Transcript Highlights:

• </c> providing those evidence-based programs providing those evidence-based programs to<04:57:14.520>
• </c> say these are our grant say these are our grant categories<05:41:50.240><c> how</c><05:41:50.440
• Uh, we're doing... around our grants you know we have right around our grants you know we have right
• Are the grants included in those contracts, or your grant awards? So there's grant awards.
• </c><05:48:13.798><c> Awards</c> Grant Awards so there's Grant Awards Grant Awards so there's Grant Awards

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology. Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break. After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> too's group the division of program too's group the division of program quality<00:07:03.319><c>
• </c><00:35:55.200><c> throughout</c> caregivers Support Program throughout caregivers Support Program
• And then 8925 is the Medicaid Services Grant, which is the State Health Insurance Education Program,
• program uh 95% insurance education program uh 95% federal<00:36:34.599><c> funds</c><00:36:34.920><c
• </c><00:46:26.760><c> um</c> service block grant um service block grant um again<00:46:28.839><c> um<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• program there.
• Well, this is different because what this does is this allows LED to develop a grant program.
• And whatever grants come, if there are state grants, it's taxpayer monies.
• Well, this is different because what this does is this allows LED to develop a grant program, a program
• And whatever grants come, if there are state grants, is taxpayer monies.

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• program then go?
• who are in this grant program with who are in this grant program with shamad<01:02:37.359><c> now</c>
• grant program then go individuals in the grant program then go do<01:02:58.240><c> you</c><01:02:58.520
• grants.
• Business Innovation Research Grants, manufacturing assistance programs to drive innovation and export

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This grant program, administered through my Florida Veterans Foundation all across the state with participating
• So again, a great program.
• That grant program, administered through my Florida Veterans Foundation all across the state with participating
• In August, the program completed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project prioritization.
• In August, the program completed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Project prioritization, notified applicants

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Major General James Hartzell of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs on the agency’s outreach, benefits assistance, and state veterans nursing homes. He highlighted Florida’s large and growing veteran population, the decline in World War II and Vietnam-era veterans, and the increase in post-9/11 veterans moving to the state. Hartzell discussed the state veterans nursing home system, including a new Collier County facility that will include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day health care, and outpatient therapy, and he said the department is also studying future adult day health care expansion and possible additional homes in underserved areas. He also reported on the dental program funded by the Legislature, saying 245 veterans were served in the first quarter of the fiscal year, with 1,631 procedures completed and more than $525,000 in savings, and he credited the added state veterans service officer positions with helping connect more veterans to benefits. Hartzell also noted a 13% year-over-year reduction in homeless veterans, emphasized mental health outreach through SaveFLVets.org and the Overwatch program, and announced a new deputy executive director, retired Colonel D.J. Reyes. Members asked about the need for additional veterans homes in South Florida, the criteria used to site new homes, the homeless veteran reduction, and whether adult day health care could be added at existing facilities. Hartzell explained that federal criteria focus on the availability of private skilled nursing beds for veterans 65 and older, and that adult day health care is state-funded and being studied for broader deployment. He also said the department tracks where homeless veterans are concentrated and works with local partners and organizations like Tunnels to Towers to provide housing and services that reduce recidivism. The committee also discussed Florida’s national reputation for veteran support, including Veterans Month and the state’s culture of veteran awareness. The committee then received a presentation from Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, on disaster response, recovery, and technology systems. Guthrie described the State Emergency Response Team, the new Florida Central Operations and Coordination Office in Auburndale, and the new State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, which is expected to be fully operational by spring 2026 and will significantly expand capacity and hardening. He reviewed recovery efforts for Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debbie, Idalia, Ian, Irma, Michael, Dorian, Sally, Nicole, and others, including sheltering, travel trailers, debris removal, and FEMA reimbursement totals. Guthrie said Florida removed more than 31.6 million cubic yards of debris from Helene and Milton in 90 days on a 24/7 basis, and he described Elevate Florida, the Florida Recovery Obligation Calculation (FROC), the DEMES platform, and WebEOC as tools to streamline recovery, mitigation, and intergovernmental coordination. Members asked about flood-response resources for cities, the state’s use of pumps and mutual aid, and lessons learned from inland flooding after Milton. Guthrie said local governments should first use county and city mutual aid, then request state assistance when needed, and he encouraged more partnerships for staging and maintaining flood equipment. He also said future flood mitigation must address outdated development patterns, watershed flow, and the need for better drainage planning, while continuing temporary fixes and homeowner assistance programs. The committee ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program.
• The completion bonus grant, outside ERCOT grants, and the backup power payments.
• No, sir. a cap of $7.1 billion on the inner cot loan programs combined with the completion bonus grants
• That could be spent on the in our cot loan program.
• So for, and granted, there's things outside of ERCOT.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:06.920><c> to</c> corporation work initiative program to corporation work initiative program
• </c> purpose of the grant and the objectives purpose of the grant and the objectives that<00:19:36.640
• </c> criteria for grant eligibility. criteria for grant eligibility.
• </c><00:20:42.880><c> that</c> if there are multiple sub grants that if there are multiple sub grants
• grant grant functions<00:21:30.680><c> that</c><00:21:30.960><c> may</c><00:21:31.200><c> pass</c><00

