previous campaign memorabilia in legislative offices from the prohibition on using public resources for campaigns. Senator Wagoner said the bill was meant to clarify ethics rules and allow harmless historical or decorative items, but members and staff raised concerns about what counts as “previous” campaign material and suggested tightening the language. The hearing on Senate Bill 5863 focused on preserving Lakeland Village historical records until at least fiscal year 2030 and allowing archival access after 75 years; Senator Kauffman and disability advocates described the bill as an act of respect and historical accountability, and testimony from family members and advocates was unanimously supportive. Finally, Senate Bill 5840 would change campaign finance reporting schedules to fixed monthly dates and require more regular C-4 filings; the PDC said the goal was greater transparency and easier compliance, while several treasurers supported simplification but warned about burdens from zero-activity filings and some timing provisions. The committee noted the bills were scheduled for executive action on Friday and adjourned after the final hearing.