Transcript Highlights:

• and any additional ...funding must be renewed by the legislature.
• It is based on the success of similar programs in other states.
• , even though they're only in the third year of a six-year program.
• You also have to have some various appropriate federal credentials to be a fund manager when you apply
• Fund managers will be chosen based on those guidelines.

Bills: HB446, HB1609, HB4443, HB4464, HB4735, HB5476

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster

Transcript Highlights:

• c> programming to General funds U programming to General funds U restricting<00:10:56.720> the
• <00:11:16.760> funding<00:11:17.279> and The changes in potential federal funding and
• That's a federal program that helps out some food coming back to our kids. Hawaii needs help.
• <01:07:27.880> funds is going to be cut if the federal funds is going to be cut if the federal
• <01:07:43.039> some<01:07:43.240> food federal program that helps out some food federal

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• of the ESA program.
• oversight of the ESA program.
• Let us fund the additional positions needed to smoothly administer this program so that parents and kids
• What we're using is federal law, 36 U.S.C. What we're using is federal law, 36 U.S.C.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's the 75%. >> This is to supplant federal funds, and these positions are already there, or— >
• funds for that to use any federal funds for that private<00:18:54.320> lease<00:18:54.640>
• And then the other items are the federal funding ceiling increases.
• federal funding ceiling increases. federal funding ceiling increases.
• funding or the federal funds being cut off.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the teacher and leader induction programs for the purposes of fulfilling the school safety fund requests
• fund.
• First, it would up the $3 million set in the fund for the Supreme Court pilot program for establishment
• First, it would up the $3 million set in the fund for the Supreme Court pilot program for establishment
• First, it would up the $3 million set in the fund for the Supreme Court pilot program for establishment

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is funded by employer assessments.
• Well, the SIBTF program is a fund, right, that pays those benefits.
• We're here to ask for your support in funding the CWOP program.
• So if you can continue the funding for this program, thank you. Good afternoon.
• Thanks so much. and exclusion from federal relief programs. With that, thank you.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard presentations on the Department of Industrial Relations’ labor-related budget items, with the main focus on proposed trailer bill language to reform the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF) and a related budget change proposal for staffing. DIR said SIBTF has grown far beyond its original purpose, citing the 2020 Todd decision, expanded eligibility based on chronic or asymptomatic conditions, and a backlog that has grown to more than 30,000 pending cases. The administration argued the reforms would restore guardrails, reduce liabilities and employer assessments, and speed processing for severely injured workers; the LAO said the proposal was largely consistent with its prior recommendations. Members raised concerns about using trailer bill language for major policy changes, the retroactive application to open cases, and the impact on workers already in the queue, while supporters from employer groups and public agencies backed the proposal as necessary to control costs and restore sustainability. Public comment was split, with injured-worker advocates opposing the retroactive changes and business/public employer representatives supporting the reforms. The committee then heard the SIBTF workload request, which would phase in 177 positions over five years at a cost of $36.5 million, including staff for the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Office of the Director Legal Unit, and administrative support. DIR said the additional staffing is intended to address very high caseloads and reduce processing times, but emphasized that the request assumes the reform package is adopted; LAO agreed the staffing increase made sense if paired with reforms. Members asked about vacancy rates, current staffing, and whether the workload request would become the new normal, and DIR said it would monitor caseload trends and adjust future requests as needed. Finally, the committee received an update on the California Workplace Outreach Program (CWOP), which DIR described as a partnership with community-based organizations to educate workers and help employers comply with labor laws. DIR reported that CWOP has reached 1.75 million workers and employers and made 8 million touchpoints since 2020, with the current round awarding $50.7 million to 87 partners for a two-year period through June 2027. Members and public commenters highlighted the program’s role in reaching immigrant, farmworker, janitorial, nail salon, and other vulnerable communities, and several speakers urged continued funding at $30 million per year for five years. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next source of the funds is federal funds and private donations that we need to raise to help run
• The Moose Plates are also critical to us receiving those federal funds because all those federal funds
• So without these funds, we would not be able to bring in more of those federal funds into the state to
• <00:23:13.840> federal federal funds because all those federal federal funds because all those
• able to bring in more of those federal able to bring in more of those federal funds<00:23:19.919

