Video & Transcript : 'Future Ready Iowa' :
Page 24 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Teach us to live with hearts Anne Johnson: Open to giving, hands ready to serve, and eyes that see your
- Reynolds: Scott from Iowa Colony.
- unity, and a moment of honoring our past, celebrating our present, and embracing the promise of the future
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Jul 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- founded the University of Iowa in 1847.
- founded the University of Iowa.
- So the University of Idaho stands ready to help out ISDA as needed with that.
- We're ready to move on that. Next committee, we have Mr.
- We were ready to fight to stay in the sheep business.
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from University of Idaho representatives on the university’s land-grant mission and its role in federalism, followed by detailed overviews of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Natural Resources. Speakers described the Morrill, Hatch, and Smith-Lever Acts, the university’s history, and examples of research, extension, and workforce training in agriculture, engineering, law, forestry, fire science, and youth programs such as 4-H. They highlighted facilities and programs including research stations, the Idaho Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, the deep soil ecotron, the Wildland Fire Center, the experimental forest, and the policy analysis group, while also noting the impact of federal and state funding delays and cuts on staffing and research capacity.
Committee members asked about several current issues, including quagga mussels, screw worm, chronic wasting disease, and the effects of funding cuts. University officials said they were not actively researching some of those wildlife and livestock disease issues but were willing to help if capacity and funding allowed. They also said budget reductions had caused real losses, including layoffs and reduced programs, and that federal grant delays had disrupted research timelines. The committee also raised questions about conflicts of interest and university employees’ outside work; the university said it has annual conflict-of-interest and conflict-of-commitment training and review procedures.
The committee then heard from Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse and the Idaho Sheriffs Association on the federal 287(g) immigration partnership program. Hulse argued that participation should remain voluntary and locally controlled, describing the different 287(g) models, the training and liability concerns, and the distinction between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement. He said Idaho agencies already cooperate with ICE in other ways and that mandatory participation could create staffing, legal, and community-trust problems. Members asked about costs, liability, detention standards, and whether deputies lose local control under task force arrangements; Hulse said the answer depends on the specific model and operation, and he emphasized the need for local discretion.
Later, the committee took testimony on the long-running bighorn sheep and domestic sheep conflict affecting western Idaho grazing allotments. Idaho Wool Growers representatives and affected ranchers described the history of state legislation, federal litigation, and the closure of grazing areas after bighorn sheep transplants, which they said cut livestock operations in half and caused major financial and personal hardship. They argued that the state and federal agencies had not lived up to assurances that permittees would be held harmless, and they urged continued attention to the issue. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Iowa has one, Louisiana, Kentucky.
- Several states like Missouri, they, Iowa has one, Louisiana, Kentucky.
- Come forward, make sure witness sheets are filled out, turned in, and proceed when ready.
Committees:
House Insurance , House Insurance and Banking
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- future omnibus bill. bill. bill.
- Iowa is 350 to 1.
- When you are ready, if you Erickson.
- </c> kind of set the stage for what uh future kind of set the stage for what uh future work<00:44:58.840
- </c> to plan for the future to plan for the future in<01:22:50.960><c> a</c><01:22:51.000><c> way</c>
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Regulatory Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So we are also getting ready for our own audits.
- So if you're buying oil futures, that's what you're buying them at.
- Because if you can't, in the future, move money fast, quick, and cheap as a financial institution, the
- Chairman, Representative Munson, I would not be ready to answer that question.
- So it's just kind of a procedural item to kind of wrap up your business when you're ready to be done
Summary:
The committee received a compliance and budget update on Industrial Commission agencies and programs, including the Industrial Commission administrative office, the Oil and Gas Research Program, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the State Energy Research Center, the Research Technology Park grant program, and related funds. Staff reviewed spending and balances for items such as electric grid resiliency grants, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the salt cavern business case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members also discussed timing, carryover balances, matching requirements, and how some programs are structured to reimburse projects over several years rather than spend funds immediately.
Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described the agency’s administrative budget, the grant management system nearing completion, and the transition to standalone audits and staffing after separating from other agencies. She also outlined the status of active grant rounds across lignite, oil and gas, renewable energy, outdoor heritage, and clean sustainable energy programs. Members asked about the length of active grants, demand for clean energy funding, and the possibility of future grant rounds. Tyler and members also discussed the salt cavern study, the need to better define its commercial value, and the research technology park grant’s cash-match requirement.
Ron Ness then testified on enhanced oil recovery and broader oil and gas market conditions. He said North Dakota production remained steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, longer laterals, and better use of natural gas and carbon dioxide for EOR. He described the state’s EOR grant round, the use of federal DOE funding to replace part of a state-funded project, and the expectation of additional grant rounds. Members asked about CO2 supply, storage, and the economics of using legacy fields and pipelines to extend oil production and support agriculture and industrial uses.
The committee also heard from Bank of North Dakota President Don Morgan, who reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, lending verticals, disaster programs, and new initiatives. He said the bank is seeing deposit growth flatten and is responding to fintech competition by focusing on liquidity, risk management, and a new payment infrastructure initiative called Rough Rider Coin, which he emphasized is not crypto and not a public coin, but a banking payment rail for North Dakota institutions. Members asked about student loan rates, disaster lending, and how the bank’s lines of credit and balance sheet capacity are affected by deposit trends. Morgan said the bank remains profitable and continues to support agriculture, commerce, and industry through participation loans, student lending, and state-directed programs.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The State Fair is something that we need to embrace, not for just now, but for the future.
- Now, what will the State Fair look like in the future? That's what we're working on right now.
- Senator Tobin, you said we're planning for the future to make it great.
- , most importantly, said, but also people in a $54 billion industry have come to say we're beating Iowa
- Billion-dollar industry have come to say, and we're beating Iowa, Minnesota, and the State Fair of Texas
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider committee rules for the 119th Congress, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress, designation of subcommittees for the 119th Congress, designation of member Feb 6th, 2025 at 08:50 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm ready. He's always first. Thank you for visiting my office.
- Since I'm an honorary constituent, my wife is from Dubuque, Iowa. So thank you.
- Are you ready? You bet, Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Greer, for stepping into the fray on this.
- Future costs of important inputs like fertilizer, as well as energy, remain uncertain. Mr.
- We think about the future of farming and ranching in Montana.
Committee:
Senate Finance Committee
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Mar 25th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative, you may begin when you are ready, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee.
- Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from... Thank you.
- Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from renewable energy sources, and Missouri is at 11.3.
- Please state your name for the committee and proceed when you're ready. All right.
- Please state your name for the committee and proceed when you're ready. All right.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
Summary:
The Special Committee on Rural Issues heard House Bill 3375, sponsored by Rep. Koslow, a broad eminent domain reform measure aimed at protecting landowners, especially farmers and ranchers. The bill would create protections for beginning farmers and ranchers, require 15 days’ notice before surveyors enter property, extend the response period in eminent domain cases from 10 days to 60 days, bar eminent domain for wind and solar facilities, require land restoration and maintenance after construction, increase compensation to 125% of fair market value in certain cases, add tax-liability compensation, change treatment of heritage and blight-related compensation, and allow attorney’s fees when a landowner wins a higher award than the condemning authority offered. Members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, its effect on energy development, and several drafting and implementation issues, including surveyor access, maintenance standards, and whether the bill could create conflicts with existing attorney-fee provisions. The sponsor said he was open to changes and noted that an HCS would address some drafting errors and feedback.
Testimony in support came from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a landowner/banker, and attorney Brent Hayden, who argued that landowners are often pressured into quick, low offers and should be treated as partners rather than obstacles. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, due process, compensation, and restoration standards, and that it would not stop infrastructure development. Hayden described current eminent domain practice as giving landowners little leverage over route selection or restoration and said the bill would create needed discipline for condemning authorities. Several supporters also defended the wind-and-solar restriction as a response to the amount of land those projects can require and to concerns about using eminent domain for generation projects.
