Transcript Highlights:

• So are these programs strictly federal funds, these ones you have here?
• So are these programs strictly federal funds, these ones you have here?
• So are these programs strictly federal funds, these ones you have here?
• program, and this program then provides an additional federal subsidy for additional meals at no cost
• in order to qualify for eligibility for this program, and this program then provides an additional federal

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee Division II met with the New Hampshire Department of Education to review school nutrition programs and related funding. Department staff Melissa White and Kelly Rambo walked through a packet covering the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program, explaining that these are federally funded USDA programs, with some state supplemental funding in certain areas. They also reviewed reimbursement rates for lunch, breakfast, child/adult care, and summer meals, noting that summer rates follow calendar-year timing while most others follow the state fiscal year. Members asked several questions about how the funding works, especially the difference between federal reimbursements and the state match. Staff explained that the state lunch line in the budget is a fixed match amount tied to federal participation, while breakfast funding is broken out by meal type and reimbursement category. They also discussed why FY 2022 federal spending was much higher during COVID, when USDA covered meals at the free rate for all students, and why FY 2023 and FY 2024 dropped as normal income-eligibility rules returned. A committee member also asked about the “severe need lunch” two-cent rate, and staff said they did not know USDA’s formula. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on summer meals and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved sites, which can be open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-operated benefit program that provides funds to families. They said some schools or sites may not qualify under USDA rules, but eligible children can often use another nearby open site, and the department posts an interactive map and phone line to help families find locations. The committee also discussed the Community Eligibility Provision. Staff said New Hampshire currently has three CEP schools, that the eligibility threshold had recently been lowered from 40% to 25% identified students, and that the program allows participating schools to offer free meals to all students while the local district covers the non-federal share. Members asked whether any districts in the 25% to 40% range had joined; staff said no. The department offered to provide the eligibility report in Excel and noted that the CEP intent is to reduce application burden, though the lower threshold can make the local cost share harder for some districts to absorb.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how will these dollars interact with the federal Solar for All award program?
• It's based on program needs.
• So we're looking at, you know, this is a— the DOE's program is an eight-year program.
• One of the things we can envision with this program is that it's an emergency response program.
• government programs like the lunch program, Medi-Cal, and Medicare.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as your call, the state director payment programs consist of the various supplemental payment programs
• on each of these supplemental payment program, state-directed payment programs.
• Program in the Public Hospital Physicians program.
• physicians program, right.
• In addition to snap being a service delivery program is also supported by its own federal revenue stream

Transcript Highlights:

• In case You're unaware, the federal government has a program that they call the Continuum of Care program
• In fact, the federal government funds programs that say, how can we get you qualified for SNAP, for SSI
• In fact, the federal government funds programs that say, how can we get you qualified for snaps, for
• the state to not only apply but receive these federal continuum of care programs.
• But as you all know, if a program is 100% federally funded and then that changes, guess who it falls

