Transcript Highlights:

• We increase the base student allocation by $85, or $1.58.
• I also was looking at the mental health allocation for our public schools.
• There’s no increase in the mental health allocation compared to last year.
• This current budget does not have any dollars allocated for preeminence funding.
• That money was allocated under President Simpson.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where we're going to focus on the basic state grants.
• Um, that is the basic state grant that is directly distributed, kind of block granted to states.
• So, the state kind of have up to 15% of their allocation.
• It goes to states largely a block grant.
• A little bit of money their allocation.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Budget Process 00:02:28 Allotment Process 00:10:30 School Facilities Construction Commission 00:29:10 Role of KDE in School Facilities Funding 00:47:00 Kentucky School Boards Association 01:13:25 Elementary and Secondary School Construction 01:20:40 Perkins V Funding 01:35:32, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we in been awarded two SOS grants.
• This bill is an additional step we can take as a state to ensure grant dollars allocated for veterans
• <00:21:47.800> dollars<00:21:48.320> allocated<00:21:49.400> for to ensure grant
• dollars allocated for to ensure grant dollars allocated for veterans<00:21:50.080> are<00:21:
• <00:25:34.520> under allocated for each emergency under allocated for each emergency under

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice assistant grants in 2010 the Justice assistant grants in 2010 the Minnesota<00:14:49.199>
• federal money goes to Minnesota applicants. security grant program began in 17 after security grant
• the grant.
• a second grant.
• a second grant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, the chair lays out Senate Bill 1377 by Senator Perry, relating to a grant program to provide
• over the floor, but everything in the bill is similar to what we did out of it that day. $90 million grant
• The next item is the allocation of the dedicated funding for the initial term from the constitutional
• One implemented either by statute or concurrent resolution to reiterate that the allocation method is
• adapted from the statute used to allocate the funding.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, the chair lays out Senate Bill 1377 by Senator Perry relating to a grant program to provide
• Second, the transactions, transitions, the allocation of the dedicated funding for the initial term from
• To one implemented either by statute or concurrent resolution to reiterate that the allocation method
• is adapted from the statutory used to allocate the funding.
• Fourth, it authorize the governor or the legislature to spend the allocation of dedicated funding for

Transcript Highlights:

• Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Association of Early Learning Coalitions; and Ms.
• Grant or Chancellor Miller, I’m not sure.”
• Grant, in your opinion, do the ELCs—who do they work for?
• Grant?
• Granted, we have seen a slower uptick right now because it is so brand new.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met with a quorum and focused on School Readiness, specifically the new provider reimbursement rates and the School Readiness Plus program. The chair gave an overview of how School Readiness is funded and administered, noting that the Legislature now sets county-based reimbursement rates using market and cost data, and that School Readiness Plus was created to help families who would otherwise fall off the subsidy “cliff” at 85% of state median income by extending assistance up to 100% of state median income. Panelists from the Children’s Forum, the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and the Division of Early Learning described the programs as major workforce and family-support tools that help parents stay employed and help providers recruit and retain qualified staff. Testimony emphasized that higher reimbursement rates increase parental choice, help providers cover rising child care costs, and support better staffing and lower turnover. The panel also said School Readiness Plus is easing the pressure on families to turn down raises or promotions for fear of losing child care assistance, though uptake is still early because the program only began in late 2024 and is only available to current School Readiness families at redetermination. The Division of Early Learning reported about 275 children enrolled in School Readiness Plus as of March 10, with expenditures of about $161,420 through January 2025, and said participation is increasing. Members asked about the federal-state funding split, wait lists, reverted funds, coalition accountability, county-based rate differences, and whether the entrance eligibility threshold should be raised or shifted to state median income. The panel said roughly 70% of School Readiness funding is federal, about 4% has typically reverted in recent years, and the wait list is around 12,000 children, with reasons including income ineligibility, lack of available seats, and funding limits. They argued that raising the entrance threshold would expand access but would require additional funding, and they also discussed the need to reduce workforce barriers such as in-person testing and training requirements. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond the presentation and member discussion, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how the corporation is funded: grant in aid is a cash reimbursement grant.
• are granted.
• have a quick question on the uh grant have a quick question on the uh grant and<00:20:59.200>
• more people receive train, more grants more people receive train, more grants are<00:21:24.480><
• c> granted.

