Transcript Highlights:

• their own funding program, but by having funding partners, our grant partnership with state programs,
• their own funding program, but by having funding partners, our grant partnership with state programs,
• <00:10:11.160> program, they have their own funding program, they have their own funding program
• So, both federal and the state funds.
• Funding for asset renewal programs that Funding for asset renewal programs that year's bonding bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have taken not state funds, federal...
• funds received for the federal broadband program and to continue BEAD would not be affected.
• Well, federal funds often come with an obligation for matching funds or other strings.
• Was there any federal funding, and what is the status of the EPA involvement in that program? Mr.
• of those federal funds that are deployed.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the ITCAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition) program that was formerly funded through federal dollars
• The program has been supported for about 31 years through federal funding.
• The focus, of course, from a federal perspective is federally funded. was to reach those that are 185%
• fund tax distributions and our federal apportionment.
• , and $590 million of federal funds.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a mix of federal and state funding involved, and I guess the overarching umbrella here are programs
• a mix of federal and state funding involved, and I guess the overarching umbrella here are programs
• a mix of federal and state funding involved, and I guess the overarching umbrella here are programs
• a mix of federal and state funding involved, and I guess the overarching umbrella here are programs
• <01:30:06.639> but federal money uh for this program but federal money uh for this program

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee held an introductory organizational meeting for the newly named Workforce and Economic Development Committee, with Chair Dave Baker noting a quorum and that no votes or formal actions were scheduled. Members and staff introduced themselves and described their districts, backgrounds, and priorities. Several members emphasized worker protections, labor experience, small business concerns, rural economic issues, and the importance of balancing employer and employee interests. Others highlighted education-to-workforce pathways, affordability, support for seniors, and opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities. Chair Baker said he wants the committee to find a balance between protecting labor and ensuring a strong employment base, fair rules, and fair taxes, while also acknowledging concerns about recent policy trends and the need to get proposals right before they leave the committee. Members from both parties echoed themes of collaboration and economic opportunity, though some Republicans criticized past rules and regulations as burdensome on small businesses. The committee also welcomed nonpartisan staff and DFL/GOP staff, including the committee administrator, legislative assistant, House Research, and fiscal analysis staff. The committee then received an overview from DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek and deputy commissioners. Varilek described DEED’s mission as empowering growth of the Minnesota economy for everyone, increasing prosperity and extending it broadly, and coordinating with other agencies such as Labor and Industry to avoid duplication and use taxpayer dollars efficiently. He said DEED focuses on business attraction, retention, and expansion, workforce development, and helping Minnesotans—including people with disabilities—prepare for jobs and independent living. A deputy commissioner began outlining the economic development division’s structure and operations, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide funding for victims of crime, backfilling federal dollars. kids to go.
• We provide funding for victims of crime, backfilling federal dollars.
• Funding for victims of crime, backfilling federal dollars, to ensure that they are compensated for the
• In our research of this fund, there have not been federal awards obligated.
• Specifically, the bill establishes the SNAP Fund as an expenditure authority fund used for the federal