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with a focus on unsheltered homelessness, untreated mental illness and substance use, public safety, and the role of local law enforcement and shelters. Presenters from law enforcement, homeless service providers, mental health, and policy groups discussed federal Continuum of Care funding, the need for better data and accountability, and proposals such as statewide camping enforcement, stronger treatment access, and consolidating or reworking the continuum-of-care structure. Much of the discussion centered on the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model, with witnesses describing it as a way to expand crisis services, treatment, and coordination with housing and justice systems. They also discussed homelessness among sex offenders, family homelessness, workforce supports, and how to scale successful local programs statewide. No formal action was taken on the homelessness proposals during the discussion. The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. The energy rule updated solid waste post-closure cleanup thresholds from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025. Nursing-related rules added fees for the new dialysis patient care technician registration created by Act 198 of 2025, updated contact-information requirements, implemented APRN authority under Act 862 of 2025, clarified durable medical equipment language under Act 431 of 2025, and incorporated delegation changes from Act 959 of 2025. Additional nursing rules updated certified medication assistant training and duties under Act 265 of 2025, and corrected rules for full independent practice to include clinical nurse specialists under Act 872 of 2023. Each rule was reviewed without objection. At the close of the meeting, members received an update that UAMS had completed its NCII designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, which was described as a major milestone. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's very slow at the federal level.
• Program.
• For their film production program, and then $533,000 for their Tribal Allied Community Health Program
• I know that they get a lot of funding from, what's their national... it's a federal program, I'm trying
• And that's how they cut the program, just based on the wording in the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• reimbursement programs and encourages their parents and guardians to apply for the federal reimbursement
• reimbursement, including by participating in all applicable federal programs for school breakfast and
• I think this has been brought up, but we can require schools to participate in a federal program that
• government does not want states to use federal money to operate a state-initiated program.
• And we work together and we try to take advantage of programs that are at the federal level.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill, including the federal-aid and non-federal-aid highway programs and two popular grant programs:
• the Municipal Pavement Program and the Shared Streets and Spaces municipal grant program.
• The Rail Enhancement Program...
• Some of these new programs, like the FAIR Program for municipally owned bridges and the rail...
• federally aided projects.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets held a public hearing on H. 5279, a bill financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges. MassDOT and A&F testified in support, describing the bill as a more than $5 billion transportation bond package centered on a four-year, $1.2 billion Chapter 90 authorization, plus funding for MBTA rail reliability and modernization, housing-related transportation improvements, a new DCR/MassDOT PRISM program for parkways and other DCR assets, and reauthorizations of the Municipal Pavement Program, Shared Streets and Spaces, and highway programs. They said the bill would support safety, resilience, housing production, and multimodal transportation, and noted that some bonds could be issued as special obligation bonds backed by the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues. Committee members asked about the size and structure of the authorizations, the federal match for highway projects, the source of MBTA vehicle procurement, bridge repair needs, and whether the housing-related funds could be used flexibly for items like sidewalks, bike lanes, bus stops, and other local transportation improvements. Administration witnesses said the bill is intended as a temporary refill of existing programs until a larger transportation bond bill is filed next session, that the federal-aid line includes the full spending authority while the state only borrows the 20% match, and that the housing-related program is deliberately broad and not limited to MBTA communities. They also said Chapter 90 includes a road-mile component that especially helps rural communities and that preservation and safety are built into the programs. The Massachusetts Municipal Association also testified in strong support, emphasizing that Chapter 90 is the most important tool municipalities have to maintain the roughly 30,000 miles of local roads and bridges they are responsible for. MMA urged timely passage before construction season and praised the continued $300 million Chapter 90 level, especially the $100 million road-mile distribution that helps communities with large road networks and smaller populations. No votes were taken on the bill, and the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health transformation program at the federal level.
• Um, but because of the new federal program, we had to scrap IMCHA.
• Um, but because of the new federal program, we had to scrap IMCHA.
• government that is actively hostile to the state's programs that the federal government is supposed
• government that is actively hostile to the state's programs that the federal government is supposed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An inflationary increase that is tied to a federal requirement that air appropriation programs must have
• with the federal program, I should say.
• into alignment with the state program into alignment with the federal<02:09:29.719> program<02
• :09:30.719> national<02:09:31.119> program<02:09:31.599> I federal program national
• program I federal program national program I should<02:09:31.920> say.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• entitlement program that does not pull down any federal funds, and at the same time, you cut the programs
• match to a program where we do get a federal match.
• match to a program where we do get a federal match.
• match to a program where we do get a federal match.
• match to a program where we do get a federal match.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the February 18, 2026 journal, and received several committee and House messages. Judiciary reported juvenile parole board appointments to the consent calendar for confirmation, and Transportation and Energy reported Senate Bills 28 and 25 along with other measures. The House transmitted multiple bills to the Reviser of Statutes, and the Senate later agreed to take up a large group of House bills on special order and consent calendar. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to personal-privilege remarks recognizing visiting groups, including the Mad Moms and Mad Dads advocating for people with serious mental illness, and the Colorado Gifted and Talented Association. Members spoke about stigma and the need for mental health legislation, and about supporting gifted students and their families. These remarks were welcomed by the chair and other senators. The Senate then considered a package of supplemental appropriation bills, including House Bills 1150 through 1179, covering agency budgets, school finance adjustments, education fund uses, and capital construction transfers. The committee of the whole adopted the package on second reading, and the full Senate later adopted the committee report by a vote of 33 ayes, with one excused and one vacant seat. The bills were ordered placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. House Bill 1151, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Corrections, drew extended debate. Supporters argued the bill was needed to cover existing obligations, avoid more costly jail backlogs, and prevent unsafe conditions, while critics said the department’s population management failures and broader sentencing policies were driving unnecessary costs and called for accountability and structural reform before more funding. Despite the debate, the bill was included in the adopted second-reading package.