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a federally funded state agency mandated by the Developmental Disabilities Rights Act.
• FTEEs to comply with the federal FTEEs to comply with the federal changes?
• So, the eligibility across the board to get into the program, if we went federal, it's at 130%. >> And
• , the program, it's if we went federal, the program, it's if we went federal, it's<00:34:36.399><
• down a pilot program for this in 2023. down a pilot program for this in 2023.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Division of Commerce is the large recipient of federal funds for LIHEAP and weatherization programs
• This area includes many special revenue fund accounts dedicated to specific programs or projects, and
• The Division of Commerce is the large recipient of federal funds for LIHEAP and weatherization programs
• This area includes many special revenue fund accounts dedicated to specific programs or projects, and
• The Division of Commerce is the large recipient of federal funds for LIHEAP and weatherization programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we start looking at it from a federal discretionary granting program, we have to have our match
• discretionary granting program, federal discretionary granting program, we<00:47:47.200> have
• Uh, the aviation community is funded through the Federal Aviation Administration, but it is user-based
• <00:58:01.080> So, battle of the federal funds. So, battle of the federal funds.
• is funded um through the Federal<00:58:25.200> Aviation<00:58:25.720> Administration,<

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by taking roll for the Joint Transportation, Highways, and Military Affairs Committee and noting that 20 topics had been submitted for discussion, including one late addition. Members were asked to number the topics for reference, and the chair explained that each presenter should give a brief overview before the committee returned to the dais for questions and possible ranking or action. No votes were taken during the portion provided. The first topic was a request from the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming to have TRIP, a third-party transportation research organization, present a report on Wyoming’s highway system. The report is intended to identify transportation needs and 25 priority projects, and the committee generally supported hearing the report and methodology directly from TRIP. The next topic combined two similar railroad safety proposals. Representative Chestek described a bill addressing train length, wayside detectors, and track inspections, citing the East Palestine derailment and concerns about reduced inspection frequency. Committee members raised questions about federal preemption and enforcement authority; Chestek said states can be more protective of safety where federal rules leave gaps, and WYDOT said it would need additional expertise and staffing to administer such a program. No public testimony was offered on the railroad topic. The committee then heard two proposals from the Wyoming Military Department. One would study Tricare subsidies for mental health providers by comparing Tricare reimbursement rates with other insurers, gathering de-identified data on eligible members and provider participation, and then returning to the committee with findings before any legislative recommendation. Members discussed whether the issue might fit better in Labor, Health, and Social Services, but the military department said it believed the committee had a strong connection to the topic. The second military topic would study Service Group Life Insurance for state active duty, comparing state and federal death benefits for Guard members to identify any shortfalls. The committee also briefly discussed a VSO program review raised by Representative Neff, focusing on the number of veterans service officers and retention, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates the Airport Hangar Grant Program and the Airport Hangar Development Fund, which is
• actually a sub-fund.
• The bill authorizes the division to set up a pilot program, subject to the availability of funds, and
• to a new fund, from which... ...from the Economic Development Project Fund to a new fund from which
• authority to the Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, and the other federal aid programs

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the inception of that program.”
• programs.
• , but if you look at all the programs that we have, we typically, for every dollar we invest or fund,
• But when you look at the actual data, the money, the programs, the NASA programs, the NASA program...
• its programs.

Summary: The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year. Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership. Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have concerns about how federal funding cuts could negatively impact public safety in the state
• The BCA, State Fire Marshal's Office, Office of Justice Programs and Homeland Security all receive federal
• The vast majority of preparedness and disaster response funding comes from the federal government, and
• This is yet another area where federal funding is at risk, and I'm happy to see that Minnesota cares
• Training funding is one of the most successful grant programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The LEAD program, which was piloted and funded in the 2016-17 budget, has been especially impactful in
• As funding has increased, so has the risk that the CalVIP program loses fidelity to real community violence
• When what counts as CVI is expanded too broadly, the risk is that funds will be used on programs that
• Our limited CVI funds become diluted with programs which may... ...proven model.
• Federal dollars have been cut, CalVIP funding is lower than previous years, and the pressure on this

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• strong funding from the federal government now.
• We don't know if the federal government will be functioning, but we do have very strong funding from
• strong funding from the federal government now.
• We don't know if the federal government will be functioning, but we do have very strong funding from
• strong funding from the federal government now.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on January 31 and heard six bills. The chair opened by outlining committee practices, including giving at least 72 hours’ notice for hearings, releasing testimony by 5:00 p.m. the day before hearings, and deferring bills needing substantive HT1 changes so members would not vote “blind.” Members briefly thanked the chair for the transparency approach before moving to the agenda. HB 223 would create a Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy special fund and workforce assessment fee to support a pharmacy center. Testimony from the Board of Pharmacy, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo College of Pharmacy, Mokai Drugs, and others generally supported the measure, emphasizing workforce data, rural access, student loan repayment, and retention. The committee later advanced HB 223 with amendments, including leaving fee amounts blank for further discussion and inserting a defective date, and the motion passed unanimously. HB 940 would appropriate funds for the rat lungworm lab at UH Hilo; HB 546 would establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute at UH to advance AI; HB 549 would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program; HB 1172 would add the Department of Taxation to the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for wage-data sharing; and HB 1320 would require UH to collect and publicly report graduate outcome data and create a dashboard. Testimony on these bills was largely supportive, with some privacy concerns raised on HB 1172 and a request to protect taxpayer confidentiality. In decision-making, the committee passed all five bills with amendments, generally deleting or blanking appropriations and FTEs for Finance Committee review, adding defective dates for further discussion, and in HB 549 adding a statement that the program is a matter of statewide concern. The committee recessed briefly for decision-making and then adopted the chair’s recommendations on each bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• One, first is the rehabilitation programming.
• There's also, we've heard of the ARC program.
• Trauma recovery centers and bridge funding, support for public defenders, CBO programming within the
• We need these programs. Otherwise, we do an injustice.
• You know, the Prop. 36 funding, there's an argument to be made that it's not being funded enough, but

