Video & Transcript : 'Washington State Energy Code' :

Page 232 of 500
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • In the state, they own and operate the Glen Ellen Wind Energy Center, and they were the developers of
  • into mechanical energy and then into electrical energy.
  • energy and the mechanical energy and the steam into the mechanical energy in the turbine, starting that
  • energy and the mechanical energy and the steam into the mechanical energy and the turbine, starting
  • protect ratepayers, the environment, the energy grid, and communities across that state.
Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine’s production history, customer mix, safety record, reclamation practices, workforce, community involvement, and economic impact. Members asked about how long land stays in production before reclamation, how quickly it returns to agriculture, labor shortages, groundwater impacts, and which skilled trades are hardest to fill. Hawbaker said the mine typically disturbs land for three to five years, reclamation returns much of the land to agricultural use, and the biggest hiring challenges are electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, engineers, and accountants. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation. He reviewed the history of North Dakota and federal reclamation laws, the PSC’s permitting and inspection authority, bonding requirements, contemporaneous reclamation standards, and how the state handles topsoil, subsoil, drainage, and revegetation. He emphasized that North Dakota’s program is well regarded, with frequent inspections and no corrective-action issues in recent federal reviews. Christman also discussed problems caused by federal coal ownership that can delay mine plans, and he answered questions about reclamation timing, wildlife easements, wind and pipeline reclamation, and whether similar bonding concepts could apply to data centers. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council President and CEO Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He highlighted the industry’s long-term role in providing reliable electricity, jobs, and tax revenue, along with North Dakota’s low electricity rates and strong grid reliability. Fortner discussed severance and conversion tax revenues, federal regulatory changes, litigation over EPA rules, carbon capture, critical minerals, and the potential for large-load customers such as data centers to support new coal generation. He said the industry sees a window of opportunity for growth and expressed support for new large-load development, while noting that diversified energy companies are also pursuing natural gas and other resources. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning for the tour.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • You pay the state. The state. The taxpayers pay for it, okay?
  • We are funded by the state contributions for Government Code, also department contributions, Part 1 and
  • state.
  • SECO has been allocated DOE money for a state energy plan, a revolving loan fund, and also, very importantly
  • state agency.
Bills: SB 1
Committee: Senate Finance
Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:
  • Those will go to the State Energy Conservation Office. Page 2.
  • FTEs in the State Energy Conservation Office, something, oh, there.
  • I am, okay, in the State Energy Conservation Office, 18 new FTEs.
  • Office and the additional FTEs requested to the State Energy Conservation Office into HB 1, when it was
  • I�m here to support� the Comptroller's Fiscal Programs and specifically the State Energy Conservation
Keywords: 1184, house, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 19th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Washington, D.C., along with seven other states, have already enacted bans, and Kansas is soon to enact
  • Washington, D.C., along with seven other states, have already enacted bans, and Kansas is soon to enact
  • It says that it provides you with energy.
  • We have seen in states like Washington where removal is restricted to only life-threatening or imminent
  • As legislators, do not pass a bill that would have Idaho fall into the footsteps of Washington state
Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee continued testimony on House Bill 864, which would schedule kratom as a Schedule I substance. Testimony was sharply divided. Family members of people who died after using kratom urged a full ban, arguing that kratom leaf and extracts can be lethal, that labeling is misleading, and that regulation would leave loopholes. Retail and industry witnesses, along with the American Kratom Association, argued that the problem is synthetic 7-OH and other adulterated products rather than natural kratom leaf, and said the bill would criminalize users and push products into the black market. A physician who worked in corrections testified that kratom is an addictive opioid-like substance and supported the bill, while other witnesses said kratom helped them manage pain or avoid stronger opioids. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to hold HB 864 to a time certain of March 25 by a roll call vote of 11-5. The committee then took up House Bill 903, a SNAP-related bill clarifying which foods can be purchased with benefits. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clean up the earlier SNAP restrictions and keep more nutritious items eligible, but he also announced planned amendments to remove cookies, cakes, brownies, sprinkles, chips, and snack bars from the allowable list. Retailers and related industry groups supported the bill as a clarification measure, but several members objected to advancing it before the proposed amendments were formally available and before stakeholders could weigh in. A substitute motion to hold the bill failed, and the committee then voted to send HB 903 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 757, which would define medical neglect in state law and create protections for parents and guardians from bad-faith or false reports. The sponsor said the bill narrows medical neglect to life-threatening conditions, adds a reasonable-person standard, and provides safe harbors for parents seeking care or dealing with complex medical situations, including alternative treatments. Members began asking questions about what qualifies as life-threatening as the hearing moved into testimony.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Cap Committee Meeting - 2025-04-29

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our neighbors at North Dakota State University, Michigan State, Kansas State, and Illinois have all made
  • HEAPR is something that we've generally relied on the state for because these are state assets and state
  • in the United States, behind the State University of New York, the City University of New York, and the
  • Reduced state investment, rising inflation, and tougher codes hamper our ability to keep up with deferred
  • That's the cost that we, as a state under state contract, incur.
