Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Madam Chair, I'm going to pass on that, because for those that were in Ed Finance this morning,
• Well, Madam Chair, I'm going to pass on that, because for those that were in Ed Finance this morning,
• The value gap funding will be sought separately and replenished as needed, so this is just base funding
• The value gap funding will be sought separately and replenished as needed, so this is just base funding
• The value gap funding will be sought separately and replenished as needed, so this is just base funding

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• delays and at times jeopardizes the financing of the of the project.
• SB 828 closes those gaps.
• These gaps placed firefighters, first responders, and surrounding communities at serious risk.
• Providing alternative risk financing options.
• SB 1423 addresses that gap.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we are trying to assess are opportunities to strengthen policies and financing strategies.
• how they are overseen, how they are funded, how accessible those services are, and where there are gaps
• boards, etc., judicial officials, juvenile justice line staff, etc., to really understand where the gaps
• It could help when it comes to the gaps in some of the policy to help these kids.
• There are gaps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have S. 991 and H. 1552, an act creating an interagency support of housing, finance, and
• Housing Finance and Strategy Board. Jordan Stalker. Good afternoon, Jordan.
• The supportive housing opportunities are why the interagency supportive housing finance and strategy
• that far too many Massachusetts residents fall through a gap between incarceration and reintegration
• I'm CEO of BlueHub Capital, the national nonprofit community development financing organization based

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of housing and homelessness bills. Chairs Rich Haggerty and Julian Cyr opened by noting the committee’s focus on EOHLC programs such as RAFT, MRVP, and HomeBASE, and several members and advocates emphasized the urgency of the state’s homelessness crisis, including rising family homelessness and the need for earlier intervention, more stable subsidies, and stronger long-term housing tools. A major theme was homelessness prevention and rehousing. Multiple witnesses supported bills to codify and strengthen RAFT and HomeBASE, arguing that assistance should be available earlier in a crisis rather than only after a notice to quit or imminent loss of housing. Testimony from legal services, homelessness coalitions, social workers, municipal housing staff, and tenant advocates said the programs help families avoid eviction and shelter, but need more flexibility, higher benefit caps, and permanent statutory protection. Several speakers also urged support for codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), describing it as a critical long-term subsidy for low-income households and older adults, and warning that codification would protect the program from future budget or policy changes. The committee also heard testimony on housing stability for older adults, affordable homes for people with disabilities, supportive housing, housing cooperatives, home sharing, local preference, and reentry housing for returning citizens. Advocates for older adults described a Somerville bridge subsidy pilot that helped stabilize seniors while they waited for permanent housing, and urged statewide expansion. Supporters of supportive housing called for an interagency board to streamline funding and development, while cooperative housing proponents backed creation of a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives and a dedicated funding reserve. A bill to secure housing for returning citizens drew support from reentry providers and Senator Adam Gomez, who said stable housing is essential to successful reintegration. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses generally asked the committee to report the bills favorably, and some members asked follow-up questions on data and program details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House Committee on Finance.
• And happy New Year, Chair Todd, Vice Chair Hakanoi, and members of the Committee on Finance.
• We are reconvening the Committee on Finance for budget briefing from uh...
• Good morning, Chair Todd, Vice Chair Takenouchi, members of the House Finance Committee.
• training, finance, and communications. training, finance, and communications.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the latest national rankings, UT ranked 4th in the country. and research financed by the Department
• of Defense, sixth and research financed by the National Science Foundation, and first in Texas. and
• seventh in research financed by the Department of Energy.
• Rural communities primarily rely on. nurse practitioners to address these gaps in healthcare.
• It is a major gap that we have in terms of access. access to care and workforce.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stop the harm this unlawful coverage gap has caused.
• /c> Please stop the harm this unlawful Please stop the harm this unlawful coverage<00:04:49.880> gap
• <00:04:50.760> If<00:04:50.919> the coverage gap has caused.
• If the coverage gap has caused.
• So, there may be a gap as a trainee.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Senate Bill 273 is essentially a package that was developed by the Senate Finance Committee in response
• So what was prepared in Senate Finance was Senate Bill 273, which basically provided them with funding
• To help them address that gap that they had to be able to then bridge and build off economic development
• There's a lot of things moving, so this really helps the finance team keep track of them if they are
• Okay, so we're on HAFC Amendment 3, the Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 273.

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Merritt, Department of Finance.
• Matthew Mesedo, Department of Finance. Good morning. Matthew Massedo, Department of Finance.
• Anybody else from Finance? L.A.O. Helen Kirste again.
• But Andrew March with the Department of Finance.
• But Andrew March with the Department of Finance.

