Transcript Highlights:

• Grant us the wisdom to listen with respect, speak with integrity, and work together for the common good
• Without objection, those leaves will be granted.
• Without objection, those leaves will be granted. The Journal of the Session of May 4, 26, is not.
• Without objection, those leaves will be granted.
• There is no new program here, no new line items.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, committee reports, and approval of the prior journal. Members also granted several leaves of absence and welcomed a number of guests, including Ireland’s Consul General and Deputy Consul General, student shadows, an intern, and the Neshaminy High School baseball team, which was recognized for winning the 2026 PIAA Class 6A state championship. The chamber then recessed briefly for an Education Committee meeting and party caucuses before returning to session. On the floor, the Senate advanced several measures. Senate Bill 362, addressing SNAP skimming, passed 49-0 after remarks about protecting food assistance benefits from theft. Senate Bill 469, providing discounted fishing and hunting licenses for current and retired law enforcement, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was withdrawn. Senate Bill 730, codifying Pennsylvania POLST forms for end-of-life medical orders, saw a tabled amendment from Senator Boscola on physician-assisted dying after a 28-21 vote, then passed 49-0. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1206 clarifying a temporary license pending FDA approval, and sent House Bill 1344 and Senate Bill 1377 to the House after unanimous final passage. Other bills were moved to appropriations or held in order, including Senate Bill 49, House Bill 96, Senate Bill 535, Senate Bill 536, House Bill 538, Senate Bill 743, Senate Bill 1262, Senate Bill 1273, House Bill 1286, and Senate Bill 1372. House Bill 1862 and House Bill 2017 each received amendments and were re-referred to the Appropriations Committee. The Senate also agreed to consider newly reported committee bills, including measures from Finance, Judiciary, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Education. In petitions and remonstrances, Senators Tartaglione and Costa focused on minimum wage and utility affordability, urging action on consumer protections, LIHEAP funding, data center energy costs, and related energy policy. The session concluded with the signing of House Bill 1877 in the presence of the Senate and a recess until June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., unless recalled earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• This provision seems to be relating to an old grant that I...
• I remember receiving information, applying for the grant, and receiving and installing an AED on campus
• However, I'm not aware of any other grants and don't anticipate more grants coming from the TEA. for
• It makes sense that the private schools that receive the grant for the AED make available AED and CPR
• So, in case another grant should become available in the future, we would request that the volunteers

Bills: SB2920, SB2929, SB2398, SB865, SB401, SB2619, SB2927, SB1395, SB1972, SB2540, SB1635, SB1581, SB2008

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> grants team. grants team.
• >> And I should have known that, I guess. >> Yeah, this ceremony is for a range of emergency grant programs
• >> And I should have known that, I guess. >> Yeah, this ceremony is for a range of emergency grant programs
• >> And I should have known that, I guess. >> Yeah, this ceremony is for a range of emergency grant programs
• </c> helps strengthen our programs. helps strengthen our programs.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is really a renewal, like the leader said, of the current existing grant program.
• The leader said of the current existing grant program that we have. Thank you. Right.
• It's through a grant system.
• It's through a grant system.
• We have the Spay Neuter Action Program. We have action programs for animals.

Bills: SB97, SB55, SB40, SB38, SB120, SB113, SB116, SB117, SB118

Keywords: tax credits, municipality, county property, industrial revenue bonds, economic development, qualified expenditures, solar energy, tax credit, renewable energy, photovoltaic, solar thermal, New Mexico, economic incentive, energy independence, SB40, Driver Privacy and Safety Act, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate reader, vehicle surveillance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Medicaid program, for example, is... Would take significant efforts.
• to that program.
• And then the second one is driver number 6, the Medicaid program.
• It makes no assumptions about bringing on new programs or fundamentally changing a program we have unless
• 250 commemorative grants.

Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met with a quorum present to hear the constitutionally required Long-Range Financial Outlook and consider a series of budget amendments. Amy Baker of the Office of Economic and Demographic Research presented the outlook, describing Florida’s continued population growth, strong wage growth, an aging population, housing-market softening, and low consumer sentiment. She said the general revenue forecast was largely unchanged from March, but the state’s funds available had improved because of legislative actions in 2025 that increased the balance forward. She also noted strong reserves, a projected current-year Medicaid deficit of about $125 million, and a three-year outlook that remains positive in the first year but turns negative in years two and three. She highlighted the risk of co-occurring catastrophic events, using a normalized Great Miami Hurricane scenario to illustrate potential state losses. The outlook was adopted after brief comments from House and Senate members emphasizing fiscal restraint and efficiency. The commission then approved multiple budget amendments, mostly without objection. The Agency for Health Care Administration received amendments to realign funding for Florida KidCare based on estimating conference results, to provide $85 million in budget authority for disproportionate share hospital payments, and to adjust Medicaid and long-term care appropriations, including placing surplus funds into reserve. The Department of Health received $6.3 million in additional authority for newborn screening. The Department of Corrections and the Department of Management Services each received $2.2 million in Private Inmate Welfare Trust Fund authority for repair invoices and pending projects. The Department of State was authorized to release $2.5 million in nonrecurring general revenue for cultural and museum grants and America 250 commemorative grants. The Department of Transportation received approval for a project roll-forward and for work program changes, including advancing I-95 widening in Duval County and the I-4 corridor in Polk and Osceola counties. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• like fruit and vegetable EBT program, to increase farm to school.
• And so, can the author... address whether this particular program, how it intersects with the HFFI program
• Many of the farm-to-school programs, many of the grant programs that CDF has had don't have... have those
• Otherwise you might have to refund some of the grant money.
• And so how do we create the program?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the University of Missouri has land grant, doctoral, and research. Lincoln has land grant.
• degree program.
• Why those programs?
• that are bringing these jobs and workforce-related programs to it.
• any doctoral programs is getting $17,000.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . in the program.
• We should not be supplanting federal programs.
• The scenario also considered several requests from state agencies for grant programs that support local
• So here you can see a few items that relate to those grant programs I mentioned that are included in
• Another is for recreation and quality of life grants.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is important to note that fees are not priced to recover the full costs of our programs.
• Programs.
• The first is for relief grants. There is significant demand for relief grants across Minnesota.
• All of the funds, all of the $150 million, have been programmed.
• So federal funds tend to fund very specific programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• When incentive programs like this are about to expire, these programs can stall or move to another state
• It does not create a new program. It does not loosen the rules.
• that administer other grant and loan programs for these projects.
• that administer other grant and loan programs for these projects.
• The Board of Finance has an emergency funding program. You all have recently... ...funding program.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 103, which would prevent a homeowner from losing the 3% valuation cap solely because of a zoning change. The sponsor and supporters, including the New Mexico Business Coalition, Realtors, and the City of Albuquerque, said the bill would protect homeowners from unexpected tax increases when the property’s use has not changed. There was no opposition, and the committee approved HB 103 with a due pass recommendation by voice vote. The committee then considered House Bill 145, which extends the high-wage job tax credit sunset from 2026 to 2036. The sponsor and the Economic Development Secretary said the credit has been effective in attracting and retaining higher-wage jobs, especially because employers need long-term certainty. Business and economic development groups testified in support, while no one spoke in opposition. Members discussed the wage thresholds, the value of keeping a sunset for review, and the bill’s fiscal impact. The committee passed HB 145 on a 7-2 roll call vote. House Bill 247, a major capital outlay modernization bill, generated the most extensive discussion. The sponsor described the bill as a response to billions in unspent capital outlay balances and repeated reauthorizations, and proposed amendments to require ICIP inclusion for larger appropriations, limit reauthorizations, and change how water projects are handled. Public testimony was mixed: some rural and tribal representatives supported modernization but warned that the water provisions could harm small communities, fire suppression systems, flood-control dams, and other local projects. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment striking the water-related Section 2, then later passed the bill as twice amended with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• These grants have helped tens of thousands. These are folks that have already been approved.
• The program is a testament to the Legislature's commitment to helping our homeowners.
• Our universal school choice program works.
• I'm happy to report that the Trump administration is receptive to block-granting money to us.
• We created a program to accelerate the repayment of state debt.

