Transcript Highlights:

• done sick Goog or a professor of nuclear engineering at Idaho State University, who was actually on loan
• actors advanced reactors, which are the topic of this report are classified as belonging to Jan 3 plus
• >> I'm not aware of any direct request at this point.
• United States is plus with a large abundance, a natural gas.
• And I think with the programs that were mentioned, the Department of Energy's loan guarantee program,

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to be very quick and very direct.
• That's also... there are some direct loan programs that support that.
• I think a couple hundred million dollars would set us on the right direction.
• Its direct investments and additional federal support.
• So we also see those numbers moving in the right direction, right?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• You talked about are these loans being, are they participating loans where you've got multiple lenders
• When it's loans that we make, they are in most cases loans, not grants.
• , but it's a cash flow loan only.
• I only recall one loan in my 30-plus years that has actually defaulted.
• So for populations of 10,000 plus or 25,000 plus, they have additional requirements to allow triplexes

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a PLU student, Yes. Okay. Hi, I'm Sunny Taylor.
• And if that also will contribute to me being able to get loans now and have those loans forgiven at a
• Go to PLU, it's $9,700. So it's just a flat amount.
• .obstacles and could limit my ability to stay enrolled at PLU, or I would not even be attending PLU.
• This is what I found at PLU.

Summary: The Workforce Development Committee heard public testimony on several higher education bills. Senate Bill 5954 would expand veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility to better align state law with federal DEA benefits, allowing eligible children and surviving spouses/domestic partners to use the waiver outside current age and time limits. The sponsor and veteran advocates said the change would help families access earned benefits; no opposition was heard, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5826, which would require public postsecondary institutions to provide access to medication abortion through student health centers or referrals and web-based information by the 2027-28 academic year. Supporters, including students and reproductive health advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers, travel burdens, and stigma and help students stay enrolled. Opponents, including clergy, Catholic Conference representatives, and other individuals, argued the bill promoted abortion, raised safety and moral concerns, and was outside the mission of colleges. The public hearing was closed after extensive testimony. Senate Bill 5828 would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards for students attending private not-for-profit four-year institutions, using the average award at public institutions rather than the reduced formula adopted last session. The sponsor and many students, private college leaders, and business and workforce groups supported the bill as a matter of fairness, access, and student choice, while public university faculty and representatives opposed it, saying state aid should prioritize public institutions and that the bill would deepen funding inequities. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5909, which would require public baccalaureate institutions to review and potentially discontinue low-enrollment degree programs; supporters framed it as a transparency and efficiency measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as too blunt and potentially harmful to smaller, specialized, or equity-focused programs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Took out a lot of school loans that weren't forgiven, by the way, to go to college. a lot of school loans
• ACA 3 limits the number of down payment assistance loans.
• ACA 3 limits the number of down payment assistance loans.
• ACA 3 limits the number of down payment assistance loans.
• we put a billion dollars in there and we loan either ourselves or other entities zero-interest loans

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower California’s annual rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the sunset on existing tenant protections. The author and supporters argued that renters are facing severe affordability pressures, especially in single-family rentals, and that stronger statewide rent stabilization is needed to prevent displacement and homelessness. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property-owner groups, said the bill would discourage housing production, harm small landlords, and override a deal they said was intended to be temporary while the state focused on building more housing. Public testimony on AB 1157 was extensive, with many renters, tenant advocates, labor groups, and community organizations speaking in support, while many landlords, business groups, and property-owner representatives spoke in opposition. Committee members were split: some praised the bill as a necessary response to the rent crisis, while others warned it could reduce investment and worsen the housing shortage. The committee ultimately voted 7-5 to pass AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then approved the consent calendar, including AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275, on a 9-0 vote. It also heard ACA 3, which would require the University of California to make available a limited number of down payment loans for eligible long-term support staff who are first-time homebuyers. Supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers afford homeownership and improve retention, while UC and other opponents argued the proposal was duplicative of existing state programs, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to UC finances. The discussion focused on financing mechanics and the relationship to CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• district is 45, which are all west of here, all of the 15 communities that touch Lake of Minnotonka plus
• </c> Minnotonka plus the city of St. Bonnie. Minnotonka plus the city of St. Bonnie.
• for that uh direct uh funding for<00:09:54.320><c> that</c><00:09:54.760><c> item.
• It is language that ensures that when loans from two PCA revolving loan programs are paid back, the money
• is deposited back into those revolving loan programs.