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the DMV has not received any federal funds for these purposes—federal funds at all, as it relates
• General Funded Program, the Clean California Program.
• California's funding will also leverage federal, Nevada, local, and private sector funding commitments
• for state formula funding programs.
• with existing federal formula-based programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As much as we worry about losing federal programs, the federal programs don't necessarily provide good
• We also offer two federally-based programs: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which is administered
• There are some federal requirements with that; those funds are federal in nature.
• The other pot that it goes to is our Outdoor Equity Fund, which funds youth programs.
• The funding that we get from the state leverages large amounts of federal funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can fund this program, and we can bridge this gap to help these families, but only if we choose to
• The federal government needs to fund SNAP.
• And in the absence of a federal partner, we as a state need to fund SNAP.
• The largest funder of food security measures is the SNAP program, which is a federal program.
• Massachusetts, like other states, simply cannot fill gaps in funding created by the federal government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first adopted an emergency preamble for H. 4521, establishing a sick leave bank for Kathleen Roder of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, by standing vote, with 8 in favor and none opposed. The chamber also suspended rules to refer several petitions to committee, including a resolution to rescind prior Article 5 constitutional convention applications and a petition on officer training related to stage suicides. Committee reports moved several bills forward, including legislation clarifying the duties of the Adjutant General and enhancing access and support for military-connected families, both with new drafts, and a bill designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which was ordered to a third reading. A major portion of the session focused on the House’s nonconcurrence in the Senate’s amendment to the fiscal year 2025 supplemental budget and the appointment of a conference committee. Senators from both parties debated how to respond to the federal government shutdown and the threatened lapse in SNAP benefits, with repeated calls for the Commonwealth to use available state resources to prevent hunger, protect vulnerable residents, and seek federal reimbursement. Several members criticized the governor’s use of taxpayer-funded communications on the issue, while others defended the administration’s limited initial response and emphasized fiscal constraints. The Senate ultimately insisted on its amendment and appointed a conference committee consisting of Senators Rodrigues, Comerford, and O’Connor. The chamber also passed several local and special bills, including measures exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, authorizing sewer service in Sharon, changing the term of the elected moderator in Holden, updating Medford’s linkage exaction program, and establishing sick leave banks for Candy J. Pike and Kathleen Roder. The Senate later adopted amended resolutions calling on the President of the United States to release contingency funds for SNAP during the shutdown, adopted an order to adjourn to the following Monday, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that will be relieved of general funds that will be relieved from<00:14:14.240> program<00:14
• Our federal funding, which is the majority of our funding, appears to be okay, but still unstable. y'all
• > the<00:15:17.519> majority federal funding, which is the majority federal funding, which
• <00:15:42.160> funding<00:15:42.639> what talk about cuts in federal funding what talk
• <00:15:49.680> funds<00:15:50.079> that's lose 30% of our federal funds that's lose

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from the Nursing Home Administrator Board, whose executive director explained the board’s role in licensing nursing home administrators, the AIT internship pathway, reciprocity, board composition, meeting schedule, and staffing. Members then shifted to an ice-storm-related discussion about nursing home emergency preparedness. Legislators asked whether any facilities lacked power, generators, or water, and urged clearer communication protocols so facilities would report problems directly through the Department of Health and emergency channels rather than through scattered calls to legislators. The board said facilities generally communicate with the Department of Health, that emergency contact information had been distributed before the storm, and that every facility has some form of generator, though not all can power the whole facility. The board also presented a small budget request, including modest salary increases for its two employees and a cloud-migration cost tied to House Bill 1491, with the understanding that statewide funding for that requirement might be handled separately. The discussion then moved to the Department of Health’s budget and operations. Agency leadership said the department has spent the last three years improving county health department efficiency, reducing overhead, and adjusting fees to eliminate program deficits, which has reduced spending by about $10 million and would shift roughly $8 million in general funds away from deficits. The department requested level funding overall, citing inflationary pressures and the possibility of another federal shutdown, but said it could absorb the impact for another year. Members discussed the public health trust created in a prior session, the need to rebuild county health departments, maternal and fetal care initiatives, and the importance of maintaining the $2.9 million in public health program support that has helped expand services such as obesity management, OB care, and home visitation for high-risk mothers and babies. Oversight and compliance issues were also reviewed. Legislators asked about prior problems with grants and sex education funding, and department officials said they had tightened oversight, adopted OpenGov for compliance, and corrected earlier violations so the programs are now in full compliance. They said the agency had improved accountability for both state and federal funds and that transparency remained a priority. The department also highlighted the cannabis program, saying it is now profitable, generating about $9 million in net revenue last year and about $12.5 million this year, with projections of $40 million to $50 million annually as it matures. Officials said they are asking for seed money for the public health trust from cannabis revenue so private-sector donations can be leveraged for long-term public health support. They described enforcement actions including fines, suspensions, license revocations, plant destruction, and referrals to law enforcement, the attorney general, and licensure boards for serious violations. The meeting ended with general support from legislators for the department’s work and acknowledgment of improved health outcomes, including Mississippi moving from 49th to 48th in overall health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Federal Child Nutrition programs defraud Federal Child Nutrition programs and<00:04:25.720> as
• The defendants allegedly exploited two federally funded nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic
• funds that we administer for after-school programming.
• funds that we administer for after-school programming.
• funds that we administer for after-school programming.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , federal fund, and other funds.
• c> to<01:18:59.120> fund federal funds become available to fund federal funds become available
• and from the federal funds, other funds, and from the federal funds, other funds, and general
• general funds 7 million federal funds. general funds 7 million federal funds.
• about general funds, 1.7 federal funds, about general funds, 1.7 federal funds, about an<02:24

