Transcript Highlights:

• And then I'll just mention our summer reading program.
• We've now had two summers of the summer reading program, and what we're seeing as we look at their end-of-year
• What I would like to do next summer is to expand the summer reading program to include math interventions
• Maybe they're the ones that are really pushed to the summer reading program, right?
• And then I will say many of our child care centers have hosted sites for our summer reading program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not want programs that we put into place to be stolen by fraudsters.
• We do not want programs that we put into place to be stolen by fraudsters.
• We do not want programs that we put into place to be stolen by fraudsters.
• one more round coming from us on program one more round coming from us on program integrity<00:09
• colleagues over the course of the summer colleagues over the course of the summer and<00:11:55.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those programs are provided in group settings, so they're not individual education programs.
• the farmer's market program.
• That's an annual expense to administer the summer EBT program. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• That is for our Kids B program. It is for our CHIP program, Children's Health Insurance.
• in the summer.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• , they fund the summer reading program, there's a lot of early childhood development money, but this
• They host programs such as summer reading.
• And then the Fort Sumner Public Library integrated financial literacy into their summer reading program
• The Hatch Library during their summer reading program has a children's entrepreneurship program where
• The Hatch Library during their summer reading program has a children's entrepreneurship program where

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• We provide funding to a program So it would depend on the program and what the parameters of the program
• It's this program.
• They want this program.
• We have Um, these programs, as we fund them, we're starting them in those summers.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But my actual question comes in both your nursing program and your wind program.
• our phlebotomy programs.
• programs.
• WIN program, and probably our cowboy arts program in some form or another.
• President, is that program?

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's, we run some programming through there.
• So how is that program working?
• We were able to, last summer or last year, yeah, finish up in the summer, be able to put some money into
• And just from my personal experience, I was able to do a summer internship in Maine this past summer
• So, first of all, the programs do, if you're offering a three- and a four-year program in the same area

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.

Transcript Highlights:

• summer programming." summer programming."
• supporting afterschool and summer supporting afterschool and summer reading<01:51:39.160> programs
• to support afterschool and summer to support afterschool and summer reading<01:51:58.480> programs
• or summer program would be a godsend.
• program or summer program<02:09:16.560> would<02:09:16.680> be<02:09:16.800> a<

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kōkua for Keiki program.
• It's a USDA program. So you reporting. It's a USDA program.
• And we will be distributing it this summer in our Kōkua for Keiki program.
• Resilience Program.
• They're the everyday programs like the kupuna exercise program, right?

Bills: HB2437, HB1815, HB1614, HB1613, HB1612, HB2411, HB2597, HB2583, HB2474, HB1863, HB2590, HB1813, HB1838, HB2138, HB1967, HB1576, HB2139, HB1605, HB2113, HB812, HB1831, HB1707, HB2561, HB1805, HB2469, HB2472, HB2387, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1859, HB2276, HB2335, HB1656, HB2116, HB2272, HB2273, HB2340, HB2158, HB2339, HB2489, HB2159, HB2171, HB2338, HB2005, HB1952, HB1872, HB1676, HB2384, HB2614, HB20, HB1776, HB1565, HB2310, HB1975, HB1801, HB1668, HB2114, HB1972, HB1546, HB1518, HB1131, HB2208, HB2156, HB2268, HB2622, HB2581, HB2498, HB2443, HB1577, HB2033, HB2031, HB2023, HB1969, HB1973, HB1974, HB2315, HB2343, HB2501, HB2505, HB816, HB1562, HB1591, HB1853, HB1854, HB1871, HB1965, HB1966, HB1537, HB1541, HB276, HB2606, HB2270, HB1920, HB1756, HB1727, HB1718, HB1715, HB1713, HB1711

Keywords: arts education, student engagement, cultural literacy, public schools, funding, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, SFCA, Performing Arts Grants Program, arts grants, culture and the arts, history and the humanities, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Works of Art Special Fund, one percent for art, public art, art in public places, relocatable works of art, DBEDT, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, DAGS

Transcript Highlights:

