Transcript Highlights:

• For this particular program.
• before, we have a total of 8 programs.
• So a lot of this is based on prevention programs, but it goes hand in hand with our treatment programs
• For this particular program, we do not have a waitlist for some of our other programs, as I mentioned
• I is, are any of the programs, and I know you're just talking about a few of them, are any of your programs

Transcript Highlights:

• So a couple points there: we are a loan program; we are not a grant program.
• There's an overflow stormwater grant program, a small program that DEQ does administer.
• We help them understand and meet the program requirements. There are several program requirements.
• Our Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs, their programs, our Clean Water State Revolving Fund programs
• We do have business programs. We have loan programs for businesses.

Summary: The task force met to focus on funding systems and incentive structures for a proposed regional waste infrastructure effort, including how a future WIPA framework might support solid waste planning in the Willamette Valley. Staff and members heard presentations from DEQ on the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, from Business Oregon on the Special Public Works Fund, and from Oregon State Treasury on state bonding capacity and the bond issuance process. Presenters explained how their programs are structured, how projects are scored or approved, what kinds of public entities and projects are eligible, and how interagency coordination and co-funding can work. DEQ emphasized that its revolving loan fund is driven by water-quality benefits and public-health criteria, while Business Oregon described a broader infrastructure loan program for public entities with no scoring system, and Treasury outlined the state’s debt-capacity process and the differences between general obligation and lottery bonds. Members used the presentations to discuss whether similar funding tools could support solid waste infrastructure, especially for transfer stations, regional hubs, and related facilities that may need to be built before Coffin Butte reaches the end of its lifespan. Several questions centered on whether public-private partnerships could qualify, whether equipment inside facilities could be financed, how repayment would work, and whether planning costs could be covered. DEQ and Business Oregon both said they could potentially collaborate on scoring or co-funding, but noted eligibility limits and the need for public ownership in many cases. Treasury said bond capacity is limited and competitive, especially for lottery bonds, and that project authorization generally runs on a two-year cycle, though unused authority can sometimes be reauthorized. In task force discussion, members debated whether the group should pursue a dedicated funding lane for the seven-county region rather than having local governments compete with other statewide needs. Some members stressed the importance of criteria to avoid stranded assets and to ensure funding is available when projects are ready, while others raised concerns about how cities and counties would generate revenue to repay debt during construction and early operations. The group also discussed flow control, system fees, and the need for regional collaboration among counties, cities, and haulers to create enough waste volume to support new infrastructure. Staff noted that pre-session filing materials for the legislature are due September 11, and the chair said the August meeting will focus on organizational structure and identifying partners. During public comment, Representative Kevin Mannix submitted written testimony supporting the WIPA concept and urging the task force to endorse it. Commissioner Bubba King of Yamhill County urged the task force to compare alternatives objectively and warned against adding bureaucracy before evaluating existing infrastructure and costs. Commissioners Kevin Cameron and Roger Nyquist of Marion and Linn counties described regional hub-and-spoke concepts, transfer stations, and intermodal options, emphasizing the need for planning, strategic siting, and collaboration with haulers and local governments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything from the work we're doing in our educator prep programs, our out-of-school time programs,
• Region and in our state, and then developing programs around that and ensuring that our programs are
• staff that CTE program.
• time program.
• School districts and charters have the ability to establish programming, including a virtual program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It began back in 2023 program.
• farmer down payment assistance program. farmer down payment assistance program.
• this program. this program.
• <00:36:26.720> time, program, this new program over time, program, this new program over time
• so that the program could survive. so that the program could survive.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• care food program child and adult care food program serving<00:02:45.560> children<00:02:46.000
• defraud Federal Child Nutrition programs defraud Federal Child Nutrition programs and<00:04:25.720
• Care Food Program, or CACFP, and the Summer Food Service Program, or SFSP.
• their sites for compliance with program their sites for compliance with program requirements<00:
• CACFP and SFSP programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

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

Transcript Highlights:

