Transcript Highlights:

• But that program is also going away. Federal grants are around 33%.
• . grants. grants.
• </c> program is done. program is done.
• And that covers nitrogen. program under EP that's an EPA program program under EP that's an EPA program
• </c><01:36:55.119><c> for</c><01:36:55.360><c> 3</c> air act grant and an IRA grant for 3 air act grant

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This status was granted by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a...
• Funds that we now aren't able to use in our programming and provide more services.
• I wanted you to have a little understanding of our program and how we operate.
• Any program like Safety Summer is engaged with the police.
• The other thing we ask them is do they get government grants, and we did ask them what kind of grants

Summary: The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions. Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation. Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very fortunate in my office to have specialty crop grants.
• of highlights that the grants have done for us.
• grants because sometimes when you get the grants in there, it's not really totally exactly our money
• For our 2024 specialty crop grant, we were able to get some apple bags.
• And then for our 2024 specialty crop grant, we were able to...

Summary: The House Agricultural Affairs Committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1241 as amended, known as the Working Animal Protection Act or “Leilani’s Law.” The sponsors said the bill is intended to protect working animals used in agriculture, ranching, hunting, transportation, education, and related activities from local ordinances that would effectively ban or unduly restrict them. Testimony in support came from family members, FFA students, the Idaho Farm Bureau, and others who described working animals as well cared for and important to Idaho’s agricultural heritage. One testifier from Horse and Halo raised concerns that the bill could limit animal welfare oversight or create conflicts when inspections or local rules affect operations, but the sponsors said the bill does not override existing animal cruelty and care laws and still allows the Department of Agriculture to enforce them. The committee then passed SB 1241 as amended to the House floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered Senate Joint Memorial 110, which urges Congress and the President to update federal sugar policy, especially the tier-two over-quota duty, to better protect Idaho’s sugar beet industry from low-priced, subsidized imports. The bill sponsor and industry witnesses from the Snake River Sugar Beet Growers Association and Amalgamated Sugar said world sugar markets are distorted by subsidies in countries such as Brazil, Thailand, and India, and that Idaho growers are facing rising costs and market pressure. The committee approved the memorial and sent SJM 110 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The final agenda item was the annual report from Candy Fitch, executive director of the Idaho Apple, Cherry, and Hop commissions. She reviewed market conditions for hops, apples, and cherries, noting reduced hop acreage, continued pressure on apple prices, and a difficult cherry market affected by crop timing, pricing, and export uncertainty. She also described specialty crop grant-funded promotions, trade missions, and commission budgets, and announced her retirement at the end of June. Committee members thanked her for her long service to Idaho agriculture and to the committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We directed large amounts of new money to competitive grant programs rather than direct appropriations
• does work and is able to get a grant.
• There's also a program at Endova County Medical Center called the Next Step program, a violence intervention
• The reason I mention this program is because it recently lost a grant that is funded by the Department
• Please talk to the advocacy programs and the direct service programs in your communities and find out

Transcript Highlights:

• Granted. Thank you.
• &gt;&gt; Granted. &gt;&gt; Granted. &gt;&gt; Granted. &gt;&gt; Thank<00:11:24.399><c> you.
• </c> a<00:44:06.960><c> program</c> a program a program that<00:44:10.240><c> was</c> that was that was
• </c> program versus traditional Medicaid. program versus traditional Medicaid.
• &gt;&gt; Grant. &gt;&gt; Grant. &gt;&gt; Grant. &gt;&gt; Very<01:22:27.600><c> good.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington Sea Grant reports...
• Washington Sea Grant reports.
• If you look at VSP, which is the Voluntary Stewardship Program, our farmers utilize that program to the
• Voluntary programs. Again, we've talked about that some. Voluntary programs are important.
• Voluntary programs. Again, we've talked about that some. Voluntary programs are important.