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AS WELL AS THE USE OF LINE AND PIPELINE FUNDING AND THE NURSING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.
• STATE AND OTHER FEDERAL FUNDING STREAMS THAT CAN BE USED TO BUILD AND GROW THIS WORKFORCE.
• IT OUTLINES THE FLOW FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO THE LOCAL BOARDS AND TO THE
• FUNDING THAT GOES DISLOCATED WORKERS SO THIS IS A SUBSET OF THE FUNDING THAT GOES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
• AS I MENTIONED THE CAREER SOURCE FUNDING ORIGINATES FROM FEDERAL GRANTS MANAGED BY THE US DEPARTMENT

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:00:43.359> we federal funds. and we fund contracts, we federal funds. and we fund contracts
• So the maintenance of federal funds.
• c> $1.7 million of federal funds um is is $1.7 million of federal funds um is is comprised<01:03:00.079
• Obviously, the Medicaid program allows us to tap into federal funds.
• <02:41:06.479> So, that 80% is also federal funds. So, that 80% is also federal funds.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Within DESE, this fund is sort of federal and other funds.
• Within DESE, this fund is sort of federal and other funds.
• DESE is a federal and other funds. Yeah.
• So this would be the end of this funding for this program. This funding for this program.
• This is Draws down almost $12 million federal funds.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a federal program.
• , which is also a federal program.
• David Schopp also administers the federal home program, and so we were able to fund developments in areas
• David Schopp also administers the federal home program, and so we were able to fund developments in areas
• States use funds to administer state and federal housing programs.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs held its first meeting and heard presentations focused on affordable housing implementation under the Live Local Act. Florida Housing Finance Corporation described its role in administering rental and homeownership programs, including SAIL, SHIP, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, disaster recovery efforts, supportive housing, and the Live Local funding and tax incentives. Officials said the first year’s $150 million Live Local rental allocation was fully committed to 23 developments producing 3,171 units with mixed-income set-asides, and they outlined how projects were selected through competitive solicitations tied to statutory priorities such as mixed-use development, publicly owned land, foster youth, rural areas of opportunity, redevelopment, and housing near military installations. They also discussed the tax credit contribution program, the missing-middle property tax exemption, sales tax rebates, and the year-one ad valorem exemption for qualifying affordable projects. Members asked detailed questions about the data and program design, including the use of area median income figures, per-unit subsidy levels, county targeting, tenant relocation during redevelopment, and whether the programs were helping lower-income households. Florida Housing said it uses competitive scoring and data from the Schimberg Center and that redevelopment projects are supposed to include tenant relocation plans. The homeownership portion of the presentation covered the Hometown Heroes program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers, with exceptions for active-duty military and veterans. Staff said the program has assisted more than 21,000 families and leveraged over $6.5 billion in first mortgages, and members asked about repayment rates, credit scores, and whether participants were staying in homes long enough to show the program was serving intended buyers. The committee then heard from OPAGA on two required Live Local evaluations: affordable housing strategies in other states and affordable housing policies in Florida. OPAGA reported that Florida has a high share of cost-burdened households, with 1.5 million households cost burdened and 1.4 million severely cost burdened, and that Florida’s counties and municipalities reported more than $1.4 billion in affordable housing expenditures in fiscal year 2023-24. The report identified 13 innovative out-of-state programs, with three considered high-potential for Florida implementation, and summarized Florida local government practices such as SHIP-funded homeownership and rental assistance, expedited permitting, mixed-income zoning, rehabilitation programs, and interlocal cooperation. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and it shows uh federal funding.
• ><01:08:48.159> attributable that says federal funding attributable that says federal funding
• /c><01:19:23.360> this ending that program and not fund it this ending that program and not fund
• the federal funding whatsoever from the federal funding whatsoever from the federal<01:21:58.400
