Transcript Highlights:

• Each year, the students come to the State House.
• They come to the building, they write bills, they debate in committee, elect student leadership, and
• Throughout the year, students from across the Commonwealth study government, debate issues important
• This program exposes students to new people and perspectives, and teaches them to debate respectfully
• This program changes lives; it changed mine, and every student who went through the program will tell

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a student from Five Branches University. I... I am a student from Five Branches University.
• I'm the president of the Vibrant University Student Council, representing all 400 students, and I oppose
• I'm an acupuncture student from L.A. I oppose this bill. Thank you. A student from L.A.
• I am a student at Five Branches University and represent the student council, and I strongly oppose this
• I am a student at Five Branches University and represent the student council, and I strongly oppose this

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lack of access to adjacent free lanes reduces access to businesses, restricts mobility, and increases
• Uh, those toll lanes were operated and maintained by North Tarrant Express Mobility Partners.
• The moment to invest in a wide range of infrastructures and mobility options in Texas is now.
• I'm the chairman of the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority and I represent that entity. Um.
• Without mobility we really have no commerce.

Transcript Highlights:

• ON SLIDE 11 YOU HAVE UP THERE ABOUT MOBILE HOMES. CAN YOU ELABORATE?
• >> THIS PARTICULAR HOME FOR MOBILE MANUFACTURED HOMES IS ONLY FOR TIEDOWN.
• YOU SAID ON THE ELEVATE FLORIDA ON SOME OF THE MOBILE HOMES YOU WILL HAVE IT DONE BY JULY OF 2025.
• MOBILE HOMES ARE ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.
• SAY SOMEONE HAS A MOBILE HOME AND ARE ELIGIBLE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of this, more students feel supported, more students feel like they belong, and more students
• Because of this, more students feel supported, more students feel like they belong, and more students
• of color, low-income students, especially Black students and English learners.
• With a particular focus on supporting highly mobile students who are placed in foster care, facing housing
• insecurity, or have an individualized education program... ...supporting highly mobile students who

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on universal school meals, the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP), and community schools, with the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Grants Program also discussed. For universal meals, the Department of Education supported continued investment, citing high student meal need, reported gains in meal participation and service efficiency from prior kitchen grants, and concerns that federal changes and underreporting could affect funding. The Department of Finance outlined $1.8 billion Proposition 98 General Fund for universal meals and an additional $100 million for a fourth round of kitchen grants, while the LAO recommended rejecting the new kitchen grant round because prior rounds are still being spent and the allowable uses are broad. Members raised questions about federal matching requirements, Summer EBT, and whether immigration-related federal policy changes could reduce meal counts and state/federal reimbursements. For ELOP, the Department of Finance described $4.7 billion ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund plus $62.4 million to set a minimum Tier 2 rate of $1,800 per pupil. The LAO recommended modifying the proposal to fully fix Tier 2 at the current $1,579 rate and tie future changes to program requirements, while CDE supported the Governor’s approach and said the added stability would help districts plan. Committee discussion focused on whether ELOP should remain a standalone before- and after-school program or be folded into LCFF, with some members and witnesses arguing for more local flexibility and clearer outcome measures, while others emphasized the value of guaranteed expanded learning access, especially for elementary students and working families. CDE noted new CalPADS reporting will provide more data beginning with the 2025-26 school year. For community schools, the Governor proposed $1 billion ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund to expand the model to thousands more schools and sustain existing ones, along with stronger technical assistance and future accreditation/self-certification. The LAO recommended continuing the current one-time grant approach instead of creating a new ongoing categorical program, citing concerns about scalability, administrative burden, and the need for earlier planning and clearer accreditation timelines if ongoing funding is adopted. CDE strongly supported the ongoing investment, saying community schools have improved attendance, suspensions, and achievement, and that technical assistance and county office support are essential for expansion. Members and public commenters largely supported community schools, with some urging stronger accountability, more support for county offices and MTSS, and debate over whether non-classroom-based charter schools should be excluded from eligibility. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee heard testimony and moved through the agenda items and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning July 1 of this year, medical students face a $50,000 annual cap on student loans and a $200,000
• Um, changes to federal student loans.
• annual cap on student loans and $50,000 annual cap on student loans and a<00:34:20.320><c> $200,000</
• </c> student loan debt. student loan debt.
• </c> education accessible for all students education accessible for all students will<00:35:37.599><c

Bills: HF1925

Keywords: nurse licensure, multistate license, healthcare, public safety, interstate compact, nursing regulation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our education equity team serves many students of color, students with disabilities, and gender-expansive
• Our education equity team serves many students of color, students with disabilities, and gender-expansive
• While school should be a place for students to learn and grow, our most vulnerable student populations
• In California, Black students make up a small percentage of overall student enrollment, yet they continue
• For many Black students, trust matters, and when a student experiences discrimination or feels unheard