• $100 million for the T's Green Line Transformation Program.
• So that's a very important program development in the Chapter 90 program for them.
• So this new program, since 2021, has just been a huge, important program for those cities and towns.
• Similar to what I've noted for the Chapter 90 program, as MassDOT receives more investment in these programs
• And programming perspective.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and uh it was program, that thought.
• encompassing uh program in the nation. nation. nation.
• , state program.
• It is a state program, state program.
• And uh I think them into this program.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The interview focused on the senator’s long career in the fire service and his legislative work on firefighter health and well-being. He described serving as a firefighter and fire marshal in St. Cloud, later as White Park’s only full-time firefighter, and also as a volunteer, EMT, captain, and fire chief in Rockville. He said those experiences made him familiar with occupational hazards faced by firefighters, including cancer, cardiac disease, and psychological trauma. A major topic was the Hometown Heroes assistance program, which he helped advance. He said the program covers about 20,000 Minnesota firefighters, including career, paid-on-call, and volunteer personnel, and provides training on cancer awareness, cardiac disease, and emotional trauma, along with counseling and financial assistance for qualifying occupational illnesses. He said the program can provide up to $20,000 in payments depending on the condition, offers up to five free counseling sessions per year, and has paid out about $5.7 million to fewer than 600 firefighters. He also said the program is funded by a $4 million annual appropriation and a separate insurance policy, and that it is managed through the Department of Public Safety and MinFIRE. The senator addressed a 2023 Legislative Auditor report that found management problems in the program, saying he contacted MinFIRE immediately and that the issues were largely a communication disconnect and a double payment of about $2,300, which was corrected. He said the auditor later confirmed the problems had been fixed. He noted that the latest bill received unanimous bipartisan support in both chambers, which he attributed to broad recognition of the program’s value for retention, recruitment, and support for firefighters and their families. He also said he would like to explore extending similar support to retired firefighters and possibly peace officers. The interview ended with him reflecting on his public service career and saying he plans to retire after 14 years in the Senate to spend more time with family and travel.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an amazing program.
• Senator, could you talk to us about the Canadian prescription drug importation program, a program that
• The program has since grown to a four billion-dollar program over the years.
• For this program from this point.
• Senator Davis, we are just aligning the existing managed-care programs with the other managed-care programs

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides full support for the Medicaid program.
• programs.
• programs.
• This is about our New Mexico Care program.
• This is a critically important program.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New funds for SCRAP, which are our small county road assistance programs, and new arterial road programs
• , aptly called the FARM program.
• I saw that you changed the name of the HOPE Scholarship Program to just the HOPE Program.
• I saw that you changed the name of the HOPE Scholarship Program to just the HOPE Program.
• in the program?

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SB 250 on rural communities by Senator Simon, was described as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and transportation investments, added funding for rural education consortiums, and health care initiatives for rural areas. Senator Harrell asked about overlap between road funding programs, and the sponsor explained that eligible counties could receive both SCRAP and FARM funding. Several organizations waived in support or spoke in support, and the bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee then heard SB 318, the committee substitute for educational scholarship programs by President Gates. The bill was presented as a response to Auditor General findings about the rapid growth and administration of Florida’s school choice and scholarship programs. It would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding from the FEFP, require more frequent student enrollment verification, lower scholarship funding organization administrative fees, require return of overpayments, create a student ID system, establish a $250 million stabilization fund, require annual audits, and direct DOE to recommend future program administration through competitive procurement. Gates also offered five amendments, including technical changes to eligibility documentation and a substantive amendment requiring a DOE report on future administration and competitive selection; all five amendments were adopted. During debate and public testimony, senators and witnesses discussed accountability, software solutions, reimbursement delays, monthly attestations, and impacts on public schools and families. Supporters and opponents alike raised concerns about bureaucracy, fraud prevention, special education services, and whether the bill would help or burden parents. Gates said the bill aimed to fix tracking and payment problems without capping the program, and he noted the IEP timeline would be aligned with public school timelines. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 318 favorably by unanimous vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are rather similar programs.
• The EASE program is one of the programs that is forecasted during the student financial aid estimating
• But asking for some program funding for new nursing programs.
• Do we have a program?
• Is like the Florida tuition assistance program, or do we have another program like EASE that you can,