Transcript Highlights:

• recovery on federal grants.
• Federal F&A rate, also known as indirect cost recovery on federal grants.
• , perhaps, accelerated degree programs.
• changes eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program and introduce new federal caps on federal loans.
• and federal attacks on our equity programs and initiatives.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, chaired by Assemblymember Alvarez, held a hearing focused on University of California budget issues. The committee reviewed UC core operations funding, enrollment trends, federal funding threats, Title IX implementation, and basic needs support. Major themes included the end of the Governor’s multi-year UC compact, the state’s fiscal outlook, UC’s enrollment growth, and the potential impacts of federal policy changes on research, health care, and student aid. On core funding, the Department of Finance described the Governor’s proposal to continue compact-related support, defer some payments, and authorize a cash-flow loan. The LAO recommended a smaller or no base increase, earmarking some funds for capital renewal, retiring deferrals when possible, avoiding new compact commitments, and funding UC annually rather than through compacts. UC argued that the compact has supported enrollment growth, student services, and operating costs, but said campuses face rising expenses, structural deficits, and limited reserves. Members questioned the effects of deferrals on students and discussed the need to prioritize less harmful reductions if cuts become necessary. The enrollment panel focused on UC’s growth in California resident enrollment and the nonresident replacement plan at Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. The LAO recommended maintaining the current enrollment target, funding enrollment separately from base increases, pausing the nonresident replacement plan, and holding enrollment flat in 2027-28. UC said it has already met compact enrollment goals, grown California undergraduate enrollment by about 18,800 students, and that further growth depends on ongoing state support. The committee also discussed the cost of enrollment growth, possible differential nonresident tuition, and a reporting request for UC to analyze the nonresident replacement approach; the motion to adopt supplemental reporting language passed. The hearing also covered federal funding risks, with the LAO and UC warning that federal changes could affect research grants, medical center reimbursement, and student financial aid. UC said research cancellations and suspensions are disrupting labs and graduate student support, while federal health policy changes could increase uncompensated care at UC hospitals. In the Title IX update, UC described its systemwide civil rights structure, annual student training, and campus support offices, and members praised the work while asking about ongoing concerns and intersegmental collaboration. The final basic-needs item began with Finance stating the Governor’s budget does not change ongoing support, but the transcript cuts off before further discussion or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• um the federal revolving fund program um the federal funds<00:53:08.559> we<00:53:08.680>
• And when you look through all of this with all the programs, and then we apply the federal money and
• I'm confident that any program that the federal government gives money to that actually hits the people
• <01:13:26.840> that<01:13:26.960> the<01:13:27.080> federal any any program
• that the federal any any program that the federal government<01:13:27.960> gives<01:13:28.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these fraud programs are pass-through money or federally funded programs, sometimes mixed with
• Human and Health and Human Services, a variety of different federal programs, work together with them
• Some of these fraud programs are pass-through money or federally funded programs, sometimes mixed with
• Some of these fraud programs are pass-through money or federally funded programs, sometimes mixed with
• Some of these fraud programs are pass-through money or federally funded programs, sometimes mixed with

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These programs match state funds with additional federal funds to help pay providers who serve medical
• to draw down these additional federal to draw down these additional federal funds<00:08:48.800><
• uh approval needed by the federal uh approval needed by the federal government<00:11:51.519>
• And by implementing a DPP program as designed, Minnesota can capture an additional $1 billion in federal
• A company called 4C this program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs may potentially get impacted by federal spending cuts and what Texans can rely on and what
• While most of our funding is federal, TDHCA does administer four state-funded programs.
• It's a federal program. It's from Treasury, not HUD.
• Do you know if there is any push at the federal level? to expand that program?
• We also have a federal Department of Energy weatherization program.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's the federal program, there's state programs, and there were new programs that were delivered
• When it comes down to it, this is a federal-state program, and we have only so much control over how
• As I previously warned this commission, the federal government is not going to save Virginia's UI program
• Department of Labor, USDOL, is actively threatening to dismantle federal-state UI programs. U.S.
• DOL is actively threatening to dismantle federal-state UI programs for noncompliance, notwithstanding

Keywords: Commission on Unemployment Compensation, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's really critical that, again, that program is prescribed by the federal government.
• that are required federally is unknown. >> Just strictly federally supported programs?
• For example, I cite the refugee resettlement program because it is a federal program.
• Federal audits, state program reviews have all been exemplary.
• Federal audits, state program things.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You alluded to the demand-side grid support program, the DSGS program.
• Next, the distributed energy backup assets program, what we call our DIBA program.
• We're looking at, you know, the DOE's program is an eight-year program.
• programs.
• in other government programs like the lunch program, Medi-Cal, Medicare, those type of programs.

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are going through changes to our public health care programs as a result of the federal HR1
• in administering the Medicaid program. in administering the Medicaid program.
• approved by the federal government. approved by the federal government.
• instructed or required by the federal government to keep people on the program, and with that we got
• And right now we have about 1.2 million on the program. federal emergency was um declared done. federal

Bills: HR1

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• simply a federal drug pricing program. simply a federal drug pricing program.
• <00:17:30.760> program end it because this is a federal program end it because this is a federal
• money 340 this federal program of 340B money 340 this federal program of 340B money for for for gender
• It's a federal program with federal rules that has federal compliance.
• > with<01:45:53.440> federal It's a federal program with federal It's a federal program with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all