Transcript Highlights:

• </c> nether decrease or increase that Grant nether decrease or increase that Grant accordingly<00:20:
• </c><00:33:33.519><c> Based</c> standards for Home and Community Based standards for Home and Community
• </c><00:34:56.599><c> directed</c> waiver rate system Community directed waiver rate system Community
• </c><00:36:29.920><c> support</c> sections relating to community support sections relating to community
• School linked Behavioral Health Grants School linked Behavioral Health Grants<00:36:37.640><c> um</c

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So for us, with our block grant, our block grant has a 20% set-aside for crisis.
• have focused with those grants understand how those grants function and operate.
• Access to care specifically in underserved communities and rural communities.
• Access to care specifically in underserved communities and rural communities.
• and the rural communities.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities see the talent they need to grow and thrive.
• Employers in every community and in every industry report that.
• How do counselors communicate that back to OHE?
• We can say state grant best education, best choice...
• We are working with governments, communities, and tribal communities.

Bills: HF2634 , HF2241 , HF2649 , HF2520 , HF2610

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• community, is the accuracy of the filing.
• We're communicating out early.
• It is one thing to cut or block a cut to a grant already given.
• All the training grants have been terminated.
• So those are both research grants and training grants that specifically have an equity focus.

Transcript Highlights:

• of that grant.
• of that grant.
• of that grant.
• of that grant.
• of that grant.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Their job is to know their region's veterans communities and to serve them and help veterans in the community
• For every one dollar granted, approximately six to eight is reimbursed. be granted or generated.
• given out to small and large communities.
• I don't know every city in California, but you know, Kern, five grants, Kings, two grants, Tahama, I
• CAC funding is vital to California communities, especially California's rural communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• So one is the aggregate grant program.
• We've already awarded the first round of grants.
• opportunities, maybe perhaps through the job Growth Grant fund?
• And you may you see those in your community.
• Grant Fund Careersource Florida Inc and visit Florida.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, some context on our community.
• But in all cases, Faith needs to access her community.
• I have seen a real community in the community. a program my fellow high school students and I serve as
• Suicide has a tragic effect on our communities.
• I've heard that investments in farm-to-school, like the Mass Fresh Grant in urban communities like Springfield

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• It had a very broad, I think it was wildfire mitigation grant—yeah, wildfire mitigation grant—which is
• Where is this particular insurability grant focused?
• So if you have the program with grants, it's kind of a two-parter: if you're accepting grants, or is
• on this new grant or loan program that you're proposing?
• You heard about the mitigation grant program.

Bills: SB6178 , SB5831

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• You're a land-grant institution, and I want to be in a land-grant.
• communities.
• I think there's ways to write them into grants, federal grants.
• This challenge grant goes way up and way down.
• The challenge grants get used pretty quickly.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the bill that's before you today does not include the community grants program funding and only includes
• <c> they</c> new community grants program that they new community grants program that they will<00:07
• </c> today does not include the community today does not include the community grants<00:08:06.319><c
• </c> bill uh does to administer the grants bill uh does to administer the grants and<00:21:08.080><c>
• Grant Grant cycle<00:21:24.799><c> that</c><00:21:24.960><c> they're</c><00:21:25.080><c> going</c><

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• As the witness indicated, we are a farm community.
• Cal Grant awards for tuition at UC and CSU campuses have increased.
• The maximum Cal Grant B Access Award has increased.
• Grant B Access Award is worth less than one-fifth of its original value.
• When we should be raising the Cal Grant, we know that we should.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• THE RENAISSANCE GRANT HELPING COUNTIES REVERSE POPULATION DECLINE.
• THIS GRANT IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE CARE
• IN THE GRANT PROGRAMS AT THIS TIME OR CAUSE ANY CONFLICT.
• YOUR HEART AND YOUR PASSION FOR OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES KNOWS NO BOUNDS.
• OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WE SAW $161 MILLION IN CBDG AND ROOF GRANTS GO OUT TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you're a smaller community or you're a poorer community or you're a community-based organization
• So in the community, around the community, with fuel breaks.
• Grant outreach.
• We anticipate on the wastewater side—you'd add a question about vulnerable communities—all of those grant
• So all of those grant funds for the small community wastewater will be going to disadvantaged communities