Opposition came from the Missouri Energy Development Association, municipal utilities, and MoDOT. Opponents said they agreed some reforms may be reasonable but warned the bill, as written, could increase costs, delay projects, and create litigation risk that would ultimately be passed on to customers and taxpayers. MoDOT said the fiscal impact could be substantial, potentially doubling annual right-of-way spending. Utility representatives also cautioned that the bill could conflict with existing attorney-fee rules and should be aligned with compromise language from other legislation. The hearing ended without a vote or committee action, with the sponsor and witnesses indicating further negotiations and possible revisions were expected.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the founder and CEO of Future Fire Academy.
- Assembly Member McKinner, whenever you're ready, you may begin.
- The floor is yours whenever you're ready. Oh, he's out there.
- Then that will be the order whenever you’re ready.” “Yes, sir.
- Are you ready? Yes. On AB 847. Are you ready? Yes. On AB 847, by Assembly Member Sharp-Collins.
Committee:
House Public Safety
Summary:
The committee heard several measures, with AB 366 on ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders receiving the most extensive debate. The author, Senator Archuleta, and MADD representative Colin Campbell testified in support, describing personal losses to drunk driving and arguing that mandatory interlocks would prevent repeat offenses and save lives. Support also came from firefighters, law enforcement groups, AAA, medical and traffic safety organizations, and others. Opposition from public defenders and criminal justice advocates argued the bill removed judicial discretion, could impose costs on low-income people, and relied on a policy they said had inconclusive recidivism benefits. After discussion, the committee adopted AB 366 as amended and sent it to Appropriations on an aye vote.
The committee also heard AB 1380, which would create a permanent pathway for formerly incarcerated Cal Fire hand crew members into firefighting careers, and AB 461, which would remove criminal penalties for certain school attendance violations and replace them with supportive responses. AB 1380 drew broad support from reentry, labor, and justice organizations, and opposition from Cal Fire-related interests was withdrawn after negotiations, though concerns remained about implementation and a possible two-tier system. AB 461 was backed by education, poverty, youth justice, and public defender groups, with testimony emphasizing family hardship, immigration fears, and the limits of punitive truancy enforcement; no opposition appeared. Both bills were moved forward but remained on call pending additional votes.
The committee also adopted ACR 60, a Downey Police Department resolution highlighting voluntary special-needs stickers, yard signs, and dispatch alerts to help officers interact more effectively with people with disabilities or communication challenges. Later, AB 746 on prison cooperatives and a green reentry reserve was presented as a recidivism-reduction and workforce-development measure, with support from reentry and legal advocacy groups and no opposition testimony; it was advanced to Appropriations but also left on call. Finally, AB 379 on human trafficking was heard with strong support from survivor advocates, law enforcement, and local officials who said it would fund survivor services and target buyers, while opponents warned it could revive harmful loitering enforcement and criminalize survivors. The bill drew significant committee debate and was left pending after testimony and discussion.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They are the future of the state, the future of this country.
- The same thing is true in Iowa and Indiana.
- The same thing is true in Iowa and Indiana.
- Because we're getting ready to change panels.
- Catholic schools in Texas are growing and are ready to serve.
Bills:
SB 2
Committees:
Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 1
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- to vote for the would um I'm not ready to vote for the bill<00:27:15.640><c> in</c><00:27:15.760><c>
- We own, and I'm a partner-owner in 17 stores throughout Minnesota and Iowa. We're based out of St.
- um when the pandemic hit um things Iowa um when the pandemic hit um things kind<00:40:05.040><c> of<
- Um, either—I believe she's ready. Can you hear me? There we go.
- </c><00:43:51.440><c> am</c> gouty um either I believe she's ready am gouty um either I believe she's
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - House International Trade
House International Trade Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill ain't ready, and it's far from ready.
- The bill ain't ready, and it's far from ready.
- And in Virginia and Iowa, we know right now this has led to litigation.
- And in Virginia and Iowa, we know right now this has led to litigation.
- And I'm ready when you are, Madam Chair. Members, any final discussion?
Summary:
The committee began with a presentation from Berthold Barak Karlich of Benor Capital on investment and innovation from a European perspective. He argued that legacy in trade and innovation is about enabling future generations, not isolation, and highlighted Austria and Europe’s strengths in education, applied research, hidden-champion SMEs, and deep-tech. He also warned against economic nationalism and emphasized that entrepreneurship and cross-border trade create shared interests, peace, and long-term collaboration. In response to questions, he said Arizona had impressed him as a strong, international deep-tech hub, and he expressed interest in learning more about opportunities there.