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee. SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'm honored to welcome a group of proud 4-H students that are up in the gallery.
• Chris' commitment to students is truly admirable as she has not only dedicated herself to those in her
• classroom. but has also contributed to students nationwide.
• They help mentor and raise scholarships for law students.
• Students enrolled at Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M University refer to the Committee

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to introduce students from ASU, ASASU, if you want to stand.
• It's ASU's official student government, representing undergraduate and graduate students across all campuses
• It's ASU's official student government, representing undergraduate and graduate students across all campuses
• They advocate for student interests at the university, local, state, and national levels, ensuring student
• Members, we have visiting students from the Anasazi in the gallery. Please. Thank you.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments. Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion. The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> uh student IDs. uh student IDs.
• </c><00:12:20.800><c> ID</c> photo and the name from a student ID photo and the name from a student ID
• Elderly people, and I've been through the process of also helping students obtain their student ID at
• Elderly people, and I've been through the process of also helping students obtain their student ID at
• It's not based on student voting.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Presentations researchers and students.
• The first one is our mobile meography.
• </c><01:37:49.520><c> mammogram</c> this, we launched a mobile mammogram this, we launched a mobile mammogram
• ,</c><01:39:25.440><c> and</c> healthc care providers, students, and healthc care providers, students
• </c> covering that cost um for the mobile covering that cost um for the mobile unit.<01:40:59.679><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force opened with a moment of silence for the Louisville UPS plane tragedy, approved the October 15 minutes, and reminded members to submit policy recommendations before the December 16 meeting, when the group will discuss its report to LRC. The first informational presentation, from the Department for Public Health, focused on youth vaping. Elizabeth Good and Julie Brooks cited a recent Surgeon General report warning that youth vaping can harm brain development, mental health, lungs, asthma, and hormones, and noted Kentucky survey data showing 8.7% of students reported daily vaping and 19.7% used vaping products in the prior 30 days. They described prevention and cessation resources including Catch My Breath, I Can End the Trend, Not on Tobacco, My Life, My Quit, Quitline services, and the Kentucky TRUST retailer education program, which trained 3,371 individuals in 2024 and distributed 253 Tobacco 21 toolkits. The next presentation came from Kentucky ABC on implementation of SB 100, which created the division of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing. Commissioner Scotty Tracy and Jamar Carter said all retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products must be licensed, regulations were filed October 31, 2025, and the online application portal is live. In response to questions about sales to minors, they said violations carry escalating fines for clerks and owners, with a fourth violation resulting in no license renewal for two years and unpaid fines also blocking renewal. They said complaints can be submitted through the portal, by phone, or on the ABC website, and enforcement investigates tips and may use underage compliance checks. The committee then heard from Kim McKenna Johnson of One Cross Community Health, who argued for a “deficiency-first” and holistic approach to care centered on nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplementation. She said her clinic serves more than 7,000 patients in Taylor and Marion counties and described a model that includes primary care, behavioral health, functional medicine, addiction recovery, and chronic care. She cited Kentucky health rankings, claimed nutritional deficiencies cost the state billions, and said many children are overprescribed while undernourished. She urged broader insurance coverage for nutritional testing and supplements, rural demonstration grants, and Medicaid pilots for clinically prescribed supplements. Members asked about testing costs, dietitian support, long-term cost savings, compliance, and whether medications are often used to prevent damage from noncompliance; the presenter said the lab tests are generally covered, supplements are the main cost barrier, and seeing lab results can improve family buy-in. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• to combat food insecurity, in order to improve digital security. inclusion and promote economic mobility
• Senate Bill 1430 by Blanco relating to a requirement that certain students interns residents and fellows
• Senate Bill 1459 by Campbell relating to public school policies regarding student possession of personal
• Senate Bill 1507 by Parker, relating to advanced air mobility to transportation.
• As gifted and talented students. week to administration.

Bills: SJR34, SB10, SB18, SB19, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB480, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB767, SB790

Keywords: parental rights, parents, children, custody, care and control, upbringing, family law, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, child welfare, education policy, medical decisions, parental authority, primary decision makers, family autonomy, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display, First Amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• So that was a temporary mobile wireless coverage unit that was deployed.
• We also coordinate mobile crisis handoffs.
• We also coordinate mobile crisis handoffs.
• And again, this is whatever happened with the student fees, right?
• So it was reduced down to $66 per student semester for funding.