Keywords: Cabinet for Economic Development – Bluegrass State Skills Corporation Overview 02:35 ----Discussion of BR 868, 2026 Regular Session 24:08, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August 21 minutes. The main presentation was from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development on the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation (BSSC), which was created in 1984 and is administratively tied to the cabinet. Staff explained that BSSC supports workforce training for companies in Kentucky through two main programs: the grant-in-aid reimbursement program and the skills training investment tax credit. They also described the board’s structure, quarterly meetings, annual audit, and the metropolitan tax credit tied to UPS in Louisville, along with public-private training consortia supported by the program. The cabinet outlined eligibility and funding rules: applicants must be qualified companies, trainees must be full-time Kentucky residents meeting wage requirements, and eligible training includes in-house company-specific training, train-the-trainer efforts, safety/OSHA training, and outside training through KCTCS or other providers. Grant-in-aid is a 50% reimbursement program capped at $75,000 per company per fiscal year and $2,000 per trainee, while the tax credit is capped annually and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are scored based on county tier, wages, workforce development activity, veteran hiring, participation in consortia, and job growth. Members asked for data on trainees and industries served, and staff said they could provide it. They also discussed coordination with other workforce programs, especially KCTCS and the state’s TRAIN program, to avoid overlap and double dipping. Several members asked about program usage and differences between fiscal years. Staff said the tax credit is less popular because it is not refundable and requires tax liability, while grant-in-aid is more attractive because it is cash reimbursement. They said lower or delayed spending in some years can reflect one-year training windows, reimbursement lag, new facilities ramping up, consortia activity, and special allocations such as those tied to Ford facilities. Questions also covered support for new businesses, which staff said can receive favorable scoring for new jobs and may have funds set aside for new location projects. On veterans, staff said they connect companies to Kentucky Valor and other resources, but the program does not track veteran retention outcomes. The final discussion was on a draft bill related to the Kentucky Horse Park and the U.S. Center for SafeSport. Representative Vanessa Gracel and Kentucky Horse Park President Lee Carter explained that the proposal is intended to help the park maintain integrity and protect athletes, volunteers, coaches, trainers, and guests from abuse and misconduct. They described SafeSport’s federal role in Olympic and Paralympic sports and said they hope to move the draft forward as legislation in 2026. No votes were taken on the BSSC presentation or the horse park discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• A federal grant award that we've already received.
• I have no idea what grant services are. Sure. Mr.
• But who does the grant go to? Mr.
• Chairman, Senator, the grant comes to the Department of Transportation.
• Secretary, on ports of entry, $7 million is allocated.

Transcript Highlights:

• There also is funding and grants available for ferry service.
• Grant Program, which many of you may be familiar with.
• grant program which many of you may be familiar with.
• the first grant program that was launched.
• ; 15 grants were distributed for that.

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

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:

• Direct allocation. And that direct allocation actually expires on June 30th.
• How much direct allocation we First out, so that we don't leave any cap on the table.
• Assistance funds and a state allocation that is specifically for Española Pathways Shelter.
• The $359,000 listed under the Emergency Solutions Grant how does it work?
• And no Match programs we're using formula grants to look at that based on population and county served

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:34.720> It's something uh to cost allocate. It's something uh to cost allocate.
• everything running and we we allocate everything running and we we allocate those<01:15:09.199><
• funds funding um not funding granted funds funding um not funding granted advantage<01:32:17.040
• Um the next one, granted period.
• in the granted advantage program. in the granted advantage program.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding how do you do cost allocation? I hope y'all do as much as you want to.
• And again, we will change the methodology by which we allocate transmission.
• And then they don't even know what their allocation of capacity is going to be.
• There's already been one completion bonus grant executed for about 200 MW.
• . allocation.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a grants management system that we are using now for the incentive grants that is already in
• Our Ag Incentive Grant continues.
• Secondary Programs, CTE Incentive Grant, and the Agricultural CTE Grant and the California Partnership
• Is that already happening when these grants open up?
• Granted, one of the common questions we get is why GovOps?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding for financial aid programs and Texas grants.
• us to tackle Texas's biggest challenges, drive innovation, create jobs, and attract more federal grants
• About half are first in their families to go to college, and half are eligible for federal Pell grants
• The $32 million you allocated for our College of Osteopathic Medicine, a million for the Forensic Training
• We're very appreciative of the state's allocation of higher education funds or HEAF to our institution