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate, Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation opened its first hearing on the governor’s natural resources budget with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency. Crowfoot reviewed California’s recent climate and environmental challenges—drought, wildfire, heat, sea level rise, and federal uncertainty—and highlighted progress on clean energy, zero-emission vehicles, wildfire resilience, water management, coastal planning, conservation, tribal land return, and streamlined project delivery. Members praised his engagement and the administration’s work with tribes, and Crowfoot emphasized that the administration is focused on finishing major projects, improving nature-based solutions, and considering whether some temporary streamlining measures should be codified. He also discussed the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership and said the state is working with other Mediterranean-climate governments on wildfire, drought, and heat response. Members and the LAO then focused on budget conditions and priorities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state budget remains precarious despite strong revenues, with the governor’s proposal relying on borrowing and reserves and leaving large out-year deficits unresolved. The LAO urged a high bar for new spending, especially in a deficit environment, and recommended prioritizing immediate health and safety needs, avoiding new ongoing commitments, and thinking carefully about special funds. On Proposition 4, the LAO said the administration’s approach generally appeared reasonable and consistent with the bond, but noted implementation has been slow and that the Legislature may want to use appropriations language to shape broad programs such as home hardening, outdoor recreation, and climate education. The chair stressed that climate and environmental funds should be used for their intended purposes and that wildfire spending should shift more toward community hardening and home protection. The hearing then turned to water resilience and Proposition 4 spending. Department of Finance and department staff outlined the bond’s water-related funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, water recycling, stormwater, groundwater management, dam safety, and the State Water Project. Members pressed for details on how funds would be prioritized, how grants would reach disadvantaged communities, and how the state would track the bond’s 40% target for vulnerable communities. Staff said new tools and reporting systems are being used to monitor allocations, and that AB 107 and related changes should speed up grant implementation by reducing redundant regulatory steps. The committee also discussed dam safety needs, State Water Project repairs, groundwater implementation grants, and the risk of relying on uncertain future revenues from the Salton Sea lithium tax. No votes were taken, and the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a community development block grant fund.
• Defense reinvestment grants fund the sort of economic community around a base to make sure that that
• We've awarded 25 small-dollar planning grants, mostly to rural communities—20 of those to rural communities—for
• Those are grants for rural communities that perhaps have a vision but maybe don't have clarity on the
• pathway to that vision, so those are $25,000, $50,000, $75,000 small grants so those communities can

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that live in our communities. that live in our communities.
• </c> block grant. block grant. 16<02:39:11.280><c> three.
• </c><03:32:32.880><c> to</c> insurance payments 11 grants to insurance payments 11 grants to community
• reflects funds anticipated to be received pursuant to the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grant
• to the community based child abuse<03:54:22.960><c> prevention</c><03:54:23.279><c> grant</c><03:54:

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Berger and I serve as the Community Berger and I serve as the Community Development<00:03:29.799
• To me and to many others in the Indigenous community and the hockey community, he is a legend, an icon
• To me and to many others in the Indigenous community and the hockey community, he is a legend, an icon
• To me and to many others in the Indigenous community and the hockey community, he is a legend, an icon
• To me and to many others in the Indigenous community and the hockey community, he is a legend, an icon