Summary: The committee first received an update from Larry Madsen of the Office of Columbia River on eastern Washington water supply projects. He described the office’s mission to develop new water supplies for in-stream and out-of-stream uses, noting that funded projects have developed more than 800,000 acre-feet of water toward a 1 million acre-foot goal by 2030. He reviewed the four major program areas: the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, the Walla Walla Water 2050 plan, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and the Icicle Work Group. He highlighted major projects such as East Low Canal work, Springwood Ranch reservoir planning, Bateman Island causeway removal, and Icicle Creek improvements, and emphasized the importance of state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partnerships and cost-sharing. Senators asked about accelerating the Springwood Ranch study, reservoir sizing and refill potential, and how conservation fits into the Yakima plan. The committee then heard from Betsy Peabody, Dr. Micah Horwith, and Bill Dewey on the Marine Resources Advisory Council and ocean acidification. They explained that Washington was an early bellwether for ocean acidification impacts, especially on shellfish hatcheries, where low aragonite saturation and changing pH caused major oyster larval mortality. They described the state’s monitoring network, hatchery buffering systems, research partnerships, and adaptation strategies such as kelp co-culture, selective breeding, and native oyster restoration. Testimony stressed that ocean acidification is affecting shellfish, Dungeness crab, razor clams, and even salmon, and that continued state investment, emissions reductions, and nutrient pollution control are needed. Senators asked about differences between native and farmed species, real-time monitoring, and the pH/aragonite thresholds that threaten shellfish production. Finally, Todd Myers and Pam Lewis of the Washington Policy Center presented concerns about agricultural viability, sustainability, and food security. Lewis said Washington farms are under severe financial pressure, citing negative farm take-home pay, high production and labor costs, and the need to rely more on voluntary programs, tax relief, and labor cost changes. She also argued that food insecurity is rising and that donations to food banks are harder when farms are financially strained. Myers followed with remarks on forest health and salmon recovery, arguing for more active forest management, expanded use of Good Neighbor Authority, and fewer permitting barriers. He also said salmon recovery funding should be locally prioritized and science-based, with regulatory barriers reduced so projects can move faster. The committee then voted to refer Senate Bill 6154, a culvert replacement permitting bill, to the Senate Local Government Committee without recommendation, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill fixes an industrial energy efficiency program that, in its current form, is broken.
• Audra Hartman is here to answer any technical questions that you may have about the program.
• And your first question about agriculture, they can be part of a program as well.
• remove the $500,000 cap on annual grants, clarify that the $200,000 base grant does not preclude a consortium
• Everything: expenditures and the grant proceeds that are received.

