Video & Transcript : 'construction funding' :
Page 32 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (10-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:05:33.039><c> jobs</c> that makes our public construction jobs that makes our public construction
- </c> How does this affect the construction How does this affect the construction industry?
- I would love for all publicly funded<01:15:35.199><c> construction</c><01:15:35.679><c> projects</c><
- 01:15:36.080><c> to</c><01:15:36.239><c> be</c> funded construction projects to be funded construction
- </c> of private funds. of private funds.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:04
Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:29
Approval of Minutes: 00:01:50
Kentucky Buy American Act: 00:02:08
Earn As You Learn: KY Building Trades Apprenticeship: 00:30:42
Worker Misclassification in the Construction Industry: 01:02:00
Investing in KY’s Future Workforce Through the Good Business Initiative: 01:20:44
Adjournment: 01:28:28, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September minutes, and heard testimony on a proposed “Kentucky by America” procurement preference bill. Representative Patrick Flannery described the concept as giving preference in public construction and public works contracts to iron, steel, aluminum, and other manufactured goods made in the United States, while emphasizing he wanted to avoid excessive taxpayer costs and was open to changes. Chad Connley of the United Steelworkers and Dustin Reinsteller of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO supported the idea, arguing it would strengthen domestic manufacturing, keep tax dollars in the local economy, and support jobs; Connley said the bill would include waivers for items not made domestically and noted Kentucky has opted out of the GPA trade agreement. Mike Buckington of Metals Innovation Initiative, testifying virtually, also supported the concept and said Kentucky’s metals sector has seen significant investment and can supply most construction needs, while stressing supply-chain reliability and national security concerns.
Members generally expressed support but raised questions about implementation. Representative Branscum asked who would grant waivers and how contractors would know the rules during bidding; Flannery said he was open to revising the language and process. Representative Gentry supported the concept but said the bill would likely need editing to avoid harming businesses or markets. Senator Nun suggested aligning the bill’s definition of a U.S. good with industry country-of-origin standards to make compliance easier. Representative KC Carney asked for data on the impact of similar laws in other states, and Connley said he could provide numbers later but did not have them on hand. Senator Boswell supported the concept and asked about the cost threshold for waivers; Connley said the federal standard is a 25% cost increase, while the prior Kentucky version used 10%, and that the threshold is a key detail.
The committee then shifted to an informational presentation on building trade apprenticeships. Eric Elie of the Kentucky State Pipe Trades Association, Nick Brown of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 502, and retired IBEW training director Steve Willinghurst explained how union apprenticeship programs work. Brown described earn-while-you-learn training, with apprentices placed on jobs by signatory contractors and attending classes two nights a week for five years. He outlined the work of plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVACR technicians, emphasizing that these trades support construction, industrial facilities, distilleries, and other critical infrastructure. No votes or formal actions were taken on the policy topics beyond approval of the prior minutes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And if so, which two are you choosing to fund?
- If so, which two are you choosing to fund? Representative Heightman, any thoughts on that?
- and Industrial Plant World construction and Industrial Plant World on<00:13:36.160><c> behalf</c><00
- </c><00:42:59.319><c> I</c> appropriating less than half the funds I appropriating less than half the
- Chair, we have got a significant federal funding uncertainty and issues.
Keywords:
wetlands, environmental review, permitting efficiency, Pollution Control Agency, construction permits, environmental impact statements, local government, business regulation, environmental assessments, HF1416, relocation grants, economic development, business relocation, site selection, business incentives, grant extension, appropriation extension, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, request for proposals
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- I think when we get to a point in Arizona that we're able to generate enough funding to fully fund our
- We don't generate enough funds to pay our own bills.
- But when we get there, and we can fund our schools and we can fund our public schools, health care, child
- When students leave schools, the funding follows them.
- Cost to state nothing, there's no diversion of funding.
Committee:
House Ways & Means
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1097 is the annual name claimants' bill and appropriates $370,211.08 from the state General Fund
- Additionally, it appropriates $33,021.08 from other specified funds.