Bills: HF3220
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty One - Monday, February 16

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • of Missouri to establish their energy codes for their communities.
  • Missouri, what the bill proposes is to roll Missouri back to the 2009 energy codes with no process in
  • Putting energy codes at 2009 puts us, rolls us back 17 years.
  • Maryland Heights has upgraded their energy codes. St. Charles has updated their energy codes.
  • These energy codes come from compromises between home builders, architects, all the players.
Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal by roll call vote, 115-6. Members then used points of personal privilege to honor Redd Foxx for Black History Month and to remember former Mayor Frank Klipsch, followed by the introduction of a first-grade special guest page for the day. The chamber also received first readings of three bills on mental health efforts in public schools, public labor organizations, and state contracts with certain telecommunications companies, along with committee reports recommending passage of several bills. The House then debated and passed several measures. A large vehicle-inspection bill, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1838, 1692, 1695, 1983, 2036, 2662, and 2743, drew extended debate over whether inspections improve safety or impose unnecessary costs; it passed 104-43. House Bill 1917, a Jefferson County water district bill aimed at removing a local obstacle to a long-planned development, passed 148-2. House Bill 261, as amended, was approved 109-21 to require Missouri schools and universities to adopt nondiscriminatory policies protecting Jewish students from antisemitic harassment, using the IHRA definition as a guide while stating it would not limit First Amendment rights. Members also passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2384, 92-61, which would limit local energy-code mandates and reduce housing construction costs, despite objections that it would preempt local control and roll back newer codes. The chamber then moved into perfection and took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming-regulation bill intended to legalize and regulate video lottery terminals and crack down on illegal machines. Multiple amendments were adopted, including a $250-per-terminal fee dedicated to developmental disability services, local opt-out and operating-hour provisions, a shorter grace period for existing machines, property-tax language, a 21-and-over restricted area requirement, a larger warning label, and a historical funding provision for the steamboat Arabia. Debate continued on the bill and its amendments, with supporters emphasizing regulation, local control, and new revenue, and opponents warning about gambling expansion, enforcement problems, and social harms.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So in Washington State, we house 10 of the 12 major soil orders.
  • Climate Resilience Strategy for Washington State Agriculture. ...the resilience, the Washington State
  • Like our presenters said before, the state of agriculture, especially in Washington State,...
  • Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at Washington State University.
  • It's 1974 is when the Washington was... Washington State University.
Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met for a work session focused on Washington agriculture’s condition, food security, behavioral health, and animal disease surveillance. WSDA Director Derek Sandison and economist Maddie Roy presented an update on agricultural viability, describing Washington agriculture as highly diverse and valuable but increasingly strained by rising production and labor costs, aging producers, consolidation, trade barriers, land pressures, stagnant research funding, infrastructure concerns, and climate impacts. They cited declining farm numbers, falling net farm income, and negative take-home pay for farmers, while also noting strengths such as climate, soils, ports, irrigation, universities, and other infrastructure. Committee members asked about commodity-specific impacts, comparisons with other states, and the role of regulation in worsening costs. Kelly McLean followed with a discussion of opportunities to support agriculture, including trade, domestic food systems development, climate mitigation, clean energy, ag tech, workforce and education, and mental health. She highlighted investments in port and transportation infrastructure, local food processing and distribution, land access and incubator opportunities, climate resilience projects, and programs supporting farmworker and farmer mental health. Katie Raines then updated the committee on food systems and food security, explaining WSDA’s reorganization into a Farm and Food Systems Development Division and describing trends in household food insecurity, the state’s hunger safety net, and the importance of food system infrastructure. She noted that food insecurity is rising again and that even higher-income households are reporting need, while legislators asked about eligibility thresholds and the impact on lower-income residents. The committee also heard from WSU Skagit County Extension’s Don McMoran and Maddie Van der Koi on agricultural stress and suicide prevention. They described the Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership, crisis and referral resources, peer-to-peer outreach, trainings, and free counseling vouchers for farmers and farmworkers. They emphasized that farmers face chronic stress from financial volatility, weather, labor shortages, isolation, and stigma, and cited elevated suicide rates in agricultural populations. Members asked about reluctance to seek help and whether flooding had increased demand for services. Finally, Dr. Kevin Snekovic of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory described WADDL’s role in disease testing, food safety, wildlife surveillance, and rapid response to outbreaks such as avian influenza and chronic wasting disease. He said the lab supports trade and quarantine decisions, and members asked about elk hoof rot research, workforce needs, and how to connect constituents to the lab. No votes were taken; the session ended with a preview of upcoming Thursday work sessions on marine resources, Columbia River Basin supply, Ecology’s report back, and agricultural natural resources issues.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • In Washington State, we house 10 of the 12 major soil orders.