• <01:22:08.800> I receive directly federal funding. I receive directly federal funding.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for these programs based on the current level of federal funds that we expect to receive later this
• to backfill reductions in federal funding for that program.
• So that federal funding is passed through to some recipients for various victim service programs, and
• we've had to reduce programs over the last few years because of the reduction in federal funds.
• its maintenance program funds.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes. Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing. Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Bezie at DHS about some of the changes and opportunities um around federal policy for our SNAP program
• This is a program that's also supported by the federal government, by the USDA.
• > that federal contingency funds for that federal contingency funds for that purpose.<00:21:29.760
• But again, because we are using federal TANF funds, to qualify for this program, you need to be a family
• Again, the income threshold for this program is 300% of the federal poverty level.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Human Services and Homelessness received a briefing from Scott Morish of the Hawaii Department of Human Services on upcoming SNAP changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OBBA) and on the federal government shutdown’s impact on November SNAP benefits. DHS described its SNAP workload and statewide participation, noting about 86,229 households and 168,947 individuals receiving benefits in September, with roughly $58–$60 million distributed monthly. Morish said DHS has already made system and policy updates in preparation for the November 1 implementation date. Most of the briefing focused on expanded able-bodied adult work requirements. DHS explained that the work rule now applies to additional groups, including adults ages 55 to 64, households with dependent children age 14 and older, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth ages 18 to 24 who transitioned from foster care. The department said affected individuals must generally work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month, with noncompliance leading to a three-month benefit limit and a 36-month ineligibility period. DHS also reviewed exemptions, including for disability, pregnancy, caregiving, school or training, unemployment, and substance use treatment, and clarified that the new Indian Health Care Improvement Act exemption does not include Native Hawaiians. DHS said it received approval for Hawaii’s request for a non-contiguous-state exemption from payment error penalties through September 30, 2026, but must still make good-faith efforts to implement the work rules. Morish also outlined OBBA changes to non-citizen eligibility, saying that beginning November 1 only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible, while other previously eligible categories such as refugees, asylees, and some parolees will no longer qualify. He noted that ineligible non-citizens must still be included in household reporting and their income counted. The committee then discussed the federal shutdown’s effect on SNAP, with DHS saying USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP issuance because of insufficient funding; existing October benefits remain usable, and TANF and general assistance are not affected. DHS said it has posted FAQs and call-center messages, and is working with the Hawaii Food Bank on an additional $2 million in support and with nonprofit partners on a new Hawaii Relief program funded by TANF for families with dependent children. Members asked about eligibility for kūpuna and documentation for the relief program, and DHS said the TANF-funded program is limited to households with a child under 18, while FAQs are now available online.

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs match state funds with additional federal funds to help pay providers who serve medical
• to draw down these additional federal to draw down these additional federal funds<00:08:48.800><
• increased federal funding, is that an increased federal funding, is that an automatic automatic automatic
• We do think that there are other options the state could use to draw down federal funds.
• Federal Medicaid funding to stabilize our systems.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funding, um, has... ...to one of my colleagues’ other questions around federal funding, um, has there
• funding and policy changes that are going to impact households. ...assess federal funding and policy
• the federal fund uncertainty and lead remediation.
• fund kind of uncertainty led remediation I know that around the federal fund kind of uncertainty led
• The Continuum of Care program is a federal program that serves primarily chronically homeless families

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts. Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations. CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.