Summary: The committee heard several energy-related bills. AB 710 would require investor-owned utilities to share critical circuit and grid information with local and tribal governments and community choice aggregators to help plan microgrids for resilience during PSPS events and wildfires. Supporters from counties and cities said better data sharing is needed to develop microgrids for critical facilities; PG&E and SDG&E opposed the bill as drafted, citing privacy and grid-security concerns, though SDG&E said amendments may address some issues. Members generally supported the bill’s goal, and the author accepted committee amendments. AB 2182 would restructure the CPUC’s industrial energy efficiency program so industrial customers’ funds are used for industrial projects, with less review and more focus on projects that reduce transmission and distribution needs. Support came from large energy users, with members praising the bill’s ratepayer protections and asking about caps, agriculture, and carbon capture; the author said agriculture could participate and carbon capture was removed from the bill. AB 2589 would require utility federal tax savings to be returned to ratepayers, building on prior legislation; it drew little debate and no opposition on the record. The committee also heard AB 2163, which would create strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, especially to support geothermal and lithium development in places like Imperial County and the Salton Sea. Supporters emphasized jobs, domestic supply chains, and state competitiveness, while some members raised questions about whether other zero-carbon resources should be included; the author said the bill could be receptive to those ideas. AB 2505 would allow hydrogen refueling stations to use dedicated utility meters and service lines, with supporters from the hydrogen industry and labor. AB 1577 would require data centers to report energy and water-use information to the Energy Commission and local planners; supporters said it would protect ratepayers and communities, while industry groups opposed the bill as too broad and duplicative, though they welcomed amendments narrowing the scope and adding trade-secret protections. AB 2065 would impose penalties on utilities that seek to recover prohibited or double-counted costs from ratepayers, and AB 2516 would create a California Grid Manufacturing Initiative to reduce equipment costs and expand in-state manufacturing; both drew strong support and some concerns about overreach and implementation. Finally, AB 2647 would direct the Energy Commission to study advanced nuclear’s role in meeting California’s electricity needs, with testimony in support from nuclear advocates and academics; the hearing ended before any final votes were taken, with several motions pending quorum.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill fixes an industrial energy efficiency program that, in its current form, is broken.
• Audra Hartman is here to answer any technical questions that you may have about the program.
• And your first question about agriculture, they can be part of a program as well.
• remove the $500,000 cap on annual grants, clarify that the $200,000 base grant does not preclude a consortium
• Everything: expenditures and the grant proceeds that are received.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• called the Read Vermont program.
• program.
• </c> for the bridges to health program. for the bridges to health program.
• </c> board said, "No, we we had a grant board said, "No, we we had a grant program.<00:33:49.360><c>
• </c> program. We just released the the RFP. program. We just released the the RFP.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That, again, will be part of a larger innovation program, but the program that the State Department has
• they take that program over.
• they take that program over.
• Members, House Bill 4036 addresses the program that we set up with the Bringing Sitcom's Home pilot program
• The program that we set up with the Bringing Sitcom's Home pilot program last year.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of appropriations and budget bills, with most of the early action focused on retirement cost-of-living adjustments. Senate Bills 1144, 1145, 1146, 1148, and 1149 all advanced, covering COLAs for retired teachers, public employees, police, judges, and a special “tweener” group of police and fire retirees. Members questioned the actuarial impacts, funded ratios, and timing of the apportionment changes, and the author explained that the retirement bills were based on TRS or system actuarial estimates and that the 2036 apportionment cutoff could be revisited by future legislatures. SB 1149 was described as a one-time $25,000 payment for a limited group of older retirees, with estimated costs of $3.5 million for police and $5.8 million for fire. Most of these retirement measures passed on votes of 23-24 ayes with one nay. The committee also considered House Bill 4071, creating the Oklahoma Dream Accounts Investment Program to match the federal “Trump accounts” with up to $250 per eligible child, capped at $12.5 million. Democrats criticized it as a poor use of funds and objected to the federal program’s uncertainty and the emergency clause; the bill passed 17-8. House Bill 4072 created a taxpayer endowment trust fund by moving $200 million from the Revenue Stabilization Fund and redirecting a portion of future gross production tax overages into the new fund until it reaches $1 billion, after which it would generate future revenue streams. Members raised concerns about investment risk, oversight, and whether the fund was a “shell game,” but it passed 18-6. Several agency budget and limit bills were also approved, including HB 4057 for $25 million to expand the Bureau of Narcotics headquarters, SB 1158 for $252,000 to fund medication for minors in custody, SB 1164 for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse with $1.2 million in new appropriations plus $5.97 million for the 988 revolving fund, and HB 4040 for the Department of Health rural health transformation cash-flow needs tied to federal reimbursement. The committee also passed HB 4051 on FMAP preservation, SB 1161 for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, SB 1162 for the State Department of Health, and SB 1163 for DHS, where the largest discussion centered on avoiding an Advantage waiver waitlist, SNAP administrative costs, and child abuse multidisciplinary care centers. Most of these bills passed with little or no debate, though some drew questions about federal matching dollars and reporting requirements. Education-related items were also approved, including HB 4030, the State Department of Education budget limits bill, which maintained prior-year funding for textbooks, early intervention, literacy coaching, school security, and other line items; HB 4044 for OEQA’s growth-based teacher compensation and NBCT stipends; HB 4065 for school security funding at the School of Science and Math; HB 4067 for the School for the Blind and School for the Deaf; and HB 4038 directing $5 million of ODOT FY27 appropriations to the eight-year work plan. The committee also advanced HB 4046, which directs funding to the Military Readiness, Innovation, Education, Aviation Revolving Fund for projects including McAlester, Fort Sill, Altus, and Enid, with members questioning why additional money was needed so soon after prior appropriations. Throughout the meeting, most measures were reported as passed by wide margins, with a few dissenting votes on bills viewed as controversial or as reallocating funds away from other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• the same name, and they are responsible for the direction and consistency of administering those programs
• We also receive other federal grants and have contracts with private entities such as Avista and Idaho
• by the legislature to address deferred maintenance. increases in our spending authority granted by the
• Although we are a little short of our objective in that large tracts program, the timber companies have
• The second grant that we are utilizing to fund the grazing improvement program is broader in scope.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee received an update from Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on agency performance, funding, access programs, wolf management, nonresident deer and elk tag sales, and a planned elk depredation response in the Big Willow area. He reported strong results on fish stocking, public access acreage, website traffic, and staff retention, while noting a slightly elevated violation rate and ongoing challenges with wolf harvest due to a federal trapping injunction. Members asked about elk translocation sites, survival, depredation claim funding, and public communication; Fredericks said the department would follow up on some funding questions and emphasized that the elk project is intended to reduce agricultural damage through a mix of translocation and removal. The committee then heard an American Falls FFA presentation on the 2001 roadless rule and its rescission, staged as a mock court case. Students presented arguments that the rule protects watersheds, wildlife habitat, tribal interests, and recreation economies, while the defense argued rescission would improve forest health, wildfire response, and economic opportunity through more flexible management. Committee members praised the students’ preparation and presentation. Later, the committee considered several measures. RS 33185 was held over at the sponsor’s request. RS 33168, asking state agencies to apply the Supreme Court’s Sackett wetlands standards, and RS 33194, recognizing county consultation authority in federal projects, were both introduced. House Bill 587, providing spending authority for the Department of Agriculture’s grazing improvement program, received testimony in support from the Western Landowners Alliance and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. HCR 26, expressing support for wildlife crossings where locally supported, also received supportive testimony from the Idaho Wildlife Federation and Idaho Sportsmen, Access and Opportunity; despite some opposition and recorded no votes from several members, it passed the committee and was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:03.960><c> and</c> crime Youth Intervention programs and crime Youth Intervention programs
• </c> officer Education and Training Program officer Education and Training Program uh<00:51:14.599><c
• The second provision is the Youth Intervention grant program.
• This proposal ensures a successful transfer of the YIP grant program over to the new Department of Children
• This proposal ensures a successful transfer of the YIP grant program over to the new Department of Children