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced House Bill 1145, which clarifies that public charter schools may participate in the CAP Grant Fund. The bill’s amendment expanded a separate “money-back guarantee” concept for state colleges, requiring participating institutions to offer six eligible programs and refund tuition if graduates do not find qualifying employment within six months under standardized job-search requirements. Members asked about refund rates, student notification, fiscal impact, and whether the proposal accounted for disability or out-of-state job searches. Public testimony on the amendment and bill was in support from Nathan Hoffman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute by a 16-1 vote, with Representative Aristide voting no over the charter school issue. The committee then received presentations on the William L. Boyd IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant and the private nonprofit college sector. Department of Education staff explained that EASE, created in 1979, provides tuition assistance to eligible full-time undergraduates at participating private institutions, with a 2024-25 maximum award of $3,500 and an additional EASE Plus incentive of up to $850 for students in high-demand fields. The department reviewed the program’s funding history, disbursement process, and accountability metrics, including access, affordability, graduation, retention, and postgraduate employment/continuing education. Members asked about award proration, eligibility for other aid, religious-program restrictions, and why some institutions had low or unavailable graduation-rate data. ICUF President Robert Boyd argued that EASE is a strong return on investment and described ICUF institutions as not-for-profit, four-year schools serving many Pell-eligible, adult, military, and minority students. He said the sector produces a significant share of Florida’s bachelor’s, graduate, nursing, and education degrees, and highlighted ICUF’s dashboard with additional transparency metrics, program earnings data, and net price calculators. Boyd and members discussed graduation and completion rates, NCLEX passage rates, affordability, institutional flexibility, and whether schools with lower graduation rates should be compared differently because of their student populations. The presentations ended with no further business, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• program as our largest driver.
• Additional major cost drivers are the KidCare program, the iBudget waiver program at APD, and the child
• welfare program at DCF.
• services. programs.
• So that's another program. So that's another program that I wanted to highlight.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not just the programs within Jobs First, but all of our programs, incentives, and other things, whether
• Yeah, I mean, the only programs, the programs that we have are the programs that we have, right, is Go-Biz
• programming for small businesses as California's flagship trade program.
• Do they have programs? I know you're chair right now. Do they have similar programs?
• last fiscal year of the program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) budget proposals and related implementation issues. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to focus on sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, foreign direct investment, export promotion, the film and television tax credit, and the California Civic Media Fund. Members raised concerns about journalism support, arts funding, AI’s impact on jobs, tariffs, manufacturing, and whether state incentives could be tied to job losses or automation. Myers emphasized that Go-Biz incentives are tied to job creation and accountability, and that the administration is working across agencies on AI workforce training and economic development alignment. The committee then heard trailer bill language for Jobs First. Go-Biz requested a reappropriation and extension of encumbrance deadlines for remaining administrative funds, along with statutory codification of the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. Testimony highlighted the need to continue supporting regional partners, technical assistance, capital stacks, and permit streamlining. Public testimony from the Small Business Development Centers supported the proposal and noted the program’s role in helping small businesses access capital, create businesses, and support jobs. Members also reviewed Go-Biz’s request for additional staffing for the California Film Commission and for innovation and emerging technologies. The Film Commission request would fund three permanent positions to handle the expanded tax credit program; staff reported a sharp increase in applications and production activity, including more filming outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone. The emerging technologies request would fund an assistant deputy director and a graduate student position to support sectors like quantum and fusion, with testimony explaining the state’s separate quantum and fusion investments, workforce needs, and efforts to build state capacity around these technologies. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided, and the committee moved on to public comment and then to other agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program Youth Internship Program 500,000.<00:25:54.960> STEM<00:25:55.600> grants<00:25
• personnel for um the whole new program. personnel for um the whole new program.
• So, in other words, this program is not a high-contact, custom, tailored program that offers in-person
• > participants other words, uh program participants other words, uh program participants most<
• offers um tailored uh program that offers um tailored uh program that offers inerson<00:42:53.359