- The bill appropriates $500,000 from the State General Fund to the Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund in fiscal
- created Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund.
- How much are some of these cases being settled for when we look at this fund being established?
Committee:
House Appropriations
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1570 provides non-recurring funding, so the bill is subject to funding, so the program can
- you, the legislature—nearly $18 million in legislative funds and $11 million in performance-based funds
- Unlike most other states, we have robust performance-based funding and it works.
- And so you were very critical in saying that funding the GI Bill was a mistake. Um.
- Funding the GI Bill was a mistake. And yeah, that it was a mistake. Do you still stand by that?
Keywords:
missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding, genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance
Summary:
The committee heard and approved two bills before moving to a long confirmation agenda. SB 1570, by Sen. Gates, would restore Project Leo, a previously sunset program that helps locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination between CARD centers and local sheriffs; it was praised as a proven tool for families and first responders and was reported favorably. CS/SB 1376, by Sen. Burgess, would create grants to support genetic counseling education and help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors; testimony noted the state’s limited supply of licensed counselors and the need to expand clinical training, and the bill also passed favorably.
The committee then considered a block of reappointments to university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and others. No one requested separate votes on the reappointments, and the block was confirmed unanimously for recommendation to the next committee.
A series of new appointees then appeared and largely emphasized workforce training, nursing, military support, and local economic development at their institutions. Witnesses included appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, FIU, UWF, Valencia, the College of the Florida Keys, and others; several highlighted strong NCLEX pass rates, dual enrollment, and partnerships with employers or military communities. One nominee, Florida Poly reappointment Ilya Shapiro, faced pointed questioning from Sen. Bracey Davis about past comments regarding race and the Supreme Court; he said his remarks were about hiring criteria, not a specific justice, and reiterated opposition to race- or sex-based selection. The committee also briefly struggled to reach Sherry Young by phone before hearing her testimony for Chipola College, where she said she wanted to give back as an alumna and nurse practitioner. Most new appointees were recommended for confirmation in a block, while Thomas Zachary Smith of UWF was pulled for separate consideration.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Feb 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- requires Hancock to pay more than $18,000 in tuition per student while receiving $5,000 in choice funds
- This interpretation requires districts accepting school choice students to fund the tuition of those
- This interpretation means tiny districts like all of ours would have to ask town residents to fund the
- Requiring our district to fund the high school tuition of non-resident school choice students at the
- The funding we receive for school choice supports K-8 education, but does not come close to covering
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Education
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Hopefully we can find a pot of money to help fund this, but thank you for establishing it.
- The bill provides non-recurring funding of a million dollars so the program can operate within existing
- remember when we started the program as a pilot program, and I was disappointed when it was no longer funded
Committee:
Senate Education Postsecondary
Keywords:
genetic counseling, education grants, state universities, faculty recruitment, student financial assistance, missing persons, special needs, autism, search-and-rescue, Florida, voluntary program, funding
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1376, which would create an education grant program to help address Florida’s shortage of genetic counselors by supporting students in genetics programs at state universities. Senator Burgess described genetic counselors’ roles in oncology, prenatal care, rare diseases, and other clinical settings, and noted Florida’s limited number of licensed counselors. The committee adopted an amendment requiring graduate programs to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling and to show sufficient clinical training capacity. Members spoke in support, and CS/SB 1376 was reported favorably by roll call vote.
After a brief recess, the committee took up SB 1570, which would revive Project Leo, a prior Florida program that helped locate missing persons with special needs who are at high risk of wandering or elopement. President Gates explained that the bill would allow participating CARD centers to work with local sheriff’s offices to provide voluntary tracking devices and included $1 million in nonrecurring funding. Senators Berman and Harrell supported the measure, citing the dangers of wandering, especially for individuals with developmental disabilities or autism, and the importance of preventing drownings and other tragedies. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
No other business was raised, no senators requested to be recorded on the bills, and the committee adjourned without objection.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
Military Affairs and Border Security
Transcript Highlights:
- already in the statute in the sense that there’s already a framework to do it that is very carefully constructed
- that is very carefully constructed most robustly by that guidance from the Attorney General for how to
- and members, Senate Bill 1065 appropriates $300,640,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the State General Fund
- to the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund.