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding for financial aid programs and Texas grants.
• us to tackle Texas's biggest challenges, drive innovation, create jobs. and attract more federal grants
• About half are first in their families to go to college, and half are eligible for federal Pell grants
• Thank you for the support you provided last legislative session. $32 million you allocated for our College
• funding levels that recognize enrollment growth and inflation as well as funding funding for Texas grants

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Allocation of electricity. Yes, sir.
• And again, we will change the methodology by which we allocate transmission.
• There's already been one completion bonus grant executed for about 200MW.
• You were kind enough to grant that authority to us for electric utilities.
• They're selected, they're allocated, and then their project falls through.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened to discuss critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, particularly focusing on Texas's power grid and associated vulnerabilities. The meeting highlighted Texas's recent ranking as 10th in electricity affordability, emphasizing the state's commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. New committee members introduced themselves, and the agenda included testimony from ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission regarding the implementation of the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act, which aims to mitigate risks posed by foreign entities to the power grid. Chad Sealy from ERCOT presented updates on the attestation process for market participants, revealing that over 1,500 entities had submitted attestations regarding their corporate structures and affiliations with designated foreign countries. Concerns were raised about the adequacy of the current vetting process, particularly regarding indirect relationships with foreign adversaries. Testimonies from the PUC and the Attorney General's office underscored the challenges of enforcing compliance and the need for improved legislative measures to enhance oversight and security. The committee also heard from experts, including Dr. Emma Stewart from Idaho National Laboratory, who discussed the evolving threats to the grid from foreign adversaries and the importance of securing communication systems. Recommendations included prioritizing inspections of critical components and enhancing collaboration with national laboratories to address vulnerabilities. The discussion concluded with an acknowledgment of the balance needed between ensuring grid security and maintaining affordability for consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Grants Management. of Grants Management.
• Hayes, could you please, one, talk about grants management and grants as contracts.
• ><00:04:54.720> and<00:04:55.080> grants<00:04:55.520> as about grants management
• and grants as about grants management and grants as contracts.<00:04:56.520> That's<00:04:56.800
• Uh and it's generally given to a grant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3672, authored by Representative Quam, and the bill was laid over. Quam said the measure is based on findings from past Legislative Audit Commission audits and is intended to clarify state requirements, strengthen agency compliance, and address gaps such as conflicts of interest in grant administration. He said he wants the auditor to work directly with the revisor and agencies so the rules are clearer and less likely to be misunderstood. Betsy Hayes, Assistant Commissioner with the Department of Administration, testified that sections 5 through 11 of the bill would strengthen grants management authorities, reporting, monitoring, training, and conflict-of-interest limits, and said those changes are generally supported and in some cases already reflected in policy. She raised concern about section 3, saying it could sweep too broadly by applying chapter 16B grants-management requirements to all state payments to non-state entities, including procurement payments, which could create fiscal impact and regulatory overlap. She said the department is working with the author, the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and Auditor Randall to refine the language. Chair Clayburn asked for clarification on the difference between grants and procurement contracts and on the relationship between chapters 16B and 16C. Hayes explained that grants are typically reimbursement-based payments to third parties under chapter 16B, while procurement contracts are inward-facing state purchases under chapter 16C. She said section 3 could unintentionally capture procurement and apply grants rules to it. Clayburn said the bill’s intent is good and welcomed continued work on the language before the bill moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• business ready business ready uh<02:47:35.359> grants uh grants uh grants um<02:47:37.359>
• , whether it's state grants or federal grants.
• , whether it's state grants or federal grants.
• other grants, whether it's state grants other grants, whether it's state grants or<03:17:16.319>
• or federal grants. or federal grants.

Keywords: 916, all