Summary: The meeting began with a budget subcommittee hearing on a proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit trailer bill. Assembly Members Ávila Farías and another member spoke in support, emphasizing union jobs, refinery investments, and the need to decarbonize aviation. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s proposal would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold in California from 2026 to 2036. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing it is a relatively expensive way to reduce emissions, has uncertain environmental benefits, could significantly reduce transportation revenues, and conflicts with the spirit of voter restrictions on transportation taxes. Committee members questioned whether the credit would mainly benefit out-of-state producers, whether firms would have diesel tax liability to use the credit, and whether the proposal would shift production away from renewable diesel and raise fuel prices. Administration and CARB staff said the credit is intended to support aviation decarbonization, preserve jobs, and help keep California on track toward its 2045 climate goals. LAO and UC Berkeley testimony countered that the policy could mostly subsidize existing technologies, that feedstock supply is limited, and that the net emissions benefit may be small relative to the cost. Members also asked about the effect on local streets and roads, SHOP, and trade corridor funding; Finance estimated a $165 million annual revenue impact would reduce those programs, while LAO said the reductions would mean fewer projects over time. No vote was taken, and the chair said the issue would remain open for further discussion. The committee then moved to a zero-emission vehicle incentive trailer bill proposing a one-time $200 million appropriation to CARB for a new point-of-sale incentive program focused on first-time buyers and leases of new and used light-duty ZEVs. Supporters said the program would help offset the loss of the federal EV tax credit, maintain momentum in California’s ZEV transition, and use a one-to-one match with participating automakers to double the state’s investment. LAO recommended rejection, saying the proposal does not meet the high budget bar this year, lacks enough program detail to evaluate, is unlikely to move sales significantly given the size of the appropriation, and could duplicate existing state and utility programs. Members asked about current incentives across light-, medium-, and heavy-duty sectors, the recent decline in ZEV sales, and whether the program would help lower-income buyers rather than subsidize purchases that would have happened anyway. CARB said the proposal is meant to fill a gap in the light-duty market, where sales fell sharply after the federal credit expired, and noted existing programs for other vehicle classes. The Department of Finance also addressed a separate question about the Motor Vehicle Account, saying a previously planned GGRF transfer was no longer needed because updated forecasts showed the fund had sufficient balances, though LAO said the account still has a structural long-term imbalance. The discussion ended before any vote or action on the ZEV proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• And even with that, there is a gap, unfortunately, not in terms of a gap of funding, but a gap of commitment
• And even with that, there is a gap, unfortunately, not in terms of a gap of funding, not a gap of commitment
• Well, we figure out, we sit down and we talk a lot about school finance.
• Today, that gap has grown to $1,600 per student, which is driven by facilities funding.
• Thank you for Senate Bill 1750 to narrow the wide gap in facilities.

Summary: The committee continued hearing testimony on Senate Bill 2252, which would expand early literacy and numeracy screening, parent notification, intervention supports, and teacher training, including math academies and early childhood supports. Supporters from Texas 2036, Good Reason Houston, Texas Business Leadership Council, and several parents argued that early identification of skill gaps, clearer data for families, and stronger teacher preparation would improve student outcomes, workforce readiness, and long-term earnings. They cited low math proficiency statewide, the importance of early intervention, and examples of districts using screeners and data dashboards to guide instruction and resource allocation. One witness also highlighted home visiting as a family-support model, while another urged more funding for pre-K partnerships and stronger support for parents with reading materials and guidance. A district special education administrator testified neutrally, saying the bill reflects practices already used in her district but expressing concern that it could reduce local control and teacher discretion by standardizing screening and tying it to funding. A Texas Classroom Teachers Association representative supported the intent but warned that mandatory math academies and intervention academies could burden teachers if implemented like prior reading academies, and a substitute teacher/teacher-of-the-year witness asked for clearer protections around special education information and pay for alternative certification candidates. After public testimony closed, SB 2252 was left pending. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2253, as substituted, which would phase out routine hiring of uncertified teachers over time, require parent notification when a teacher is uncertified, and expand high-quality preparation pathways such as university programs, residencies, improved alternative certification, and grow-your-own programs. Senator Creighton said the bill responds to the rise in uncertified teachers and aims to strengthen the teacher pipeline with more structured preparation, mentorship, and oversight by SBEC. Invited testimony strongly supported the measure: a Texas Tech researcher said uncertified teachers and fast-track programs are associated with significant learning losses, while year-long residencies and mentored pathways produce stronger outcomes and higher earnings for students. Leaders from Dallas College and Sam Houston State University described successful residency and grow-your-own models, high completion and retention rates, and the need for paid residencies and stipends so candidates can afford to enter the profession. Committee members asked about the difference between mentorship and residency, the cost-effectiveness of paid residencies, retention incentives, and how to scale the model statewide. The committee also adopted the substitute for SB 2253 and later paused to vote out several other bills, including SB 1191, SB 1786, SB 226, SB 326, SB 570, SB 870, SB 991, SB 60, SB 365, SB 1401, and SB 1067, all of which were reported favorably, many with unanimous votes and some placed on the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• gap, identify the causation of the achievement gap.
• gap, identify the causation of the achievement gap.
• and the opportunity gap.
• The achievement gap.
• gap closure issue.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• military children can create a loss of educational opportunity and contribute to critical learning gaps
• And yes, committed to working with AXA to make sure that we shore up any gaps in it, but most importantly
• falling short and the achievement gap falling short year over year.
• For teachers there's a growing pay gap with other college graduates.
• A 2023 Economic Policy Institute study found a record 26.6% pay gap, a dramatic increase from 6.1% in

