Transcript Highlights:

• I'd have to check with CDF or Department of Food and Agriculture to see if there are support programs
• I'd have to check with CDF or Department of Food and Agriculture to see if there are support programs
• I want to reiterate our support of not going with the reversion of the water recycling funding.
• And we'd also like to echo strong support for the SAFER program.
• That's why we support SAFER's extension through an ACAP and trade extension deal.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge you to support House File 18. Thank you.
• We urge you to support House File 18. Thank you. Representative Lee: Thank you, Chair.
• </c><00:17:46.320><c> state</c> a more welcoming and supportive state a more welcoming and supportive
• We urge you to support better start.
• We urge you to support House<00:17:50.760><c> File</c><00:17:51.000><c> 18.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 18 was taken up in committee, with the chair noting a preference to hear testimony from people who had traveled farther before hearing from lobbyists or other local witnesses. Representative Engan presented the bill as a family-support measure that would exempt certain infant care items from sales tax, arguing that the cost of raising children has risen sharply and that the bill would provide immediate relief to parents. He cited examples of potential savings on cribs, mattresses, strollers, and baby bottles, and said he was open to expanding the list of covered items. Chair Gomez offered a DE1 amendment that would replace the blanket sales tax exemption with an expansion of Minnesota’s child tax credit, arguing that the child-rearing cost burden is better addressed through targeted assistance rather than a broad exemption that could also benefit higher-income purchasers. After discussing the policy differences and the fiscal impact, Gomez withdrew the amendment. Members then asked questions about the bill’s scope, whether luxury items should be excluded, and why the exemption was limited to baby items rather than older children’s needs. Engan said he would be open to excluding luxury items and to discussing broader expansions, including school supplies. The committee then heard testimony in support from Sarah Gangelhoff of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, who said the bill would help families facing high housing, food, and child care costs and would especially benefit women and single-mother households. Maggie Hanggi of the Minnesota Catholic Conference also supported the bill, saying the tax relief could help families afford essential infant items and reduce fear for prospective parents. Members raised concerns about whether tax exemptions effectively reach the families most in need, with one member noting that low-income families may not even be in a position to shop for these items; Engan responded that the savings would still be real for those who do purchase them. No final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will support the motion. I appreciate the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• So I'm going to be supporting the original motion. Thanks.
• For right now, I am going to support the original motion because everybody, I'm going to support the
• And so I will be supporting the original.
• So, and I will support the substitute motion.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee approved the minutes from March 13, 17, 18, 19, and 25. The committee then took up House Bill 864, which concerned kratom, and members discussed it alongside a Senate regulation bill. Testimony and comments reflected sharp disagreement: some members and the bill sponsor argued kratom should be treated as a dangerous, addictive substance and favored a Schedule 1-style ban, while others said the issue is not fully studied, regulation may be preferable to an outright ban, and they wanted to see what the Senate bill would contain before acting further. The sponsor also criticized the Senate regulation approach as insufficient and said it would legitimize a harmful product. A substitute motion to send HB 864 to the floor without recommendation failed on a roll call vote, 5-11. The committee then voted 14-2 to hold HB 864 in committee subject to call of the chair, leaving the bill pending while the Senate action on related kratom legislation develops. Members noted that the committee may meet again later depending on when related bills are transmitted and assigned. At the end of the meeting, the committee recognized its page, who said she plans to attend nursing school and thanked the committee for the experience. The chair presented her with a gift and a letter of recommendation, and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support the real. We don't have any additional questions for you.
• I'm asking for your favorable support on this claims bill.
• ; Rebecca O'Hara, waving in support.
• I think that's where we're at, so I'd appreciate your support today.
• ; and Ivan Fernandez, AARP, also waiving in support.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 762 on offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that removed a one-year sunset and a reporting requirement to the legislature. Senator Martin and regional counsel Itan Emotin explained that the bill would allow regional counsel offices to handle certain capital conflict cases, with the goal of reducing very high defense costs while maintaining adequate representation. After questions about whether referrals would be optional, compensation, and possible impacts on quality of defense, the committee reported CS for SB 762 favorably by a 9-1 vote. The committee then considered two uncontested local claims bills. SB 16, relating to relief of Heroberto A. Sanchez Mayan by the City of St. Petersburg, described serious injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport by police; counsel for the claimant appeared in support. President Gates spoke against the claims-bill process but said he would support the victim if the bill’s passage were in doubt. The bill was reported favorably 9-1. SB 14, relating to relief of Jose Correa by Miami-Dade County, involved a pedestrian struck by a county bus; the county had admitted fault and settled the case. The bill was reported favorably 9-1, and SB 24, a $500,000 settlement for Lourdes and Edward Latour against Miami-Dade County, was also reported favorably 9-1. Finally, the committee took up SB 208 on land use and development regulations. Senator McLean presented a negotiated strike-all amendment that would make development application fees more transparent and cost-based, tie them to direct and reasonable indirect review costs, and set subjective compatibility standards for residential projects, with carve-outs for PUDs, master plan communities, and historic districts. Multiple stakeholders appeared or waived in support, including 1,000 Friends of Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, AARP, counties, cities, and planning and conservation groups. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 208 was reported favorably 10-0. The committee then adjourned after recording Senator DeSigley’s vote on SB 762.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m asking for your favorable support on this claims bill.
• Courtney Mooney, Florida Association of Counties, waving in support.
• Elizabeth Alvey, waving in support on behalf of Audubon Florida.
• I think that's where we're at, so I'd appreciate your support today.
• in support.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 23 through 25 make conforming changes to support the repeal of those provisions.
• And we appreciate him understanding our support, but also our concern.
• Seeing no one else approach the table in support of SB 467... Thank you.
• comments of support.
• And we will move that testimony and support.