Summary: The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds. Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027. Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We presented a bill here in committee the other day to give a prepayment loan to somebody buying a home
• So it's going to be about $1,000, plus or minus $100, if that helps just for the committee right now.
• Hernandez said that, when it comes to homeowners, 100% of those funds are loans that are repaid.
• , mostly loans?
• , mostly loans?

Bills: HB70 , HB93 , HB95 , HB139 , HB140 , HJR4

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• When does is the PUC planning to implement this directive from the governor?
• We will certainly follow whatever law and direction the legislature proposes.
• ERCOT loan and grant program, and a backup power. package.
• The comptroller directs all state agencies to have minimum hub thresholds in your contracting.
• Five million people that live in Harris County, about two plus mill live in the city of Houston.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:

• The CFAP program, which was basically our food assistance program for non-citizens 55 plus and older.
• The Food Business Center has $4.1 million to release in competitive and non-competitive direct awards
• Veronica was there and is now following up with our chef with direct sourcing.
• You know, as low-interest or zero-interest loans, it’s still money that they can use.
• You know, as low interest or zero interest loan is still money that they can use.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that doesn't even count the, you know, 300-plus 3.8 students, the 300-plus, you know, 3.5 students
• But that doesn't even count the, you know, 300-plus 3.8 students, the 300-plus, you know, 3.5 students
• But that doesn't even count the, you know, 300-plus 3.8 students, the 300-plus, you know, 3.5 students
• loans.
• loans.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student access, workforce needs, and higher education governance. SB 761 would connect Cal Grant applicants with CalFresh eligibility notices and expand qualifying programs of study; it drew broad support from student, university, anti-hunger, and advocacy groups, with members sharing personal stories about food insecurity and no opposition was heard. SB 520 would create a California Nurse Midwifery Education Fund to expand master’s-level midwifery training, especially to address maternal health shortages in rural and underserved areas; supporters emphasized the shortage of providers and poor maternal outcomes, while one member raised concerns about the bill’s use of the term “birthing people.” SB 640 would establish a statewide direct admissions process for eligible high school seniors to CSU campuses using existing data systems; supporters said it would reduce barriers and improve enrollment, while members asked about special education, dual enrollment, rural access, and measuring effectiveness. The committee also heard SB 744, which would create a state “safe harbor” so California institutions would not lose accreditation or student aid if a federally recognized accreditor loses federal approval; there was no opposition testimony, but the roll call showed some no votes and the item was held open. SB 494 would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge, similar to teachers and community college faculty; labor groups supported it as a due process and parity measure, while school districts and administrators opposed it over cost, local control, and implementation concerns. Finally, SB 550 would authorize a pilot public law school partnership in San Jose between San Jose State and a nonprofit law school; supporters argued it would expand affordable legal education and public-interest pipelines, while UC and private college representatives opposed it as inconsistent with the master plan and a piecemeal approach. The committee also took up consent items SB 244 and SB 271, which passed 6-0, and several bills were advanced by roll call, including SB 761, SB 640, and SB 494, while SB 744 received a split vote and was held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did do a rate study for our direct caregiver workforce.
• The first is the Small Business Loan Recovery Program.
• until those loans come to fruition and end.
• Can you tell me what the interest rate on those loans is? Mr.
• I'm not sure exactly what they're getting on individual loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the DPI budget is $3 billion plus dollars.
• loan fund.
• It isn't an operating loan program.
• Medical Facility Infrastructure Loan Fund.
• the 50 states plus the District of Columbia.