Summary: The Florida House and Senate met in joint session to open the 2025 legislative session, receiving the Florida Cabinet, the Florida Supreme Court, and then Governor Ron DeSantis. The session included a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a motion to appoint a committee to notify the governor that the joint session was ready to receive his message. The committee was appointed, the governor was introduced, and the joint session recessed until his arrival. In his address, Governor DeSantis highlighted Florida’s economic performance, low unemployment, business growth, tourism, and insurance reforms, and urged further action on property insurance, the My Safe Florida Home program, and tax relief. He also called for continued immigration enforcement, praised school choice and teacher pay initiatives, defended higher education reforms, and discussed Hope Florida, hurricane recovery, environmental restoration, and infrastructure. He specifically urged lawmakers to address petition fraud and the constitutional amendment process, condominium reform, and stronger Second Amendment protections. The governor also reviewed prior legislative accomplishments, including tax cuts, parental rights and education measures, anti-DEI actions, law enforcement bonuses, and other conservative policy changes. He thanked legislative leaders and cabinet officials, encouraged continued cooperation over the next 60-day session, and closed by urging lawmakers to build on Florida’s record of productivity. After the governor departed, the joint session voted to dissolve.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 175 creates the Veterans Service Grant Board.
• The bill creates a Veterans Service Grant Board.
• Texas and other states did this. ...million to veterans programs.
• If you look at the bill itself, we open up the grants to JROTCs.
• And I think that everyone is in support of having programs...

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Foster program.
• Those programs.
• I see where... ...programs that had higher increased cost of running those programs.
• The CCAP program is a program for families needing assistance with child care.
• As you know, we have a physical therapy program, PhD program at ULM in Monroe.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they were discussing the summer lunch program in the past because of the pandemic.
• Tell, talk to me about block grants. Uh, Mr.
• But who ultimately makes the decision on where these grant blocks will be distributed?
• So staff highlight idea programs recommended for consolidation.
• At the April 2025 hearing, um, this motion was granted, but only in part.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is administered by the Alabama Commission of Higher Education.
• programs participating in public technical colleges and universities.
• Mississippi has a similar funding mechanism for a program there.
• for credit or non-credit Workforce or Career Training Program.
• last one being in 2007, where the legislature granted... being 2007 where the legislature grants it,

Bills: HB188, HB52

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, patient rights, medical treatment, access, affordability, income tax, CHOOSE Act, education funding, ABLE account, tax credits, poverty threshold, legislative funding, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program program &gt;&gt; Mhm.
• , and also uh provide management programs, and also uh provide grant<02:34:29.200><c> and</c><02:34:29.360
• </c> Solid Waste Program. Solid Waste Program.
• &gt;&gt; Dr.<03:22:40.960><c> Grant.</c> &gt;&gt; Dr. Grant. &gt;&gt; Dr. Grant.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Dr.<04:03:35.960><c> Grant.</c> &gt;&gt; Dr. Grant. &gt;&gt; Dr. Grant.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call granted. The secretary will take the roll on the motion to concur. Sen.
• Roll call is requested and roll call granted.
• When we originally had the stabilization grant program in the bill, when it left the Senate, we funded
• Roll call requested and roll call granted.
• Roll call is requested and roll call granted.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would work, would you agree that when we talk about the rural fire programs that they seek grant money
• into the equivalency program.
• I was hoping we could get the funding to expand those programs, to get more inmates through the program
• So, but while they're in there, they can get this equivalency program, and then a lot of these programs
• the other programs.