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody loves the MVP program. Very popular. It is the MVP of programs.
• So this is for the Chapter 61 program, the current use program, for someone who has...
• Sure, so this is for the Chapter 61 program, the current use program.
• Like the MVP program, it is extremely oversubscribed, so filing some more money into that program to
• I love those programs. And I continue to be eternally grateful. I love those programs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• How does that program work? million. How does that program work?
• program, I'm not an expert on that one. program, I'm not an expert on that one.
• added additional money to the program. added additional money to the program.
• <00:20:58.960> Senator program have not changed. Senator program have not changed.
• > LMI<00:51:54.960> program<00:51:55.680> is the new program, the LMI program is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You also helped to increase... what's called our routine airport maintenance program, our ramp program
• the program.
• I, it's, it shouldn't be a different type of program. program, it should be the same program, the first
• And I'll just also mention this is a choice. program that families can find the programs to meet them
• We're an after-school program.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and other financial aid programs.
• programs?
• can be enrolled in the program.
• , these programs, especially Florida Forever, for water and land conservation programs, these programs
• or this program to be impactful.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Don Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber announced it would take up 11 budget conference committee reports, with no third-reading bills or special-order calendar items. Members were reminded that conference reports were subject to debate but not amendment, and that the required review periods had been satisfied. The first major action was on HB 7031E, the tax package. Representative Duggan explained that the conference report included a mix of retained, modified, and new tax provisions, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related changes, reductions in certain gaming and carbon-related taxes, changes to child care and documentary stamp tax credits, a new refund process for public works construction tax paid by universities and colleges, and other tax administration changes. Debate focused on the bill’s consumer impact, the reduction of the child tax credit from three years to one, the inclusion of firearm accessories in a sales tax holiday, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the homestead exemption provision for certain deployed diplomatic and foreign service personnel. Critics argued the package favored niche or corporate interests over broad affordability relief, while supporters said it provided targeted tax relief and reflected conference negotiations. The House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began presenting the conference report for HB 501E, the state budget, which totaled $114.5 billion for fiscal year 2026-27 and was described as below the prior year’s spending level while maintaining reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major budget areas: pre-K-12 funding included an increase in FEFP, salary increases for veteran teachers, stabilization funding, and support for declining enrollment; higher education included full Bright Futures funding, workforce programs, college operating support, university initiatives, and school guardian expansion; IT funding focused on Palm, ACCESS, APD’s I-Connect replacement, corrections systems, emergency management systems, and cybersecurity grants; health care funding covered Medicaid, nursing home rates, waiver provider increases, ADAP funding and restructuring, child welfare, and behavioral health; transportation and economic development included housing, cultural grants, jobs and rural infrastructure, Visit Florida, Space Florida, highway patrol equipment, and local transportation projects; justice funding included correctional construction, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement grants, and clerk and due process reimbursements; state administration included fire stations, constrained counties, building maintenance, and Safe Florida Home; and agriculture/natural resources funding emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality, land acquisition, Florida Forever, state parks, and citrus research. Members then began questioning the budget details, including school voucher accountability, school funding formulas, public defender parity, prison technology, wastewater monitoring in prisons, ADAP policy, SNAP fraud controls and AI-assisted verification, Florida Forever funding, school lunch funding, and coral reef restoration. No final vote on HB 501E appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you should grant program report.
• <00:47:53.760> Um, programs in other spaces. Um, programs in other spaces.
• . program. program.
• the grant program. the grant program.
• programs are um being executed properly. programs are um being executed properly.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on state grant-management requirements. Deputy Legislative Auditor Katherine Tyson outlined the main controls agencies must follow, including pre-award risk assessments for grants of $50,000 or more, reimbursement as the preferred payment method, limits and documentation requirements for advance payments, and monitoring obligations for active grants. She emphasized that these controls are intended to reduce improper payments and fraud, but also require staff time and strong internal systems. In response to questions, she said advance payments are used in some grants but reimbursement is more common, and noted that agencies can add controls such as retaining a portion of funds, surprise visits, or audits. She also said surety bonds are required in some state programs, but not generally for grants, and that this could be a policy discussion for the executive branch. The committee then received a Department of Natural Resources presentation on the new Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund community grant program created in 2023 law. DNR officials said the program is intended to expand access to ENRTF funding, especially for communities affected by pollution and environmental degradation, and to support projects such as environmental education, resource restoration, trail work, and aquatic invasive species management. They said the department will use the same grants team that handles Outdoor Heritage Fund and LCCMR grants, which already manages a large volume of grants, and that the advisory council application is open through April 10. DNR described its implementation plan as similar to the Conservation Partners Legacy program, with both standard and expedited grant rounds, technical assistance, and use of technical experts. Differences include no match requirement, allowance for fiscal agents to help smaller organizations, and more flexibility for administrative expenses to reduce barriers to participation. Officials said the program will follow state grant rules, including pre-award financial reviews and monitoring, and will use the 5 percent administrative allowance to support both oversight and grantee assistance. They also said the report’s suggestion of advance payments for grants under $50,000 was raised for discussion, but they did not dispute the auditor’s emphasis that reimbursement is the preferred approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, moving to the last program code, let's go to page 11. This is Program Code 709.
• Workforce training programs.
• Programs so that those startup business programs, the JEDI program does an amazing job helping support
• program, and labor relations program.
• apprenticeship programs.