Bills: SB156 , SB467

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, cybersecurity, information security, state agency, data protection, confidentiality, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ARE THEY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS? >> Chair DiCeglie: SENATOR WRIGHT. >> Sen.
• Ingoglia: WE'VE SEEN TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS COME UP IN OPPOSITION BUT YOU GUYS ARE WAIVING IN SUPPORT,
• AND WHY YOU ARE SUPPORTING THIS. >> Chair DiCeglie: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU MISTER CHAIR.
• Leek: SO YOU DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION AT ALL ON WHY THE COMMISSION IS SUPPORTING THIS?
• WE HAVE ANGELA IN SUPPORT FROM THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION, DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT? >>.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I start, I would like to say I do support the LAO's request. to say, I do support the LAO's request
• fund community-based support for survivors.
• continue to support the Wright Grant.
• We support the recommendation.
• We also support expedited release pathways for survivors to go home to community-based support, reentry

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're supporting very vulnerable populations.
• I implore you to support this. ...should be protected. I implore you to support this amendment.
• Join me in supporting this bill.
• It was full bipartisan support for dreamers.
• We stand in support. How is that confusing?

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and adoption of the special order calendar for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1B on immigration, along with discussion of anticipated Senate changes. The sponsor described the bill as creating a chief immigration officer housed in the Department of Agriculture, establishing an Office of State Immigration Enforcement, expanding cooperation with federal immigration authorities, increasing criminal penalties for certain offenses by unauthorized aliens, ending undocumented-student fee waivers, and providing substantial appropriations for enforcement and related programs. Members also questioned the Senate version’s proposed mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses involving unauthorized aliens, as well as pretrial detention, 287(g) participation, DMV reporting requirements, and the bill’s effects on schools, teachers, social workers, and local agencies. The sponsor and supporting members repeatedly said the bill required broad cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and that existing federal law would control where conflicts arose. A major portion of the debate focused on whether the bill would allow or require immigration enforcement in schools and other sensitive settings, and whether teachers, school resource officers, and social workers could be placed in conflict with federal privacy or professional obligations. Members also raised concerns about detention based on suspected status, the standard of proof for immigration-status determinations, prison and jail impacts, workforce shortages, and the fiscal effects on counties and state agencies. The sponsor said the bill did not provide DMV funding, that the state would need to study some implementation questions, and that the appropriations included $25 million for a local law enforcement participation incentive program and up to $350 million for broader implementation and coordination. Several amendments were offered and failed. Representative Chambliss proposed protecting schools, churches, and places of worship from enforcement activity; Representative Escamani offered amendments to preserve in-state tuition for Dreamers and to grandfather currently eligible students; Representative Woodson offered a similar Dreamer-related amendment; and Representative Bartleman proposed barring local law enforcement from entering schools during school hours to detain children solely for immigration status. Supporters of these amendments argued they would protect children, preserve educational access, and prevent trauma in schools and houses of worship. The House rejected each amendment by voice vote, and the transcript ends during debate on the Bartleman school-safety amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:31.560><c> the</c> state of Minnesota to support the state of Minnesota to support the development
• State's policy to support carbon capture State's policy to support carbon capture uh<00:08:02.960><c>
• </c><00:37:34.800><c> the</c> reliable Energy System minf supports the reliable Energy System minf supports
• I just wanted to stand in support of the bill.
• I support it, and let's get this bill on its way. So thanks, Chair Swedzinski.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> of</c><00:01:36.479><c> this</c> here testifying in support of this here testifying in support of
• All in support. Um so written testimony. All in support.
• We have written testimony and support.
• And we are a support KUAO or KUA.
