Transcript Highlights:

• We have federal grants...
• The VR Basic Support Grant is the primary federal grant supporting VR services.
• I mean, 67% federal grants.
• We also assist procurement and grants and funds.
• grant.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Grant County Day. It's a beautiful... Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is Grant County Day.
• And whereas Grant County is honored as the home of many veterans, and Grant County shares New Mexico's
• I just want to rise to recognize Grant County Day and say how much Grant County means to us.
• Gentlemen, I just wanted to rise in support of Grant County Day and all of the contributions that Grant
• Gentleman from Grant County, go ahead. Mr.

Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM18, HM21, HB10, HB11, HB12, HB13, HB14, HB31, HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a grant to Minneapolis.
• Paul issue and the $100,000 grant.
• B is for outreach grants.
• Section A is for taxpayer assistance grants, and then section B is for outreach grants.
• Section A is for taxpayer assistance grants, and then section B is for outreach grants.

Bills: HF2274, HF1932

Keywords: taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• Dakota homeless grant.
• Development Block Grant."
• We get the grant for that.
• He's granted us $125,000.
• grants and implementing grants.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met in interim session and first approved the previous meeting minutes before receiving a series of presentations on homelessness and housing stability. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency updated members on the new Interagency Council on Homelessness, describing its executive-order mandate to review resources, gather input from stakeholders, identify gaps, and develop recommendations. She said the council’s first work is building a statewide program matrix of existing homeless services and funding sources, with attention to youth, tribal communities, and other vulnerable populations. Members raised concerns about youth homelessness, homeless veterans, and how the council will stay focused on a practical framework rather than getting lost in details. The committee also discussed possible connections to the rural health transformation grant and agreed to continue the topic later in the spring. Beth Olson of Presentation Partners in Housing described the organization’s housing-first model in Cass County and Clay County, including homeless prevention/diversion, housing navigation, and Cooper House, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing building in Fargo. She said the organization focuses on people with long-term and chronic homelessness, many with mental health, addiction, health, domestic violence, and Indigenous identity-related barriers, and reported strong outcomes: 85 of 86 people housed in 2025, 91% still housed after one year, and major reductions in emergency room use, ambulance rides, jail stays, detox days, and shelter use. She also explained that state funding has grown from a small share of the budget to about $1.1 million in state-connected funding for fiscal 2026, largely through contracts tied to supportive services. Members asked about vouchers, rent contributions at Cooper House, length of stay, and whether similar projects could be expanded elsewhere. Andrea Olson of the Community Action Partnership of North Dakota outlined statewide homeless and housing-related services delivered through six community action agencies in all 53 counties. She explained the Community Services Block Grant structure, said housing was identified as the top need in the most recent statewide needs assessment, and described programs including Supportive Services for Veteran Families, North Dakota Homeless Grant services, and Home ARP supportive services. She emphasized that the end of North Dakota Rent Help has increased pressure on the system, that the current $2 million annual homeless grant is far smaller than prior rent-help assistance, and that community action is using case management and financial assistance to move households toward self-sufficiency. Members asked about funding formulas, rural service delivery, and coordination with Presentation Partners to avoid duplication. YouthWorks then began a presentation on youth homelessness, describing services for ages 12 to 24, the special needs of youth and former foster youth, and the organization’s use of federal and state funds to support transitional housing, emergency shelter, maternity housing, and diversion services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Musk and Doge played a major role in freezing nearly all grant money at NIH, including grants that could
• We've got to change the... the way the grants are, so that somebody on the grant committee maybe should
• the people on the grants?
• We were on a grant committee to try to populate the grant committees where there's attention being paid
• There's a process, Senator, for deciding who gets grants, the specific grants, right?