  • ag. various different commodities in Washington state.
  • Climate Resilience Strategy for Washington State Agriculture. ...the resilience, the Washington State
  • Like our presenters said before, the state of agriculture, especially in Washington State, is in a dire
  • I'll bring you up to speed on the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at Washington State University
Keywords: 904, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Jun 23rd, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • state universities.
  • States and China.
  • And again, the state of Texas, the state of Florida, and the state of Nebraska have consumer fraud suits
  • Sorry, so through Pacifico Energy, their GW Ranch project in Pecos, Texas, their own website states that
  • Their own website states that they will generate 7.65 gigawatts of energy at this location.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jul 23rd, 2026

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, Massachusetts lost 70 firms to other states in 2023.
  • , and we've lost a total of 149 firms to other states from 2020 to 2023, the fifth most of any state.
  • Thank you. ...out of the state of Massachusetts.
  • These are the resources to pay for the expenses of state government in the United States of America.
  • the United States of America.
Keywords: 1212, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The future looks bright for the role of nuclear energy. Energy and Texas's energy portfolio.
  • And advancing, really, energy freedom for this state and this country.
  • We need more data to fully understand the state of diabetes-related amputations in our state. so that
  • At the state level than we do as a state senate.
  • law and state policy.
Summary: The meeting focused on several crucial pieces of legislation, notably Senate Joint Resolution 40, which proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the Supreme Court during emergencies. Senator Birdwell presented the resolution, emphasizing the need for legislative involvement during prolonged crises. It garnered broad support, passing with 29 votes in favor and only 1 against. Following this, Senate Bill 871, considered the enabling legislation, was also moved for discussion, with the aim of reinforcing the legislature's authority during emergencies while establishing clear guidelines for the governor's powers.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on the Arts May 14th, 2026

Joint Committee on the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • We got curious about how other states like Washington, Massachusetts, and New York were approaching the
  • The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies has a definition.
  • and creative workers in the state.
  • creative workers in the state.
  • We call upon you now to align our state budget with our stated values, ensuring that California remains
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • energy future in California.
  • I also sit on the code-making panel for the National Electrical Code, and I've chaired the Firefighter
  • Almost half of our state rents.
  • State regulations are pushing these firms to transition to cleaner energy sources.
  • State regulations are pushing these firms to transition to cleaner energy sources, and many firms are
Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Water Topics Overview Committee Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Water Topics Overview Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • across the state.
  • state.
  • The project is owned and managed by the state for the State Water Commission.
  • basin states combined.
  • basin states combined.
Keywords: 908, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:
  • energy future in California.
  • I also sit on the code standards panel for the National Electrical Code.
  • I also sit on the code-making panel for the National Electrical Code, and I've chaired the Firefighter
  • State regulations are pushing these firms to transition to cleaner energy sources.
  • State regulations are pushing these firms to transition to cleaner energy sources, and many firms are
Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 1)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • States Code of the 8 of title 5, United States Code of the rule<02:21:28.880><c> submitted</c><02:21:
  • I yield two minutes now to a member of our committee, the gentlewoman from Washington State, Ms.
  • gentleoman from Washington State, Miss gentleoman from Washington State, Miss Dr.<02:48:10.160><c> Shrier
  • <02:52:33.279><c> blue</c><02:52:33.600><c> states,</c> everybody, red states and blue states, everybody
  • Joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jul 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • State of Idaho.
  • Washington State University also collaborates with two programs outside of the United States that bring
  • There's a fair amount of that going on at Washington State University, as well as Washington Department
  • against us, sending studies, sending declarations, going against an agreement and state code.
  • an agreement and state code.