• Um, but since communication in support, uh, we do have several other support testifiers and members.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard three University of Hawaiʻi-related measures. HB 718 HD1 would appropriate funds for faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in cardiovascular, law, biology, tropical medicine, quantitative health/biostatistics, and environmental health and safety. Testimony was in support, including from university representatives and others who submitted written testimony. Members asked whether the positions were additional and how they would affect enrollment; the university said the hires would teach medical students and conduct biomedical research, helping increase the class size to about 77 and eventually 80, and noted a workforce paper requested by the committee would be provided soon. The committee then discussed SB 1170 HD1, which would grant resident tuition at any UH campus to certain graduates of Hawaiʻi high schools enrolling in undergraduate programs. UH supported the bill and said it had adjusted its testimony in response to prior committee concerns. Members focused on the proposed four-year window, asking why that timeframe was chosen and whether the change was needed at all. UH explained that four years would allow students who left the state to return and still complete an undergraduate degree or prepare for graduate school, and said the bill would help students who come back after one or two years but otherwise would have to wait a year to reestablish residency under current rules. UH also said it was discussing possible administrative rule changes as an alternative if the bill did not pass. Finally, the committee heard HB 1300 HD1, which would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center pilot study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and people living near landfills in Nanakuli, focusing on social determinants of health, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and resilience factors. Testimony from researchers and advocates strongly supported the measure, saying the study could help explain cancer disparities and support future research funding. Members questioned the cost, the reliance on future federal or foundation funding, and the practical outcome of the study. The Cancer Center said the pilot would cost about $500,000 per year for two years, with later funding sought from federal, nonprofit, or private sources; it said the study would produce longitudinal data that could help identify at-risk groups and provide evidence for policy decisions, though members expressed concern that the project needed a clearer end goal and stronger case for public investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support of one you can of be in support support of one you can of be in support of<00:02:21.640>
• </c> Mitchell opposition John C in support Mitchell opposition John C in support and<00:04:47.320><c>
• </c> of Hawaiian Affairs are here in support of Hawaiian Affairs are here in support Deborah<01:09:32.440
• <01:11:08.239><c> support</c><01:11:09.080><c> both</c> support support both support support both versions
• The bill, we support the teachers.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and Higher Education heard HB 1494, relating to sports facilities. Testimony was largely in opposition to the bill as drafted from the Stadium Authority, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with several other written comments also opposing; each asked that if the measure advances, Senate language from related stadium bills be incorporated instead. The University of Hawaiʻi testified in support of the Nāʻid project and said it wants the project delivered at Halawa so the university can have a football facility, though members pressed the university on whether it was effectively supporting both the project and the bill’s current approach. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on the stadium project’s financing, schedule, and oversight. DAGS and Public Works discussed a consultant contract that had grown to about $28 million and an audit that recovered $441,000 after improper travel and expense reimbursements, including first-class airfare and other personal expenses; officials said the audit exposed weak internal controls and led to revised reimbursement policies. Members questioned whether the problems would have been found without media reporting and whether stronger oversight should have been in place earlier. The committee also discussed the current Ching Field setup for UH football, with witnesses describing it as less than ideal and temporary until the new stadium is built. Stadium Authority representatives said the current preferred offeror is Aloha Halawa Development Partners, negotiations have recently accelerated, and the goal remains a contract this summer and a fall 2028 opening. They said the state is committed to $350 million in general obligation bonds, with the overall project expected to cost more, and that the developer is exploring other financing sources such as TIF or CFD while the state and city work to expedite permits and demolition. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• support the bill.
• </c> support the bill. support the bill.
• Co-Chair, thank you for your support for 4591. Thank you for your support for 4591.
• </c> thank you for um our support for 4591. thank you for um our support for 4591.
• </c> planning on supporting it. planning on supporting it. Chair<01:13:59.600><c> Nash.