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The answer given was grants or scholarships for lower-earning degrees.
• In the Pell Grant for trade schools? Uh-huh.
• At the Kansas City Art Institute, it's graphic communication.
• Again, not graphic communication everywhere, At the Kansas City Art Institute, it's graphic communication
• I’m the President of the Missouri Community College Association.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard two bills. House Bill 3221, sponsored by Rep. Castile, would bar state funds from supporting higher education degree programs that the federal government designates as low-earning, with the Coordinating Board for Higher Education reviewing the federal list and reporting impacts. The sponsor framed it as taxpayer accountability and return on investment, while many committee members and witnesses argued it was premature, lacked data, and could harm essential but lower-paid fields such as education, social work, early childhood education, counseling, and the arts. Supporters said the bill would mirror federal policy and affect only a small number of programs; opponents warned it could discourage universities from offering needed programs and would not account for long-term career outcomes or transferable skills. No vote was taken, and the sponsor said the bill was still a work in progress. Testimony in support of HB 3221 came from a lobbyist for FGA Action and others who said federal law is already moving in this direction and cited a small number of affected programs. Opposition came from representatives of independent colleges, community colleges, and other witnesses who said the federal rules are still being developed, the earnings test is based on a limited snapshot, and some low-wage programs serve important workforce needs or lead to later advancement. Several members asked for more information on the federal list, the number and demographics of affected students, and possible unintended consequences for rural schools and workforce development. The committee then heard House Bill 3416, sponsored by Rep. Bosley, which would create the Strengthening HBCUs Fund and direct a portion of gaming and classroom trust revenues to Lincoln University and Harris-Stowe State University for capital improvements and related support. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address historic underfunding of HBCUs and align Missouri with similar efforts in other states and at the federal level. Lincoln University President John Mosley testified in support, describing recent growth, major campus projects, and the need for additional infrastructure funding without increasing debt. Committee members asked about the funding amounts, whether Lincoln receives any special state support, and how the money would be distributed. No opposition testimony was heard, and the committee adjourned after the HB 3416 hearing without taking a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most communities have a 20-year debt service schedule right now on our existing grants that we have made
• Most communities have a 20-year debt service schedule right now on our existing grants that we have made
• Most communities have a 20-year debt service schedule right now on our existing grants that we have made
• Most communities have a 20-year debt service schedule right now on our existing grants that we have made
• Most communities have a 20-year debt service schedule right now on our existing grants that we have made

Summary: The committee reviewed the Department of Corrections budget, with the chair initially noting that the overall numbers looked close to fiscal year 2024 spending, except for federal funds. Department officials explained that prior ARPA expenditures and delayed revenue recognition had distorted the comparison, and that the corrected general fund spend was about $169.7 million. Members then focused on whether the budget’s staffing assumptions were realistic, especially the shift from overtime to full-time lines and the use of vacant positions to offset overtime costs. The department said it is leaning on vacancy savings, but would return for additional appropriations if unforeseen staffing problems arise. A major portion of the discussion centered on recruitment, retention, and staffing levels. Officials reported a 42% vacancy rate in enforcement ranks, down from 51% in January 2023, with 28 new officers headed to the next academy and 33 new hires already tracked. They said overtime is more expensive than regular staffing because of benefits and that it takes about 11 months for a new hire to break even. Members also asked about the split between incarcerated and supervised populations; the department said it oversees about 1,970 inmates in facilities and just over 4,000 people in the community, with 77 positions supervising the community population and the inmate population remaining the most expensive area. The committee also discussed how sentencing and statutory changes affect incarceration levels, including misdemeanor/felony thresholds and theft thresholds, with the department agreeing that such changes can significantly affect prison and jail populations. Members asked about education and recidivism, and the department said base education is the most important foundation, followed by vocational training, while noting that many incarcerated men lack a high school diploma. The department also described a $1.3 million reduction in contracted forensic evaluation services, explaining that these evaluations are court-ordered competency assessments and are not statutorily required to be provided by DOC. Finally, members reviewed victim services funding and staffing, including VOCA-supported positions, and the department explained that a new victim witness specialist would help support survivors at parole hearings and safety planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were successful in getting that grant.
• We were successful in getting that grant.
• DOT to keep the grant and do these items of work.
• to the community by minimizing visual impacts and providing community design aesthetic elements, including
• If you're familiar with this area, this area is in a community that is a well-built community.

Bills: SB6131 , SB6155 , SB6238 , SB5824 , SB6110 , SB5839 , SB6032 , SB6148

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: traffic safety, roadway fatalities, Washington traffic safety commission, policy update, road safety, accident prevention, disability, parking privileges, accessibility, special parking, local government, oil tankers, restricted waters, environmental safety, maritime regulations, state law, fifth-wheel, travel trailers, vehicle regulation, transportation