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the Health funding to help fill gaps in the Health and<00:02:50.000> Human<00:02:50.319>
• I also serve as co-chair of health and finance and policy, and also volunteer as an EMT.
• We do not have a budget deal with the House finance because of this issue that the Democrats want to
• and as co-chair of health and finance and policy<00:06:17.919> and<00:06:18.240> also<
• a budget deal with the House finance a budget deal with the House finance because<00:09:11.440><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and our future, and our community by bridging the financial gap.
• <00:28:57.360> report initially submitted in our Gap report initially submitted in our Gap
• They gave you a certified gap of about $48,000? Yeah.
• They gave you a certified gap of about $48,000? Yeah.
• We're grappling with the finance.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 537 Discussion 00:00:40 HB 537 Vote 00:02:45 HJR 34 Discussion 00:03:30 HJR 34 Vote 00:07:45 HJR 30 Discussion 00:08:30 HJR 30 Vote 00:10:25 HJR 32 Discussion 00:11:00 HJR 32 Vote 00:41:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• for those students, but it may not fill in all of the gap for those students.
• for those students, but it may not fill in all of the gap for those students.
• for those students, but it may not fill in all of the gap for those students.
• It isn't going to cover some of the gaps we just talked about.
• alleviated my concerns about finances alleviated my concerns about finances allowing<01:35:01.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education on the State Grant program and governor-recommended changes, with some discussion of North Star Promise. Staff explained that State Grant is the state’s largest financial aid program, intended to promote college access and choice for students with the highest financial need, and that it works alongside Pell Grants. They reviewed program eligibility, award calculation, and participation rules, and noted that the program serves a large share of low- and middle-income students, including many dependent students, student parents, BIPOC students, and adult learners. They also described how awards and spending are distributed across public and private institutions and how the agency projects spending using enrollment, tuition, and FAFSA data. A major focus was the current fiscal-year deficit in State Grant. Staff said the program is experiencing a shortfall driven by higher-than-expected enrollment, more students with greater financial need, and major FAFSA formula changes that increased the number of applicants with zero or negative student aid index values. They said the office has already rationed awards where allowed and imposed a FAFSA deadline for spring awards, and does not expect to fund some awards. Officials explained that if the program projects a surplus, they typically adjust the living and miscellaneous expense allowance to spend down funds; if it projects a deficit, they can increase student and family responsibility to reduce award sizes, but the program must stay within its appropriation. Senator Duckworth asked several questions about whether unused funds could be transferred between State Grant and North Star Promise, and how the two programs are treated. Staff said State Grant funds revert to the general fund at the end of the biennium, while North Star Promise uses a special revenue account, and that transfers may be possible but would need clarification under current authority. They referenced a prior legislative transfer from North Star Promise funds to cover a shortfall in the Fostering Independence Grant and said they would follow up on the exact transfer authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justin Hearse with the Department of Finance.
• I'm Justin Hurst, Department of Finance.
• Alexandra Wildman, Department of Finance: Finance has been made aware that College of the Canyons withdrew
• Yes, Mike McGinnis, Department of Finance.
• Yes, Mike McGinnis, Department of Finance.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty. The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios. The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if anyone, in fact, many years ago when we took the Legislative Finance Committee to the park, as
• they Many years ago when we took the Legislative Finance Committee to the park, as they took a look
• Things were completely different than they are out there, and there's a lot of gaps.
• Things were completely different than they are out there, and there's a lot of gaps.
• But, like the Secretary said, we still have some gaps.

Bills: SB211, SB131, SB183, SB222, SB246, SB254

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the Committee on Housing Finance and Policy to order.
• I make the motion that House File 2140 be re-referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government
• If you look to slide six, I think this really is where you can see clearly the housing gap.
• That's where that gap is coming from. fixing housing Supply um and I've seen a fixing housing Supply
• <01:32:21.560> needed can be to permit and finance needed can be to permit and finance needed

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on, school finance, so on slide eight. you get a picture of all in funding on school finance and
• All of this money comes from the school finance system so the school finance system the first funding
• The gap there is close to $40,000. What does that look like?
• The School Finance Commission.
• finance system is not. leave with the child?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Monday, the general of finance.
• to fill in those gaps. to fill in those gaps.
• I think Susan Wilham and of Finance.
• They requested a projected funding gap.
• It's one of the critical finances.

Keywords: 924, joint, all