Bills: SF856 , HF4482 , HF3672 , HF1234 , HF4591 , HF3554 , HF936

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:35.839><c> uh</c> established to financially support uh established to financially support
• data support that hypothesis?
• </c><01:30:57.040><c> of</c> bill and continued support of bill and continued support of Minnesota's<
• </c><01:32:17.840><c> House</c> encourage all of you to support House encourage all of you to support
• </c> support of house file 3609. support of house file 3609.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am in support of this bill draft.
• </c> support House Bill 3, the Care Act. support House Bill 3, the Care Act.
• support. support. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:05:12.640><c> you,</c><01:05:12.880><c> Mr.
• </c> The rest of it I'm very supportive of. The rest of it I'm very supportive of.
• </c> here today in support of House Bill 4. here today in support of House Bill 4.

Bills: HB0003 , HB0004

Committee: House Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, medical assistance, birthing centers, Medicaid, Wyoming, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support those workers. I support all of our workers. Mr.
• I support those workers. hard. I agree. I support those workers.
• /c> I support all of our I support all of our workers.<00:42:26.880><c> Mr.
• She supported education.
• </c> direction to help support our schools. direction to help support our schools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that provides health related supports that provides health related supports for<00:03:44.120><c>
• </c> and um support and um support um<00:09:24.640><c> including</c><00:09:25.279><c> support</c><00:
• </c><00:09:31.279><c> to</c> provide um that kind of support to provide um that kind of support to 10,000
• </c> is um to bethl University to support is um to bethl University to support their<00:13:23.560><c>
• </c> be for not to supplant but to support be for not to supplant but to support you<00:21:34.880><c>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• reduce and ultimately support improved reduce and ultimately support improved student<00:51:19.200><c
• </c> alongside as well and support this bill. alongside as well and support this bill.
• We would very much support that.
• We would very much support that.
• We would very much support that.

Bills: HF3650 , HF1791 , HF3489 , HF4231 , HF4232 , HF4269 , HF4270 , HF3490

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't read this to you in supports.
• supports provided in supervised supports provided in supervised residential<00:17:49.520><c> care</c
• [Music] >> Senator Mills. >> Yes. wrapped around them to support them wrapped around them to support
• There is an agreement that support.
• </c> proactive and giving them that support proactive and giving them that support because<01:36:56.719

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard brief presentations on Kentucky’s 2025 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Department for Public Health staff explained that the preventive health block grant provides about $2.3 million annually and supports programs such as accreditation and performance improvement, local health department grants, community health workers, prescription assistance, asthma and COPD programs, workforce development, and a sexual assault programs set-aside. They said the Title V block grant provides about $11.7 million, with 35% directed to children and youth with special health care needs and 65% to maternal and child health populations, largely through local health departments and a five-year needs assessment process. After no questions, a motion was made and seconded to approve both block grants. The roll call vote passed 19-0, and the two block grants were approved. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The next item was a discussion of the child waiver created in House Bill 6. Committee members raised concerns that the proposed 1915(c) waiver did not match the legislature’s intent, which they said was to move children from the Michelle P. waiver to free slots for adults. Cabinet officials from DCBS, behavioral health, and Medicaid described the proposed “Community Health for Improved Lives and Development” waiver as a targeted home- and community-based program for children under 21 with severe behavioral health or developmental needs, including those stepping down from inpatient or residential care or at risk of out-of-home placement. They said the waiver is designed for about 100 slots, uses a standardized needs-based assessment, and includes case management, community living supports, home modifications, respite, supervised residential care, and clinical therapeutic services. Officials said the public comment period ended July 15, responses are being compiled for August submission to CMS, and the waiver is part of the broader Families First initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:51.200><c> black</c> would want to be able to support black would want to be able to support
• </c><00:17:31.360><c> community</c> the businesses that support community the businesses that support
• </c><00:40:48.640><c> programs</c> know, like collateral support programs know, like collateral support
• </c><00:43:23.040><c> to</c> take that as an additional u support to take that as an additional u support
• I think local support is critical to that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.