Transcript Highlights:

• going to back funnel some of that from these projects, and we're going to fortunately have another grant
• And so there was authority that you had provided for us to do an allocation.
• To be allocated as agencies needed reimbursement.
• So there was another $4.3 million that was allocated at that time.
• there in those allocations I just talked about, and the total amount that's been spent to date.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the state to the major land grant of the state to the major land grant University<00:19:47.760
• <00:30:56.320> etc both and with faculty come grants etc both and with faculty come grants
• There are two project types for this grant program: the Improvement Grant, which is a maximum award of
• <01:09:28.839> Construction<01:09:29.359> grant current Library Grant Construction
• grant current Library Grant Construction grant program<01:09:30.319> are<01:09:30.600> cities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The allocation has changed over time.
• Were those funds allocated?
• So, this budget allocation was done on that.
• The county does get an allocation. for Metro. And how is that money allocated?
• If any city identified as a donor city in the future through a cost allocation analysis shall be granted

Bills: HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597

Keywords: commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• publish a notice of intended agency action within 90 days of the effective date of the legislation granting
• Currently, we are allocated 12,000 guardsmen and women for our state.
• The allocation for 12,000 guardsmen and women is based on our state's 1958 population, and that's not
• It encourages green infrastructure projects through the Resilient Florida grant program.
• basically green infrastructure projects through the resilient Florida grant program.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 108 on administrative procedures. That bill, as amended, would require agencies to review all rules on a five-year cycle, submit regulatory plans and annual reports, publish intended agency action within 90 days of new rulemaking authority, improve public access to incorporated materials, and streamline rule publication and correction procedures. After brief testimony from the Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section and support from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute, the committee adopted two amendments and reported CS for SB 108 favorably. The committee then approved several other measures, including the Senate veterans package (CS for CS for SB 116), which made technical changes and was supported by veterans and advocacy groups; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempts local barriers while preserving state and federal law and building codes; CS for SB 126 allowing mail distribution of prescription hearing aids after a Florida-licensed professional examination; CS for SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to abandon restrained animals during declared disasters; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice expansion for complex cardiac conditions; SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure; CS for SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property; CS for SB 348 on ethics, addressing false military rank claims and delinquent ethics fines; SB 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day; CS for SB 160 expanding CPA licensure pathways and clarifying administrative outsourcing; and CS for SB 50 promoting nature-based coastal resilience measures. Most of these bills received supportive testimony and were reported favorably. The committee also considered and reported favorably the annual reviser bills SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42, which adopt the 2025 Florida Statutes, conform statutory names, remove expired provisions, and clean up obsolete language and cross-references. Throughout the meeting, members asked questions on a few bills, but no roll-call votes were recorded as opposed; each measure was approved and reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested that a few missed affirmative votes be recorded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• one on universal school meals, including another round of the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants
• We will start with it. ...of the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants Program.
• Now I'll return to the Kitchen Infrastructure Grant Program.
• be able to opt into the apportionment funding once their implementation grant ends.
• We're in strong support of the $1 billion allocation for the Community Schools Framework.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals for universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the kitchen infrastructure grants, Tier 2 ELOP funding, and ongoing community schools funding as the main budget issues. For universal meals, the Department of Education and the Department of Finance supported continued investment in school meal infrastructure and explained that federal changes, inflation, and underreporting in meal counts could affect future funding. The LAO recommended rejecting a fourth round of kitchen infrastructure grants, arguing prior rounds are still being spent and that future funding should be tied to clearer goals and data. Several public commenters and school groups supported continued kitchen grants and universal meals, citing supply-chain delays, workforce needs, and benefits such as more freshly prepared meals and higher participation. For ELOP, the administration proposed $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding and an additional $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended fully fixing the Tier 2 rate at $1,579 and tying future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the proposal and said the program is improving attendance and academic outcomes. Senators and witnesses discussed whether ELOP should remain a standalone program or be folded into LCFF, with concerns raised about accountability, flexibility, and whether the program should better serve older youth. CDE said new CalPADS reporting and the biennial report will provide more data soon, and public testimony largely supported stabilizing Tier 2 funding while also asking for more support for middle and high school students. For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 funding to expand the model to thousands more schools and to support existing sites, along with new accountability through annual self-certification and future accreditation. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, warning about reduced flexibility, administrative burden, and the state’s capacity to support a much larger number of grantees. CDE strongly supported the ongoing funding and asked for additional support for county offices and technical assistance. Committee members questioned how accreditation would work for a model meant to be locally tailored, and administration staff said technical assistance would come first, with schools losing eligibility only if they failed to meet standards after support. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of community schools, with parents, students, county offices, and advocacy groups describing gains in attendance, graduation, mental health supports, family engagement, and student belonging, while some commenters urged clearer eligibility rules, stronger reporting, and continued support for related programs such as MTSS and homeless student services.