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:45.039><c> and</c><00:28:45.279><c> FY</c> conservation program and FY conservation program
• program of $5 million.
• program of $5 million.
• It's a federal FEMA grant award that we are matching under the High Hazard Dam program.
• We utilize the state funding for that, and then we seek grants and federal funding to do the actual program

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Evergreen alumni mentor program was also launched.
• Hungry—the Goody Duck grant?
• Two, you said there are Goody Duck grants at different income levels.
• As the program grows, we're going to look at ways to attend to that.
• Our teams are really focusing on strengthening academic transition programs, academic recovery programs

Bills: SB6325, SGA9302, SGA9286, SGA9289, SGA9290, SGA9292, SGA9293, SGA9309, SGA9310, SGA9311, SGA9312

Keywords: higher education, student procedures, academic policies, enrollment processes, educational standards, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Evergreen alumni mentor program was also launched.
• Hungry— the Goody Duck grant?
• Two, you said there are Goody Duck grants at different income levels.
• As the program grows, we're going to look at ways to attend to that.
• Our teams are really focusing on strengthening academic transition programs, academic recovery programs

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee heard two work sessions focused on student access and retention, then held public hearings on gubernatorial appointments before taking executive action. Washington Student Achievement Council staff presented the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign, created by Executive Order 2508, describing its advisory board, outreach strategy, dashboard tracking, and progress toward goals of 46,000 FAFSA/WASFA completions and improved equity in completion rates. They also highlighted broader college access tools such as trainings, printed materials, completion events, Otterbot texting support, and the new “Changing the Narrative” report and College Toolkit, which emphasize multiple postsecondary pathways, relatable messengers, and short video content. The committee then heard from the Council of Presidents and Central Washington University and Evergreen State College on student support services. Presenters discussed retention data, FERPA-related limits on parent communication, and the impact of budget cuts on advising, tutoring, wellness, and other services. Evergreen described the Shelton Promise program, including recruitment, summer bridge, basic-needs supports, peer mentoring, texting outreach, and early retention results showing 52 of 53 students continuing. Central Washington outlined its learner access and support plan, including required advising, University 101, early academic alerts, peer mentoring embedded in coursework, the Students First Center, and a Paying for College Guide, while noting that budget reductions have limited some support offerings. In the public hearing, the committee considered Latasha Wortham’s appointment to the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees and a panel of student appointees to various boards and councils, including Evergreen, Washington Student Achievement Council, the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, Washington State University, Eastern Washington University, Edmonds College, and Western Washington University. Testimony emphasized first-generation and immigrant backgrounds, student advocacy, basic needs, and the importance of student voice in governance. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute and gave Senate Bill 6325 a due pass recommendation to Ways and Means; the bill would shift certain higher education cost increases from tuition to state funds over time and direct a WSIPP study on essential student services. The committee also recommended confirmation for the listed gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so currently, um, we're having an increase in demand for this program because this program is so
• </c> this would help bolster the program? this would help bolster the program?
• is</c><00:14:15.680><c> so</c><00:14:16.160><c> um</c> program because this program is so um program
• </c><00:14:25.360><c> um</c> applications for these these grants. um applications for these these grants
• </c> of the schools for arson schools program of the schools for arson schools program but<00:14:39.199

Bills: HB2437, HB2461, HB2604, HB2605, HB1860, HB2001

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, public art, cultural preservation, community identity, art management, performing arts, ticket surcharge, arts funding, education, community support, therapeutic arts, neurodiverse, autism, attention-deficit disorder, underserved communities, mental health

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard several measures focused on arts funding, public art, performing arts, and libraries. HB 2437 would appropriate funds for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ Artists in the Schools program; the Foundation testified in strong support, explaining that demand has increased and that additional funding would allow more schools to be served. HB 2461 would raise the ceiling for the works of art special fund and provide money for maintenance and a collections manager position; the Foundation supported it and described major conservation needs, including large-scale repairs to public artworks such as the Tadashi Sato work in Hilo and the King Kamehameha statue, as well as ongoing bronze maintenance and new commissions affected by rising materials costs. HB 2604 would create a performing arts ticket surcharge; the Attorney General and Department of Taxation raised drafting and administration concerns, while the State Foundation supported the concept. HB 2605 would create a position to coordinate specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved neurodivergent populations, and the Foundation supported that measure as well. HB 1860 would designate the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the state symphony orchestra and require annual reports; the Attorney General suggested clarifying the public purpose, and the Symphony, youth symphony, and many community supporters testified in favor, emphasizing educational, cultural, and civic benefits. HB 20001 would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the State Public Library System, Friends of the Library, and individual testifiers strongly supported it, describing libraries as essential community and educational resources. After hearing testimony, the committee took action on several bills. HB 2437 was recommended for passage with amendments in HD1, with the appropriation blanked out and the additional needed funding to be noted for Finance consideration; the vote was unanimous among members present. HB 2604 was also recommended for passage with HD1 and technical amendments, including deleting the term “Hawaii-based,” clarifying that student performances at public charter schools are exempt, aligning recordkeeping provisions with tax law, and setting an effective date of January 1, 2027. HB 2461 was deferred to decision-making on Friday, February 13. The transcript also indicates the committee moved through the remaining measures after testimony, but the excerpt ends before final votes are shown for HB 2605, HB 1860, and HB 20001.

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a retail theft prevention advisory board and a retail theft prevention grant program in the
• Locating the retail theft prevention grant program within DCJ avoids duplication of resources, eliminates
• ><00:43:01.599><c> have</c><00:43:01.760><c> this</c> program or thought we'd have this program or thought
• /c><00:43:02.880><c> Department</c><00:43:03.200><c> of</c> program originally in the Department of program
• </c> the retail theft prevention grant the retail theft prevention grant program<00:43:25.280><c> within

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the legislature would do in regards to looking at the programs to see which programs are most impacted
• , what programs are priorities for the administration, and what can be done to preserve those programs
• I think a subsequent question was about the programs that are being looked at, and those programs that
• Program as well as the $150 million for the Teacher Education Program. loan repayment program, recognizing
• They were also recently awarded a federal grant of $89 million and previous grants of...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Permission granted.
• Permission granted. Thank you.
• The Hispanic Serving Institution program, it's not an admissions program; it is not a series of individual
• HSI programs that have been funded from the federal grants have been for tutoring, for academic counseling
• the less restrictive program, whether a program has provided proof of notice to the city and county

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are the grants going to go to?
• </c> money to then issue a grant money to then issue a grant and<00:28:38.640><c> it</c><00:28:38.760
• </c> grants going to be used for? grants going to be used for? Senator<00:29:19.560><c> Wiklund.
• </c> and so now we're going to offer grants and so now we're going to offer grants to<00:31:44.120><c
• </c> program and community resource. program and community resource.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all