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This really shrinks that universe down to three types of properties: single-family homes, mobile homes
• I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and am a student here at Florida State University.
• You read my mind in terms of thanking the students from FSU for being here.
• You read my mind in terms of thanking the students from FSU for being here.
• You read my mind in terms of thanking the students from FSU for being here.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's a student at North Oldham High School and a constituent of the Speaker.
• She's a student at North Oldham High School and a constituent of the Speaker.
• <00:53:41.240><c> County,</c> Mobile County, Mobile County, And<00:53:42.840><c> he</c><00:53:43.040>
• Um, as Senator Storm mentioned, we have taken a multidisciplinary approach to looking at both Mobile,
• So, we would hope to mobilize those supports very early on versus waiting until the court's involved.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair will make a motion that the next audit to do will be the one on the mobile crisis intervention
• >> The mobile crisis will—it's a smaller scope.
• </c><00:51:44.000><c> crisis</c> the mobile crisis the mobile crisis intervention<00:51:47.440><c> program
• ,</c><00:54:14.160><c> I've</c><00:54:14.400><c> heard</c> on the mobile crisis, I've heard on the mobile
• &gt;&gt; The<00:55:50.559><c> mobile</c><00:55:50.880><c> crisis</c><00:55:51.280><c> will</c><00:55:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Performance Audit and Oversight Committee met to accept prior minutes and receive updates on ongoing audits. Audit staff reported progress on three education-related reviews: special education (34 of 71 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), education freedom accounts (22 of 41 observations completed, draft expected in the second quarter and final in the summer), and the doorway program (5 of 13 observations completed, draft expected by the end of February and final by April or May). No committee questions were raised on the audit status update. The committee then discussed possible future oversight topics, beginning with SNAP and concerns about fraud and work requirements. Members suggested inviting DHS officials and contract administrators to explain program operations and compliance, and also discussed whether the Department of Justice Medicaid fraud unit or other experienced officials could provide useful context. Members noted New Hampshire’s existing oversight layers, including the Executive Council and the joint HHS oversight committee, while also expressing interest in hearing more directly from department staff about staffing and contract management capacity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on whether to pursue an audit of special education at the local school level. Members debated whether to wait for the ongoing statewide special education review and a legislative study commission report, or to begin scoping a local audit now so work could start sooner. Supporters argued that local-level spending, identification rates, and effectiveness vary widely by district and that an audit should examine both costs and outcomes; others cautioned that the scope would need to be manageable given limited audit staff and that the statewide report may help narrow the focus. The committee also briefly discussed a potential audit of the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, but no decision was made on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• initial attack out there and we knock these fires down and we can stop them from going to state mobilization
• So when we were doing the original bill, I did a lot of research on state mobilization, and I didn't
• find any fires in recent history that went to state mobilization that were really less than a million
• It's been a win-win for the state because we stopped a lot of fires from going to state mobilization.
• across sectors: DSHS on SNAP, the Department of Health on WIC, and OSPI on school meals for remote students

Bills: HB2104, HB2554, HB2619

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• initial attack out there and we knock these fires down and we can stop them from going to state mobilization
• When we were doing the original bill, I did a lot of research on state mobilization, and I didn't find
• any fires in recent history that went to state mobilization that were really less than a million dollars
• And knock these fires down and save a fire from going to state mobilization, then that saves the state
• It's been a win-win for the state because we stopped a lot of fires from going to state mobilization.

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several House bills. ESHB 2238 would require the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy, monitor food system performance, and report on agricultural regulatory costs and competitiveness; the sponsor and many stakeholders from agriculture, food banks, school nutrition, counties, and advocacy groups supported it as a coordinated response to food insecurity and farm viability, while one requested amendment was addressed on the House floor. HB 2199 would expand the derelict vessel removal program by changing the definition of derelict vessel to allow earlier intervention when vessels are unregistered for two annual periods; ports, local officials, and environmental advocates testified in support, and the bill had no fiscal impact noted. HB 2104 would remove the sunset from the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for wildland fire response, with support from fire chiefs and the sponsor emphasizing its value for rapid initial attack and cost savings. HB 2554 would repeal statutes from Initiative 456 that conflict with treaty fishing rights; the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the sponsor supported repeal as necessary to remove unenforceable anti-tribal language, while testimony comments showed substantial opposition. HB 2619 would create a legislative task force to review regulatory stress in agriculture and recommend changes; the sponsor linked it to farmer mental health and suicide prevention, and there was no public testimony. HB 2343 would require public game farms operated by Fish and Wildlife to obtain water discharge permits and meet manure/runoff controls; staff noted it would apply to the known public facility and carry modest compliance costs, with no public testimony. The committee also unanimously waived the five-day notice rule for HB 2104, 2554, 2619, and 2343, and closed the hearings without taking final votes, planning to consider all six bills in executive session at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Month, advanced nationwide awareness campaigns, and championed major events and initiatives that mobilized
• Yvonne introduced the first mobile children's advocacy center in the country, Yvonne introduced the first
• The Democratic Caucus has fought for more funding for higher education so that our students don't have
• to drown in student debt to get a shot in the middle class.
• These are the Aramark employees who feed our students.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The company provides mobile flare gas capture and CNG fueling in the Bakken.
• Companies also reported expected improvements in retention, safety, upskilling, and internal mobility
• Companies also reported expected improvements in retention, safety, upskilling, and internal mobility
• And so we're also building continuing engagement with those students to help keep them.
• There might be jobs that a student is really interested in, and we do need it.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.