Summary: The committee heard two main presentations. First, University of Idaho representatives Rob McQuaid, Matt Powell, and Dean Dennis Becker described the university’s land-grant mission and its work in agriculture, natural resources, extension, research, and workforce training. They highlighted the Morrill, Hatch, and Smith-Lever Acts; the university’s colleges and research stations; the Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station; 4-H; the CAFE dairy research facility; the deep soil ecotron; the wildfire, forestry, and policy analysis programs; and the university’s role in veterinary, forestry, and agricultural education. Members asked about quagga mussels, New World screwworm, chronic wasting disease, federal and state funding cuts, and the status of the CAFE project. The university officials said they were willing to assist on invasive species issues, but emphasized not duplicating or diluting agency work, and they described significant impacts from federal funding delays and state cuts. No votes were taken. The committee then heard testimony from Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse on Idaho’s position regarding ICE’s 287(g) partnership programs. He argued that participation should remain voluntary and locally controlled, and explained the differences among the jail enforcement, warrant service officer, and task force models. He said local agencies already cooperate with ICE in limited ways, but mandatory participation could create staffing, liability, and community-trust problems. Members asked about costs, detention standards, administrative versus criminal warrants, liability exposure, and whether deputies lose local control under task force arrangements. Hulse said the programs vary in cost and complexity, that ICE housing standards can be burdensome, and that local sheriffs should decide based on resources and community needs. The committee also discussed the number of Idaho agencies currently participating and the compensation and exit provisions in the agreements. No formal action or vote was taken. In a later segment, the committee heard testimony from the Idaho Wool Growers Association and sheep producers on the long-running domestic sheep and bighorn sheep conflict. Stan Boyd reviewed prior legislation and litigation involving bighorn sheep transplants, notice requirements, and “hold harmless” protections for permittees, while Harry Solon described how forest closures and bighorn-related decisions reduced his family’s sheep operation and forced layoffs. The testimony focused on the economic and family impacts of the closures and lawsuits, and on the history of state efforts to protect grazing permittees. No committee action was recorded.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:
  • energy future in California.
  • I also sit on a code standards panel for the National Electrical Code, and I've chaired the Firefighter
  • Then they take that National Electrical Code and it gets published as the California Electrical Code
  • State regulations are pushing these firms to transition to cleaner energy sources.
  • State regulations are pushing these firms to transition to cleaner energy sources, and many firms are
Keywords: 987, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Higher Education and Workforce Development Mar 3rd, 2026

Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Why does it need additional state support?
  • State your name and make sure your mic is on. State your name and make sure your mic is on.
  • But the state would be responsible for outcome data, right?
  • Border states, you have to be concerned about.
  • The gold, 12% leave for another state in the Midwest.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2510, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeier, which would create a coordinated state framework for critical minerals involving the Departments of Natural Resources, Economic Development, and Higher Education and Workforce Development. The sponsor said Missouri is well positioned because it contains 36 of 60 minerals deemed critical to national security and manufacturing, and argued the bill would help Missouri pursue federal funding, build a workforce pipeline, and support advanced manufacturing with a five-year sunset. Committee members questioned the need for a new state structure and fund, the cost to Missouri, the role of universities, and whether the task force was too narrowly written around the University of Missouri system and mistakenly included DESE instead of higher education. A Missouri Chamber witness supported the bill for its economic and national security benefits, while an environmental witness urged adding an environmental professional to the task force and a mining permitting framework, citing health and water concerns and suggesting a separate mining-regulation bill as an amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 2585, sponsored by Rep. Castile, which updates Missouri workforce development statutes to align with federal law and implement the new Workforce Pell Grant program. The sponsor said the bill would allow short-term, high-value training programs in fields like welding, public safety academies, health technology, and trucking to qualify for Pell support, while preserving oversight and tying eligibility to outcomes such as completion, job placement, and earnings. Members asked about the number and makeup of the workforce board, whether the bill’s staffing references still pointed to the wrong department, how the 150% poverty-level threshold and reporting metrics would work, and whether the board could move quickly enough to meet federal timelines. A Missouri Community College Association witness said all 12 community colleges have programs likely to qualify and explained the federal eligibility standards, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and three-year rolling data review; a FGA Action witness and the Missouri Chamber also supported the bill as a way to expand access to skills training and draw down federal funds. After the bill hearings, the committee received an informational presentation from the Midwestern Higher Education Compact. The presenter described the compact’s regional cost-saving work, including reciprocity for distance education, technology contracts, grants, and efforts on dual credit and FAFSA support. She also shared Missouri-specific data on educational attainment, enrollment trends, student migration, and net price, noting that Missouri lags slightly behind the U.S. in attainment, has projected declines in high school graduates, retains most in-state students, and has higher net prices for low-income students than the Midwest average. The committee then adjourned.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 13th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we need to do as a state.
  • It does not create a new state program or appropriate state funds. Therefore, the...
  • You said other states are funding this as well, ma'am.
  • United States, that have active legislation.
  • Coverage applies only within the scope of state employment.