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > certain federal funding becoming less certain federal funding becoming less certain every<00:56
• worthy program to fund.
• > on um the federal funding for Meals on um the federal funding for Meals on Wheels<01:26:36.679>
• > funds<01:26:45.639> we by both federal and state funds we by both federal and state funds
• program to to fund that this is a worthy program to to fund and<01:26:53.239> so<01:26:53.920>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to fully funding the 50th year of the Student Opportunity Act.
• the fifth-sixth goal rate of the Chapter 70 funding, which is funded at $7.3 billion in this budget.
• Programs like the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program, MRVP, and the Rental Assistance for Families
• In the midst of reckless federal cuts to food assistance initiatives, this budget will fund such programs
• as the emergency food assistance program and the healthy initiative incentive programs at high levels

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House met in a floor session that began with routine procedural motions, including quorum checks, roll calls, and brief recesses. Members also welcomed guests and observed a moment of silent tribute for Frederick Pat Waller of Dracut, a 101-year-old World War II veteran and longtime farmer, before taking up the day’s major budget business. The principal item was the FY2026 appropriations legislation. House leaders described the conference report as a roughly $61 billion budget that reduces spending from earlier proposals while increasing Fair Share spending to $2.4 billion. They highlighted funding for education, including Chapter 70 aid, universal school meals, higher education financial aid, MassReconnect, and school clean energy projects; transportation, including MBTA and regional transit authority support; housing and homelessness programs; food assistance; and a new $5 million immigration legal assistance fund. Supporters emphasized fiscal stability, timely passage, and aid to cities and towns, while noting uncertainty from the federal government. The House first passed the supplemental appropriations bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 142-0, then later passed it on final enactment by 143-1. The House then accepted the conference report on the main FY2026 budget by a roll call vote of 139-6, adopted the emergency preamble by a recorded vote, and finally enacted the budget by another 139-6 vote. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn to the following Thursday at 11 a.m., and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time to fund supported living.
• This is before the full weight of federal SNAP funding cuts fall squarely on the shoulders of the states
• Please prioritize the funding of our health care system and food assistance programs.
• that feed the elderly lose the federal grants that have sustained these programs.
• Subtracting federal dollars, Arkansas ranks 27th.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I too belong to the Mano area Rock Steady program, which is a program where we use boxing to facilitate
• in the Mano area the Rock Steady program in the Mano area the Rock Steady program which<00:10:27.920
• It gives me hope that there's be more funding in the future for more programs like this.
• Parkinson's disease research trust fund Parkinson's disease research trust fund represents<00:15
• Uh, there's about $330 million a year in federal funding from the NIH for Parkinson's research, and I'm

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on two Parkinson’s-related bills in Minnesota: one to ban paraquat and another to create a state Parkinson’s research trust fund. Rep. Christy Purcell said the research bill would create a dedicated pot of money to coordinate and fund Parkinson’s research in Minnesota, with Sen. Mann as the Senate author. Supporters said Minnesota should act because Parkinson’s is growing rapidly, there is no cure, and state institutions could serve as a research hub. Several people living with Parkinson’s testified about the personal and family impact of the disease, including early-onset diagnoses, loss of work, mobility challenges, and the burden on caregivers. Speakers from the Parkinson’s Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation supported both bills, arguing that paraquat is strongly linked to Parkinson’s, that exposure can affect farmers and nearby residents, and that prevention and research are both needed. The paraquat bill was described as especially important because alternatives exist and the chemical is reportedly used very little in Minnesota. During the discussion, Rep. Hansen said the paraquat bill would be held over and not voted on that day because a fiscal note was requested. He said the committee would hear the bill later that day and urged colleagues to keep an open mind. In response to questions, supporters said they anticipated little opposition beyond chemical-industry interests, and they emphasized that the bill was aimed specifically at paraquat rather than other chemicals. The research bill was discussed as a possible $25 million request, though no vote was taken on that proposal in the transcript.