Keywords: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The direct local aid allotment includes the restricted fund allotment for the local records grant program
• As examples, we awarded this year grants for technology upgrades, website development, and outreach programs
• KDLA also coordinates the local records program grants.
• These are funds from the program grants.
• The program allocates 90% to grants for county clerk projects. Thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on State Government met for its first meeting and heard a presentation from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KY Stats) by Executive Director Matt Barry and Legislative Director Calli Arnold. The presentation reviewed KY Stats’ statutory background, its evolution from KESUS, its board membership, and its role in housing Kentucky’s longitudinal data system and labor market information office. Barry explained that KY Stats links data from multiple state sources, validates and cleans it, deidentifies it, and uses it to produce reports, evaluations, and responses to data requests for policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Barry described the scale of the system, noting more than 6,000 active data elements, 178 unique file types, and data from 48 sources across 26 agencies. He highlighted the agency’s privacy and security practices, including separate servers for source data and deidentified reporting data, and said KY Stats does not use real-time data. He also outlined the types of reports produced, including the annual high school feedback report and a recent life outcomes report tracking the 2017 public high school cohort’s postsecondary education, completion, wages, and employment outcomes. Members asked about the timeliness and availability of data, especially SNAP and Medicaid information, and Barry said most data arrive annually or quarterly and that Medicaid data had been used in a limited one-time project rather than as an ongoing feed. Questions also focused on artificial intelligence; Barry said KY Stats has not integrated AI but is exploring it cautiously because of privacy and security concerns. Several members encouraged further work with AI tools, while Barry emphasized that any use would need to protect confidentiality. The committee also discussed staffing and funding, with Barry saying KY Stats has about 49 total staff and annual funding of roughly $3.1 million in state general funds, plus federal labor-related funding. Committee members praised the agency’s work and suggested legislators may not fully understand its capabilities. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• for an approved industrial development site as defined for the West Virginia Business Ready Sites Program
• My employer has current grants under the Industrial Access Road program and could apply for more under
• This bill creates the Airport Hangar Grant Program and the Airport Hangar Development Fund, which is
• This bill creates the Airport Hanger Grant Program and the Airport Hanger Development Fund, which is
• The bill authorizes the division to set up a pilot program, subject to the availability of funds, and

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This grant is currently housed in the Department of Public Safety in the Office of Justice Programs and
• Chair, Senate File 2308 is a grant program for the radio systems that are compatible with ARMER. uh<02
• program proposed The grant program proposed provides much-needed financial assistance to local governments
• Grant Program requests either year with Grant Program requests either directed<02:09:29.599><c> to</
• </c> the general fund for in Small Grant the general fund for in Small Grant programs<02:11:34.800><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we get to hear from Grant again and that Senate File 613 Veterans on the Lake Grant appropriation
• This is a $100,000 appropriation for a grant program for veteran and disabled veterans to visit Veterans
• cycle: we spent of the $50,000 grant $8,155.
• Our grant cycle was January to June 31st.
• <00:04:58.960><c> cycle</c> Grant cycle Grant cycle we<00:05:01.240><c> spent</c><00:05:02.240><c> uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations and outlines requirements for SGOs' eligibility in the program.
• The program provides federal tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations without
• This program is effective.
• The federal tax credit scholarship program is effective January 1 of 2027.
• This program also allows taxpayers to give up to $1,700.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee first heard SCR 1028, a voter-referral constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative vote for state fee and assessment increases set by agencies, closing what supporters described as a loophole that has allowed fee hikes without direct legislative approval. The sponsor argued the measure would restore accountability and prevent agencies from using fees as a workaround for tax increases, while opponents from business and economic groups warned it would make agencies less responsive, delay needed adjustments for inflation and program costs, and shift costs to taxpayers or reduce funding for services. After debate, the committee returned SCR 1028 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent. The committee then took up SB 1142, which would have Arizona opt into a federal tax credit program for donations to scholarship-granting organizations and set eligibility requirements for those organizations. Supporters said the program would bring in private dollars at no state cost, expand school choice, and help students with tutoring, special needs, transportation, and other educational expenses; they also argued that if Arizona does not opt in, donations could flow to other states. Opponents, including the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, said the federal program was not yet fully written, lacked guardrails, and could further strain public schools by diverting resources away from the majority of students who remain in district schools. The committee returned SB 1142 with a do pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote, with one member absent, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I love this program.
• outcome. and would allow equipment sharing as part of the grants awarded.
• grant programs, many farmers do not have the labor, time, and resources to track grant opportunities
• This bill will start the grant making process sooner. That is our hope.
• We are accepting our committee amendments to the completion date of the Farm Research Grant Program to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> purposes of gifts, such as grants. purposes of gifts, such as grants.
• The final type is State Wildlife Grant programs.
• Program.
• </c> You're going to do these programs. You're going to do these programs.
• . program. program.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• officer and firefighter recruitment bonus payment program, thereby expanding the program to include
• newly employed firefighters in that program.
• review process of applicants for general support grants and specific fire program grants provided by
• was accepted into the NICA program in 2008.
• NICA program.