Transcript Highlights:

• “So basically originally a 10% upfront allocation once a project was approved, we had an executed grant
• “So basically, originally a 10% upfront allocation once a project was approved, we had an executed grant
• It was after grants had been awarded and before execution of grant agreements.
• One thing I think should be really considered is a more thoughtful process in how these grants are allocated
• My name is Grant Spence.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to instead of having an allocation to instead of having an allocation million<01:04:50.079> dollar
• > the million dollar allocation from again the million dollar allocation from again the IP<01:
• program we have up to 500,000 in Grants program we have up to 500,000 in Grants to<01:08:13.680>
• That work has been done to allow grants.
• Calls for accepting federal grant money.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first reviewed its schedule, noting that 13 bills were being executed the next day and that additional subcommittee work would be scheduled around Town Meeting Day and the following session days. The chair explained that the committee would not meet on Town Meeting Day, would handle the remaining bills on the next available subcommittee day, and would continue any unfinished items later in the month. The committee then took up House Bill 774, which concerned Medicare-related coverage issues. Members discussed the bill’s purpose and the differences between Medicare standard and Medicare Advantage, with one member saying the proposal was informative but did not offer a workable solution. The committee also moved to inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 185, and the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. House Bill 241, relating to alternatives to opioids, was retained for further work. Members said the bill raised concerns about insurers effectively practicing medicine and about the lack of evidence on the efficacy of some alternative treatments, while also noting that chiropractic coverage mandates already exist in statute. The committee voted to retain the bill, with the motion passing 6-0. The most extended discussion was on House Bill 648, which would expand insurance coverage for glucose monitoring. Testimony and committee comments focused on whether coverage should be tied to insulin use or instead to a physician’s medical judgment, the role of continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, and the potential cost impact. An insurance department fiscal analyst said the original $22-per-member estimate was based on the unamended bill and that the amended version would require updated analysis; members agreed to retain the bill to narrow the eligible population and revisit the language later.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the Getting to Work Grant program. for the Getting to Work Grant program.
• related documentation related to oversight and management of the grant, and the outcome of the grant
• <00:57:48.400> funds, detailing the use of the grant funds, detailing the use of the grant
• , oversight and management of the grant, oversight and management of the grant, and<00:57:54.080>
• and the outcome of the grant. and the outcome of the grant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we allocated all the... With how many billion?
• This is for outdoor equity grants.
• The H.A.F.C. scenario would add an additional $500,000. ...grants.
• This is for grants to rural clinics to establish rural residencies.
• But I believe there's an allocation at UNM as well.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:16.560> and where you have to apply for a grant and where you have to apply for a grant
• pro<00:10:34.240> programs, applied for grant pro programs, applied for grant pro programs
• <00:11:12.160> application pull together a grant application pull together a grant application
• <00:12:33.360> funding adequate services and allocate funding adequate services and allocate
• eligible for those same grants? eligible for those same grants?

Bills: HB1601, HB1828, HB1616, HB1603, HB1606, HB1604, HB1605

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• receive as that pass through grant. receive as that pass through grant.
• fund to be distributed as grants. fund to be distributed as grants. Uh<00:23:52.880> Mr.
• Chair, so it's not a grant, it's So Mr. Chair, so it's not a grant, it's a<00:46:42.240> payment.
• Chair and members, this is a grant.
• to grants.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows the Department of Housing to allocate tax credits for projects that are wholly located
• year, and the amount of the credits allocated for the project.
• A grant is going to be taxable.
• So your state can't do a loan or a grant as efficiently as it can do a state credit.
• My firm has been allocated federal and state low-income housing tax credits over the last 40 years.

Bills: HB2388, HB2804, HB2926

Keywords: HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages, tax revenue, broadband, infrastructure, secondary businesses, tertiary businesses

Summary: The committee began with short presentations highlighting historic sites in Prescott, including the Arizona Pioneer Home and the First Territorial Governor’s Mansion/Charlotte Hall Museum, framed as ways to showcase rural districts and Arizona history. Members discussed the importance of using committee time to feature district-specific projects and tourism assets before moving to legislation. The main action was on HB 2804, a bill creating a state rural development and housing tax credit tied to the federal low-income housing tax credit for projects in counties under 800,000 population. Supporters, including the sponsor, the mayor of Flagstaff, housing developers, and other local officials, argued the credit would help finance affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents in rural areas where projects are otherwise not feasible. Opponents, including the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, argued the program is inefficient, difficult to police, and disproportionately benefits intermediaries and developers. After extended questioning and debate about whether the bill truly helps veterans and seniors, the committee passed HB 2804 on a 7-0 vote. The committee then heard HB 2388, which directs the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers and report findings to the governor and legislature. The sponsor described it as a data-gathering measure to inform future policy, while supporters said it could help assess energy and job impacts, especially for Hispanic workers. One member suggested adding information on utility-rate impacts and waste/storage issues through amendment. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• QUALITY STANDARDS AND BASIN MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN WHICH IS BASICALLY THE PLAN THAT DEALS WITH ALLOCATING
• JUST DID TO INCORPORATE ALL THOSE PLANS AND WITH A LOT OF THE FUNDING THE WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GRANT
• US THE ABILITY TO HAVE AN ENTITY WHICH IS CATEGORY SPECIFIC LEVEL TO BE ABLE TO ATTRIBUTE WHAT ALLOCATION
• THEY ARE ALREADY ALLOCATED AND TAPPED OUT. AND THIS HELPED GROW THE WATER HIGH.
• THERE'S A LOT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING AND ENTERING INTO APPLYING FOR GRANTS TO