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• with an average Grant $487 businesses with an average Grant size<00:05:26.080> of<00:05:26.440
• She received a $31,000 grant. You can see she used that grant to wrap her vehicle.
• <00:26:23.919> going it like the 65 million Grant going it like the 65 million Grant going
• money was used uh by the grant money was used uh by the grant and<00:26:59.399> so<00:26:
• On the grant side of things, we received 8,815 applications. We were able to give out 45 grants.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia Humanities grants are above $10,000.
• We have grants and We have contractual services. We have grants and partnerships.
• when we're going to grant them.
• To grant in the budget, but we just don't know when we're going to grant them.
• There is one very specific grant in, I think it was ’25 for VCI, but virtually all of the grant money

Keywords: American Revolution 250 Commission, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another
• , the mental health block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another block grant, ARPA grant, um, the another

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• prevention project research grant prevention project research grant $500,000<00:08:36.399> in
• , behavioral health grants, behavioral health grants, uh,<00:09:13.200> one-time<00:09:13.600
• Same with the MA mobile crisis grants, the mental health grants for health care professionals.
• Nman said, grants are what you decide to grant to them.
• <01:01:42.079> to grants are what you decide to grant to grants are what you decide to grant

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature has helped with our grant legislature has helped with our grant writer<00:10:42.399>
• AMS letting us know that three grants AMS letting us know that three grants are<00:20:17.760>
• We have our grant writer here. She is preparing grants and grants and grants.
• We have our grant writer here. She is preparing grants and grants and grants.
• preparing grants and grants and grants. preparing grants and grants and grants.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.

Transcript Highlights:

• lines here for children's museum grants. lines here for children's museum grants.
• grant organizations named within that. grant organizations named within that.
• And then youth literary grants at $250,000 per year, and youth poet laureate grants at $100,000 in the
• <00:32:09.919> I'm of Independent as a named grant. I'm of Independent as a named grant.
• to do under that grant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of grants within that program called special focus grants.
• of grants within that program called special focus grants.
• <00:31:36.480> and prepared meals food relief grants and prepared meals food relief grants
• Line 544 is to convert the American Indian health special emphasis grants from competitive grants to
• that largely by winning federal grants. that largely by winning federal grants.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am concerned about this next grant, too. I am concerned about this next grant, too.
• We have some of those grants open right now, and we are having some issues with those grants, too, and
• We have some of those grants open right now, and we are having some issues with those grants, too, and
• We have some of those grants open right now, and we are having some issues with those grants, too, and
• Grant opportunity from that Grant Grant opportunity from that Grant award<01:46:34.440> uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grants grants and<00:21:30.039> that's<00:21:30.279> basically<00:21:30.679> a<
• <00:22:03.039> and the federal capitalization grants and the federal capitalization grants
• contaminants program and this is a grant contaminants program and this is a grant program<00:29:
• of grants after that is uncertain.
• the community they may qualify for grant the community they may qualify for grant funding<00:38:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are serving 93 California community college campuses today. 80 are grant funded, 13 were not grant
• , on our Student Success Completion Grant, and on Cal Grant.
• IMLS also terminated grants to multiple states.
• , which is a significant federal grant.
• So the grant, the annual grant, was terminated April 1st, and they rescinded the. termination on May