Bills: S0198, S0570, S0772, S0808, S1038, S1040, S1286, S1440, S1504, S1668

Keywords: virtual currency, kiosks, money services business, regulation, financial services, consumer protection, cryptocurrency, registration, payment scams, task force, fraud prevention, property insurance, roofing requirements, inspector, insurance policies, homeowners insurance, roof age, residential structures, insurance renewal, investment

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286 by Senator Wright. That bill expands the law enforcement recruitment bonus program to include firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel for fire-related grants, and establishes an institute for PTSD and first-responder behavioral health. Testimony from fire chiefs and others supported the measure, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee then considered several insurance and financial regulation bills. CS/SB 198 by Senator Rousan, as amended, regulates virtual currency kiosks with transaction limits, notice and receipt requirements, and OFR enforcement authority; witnesses described it as a needed anti-fraud measure, especially for seniors, and it was reported favorably. CS/SB 772 by Senator Burgess, as amended, allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and CS/SB 1504 by Senator Claudio, as amended, creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure; both were reported favorably. The committee also approved two cryptocurrency reserve bills by Senator Gruters: CS/SB 1038 creates the Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve framework, and CS/SB 1040 creates the related trust fund; both received technical amendments and favorable reports. CS/SB 1440 by Senator Martin, as amended, creates public records exemptions and cybersecurity reporting provisions for financial institutions and related entities, and it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1668 by Senator Burton, which updates the NICA program’s funding and benefit structure, and CS/SB 570 by Senator Polsky, which creates a task force on payment scams, were both heard with supportive testimony and reported favorably. Senators later recorded additional affirmative votes on selected bills before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A big one is our institutional aid: the State University Grant Program is more than $800 million that
• The Rapid Rehousing Program provides emergency grants, rental subsidies, short- and long-term housing
• One of the federal research grants that was cut was a program called SNAP-Ed, which a lot of campuses
• That program has been cut.
• But I assure you, every university has food insecurity programs, housing insecurity programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second change that they proposed is the rural industrial development grant program, which we had
• And this makes changes to that rural industrial development grant program.
• had</c> development grant program which we had development grant program which we had not<00:48:00.720
• </c> rural industrial development grant rural industrial development grant program.<00:48:11.119><c>
• The program was originally program.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SCORE grants fund recycling programs, the expansion of organics composting efforts to reduce and reuse
• </c> revenues are allocated to score grants revenues are allocated to score grants to<00:18:31.919><c
• </c> to fund Recycling and reuse programs to fund Recycling and reuse programs Washington<00:18:35.679
• </c> mandates due to inadequate score Grant mandates due to inadequate score Grant allocations<00:20:
• It's a program that we coordinate at the county level, whether that's funded with SCORE grants or not

Bills: HF1359, HF1829, HF290, HF1933, HF926

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• program and the local tax increment financing program, which was created by the legislature in 2021.
• Codifying HB 2523 does not expand the program, but it does strengthen the program.
• This program combined grants and loans and one-on-one technical assistance to support both access to
• This program combined grants and loans and one-on-one technical assistance to support both access to
• This program combined grants and loans and one-on-one technical assistance to support both access to

Bills: HB1069, HB2091, SB6355, HB2104, SB6003, HB2441, HB2124, HB2610, HB2338

Keywords: collective bargaining, retirement benefits, employee rights, public sector, supplemental benefits, public employers, employee information, bargaining representatives, labor relations, union representation, electric transmission, energy policies, infrastructure, regulatory framework, transmission systems, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs like Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Mr.
• MPR News brings arts and culture to our programming.
• North Star Journey is a program that NPR News has developed to program and promote the arts.
• Taxpayers, our constituents want to have confidence that we're making investments in grant programs and
• And so if this is going to the Board of Directors of Minnesota Humanities Center as a grant program,

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation