Transcript Highlights:

• PARTICULARLY THE RECONNECT AWARDS AS WELL AS THE RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND.
• THE 363 HAS BEEN AWARDED TO RURAL AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY.
• THAT PROCESS AND FUNDING THE DIGITAL TRADING PROGRAMS THAT.
• HOW CAN WE USE THIS FUNDING?
• CAN YOU RUN ME THROUGH THE FUNDING SOURCE?

Transcript Highlights:

• for losing the funds.
• We apply for these funds in a unified funding application, but the funds come separately and we report
• funds funding application, um but the funds come<01:13:35.400><c> separately</c><01:13:36.640><c> and
• , both state general fund dollars and state general fund block grant and other discretionary funds that
• , both state general fund dollars and state general fund block grant and other discretionary funds that

Committee: Joint Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, some information about the economics of rural practice: rural practices are facing kind
• At that point, that HDA fund is funded by both the provider tax and federal Medicaid match dollars.
• Funds.
• On that, states will submit a Rural Health Transformation Plan as part of the Notice of Funding Opportunity
• Health Transformation Funding.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• in the general fund.
• this can be funded through the HURF Fund.
• I vote no, because it should be funded through HURF, not the general fund. Senator Bernadis? Yes.
• A lot of that federal funding, The question was brought up regarding the federal funding.
• Very, very big need in rural medicine, in rural health care in general.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced six measures. SB 1118, as amended, appropriates $3 million to the Department of Health Services for a grant program to help rural hospitals install enhanced radiation protection systems in cardiac catheterization rooms; testimony from an interventional cardiologist emphasized worker safety, reduced radiation exposure, and recruitment/retention of physicians, and the bill passed 10-0. SB 1154 provides $500,000 to ADOT for a traffic and safety study on SR 64 between Williams and the Grand Canyon; local officials, law enforcement, and fire personnel described heavy tourism, rising crashes, and the need for broader roadway improvements, and it passed 6-4. SB 1063 appropriates $10.4 million for safety improvements on U.S. 70 in the San Carlos Apache area; tribal leaders and law enforcement cited high fatality and injury rates, dangerous design features, and limited federal funding, and it also passed 6-4. The committee then approved SB 1153, which creates a Grand Canyon National Park specialty license plate and fund; the Grand Canyon Conservancy supported the measure as a way to generate dedicated revenue for park programs, and it passed 10-0. SCM 1001, as amended, urges naming SR 260 the Donald J. Trump Highway through the State Board on Geographic and Historic Names rather than ADOT; the memorial drew sharply divided testimony and debate, but it passed 6-4. Finally, SB 1209 exempts homeless individuals and those using shelter addresses from non-operating ID fees and extends the validity period for those IDs to eight years; advocates said the change would help people obtain housing, jobs, and services, and it passed 9-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• revolving fund, which I'm going to call the rural fund because it's a whole lot easier and it makes
• This is a fund for systems, as I said, in rural Arizona.
• And so the purpose of this fund was really tailored to rural water providers who need the ability to
• of future appropriations as well to help make that fund more accessible for those rural communities.
• But if you look at the rural fund, because it's a state fund, that is a significantly easier fund for

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of funding with the recurring funds in the GAA that support school districts, those programs
• low-performing, and the funding also goes to support schools in our rural areas where those services
• low-performing, and the funding also goes to support schools in our rural areas where those services
• So when we give the funding, are we not then directing the funding where the greatest need or where we've
• So the use of the funds: these funds are used for tutoring, literacy and math tutoring, summer and after-school

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum and first heard a Department of Education program review on three district support programs: assistance to low-performing schools, the Florida Partnership program, and regional literacy teams (RAISE). Dr. Paul Burns described how the Bureau of School Improvement supports schools with D/F grades through regional teams, classroom observations, professional learning, and targeted funding, noting that 104 of 168 low-performing schools improved after 2022-23 and that the share of failing schools fell from 6% to 4%. He also outlined the Florida Partnership’s $4 million annual appropriation for advanced-course teacher training and student access, and the RAISE literacy program’s $5 million funding, universal/targeted/intensive supports, and progress monitoring results. Senators asked about rural participation, post-COVID reading data, parent support, and how long schools remain under monitoring after improving; Burns said rural districts can participate statewide, parents can access school and department support, and schools continue to receive monitoring after exiting low-performing status to prevent recidivism. The committee then received a presentation on the school district education foundation matching grants program from Suzanne Pridgen, who explained that the Consortium of the Florida Education Foundations administers the grants, which require private matching funds and support tutoring, literacy, STEM, career education, professional learning, books, and supplies. She said the program leverages about $1.44 in private support for every state dollar. The committee then moved to the regional education consortia, where representatives from PAEC, NEFEC, and Heartland, along with several rural superintendents, described the consortia as member-led organizations that provide economies of scale, professional learning, HR, risk management, purchasing, legal and operational support, crisis assistance, and leadership development for small and fiscally constrained districts. Superintendents from Lafayette, Holmes, Calhoun, Union, DeSoto, and Hendry counties testified that the consortia are essential because rural districts often have very small staffs, multiple-duty administrators, and limited in-house expertise. They cited support with insurance and hurricane recovery, training for new finance and HR staff, instructional coaching, CTE and leadership programs, and help with turnaround schools. Members emphasized that these districts can be high-performing despite limited resources, and several senators praised the consortia’s value. Senator Gaetz asked about additional back-office collaboration, possible regulatory relief, and FEFP issues tied to scholarship-related enrollment swings; rural superintendents responded that more local control would help. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We must fund and implement that press option three immediately.
• to care and provide recruitment and retention in rural areas.
• for exactly what rural practices struggle with most.
• And to make telehealth eligible for grant funding under your bill.
• And I know how important health care is in our rural community.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Our rural communities need... And this will especially help those in the rural communities.
• and for rural hospitals, which is due next month.
• We get more federal funding than we pay.
• President, about rural New Mexico.
• As a rural New Mexican and as a rural legislator, I want to put some of this into perspective.

Transcript Highlights:

• care access, quality, and outcomes in rural areas.
• 50% was distributed as workload funding.
• or clawbacks of that funding if they don't pass this session.
• First of all, funding may not be used for perpetual operating expenses.
• Incentives, similar to the Rural Tech Catalyst Fund, may not exceed 10% of funding.

Summary: Legislative Management met with a quorum, approved the July 11, 2025 minutes, and then considered recommendations from the Legislative Procedures and Arrangements Committee. Beth Dittes explained proposed special session rule changes, which largely mirror prior special session rules and are intended to speed floor action. The changes would allow faster second readings and transmission between chambers, replace regular standing committees with two joint committees for the special session—Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy—and limit bill introduction methods. The package also included delayed-effective-date changes for the next regular session, such as moving the agency and Supreme Court prefile deadline earlier and advancing several resolution deadlines. Liz Fordall then reviewed revisions to the legislative workplace harassment policy, including clarified definitions, longer intake and review deadlines, an option for informal resolution before a review panel, and clearer disclosure rules. The committee adopted the report and forwarded the rules and policy changes. The committee also approved tentative first-day special session agendas for both chambers, with a Speaker-requested revision to allow time to swear in new House members. Megan Gordon outlined the schedule: early Rules Committee meetings, morning floor sessions, a joint session for the governor’s State of the State, then meetings of the joint appropriations and policy committees, with optional later floor and committee time. Members discussed how the joint committees would handle bills and confirmed the process would mirror the prior special session. The agendas were adopted. Chairman Bekkedahl then reported for the Rural Health Transformation Committee, which had completed its work and recommended five bill drafts for the special session: a Presidential Physical Fitness Test requirement for schools, a nutrition component for physician continuing education, joining a physician assistant licensure compact, expanding pharmacist scope for lab testing and prescribing, and a two-year appropriations bill to cover the program through the next regular session. He explained the federal rural health transformation grant, the state’s application, funding restrictions, and the need to keep the bills aligned with CMS requirements to avoid funding reductions or clawbacks. DHS officials said the department would measure outcomes through required metrics, use templates for awards, and set up an Office of Health Transformation to track long-term impacts. The committee adopted the rural health report and forwarded the bills. Finally, members discussed special-session logistics. Legislative staff said employment committees would approve a limited number of staff, Legislative Management would serve as the delayed-bills committee, and a letter would be sent to legislators explaining the process and a suggested Friday noon drafting deadline for bills to be considered at the January 20 meeting. The committee also discussed how many bills might be introduced and how to assign the rural health bills to the House or Senate for origin. No formal vote was taken on those logistics, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene on January 20.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> setting, uh, we maintain and serve rural setting, uh, we maintain and serve rural and<00:25:55.360
• U some with our rural healthcare crisis.
• Bullet County or different than rural Bullet County or rural<00:31:12.159><c> Russell</c><00:31:12.559
• </c> going to be a more rural issue. going to be a more rural issue.
• </c> it say that need more funding? it say that need more funding?

Bills: HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312 , HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, judicial system, funding, state budget, Pickens County, local act, vehicle tag fee, registration fee, issuance fee, motor vehicle registration, license plate, replacement tag, transfer tag, renewal fee, county revenue, earmarked funds, ambulance service, emergency medical services, EMS

Transcript Highlights:

• governor or executive branch to shift those funds or commingle those funds with any other funds?
• But we do think it's important to fund projects throughout rural Arizona.
• But we do think it's important to fund projects throughout in the rural Arizona.
• Item one, the general fund money going into the Compete Fund.
• Fund in this bill?

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Davis: Is there a funding mechanism?
• rural arterial roads in rural communities.
• President for not forgetting our rural communities.
• Representing most of rural Florida, Mr.
• We know so often rural communities are left behind.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not funded. It's not fully funded; it still needs more money. It doesn't need more.
• Funded with that Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund.
• The other pot that it goes to is our Outdoor Equity Fund, which funds youth programs.
• foresight in funding those.
• The funding that we get from the state leverages large amounts of federal funding.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We coordinated with them in drafting this bill, and it's using the existing funds at the State Rural
• Universal Service Fund is maintained for our rural members, which is to continue to receive support
• Additionally, the fund also provides much-needed maintenance for rural New Mexico companies to continue
• Additionally, the fund also provides much-needed maintenance for rural New Mexico companies to continue
• It also restructures the rural universal service fund with clear budget caps and reporting requirements