The committee then considered HB 2746, which creates a study committee on trade offices under the Arizona Commerce Authority to review existing trade offices, gather stakeholder input, and report recommendations by December 31, 2028. Members discussed oversight of Arizona’s trade offices in countries including Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Romania, and Germany, and the sponsor said the bill would help evaluate effectiveness while identifying new opportunities. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. HB 2750, which establishes the Arizona-Sonora Trade Commission with legislative appointees, also received a due pass recommendation after members discussed its role as a complement to executive-branch efforts; it passed 5-1 with one present.
The committee next heard HB 4036, a bill restricting the sale and distribution of compounded GLP-1 weight-loss drugs made with certain bulk drug substances and authorizing inspections by the State Board of Pharmacy. Supporters, including Novo Nordisk and the Partnership for Safe Medicines, argued the bill would address unsafe imported ingredients, impurities, misleading advertising, and a surge in mass compounding that they said exceeds the intent of compounding law. Opponents from the Arizona Pharmacy Association, compounding pharmacists, and a physician argued the bill would burden lawful compounders, raise costs, reduce access, and could harm patients who rely on compounded medications. After extensive debate, the committee failed to pass HB 4036 on a 5-5 vote.
Finally, the committee took up HB 2765, as amended by a strike-everything amendment creating a vapor product manufacturer licensing framework, fees, penalties, and Department of Revenue oversight. The sponsor said the measure was intended to address illegal smuggling of vape products and protect children, while opponents argued it would burden lawful businesses and that the real problem was illicit actors outside the regulated market. The transcript ends during the discussion of this bill, before a final vote is recorded.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say aye.
- Are you ready for the question? If so, all those in favor, please say I.
- Are you ready for that question? If so, all those in favor, please say I.
- </c> Are you ready for the question? Are you ready for the question?
- Are you ready for read a third time? Are you ready for that<00:42:27.240><c> question?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Jun 25th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The good Lord is not ready for you, but we are, and we thank you. God bless you.
- They are ready to go, and this bond will get that going.
- They are ready to go, and this bond will get that going.
- houses ready to be built right off the bat, 1,100 ready to go when we're talking about the bond.
- He was born in Angola, Iowa, and he was 35 years old.
Summary:
The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then spent much of the session honoring Sister Michelle Gorman, the Senate chaplain, on her final day after 11 years of service. Members from both parties praised her prayers, compassion, humor, and steady presence, and several noted her long career in education and religious service. The chamber also welcomed delegations from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Northern California and the Japanese Business Association of Southern California, as well as a delegation from Morelia, Mexico, in connection with Sacramento’s sister-city relationship.
The Senate then handled several procedural items, including Assembly messages and motions to remove or withdraw certain bills from consent or committee. The chamber adopted a motion to move Budget and Fiscal Review Committee measures to third reading, and later approved author’s and floor amendments. The main floor action was on ACA 20, the Save for California Futures Act, which would expand the state Rainy Day Fund target from 10% to 20% of general fund taxes, change how reserve deposits count under the Gann limit, and extend and broaden debt repayment provisions, including federal unemployment insurance debt. Supporters argued it would strengthen fiscal stability and reduce volatility; opponents said it was too complicated, still allowed too much borrowing, and did not sufficiently prioritize paying down existing debt. The measure passed 29-2.