• Hope everybody had a good summer. And we're going to start off with the Pledge of Allegiance.
• for Sinoacteria looking at five program for Sinoacteria looking at five or<00:10:30.640> six<
• I think I'm a little rusty after that summer and five weeks in Italy. What can I tell you?
• <00:11:47.120> and I'm a little rusty after that summer and I'm a little rusty after that
• summer and five<00:11:47.519> weeks<00:11:47.760> in<00:11:47.920> Italy.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mary Lizzie, in a normal summer, like a 2025 summer, a normal sessions, different than what we would
• try to be doing this summer.
• summer, again, if we're allowed to operate.
• at a summer camp.
• summer months or not.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS IS EXTENDING IT FROM THREE UNDER THE FEDERAL PROGRAM AND WAIVER WE ONLY GO TO THREE.
• WE NEED TO REALLY GO DOWN THIS ROAD BIG TIME AND ESTABLISH GRANTS FOR SUMMER PROGRAMS.
• IT'S HARD TO PLACE A CHILD WITH AUTISM IN A REGULAR SUMMER CAMP.
• YOU KNOW THE LEARNING LOSS THAT HAPPENS OVER THE SUMMER SO EXPANDING AND HAVING SPECIFIC SUMMER PROGRAMS
• WE WANT THAT EXPANSION UP UNTIL THE CHILD IS IN THE SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM. >> Chair Gruters: ARE THERE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to attend an eligible summer enrichment program.
• to attend an eligible summer enrichment program.
• the programs in the summer enrichment the programs in the summer enrichment program<01:04:45.720
• There's a lot of nursing program, like summer nursing type programs.
• Nursing program, like summer nursing type programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:08.720> 46 of potential state program fraud. 46 of potential state program fraud. 46
• summer happened.
• summer happened.
• summer happened.
• summer happened.

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• So hopefully, summer, fall 2022, we will start a pilot program there as well.
• So hopefully, summer, fall 2022, we will start a pilot program there as well.
• So hopefully, summer, fall 2022, we will start a pilot program there as well.
• So hopefully, summer, fall 2022, we will start a pilot program there as well.
• So hopefully, summer, fall 2022, we will start a pilot program there as well.

Keywords: This meeting is taking place on location at the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Building Room 238 using on site equipment., 958, all

Summary: The interim Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met at Kentucky State University and heard a presentation from President Kofi Aapo and Vice President Michael Dorsy on the university’s role as an HBCU and its current priorities. They emphasized Kentucky State’s impact on Black student outcomes nationally, its focus on workforce development, civic leadership, innovation, and economic mobility, and its efforts to grow enrollment, expand dual-credit partnerships, and launch a prison education program. They also described House Bill 250’s role in prompting program review and the creation or expansion of market-aligned offerings, including manufacturing engineering, agricultural engineering, biological and agricultural engineering, social work, criminal justice, and expanded online programs through “Thoroughbred Global.” A major topic was Kentucky State’s move toward STEM and applied programs. President Aapo said the university is diversifying beyond liberal arts to meet workforce demand and cited plans for a PhD in agroecology, which he said would help farmers adapt to climate conditions and would be federally funded. He also discussed the nursing program as the fastest-growing on campus, partnerships with health systems that pay tuition and guarantee jobs, and the need for a new nursing facility. He said the current nursing space is inadequate and that a new building could double or triple enrollment in the program. He also described a mobile health initiative intended to bring preventive care and health education to underserved areas of the state. Members asked questions about the nursing building, STEM strategy, teacher preparation, dual credit, prison education, and student readiness. Senator Bledsoe asked about the shift toward STEM, and Aapo said the strategy is based on student demand and data from House Bill 250. Senator Berg requested a list of dual-credit partners and encouraged long-term tracking of prison education participants to study outcomes such as recidivism; Aapo said the university has not yet begun that research but intends to. Senator Tidner asked about remedial needs, and Aapo said KSU found more than 100 students with zero GPAs when he arrived and is using co-requisite support and tutoring to address English and math deficiencies. Representative Brown and others highlighted the historical and ongoing value of HBCUs, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and services in Bloomington, including the city's Bloom and Bloomington summer internship program.
• and services in Bloomington, including the city's Bloom and Bloomington summer internship program.
• and services in Bloomington, including the city's Bloom and Bloomington summer internship program.
• and services in Bloomington, including the city's Bloom and Bloomington summer internship program.
• and services in Bloomington, including the city's Bloom and Bloomington summer internship program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• running the New Hampshire saves program running the New Hampshire saves program well<00:26:32.279
• regard to the Energy Efficiency programs regard to the Energy Efficiency programs representative
• design programs uh consistent programs design programs uh so<00:29:05.399> that<00:29:05.600>
• of that program so that all of that program design<00:29:08.960> um<00:29:09.960> planning
• invent their own programs and Implement their<00:29:19.120> own<00:29:19.320> programs<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we just have this incredible peace with working at a summer camp.
• And we just have this incredible peace with working at a summer camp. At a summer camp.
• But I'm not sure if that was during the summer months or not.
• And, by the way, Chloe was never paid for her work last summer.
• The youth camp program falls under my agency, DSHS, and under Mr.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• , but other housing programs that we have seen work, the multifamily housing program, low-income tax
• program capacity.
• We're continuing our investments in our early childhood education programs, not just those programs,
• for use this summer.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• like our Landowner Incentive Program.
• And more recently, our Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program.
• The Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Program, our conservation easement program, has a primary focus of ensuring
• We do those inspections during the summer and the operating season.
• This summer would have marked, and did mark, our hundredth summer running as an all-girls camp.

Keywords: 997, house, all