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 152, which would create a low-income telecommunications assistance program and continue support for rural broadband operations and maintenance through the State Rural Universal Service Fund. Senator Padilla and Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Jeff Lopez said the bill responds to the loss of federal affordability support and would help low-income households pay for broadband, while also preserving funding for rural carriers and maintenance. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Exchange Carrier Group, tribal telecom representatives, and several rural providers, who said affordability is the main barrier to service and that the bill would help families, students, and rural communities. A few witnesses opposed parts of the bill, arguing that the ARS funding should be redirected entirely to broadband affordability and that legacy POTS-line support should sunset. Committee members asked about ETC requirements, satellite and wireless options, rural density, and the sunset provision; the sponsor said the sunset on ARS would be removed and that stakeholder discussions would continue in the interim. The committee voted due pass on the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 152. The committee then took up Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132, which would add software planning and replacement to the state’s equipment replacement fund. The sponsor and expert said state agencies now rely heavily on software for core services and that planning for software alongside hardware would improve efficiency, security, and long-term sustainability. There was no opposition, and the committee voted due pass on the substitute. The meeting then shifted to a lengthy discussion of Senate changes to House Bill 2, the budget bill. Senate Finance staff described roughly 300 changes, including additional funding for fire response, early childhood, housing, health care, quantum initiatives, public safety, courts, transportation, education, and several social service programs. Members questioned cuts or reallocations affecting state employee pay, public school capital outlay, the state fair redevelopment, CARA, personal care services, the Office of Child Advocate, and other items. The presenters repeatedly defended the Senate’s use of funds as a way to preserve reserves while prioritizing health care, housing, education, and other recurring needs, and said reserves would remain above the target level even with the changes discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• LOW PERFORMING IN THE FUNDING ALSO GOES TO SUPPORT SCHOOLS IN THE RURAL AREAS WHERE THOSE SERVICES MAY
• THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED IN 2020 AND WAS ORIGINALLY FUNDED THROUGH CARES FUNDING AND SINCE 2023 THERE
• SO WHEN WE GIVE THE FUNDING, ARE WE NOT THEN DIRECTING THE FUNDING WHERE THE GREATEST NEED OR WHERE WE
• SO THE USE OF THE FUNDS, THESE FUNDS ARE USED FOR TUTORING, LITERACY AND MATH TUTORING.
• DISTRICT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE RURAL.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, through the rural health transformation funds, one of the permissible uses is to recruit and retain
• Uh, through the rural health transformation funds, one of the permissible uses is to recruit and retain
• Uh, through the rural health transformation funds, one of the permissible uses is to recruit and retain
• c> for</c><00:38:31.440><c> keeping</c> fund into a non-lapsing fund for keeping fund into a non-lapsing
• </c> millions in federal funding. millions in federal funding.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• A plan for arts education funding.
• that are being sunsetted, PTA funds, so private dollars, some schools that were using those funds to
• Region 2 serves the largest number of rural students in California under the federal definition of rural
• Prop. 28's dedicated funding has proven this out.
• I mean, you have the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move right into Tab 1, SB 110 on rural communities by Senator Simon.
• The bill makes a significant investment in our rural roads, both providing new funding for SCRAP and
• Rural roads are vital to commerce.
• Thriving rural areas boost our urban neighbors. That is the bill, Mr. Chair.
• I know it's rural, but you still need to progress and grow.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee heard and advanced four bills. SB 110, by Senator Simon, proposed a broad rural communities package creating a state Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program for declining-population counties, higher SHIP housing allocations, new rural road funding, additional support for rural schools, and expanded rural health care resources. The bill drew extensive support from local officials, chambers of commerce, and rural advocates, with senators praising its local control and economic-development focus. It was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 218, by Senator Arrington, which would increase the ad valorem tax exemption for disabled ex-service members or their surviving spouses from $5,000 to $10,000. An amendment was adopted clarifying that the change applies beginning with the 2026 tax roll. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably. Next, SB 384, by Senator Burton, would require written notice to each member of the local legislative delegation when a municipality annexes state-owned land, and it also clarified related annexation language. After a brief question about the amendment, the bill as amended was reported favorably. After a recess, the committee took up SB 68, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin. The bill would allow not-for-profit organizations such as hospitals to bond for debt service and related purposes, including construction and refinancing projects. With no amendments, no opposition, and no debate, SB 68 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that it is a flow-through of state funds to pull down the federal funds.
• So I know when you all talk about the rural health transformation funds and things like that, you think
• health transformation funds.
• So I know when you all talk about the rural health transformation funds and things like that, you think
• So I know when you all talk about the rural health transformation funds and things like that, you think

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I I funding sources are.
• state sources, United Way funding, foundation funding, you know, anything that fits our mission.
• Being a fairly rural program, it generally will make up about 35 to 40% of our total funding.
• Being a fairly rural program, it generally will make up about 35 to 40% of our total funding.
• </c> funding situation is precarious. funding situation is precarious.

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Legal Aid, AppalRed Legal Aid, and the Legal Aid Society in Louisville. The presenters explained that the four nonprofit programs provide civil legal services in all 120 counties, focusing on low-income clients and matters such as domestic violence, family law, housing, expungement, public benefits, and veterans’ issues. They emphasized that they do not handle criminal defense cases and described statewide efforts such as the kyjustice.org website and Project Renew, which helps people in recovery with legal issues that affect stability, employment, housing, and family reunification. Each organization highlighted regional service challenges and examples of casework. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass described its 33-county service area, its mobile “justice bus,” and expungement work for people in recovery. Kentucky Legal Aid focused on disaster response after the December 2021 tornadoes, including insurance disputes and contractor fraud, and said it has continued to handle repeated FEMA-declared disasters. AppalRed described serving 37 rural counties with limited attorneys, the shortage of lawyers in “rural legal deserts,” and its disaster-response work after flooding and tornadoes, including FEMA appeals clinics and volunteer attorney support. The Legal Aid Society described its Louisville-area veteran services, including Social Security and VA disability cases, veterans treatment court referrals, and homeless outreach. Committee members praised the organizations’ work and noted the importance of their services. In response to questions about funding, the presenters said their support comes from a mix of Legal Services Corporation funds, state appropriations, federal grants such as VOCA, VAWA, and HUD, United Way, and foundation funding. They stressed that many grants are restricted, while state funding is more flexible and useful for emergencies and day-to-day operations. The presenters said current funding does not fully meet demand and requested an increase in the General Assembly’s appropriation from $500,000 per year to $1 million per year, or $2 million over the biennium.