The Senate also took up SB 623, a compromise measure addressing transportation network company accident cases and medical lien practices. The bill would cap certain lien-based medical charges, restrict attorney referrals and kickbacks tied to lien providers, require more standardized billing, and add rideshare safety requirements such as background checks and additional disqualifying offenses; it passed 36-0. The chamber then considered SB 417, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, an $11.25 billion housing bond with $10 billion in general obligation bonds and $1.25 billion for veterans home loan assistance. Supporters said it would fund shovel-ready affordable housing, preservation, homeownership, youth housing, infrastructure, and veterans’ housing; opponents criticized it as a “bait-and-switch” that used veterans to justify broader housing debt and argued the state should focus on existing programs and private financing. Despite the opposition, the measure passed 29-2.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that's an important point because as we look at what other states are doing around us—Iowa
- And I think that's an important point because as we look at what other states are doing around us—Iowa
- </c><00:26:19.200><c> SAF</c> good place to invest in future SAF good place to invest in future SAF supply
- ,</c><00:34:25.839><c> we</c> towards a more sustainable future, we towards a more sustainable future
- </c><00:37:27.920><c> demand</c> incentive to meet the ready demand incentive to meet the ready demand
Committee:
House Taxes
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- , in conjunction with their flood insurance payout, we're going to create a situation where their future
- So the My Safe Florida Home program is a wind mitigation program to harden homes against future damage
- However, for example, with Elevate Florida that we're getting ready to roll out, we are going to have
- I understand you see a future in perhaps using them more in residential properties.
- I understand you see a future in perhaps using them more in residential properties.
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Summary:
The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts.
Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work.
Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- So Representative Phelps, please proceed when ready.
- So Representative Phelps, please proceed when ready. All right.
- Please come forward, make sure witness sheets filled out and proceed when ready.
- Representative Allen, please come forward and begin when ready. Thank you, Mr.
- Other than that, you guys are ready to go. Can't do that.
Committee:
House Insurance and Banking
Summary:
The Insurance Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2874, which was approved 9-0 with one member present. The bill was described as a product worked on the previous year, and no substantive opposition was raised before the vote.
The committee then heard House Bill 2071, which would allow the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association to suspend operations rather than terminate, because the medical malpractice market is now considered robust and the association has not written a policy or received a claim in several years. The sponsor and Missouri Insurance Coalition said the association still costs roughly $300,000 to $350,000 annually to operate, with projected savings if suspended, while preserving the ability to reactivate if claims arise within the remaining liability window. Some members questioned whether a sunset would be more appropriate and raised concerns about the open-ended nature of suspension and the handling of the association’s reserve funds.
House Bill 1615 was then heard and would lower the statutory minimum number of directors for insurance companies from nine to five, while leaving maximum board sizes unchanged. The sponsor and supporters argued Missouri’s current requirement is outdated, out of step with other states and other regulated entities, and creates unnecessary barriers for smaller insurers without affecting solvency or consumer protection. Members questioned whether any insurers had avoided Missouri because of the nine-director rule; supporters said they had no specific examples but said the change would provide flexibility and align Missouri with modern governance practices.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2902, which would create a Motor Vehicle Threat Prevention Program and commission within the Department of Public Safety to fund grants and coordinate efforts against auto theft. The sponsor said Missouri ranks among the highest states for vehicle theft and argued the program would help local law enforcement, especially in rural areas, address high-tech theft methods and related crimes. Highway Patrol and NICB witnesses testified in support, citing rising theft rates, the use of stolen vehicles in other crimes, and examples from other states where similar task forces recovered stolen vehicles and made arrests. Several members questioned whether a new commission was necessary, suggesting the Highway Patrol or existing agencies could handle the work; no opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was closed with no further business before adjournment.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> workforce and our economy for the future workforce and our economy for the future of<00:21:32.159
- ,</c> enrollments we've seen in rural Iowa, enrollments we've seen in rural Iowa, Massachusetts,<00:45
- Um, we know that the future are.
- All right, Miss Martone, you ready?
- </c> in future years. in future years.
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Unused funds may roll over for future educational expenses.
- Catholic schools in Texas are growing and ready to serve.
- And hopefully more in the future once we can get past this one day.
- Is that a universal program in Iowa? Yes, I believe so.
- I don't know what happened in Iowa. Okay.
Committee:
House Public Education
Keywords:
education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Higher Education and Workforce Development Mar 3rd, 2026
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Castile, please begin when you are ready, sir.
- Representative Castile, please begin when you are ready, sir.
- We are talking about job readiness. Well, these do have to be post-secondary programs.
- And that's similar to Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa, where I was last week.
- When we were in Iowa, we found that was the case.
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.