Summary: The Public Safety committee met and first considered HB 2993, as amended by a PCS, which would create 11 Council of Government-based positions to help rural law enforcement pursue grants and equipment funding. Members questioned the estimated $1.1 million annual cost, whether the program would mainly benefit rural areas rather than metro counties, and how the money would be administered through Oklahoma Homeland Security. The bill author explained that each COG would receive one funded position and that the money would stay within each COG. The committee voted 7-2 to report the bill favorably. The committee then heard HB 3850, which would require inmates to obtain a high school equivalency diploma as a condition of parole and would place the diploma in the inmate’s release file to improve employability and reduce recidivism. Questions focused on whether the requirement applied to all inmates, how it would affect release eligibility, and whether existing DOC programs already provide similar training. The author said the bill would build on current law and could help reduce waiting lists for equivalency programs. The committee voted 8-1 to pass the bill. Next, HB 3595, with a PCS, would create a revolving fund in the Department of Public Safety to award counties grants for traffic-control public safety equipment, especially for events where vehicles could be used to harm crowds. Members discussed the bill’s dependence on future appropriations and its status as a vehicle for the idea while budget issues are resolved. The committee voted 7-2 to report it out. The committee also unanimously passed HB 3763, requiring two hours of domestic violence training as part of continuing education for law enforcement, and HB 3760, a tax credit for donations to qualified law enforcement foundations, with the author noting a planned amendment to include COGs and certain other nonprofits. The chair announced one more meeting the following week and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to take all their grants that are going to come in, their request for a grant, and they're
• They're already reviewing all those grants.
• this program and the amounts of those grants?
• for a grant.
• for a grant.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee approved minutes from March 6, 11, 12, and 13, 2026, after correcting an earlier procedural issue with the March 6 approval. The committee then heard House Bill 861, which would allow universities to apply for grants from the state’s hotel bed tax marketing fund. Representative Monks argued the bill would simply let universities compete for existing grant dollars without taking money directly from anyone, while opponents including the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association said the fund is dedicated to tourism promotion and should not be diverted from chambers, travel groups, and rural outdoor businesses. After debate over whether the money would be reduced for current recipients and whether universities would actually benefit, the committee voted down the motion to send HB 861 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next heard House Bill 885, which clarifies and tightens homestead exemption eligibility and documentation requirements, including requiring proof that a claimant does not have a similar homestead exemption in another state and allowing an Idaho income tax return as alternate proof of residency. Representative Raybould said the bill codifies existing law, helps ensure only Idaho residents receive the exemption and related property tax relief, and aligns homestead status with voting and candidate residency rules. Ron Nate of the Idaho Freedom Foundation opposed the bill, arguing it could retroactively affect candidates, create unequal exceptions, and impose an impractical multi-state verification burden. Despite concerns about retroactivity and implementation, the committee approved HB 885 and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with several members recording no votes. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1345, which would allow the Idaho Tax Commission to communicate with taxpayers by email or other secure electronic means on an opt-in basis instead of only by mail. Chairman Cannon said the bill would improve efficiency and save an estimated $300,000, and that the Tax Commission was comfortable with the July 1, 2026 implementation date. The committee had no testimony on the bill and passed the motion to send SB 1345 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Congress to make some block granting available to states for these programs.
• Congress to make some block granting available to states for these programs, either to start them or
• You're not going to be able to get there just on a $10,000 grant from this program, but obviously the
• /c><00:42:13.400><c> but</c><00:42:13.800><c> it's</c><00:42:14.040><c> not</c> grant program can be
• > but</c> $10,000 Grant from this program but $10,000 Grant from this program but obviously<00:43:08.559

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a non-germane amendment to HB 297 that would create the Granite State Home Mitigation and Resiliency Program. Insurance Commissioner DJ Beton, joined by department staff, explained that the proposal is intended to help homeowners afford insurance by funding proactive home improvements that reduce risk and improve insurability. He said the program would be funded by the first $1 million collected annually from the insurance premium tax, with grants of up to $10,000 available on a first-come, first-served basis. Beton described the problem as rising homeowners insurance premiums, hard-market underwriting, nonrenewals, and the resulting shift to more expensive surplus lines coverage. He said eligible projects could include roof fortification, exterior improvements, flood-related foundation work, and removal of hazardous trees or limbs. He cited similar programs in other states, especially Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, as evidence the model can work and noted that industry representatives were present in support. He also said the program would use means testing aligned with the Department of Energy’s weatherization program to target lower-income applicants. Members asked about the non-germane process, who would administer the program, and how the bill would prevent misuse of grant funds. The commissioner said the department would administer the program using one repurposed existing position, with Treasury handling fund flow through an MOU. Staff explained that applicants would have to show completed work through a signed contract, itemized work, and a sworn contractor affidavit, with some upfront payment allowed for materials and the remainder paid after completion. The chair and members discussed that the amendment is being attached to a different bill only to move the proposal through committee and on to House Finance for further consideration.