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Grant Hauschild online, appearing from Hermantown, Minnesota, and Ann Johnson Stewart
• program funding and only includes grants program funding and only includes the<00:08:08.560> 5
• unit this also includes the dnr's grant unit this also includes emerging<00:15:12.279> issues
• bill uh does to administer the grants bill uh does to administer the grants and<00:21:08.080>
• Grant Grant cycle<00:21:24.799> that<00:21:24.960> they're<00:21:25.080> going<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see a number of other grant programs. mitigation program uh that is Grants to mitigation
• <00:28:43.640> to different agencies uh grants to different agencies uh grants to political
• <00:29:30.640> to um and then you can see two grants to um and then you can see two grants
• and clean water grants.
• and clean water grants.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Capital Investment Committee met on January 16 for an informational overview on state bonding and capital investment. House Research analyst Chelsea Griffin and House Fiscal analyst Andrew Lee explained the nonpartisan roles of their offices and then walked members through the basics of Minnesota bonding: how bonds are issued and repaid, how they are categorized, and the main legal authorities governing state general obligation bonds, including the state constitution, Minnesota statutes, and federal tax law. Griffin emphasized that state GO bond proceeds must be used for a public purpose, for a purpose authorized in the constitution, as specifically described in law, and must mature within 20 years. She also noted that state GO bonding is typically originated in the House and that capital projects financed with state GO bonds generally require a three-fifths vote in each chamber. The presentation also covered practical limits and requirements on bonding projects, including the distinction between state and local GO bonding, the role of bond counsel, restrictions on bond-financed property, the prohibition on reimbursing already-paid costs, and the full funding and non-state match requirements. In response to member questions, Griffin clarified that the full funding requirement in section 16A.502 means a project must be fully funded before the appropriation is available, while section 16A.86 reflects an expectation that local governments provide about half the financing for local projects, though the legislature can choose to fund more than half or waive a local match. She also said she did not believe a bill to make the 50 percent match requirement statutory passed last session. Lee then began a spreadsheet-based overview of the 2023 capital budget laws, explaining how capital investment spreadsheets are organized and how different fund types appear in the documents. He highlighted examples such as University of Minnesota projects funded with GO bonds and Minnesota State projects using user financing, where the system contributes a share of project costs from non-state sources such as tuition or system revenues. The committee did not take any votes or formal actions during this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a significant number of grants. Safety net services, also a significant number of grants.
• That's a significant number of grants. Safety net services, also a significant number of grants.
• So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulances. So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulances.
• There'll be grants for equipment, and there'll be grants for training, and we're even looking at what
• So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulance. CMS. So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulances.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, coming out of grants in public health. Well, it's a mix of operating and grants.
• That's the point of the block grant. We give them that discretion.
• It’s a block grant, you know, it’s correct.” “It’s a block grant. You know, it’s correct.
• That would be for the DD grants.
• Section 11, EMS service grants.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission. A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action. The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the grant that Ulup Pona mentioned, the $2.89 million grant, she has two positions.
• best of your knowledge, how many grants best of your knowledge, how many grants are<00:24:53.360
• <00:24:55.360> were are available and how many grants were are available and how many grants
• <00:25:42.000> that reauthorizing a lot of the grants that reauthorizing a lot of the grants
• So for the grant that uh Ulup grant.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 1602 HD1 drew support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Ulupono Initiative, and others, with testimony emphasizing the value of a dedicated grant writer who had secured nearly $9 million in federal funds and was pursuing additional grants. Members discussed how much time grant applications take and how the position helps position projects for implementation. The committee then moved on without objection. HB 1832, relating to aquaculture, received support from state agencies and industry groups, with one individual opposed. HB 1707 HD1, relating to agriculture, also drew broad support. A committee question focused on the bill’s definition of “necessary supplies,” and the Hawaii Farm Bureau said the language was broad enough to cover the inputs farmers need, including transportation-related costs, and would help reduce production costs and food prices. HB 2155 HD1, relating to agricultural statistics, prompted testimony in support of better data collection to help Hawaii compete for federal agriculture funding. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity explained that its role would focus on production, import, and export data, distinct from the scientific data collected by another unit, and said it wanted an electronic system tied to existing manifest and GIS tools to avoid duplicative clipboard-based collection. HB 1831 HD1, relating to agricultural lands, was heard with support and no questions. HB 1650 HD1, relating to environmental assessments, drew opposition from several individuals who argued it would weaken environmental protections and resident input; no action was taken. The committee then heard HB 1652 HD1, relating to storm water management systems. The engineering industry supported clarifying that low-risk green stormwater infrastructure such as rain gardens, bioswales, and permeable pavement should not be treated like detention or retention ponds subject to fencing and other safety requirements. Opponents, including family members affected by a drowning and other residents, argued the bill would weaken Act 281’s safety protections and increase liability. The Hawaii Farm Bureau questioned whether agricultural water infrastructure should be exempted from the fencing requirements and said the costs would vary by system, but the committee did not take final action during the hearing.