Committee:
Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's called the Line Fund, and the line is Linking Industry to Nursing Education.
- This competitive grant program provides matching funds.
- proposed another $30 million for this Line Fund pot, so we're not extending funds or asking for funds
- 30 million for this line fund pot so we're not extending funds or asking for funds we're just asking
- Action Fund.
Committee:
Senate Education Postsecondary
Keywords:
Charlie Kirk, remembrance, free speech, civic engagement, youth leadership, nursing shortage, health care, education funding, workforce development, LINE Fund, monetary contributions, nonmonetary contributions
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested.
The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations.
A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The grant will provide funding to support professional leadership positions within the Texas Military
- House Bill 5308 by Representative Cortez codifies the adjutant general's authority over construction-related
- Bill 5308 preserves the Texas Military Department's. streamlined procurement for timely military construction
Committee:
Senate Veteran Affairs
TX
Committee:
Senate Veteran Affairs
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Services Finance and Policy Committee hears HF500 2/27/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill to bring critical funding to nursing homes in Minnesota and assisted living facilities, and I look
- And I will continue to fight for high wages like we've been doing for decades, and that funding source
- And I will continue to fight for high wages like we've been doing for decades, and that funding source
- They wanted to support their workers but needed to focus more on funding for the industry.
- We've had mandatory stayovers because of insufficient funds.
Committee:
House Human Services Finance and Policy
Keywords:
nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 919, house, all
Summary:
The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board.
Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections.
Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It is a total of $2.7 billion in all funds, with $68.3 million being GR-related funds.
- One discusses the Texas Energy Fund.
- Item four: The Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Fund.
- One of the packet recommendations funds BHEC at just over $11.2 million in all funds. ...which represents
- Page 2 provides an overview of the funding changes, which total a net increase of $293,000 in all funds
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- fund.
- Funding recommendations include approximately $1.4 million in all funds for the biennium.
- fund.
- million in other funds.
- I thought I saw funding in one of the agencies requesting funding. Do what? I...
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- between the general revenue fund and the TXDMV operating fund.
- on federal funds, and an increase of $1. $5 billion in other funds.
- Item one is for the funding for highway project development, construction, and maintenance.
- All funds for highway project planning and design, right-of-way, financing, construction, and maintenance
- funding or philanthropic funding that is not always consistent.
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Item 3, recommendations do not include funding in the 26-27 biennium for the construction of the rollover
- The intent is that the GLO constructs the pier. And that Galveston operates it post-construction.
- funding.
- I request funds to U.S.
- And I assume that this match of federal funds and state funds.
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- in total federal funds. funds.
- Trust Fund.
- Fund nine funds, a decrease of $54.1 million from the 24-25 funding level.
- funding.
- Our Ag Water Conservation Fund, our Ag Fund, previously this fund was funded through one-time appropriations
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There are three rows: state funds, federal funds, and all funds.
- It is fully funded.
- Fund Corporation.
- School Fund.
- The tax states that the funds are for an audit reserve fund, yet none of those funds were used to cover
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- With these funds, TEEX will construct. new realistic training environments within Disaster City, such
- Should capital construction assistance projects be funded, we are requesting funding for our Nursing
- And should the legislature consider funding capital construction projects?
- This funding would be used to construct a state-of-the-art facility. first-in-the-nation operating room
- Our second key funding priority is the Campus Construction Assistance Program, or CCAP, for the construction
Committee:
Senate Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Crew performance funding.
- institution funding formulas and HEF funds.
- Since formula funding is the primary way we are funded, securing additional funding through this formula
- Our key funding priorities are to focus on... ...formula funding increases.
- with federal funding.
Committee:
Senate Finance