Transcript Highlights:

• As previously mentioned, over $1.2 million was allocated for fire management.
• Of the $19 million, over a third was allocated for natural communities management.
• A little over $1.2 million was allocated to land management equipment.
• About $500,000 was allocated to our staff. Personal protective equipment for our staff.
• Over $4.7 million was allocated to cultural resource management and is being used to fund projects to

Summary: The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present and took up SB 302 by Senator Garcia, which would promote nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Garcia said the bill would direct DEP to adopt statewide guidelines, encourage local restoration projects through existing grant programs, streamline permitting for green and hybrid infrastructure, support workforce training, and require a study on flood-risk and insurance benefits. Senator Harrell asked about implementation, existing statutory authority, and possible fiscal impacts. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying that hybrid infrastructure need only combine green and gray elements, not prove superiority over either alone. The committee heard supportive testimony on SB 302 from Katie Bauman of Surfrider Foundation, who said nature-based approaches such as dunes, wetlands, and mangroves are cost-effective and protective, and several organizations waived in support, including the Environmental Defense Fund of Florida, the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and 1,000 Friends of Florida. Senator Harrell said she supported the concept but remained concerned about the breadth of rulemaking and the fiscal implications of workforce funding. After closing remarks from Garcia, the committee voted to report CS for SB 302 favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of informational presentations on land management. Brian Bradner of DEP reviewed Florida State Parks management, including prescribed fire, invasive species removal, hydrologic restoration, cultural resource preservation, visitor use, and budgeted land-management activities. Melissa Tucker of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission described wildlife management areas, emphasizing habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, ranch infrastructure, public access, and the economic value of the system. Rick Dolan of the Florida Forest Service outlined state forest management funded through a $20 million appropriation, including road and facility work, recreation upgrades, invasive species control, reforestation, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, and boundary marking. Senators praised the agencies’ work and noted the ongoing cost of managing state lands. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The average State Grant is about $5,800 a student with an average State Grant would get a State Grant
• The average State Grant is about $3,200 a student with an average State Grant would get a State Grant
• Grant would get a State Grant Plus scholarship of about $800.
• an average State Grant would get a State Grant Plus scholarship of about $350.
• Grant would get a State Grant Plus scholarship of about $350.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're increasing the base student allocation by $66 or a 1.25% increase.
• State grant to reimburse school districts for the cost of providing IEPs for scholarship students.
• The center will provide technical assistance and support to grant recipients.
• The center will provide technical assistance and support to grant recipients.
• It requires the division to annually report to the legislature on hazard mitigation grant program grants

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roll call granted.
• The bulk of the allocation will remain allocated to the building where the targeted students sit.
• bulk of the allocation will remain allocated<02:50:44.000> to<02:50:44.240> the<02:50:
• c> bill<03:14:10.720> um grants grants Senator Clark's bill um grants grants Senator Clark's
• to do as it relates to the state grant. to do as it relates to the state grant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota educators of color grant Minnesota educators of color grant program.<00:25:34.720>
• <00:54:34.800> awards commissioner to prioritize grant awards commissioner to prioritize grant
• to that grant program being transferred. to that grant program being transferred.
• These are grants to uh help Program.
• would be eligible for an education grant would be eligible for an education grant in<01:24:15.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We used to have a litter program. program that worked with the cities, and the cities were allocated
• The remainder is allocated between General Revenue and the TXDMV Fund. Mr.
• Grant program that's administered by TxDOT. This is new to me, and so my question is.
• So we can get started and get through if there is permission is granted.
• About 86% is generated by contracts and grants. Federal, state, and local government and private.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grants and three-year grants and uh<00:23:13.919> it's<00:23:14.159> hard<00:23:14.400>
• expect is going to come from grants. expect is going to come from grants.
• We allocated $10 million for that.
• the adequate education grant program. the adequate education grant program.
• allocates funds to educate those kids. allocates funds to educate those kids.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.