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you've got other loans behind you.
• And loans.
• And you've got other loans behind you.
• I was asked for more direction, and so we put more direction into the legislation.
• Charles that are very concerned about the direction that the St.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um you know 50% grant a grant and loan.
• Um, for ag, there is no equivalent loan program.
• </c> projects, we do not do any loans projects, we do not do any loans anymore.<00:17:36.559><c> Um,<
• </c><00:19:13.280><c> associated</c> there's any kind of a loan associated there's any kind of a loan
• </c> and ensure that they can make their loan and ensure that they can make their loan payments<00:19

Bills: HB0078 , HB0087 , SF0070 , SF0068 , SF0017 , SF0043

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The details of the loan are that CalSTA is required to loan up to $590 million to the Metropolitan Transportation
• Once we've loaned this money, because here's my struggle with more and more money being now loaned, is
• say, well, the loan is forgiven now?
• Sure, I think that, um, “For this loan? Sure.
• “The loan terms are tight on the AB 117 loan, and we have securitization from existing funding streams

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is really directed by the states.
• This is also directed in Century Code for us to follow this process.
• And so we do a light-term treasury plus 25 or 50 basis points.
• The normal limit for their loans or investments is $3 million.
• So this will be 17 plus four.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so government is totally going the wrong direction.
• , and the special assessment comes in after the fact as a repayment method for the loan.
• So sometimes associations aren't able to get loans.
• You know, plus or minus 10 or 20 people... it's not, I guess, unlike how we handle recounts.
• Definitely a step in the right direction.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered SB 1825, which would shift the precinct committeeman vacancy application and nomination process from county party chairs to legislative district chairs where established, and require applicants to submit to the authorized chair within five days. Supporters said the change would streamline appointments, reduce bottlenecks in large counties, and strengthen grassroots, bottom-up party organization. County supervisors’ association staff said they had no objection to the district-chair process but raised concern that the five-day deadline for boards to act was too short. The committee adopted a do pass recommendation on SB 1825, with members noting the five-day issue should be worked out later. The committee then heard SB 1566, as amended, which targets malicious delays by municipalities, counties, the state, or state agencies in licensing and permit decisions, with a civil penalty and Attorney General enforcement. The amendment narrowed the bill to statutory licensing timeframes for single-family residential construction and clarified definitions and certificate-of-occupancy authority. The sponsor and home builders argued the bill would deter intentional delays that add to housing costs, while questions focused on how malice would be proven and whether the language was too broad. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1566 a do pass as amended recommendation. Next, SB 1571, as amended, would bar monopoly utilities from passing marketing, sponsorship, community relations, and similar costs through to ratepayers, require annual reporting and attestation, and define the covered utilities. Supporters said ratepayers should not fund utility advertising or sponsorships, especially amid rising rates, while opponents from municipal and public-power utilities warned the language could sweep too broadly and interfere with legitimate customer communications, especially for smaller not-for-profit systems. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a do pass as amended recommendation. The committee also advanced SB 1501, expanding Administrative Rules Oversight Committee review to include whether agency actions exceed statutory authority, and SB 1805, requiring county recorders to verify the notary status on quitclaim deeds before recording them; both received do pass recommendations despite some concerns about scope and administrative burden.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a PLU student, Yes. Okay. Hi, I'm Sunny Taylor.
• And if that also will contribute to me being able to get loans now and have those loans forgiven at a
• Go to PLU, it's $9,700. So it's just a flat amount.
• .could limit my ability to stay enrolled at PLU, or I would not even be attending PLU.
• This is what I found at PLU.

Bills: SB5826 , SB5828 , SB5909 , SB5954

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: medication abortion, public education, access, healthcare rights, postsecondary institutions, college grant, scholarships, higher education, private institutions, Washington State, undergraduate programs, enrollment, program review, public institutions, veterans, tuition waiver, education, survivors, eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there information you can share to kind of break that down, the $15 million plus the $12.6 million
• As a reminder, the Public Works Assistance Account provides direct funding with limited red tape.
• As a reminder, the Public Works Assistant Account provides direct funding with limited red tape.
• Our financing plan relies on low-interest loans from the Public Works Assistance Account.
• That puts those loans in jeopardy.

Bills: HB2295

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and committee, is that a lot of times campaigns will loan themselves money to their campaign
• One question that came from a couple of clerks, and I would like to direct you, or I guess I'll share
• I said those are not loans; that is a debt in our account, so it's not a loan, and that was the confusion
• And so I talked to her aside and said, as long as your petty cash box plus your bank account balances
• And so I talked to her aside and said, as long as your petty cash box plus your bank account balances

Committee: Senate State Affairs