Transcript Highlights:

• happening on the federal side when it comes to Medicaid. through the Minnesota Care Program um through
• And the majority of that, when it comes to DHS, was around our Medicaid program and receiving a federal
• So the MA program, on average across the entire program, we receive about 54% of federal funds for that
• So the MA program, on average across the entire program, we receive about 54% of federal funds for that
• And those are fully funded by the state, so they don't have any federal match for those programs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a workforce empowerment program.
• And this coaching program does it. It's been successful. The school meal program.
• and our access program.
• So, again, we want these programs to be robust and ready to serve those who qualify for the program.
• January 26, and lastly, it declares that Arizona elects to participate in the federal tax credit program

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program requirements.
• And this contains an opinion on the entity's compliance with major federal program compliance areas.
• And a major federal program is defined as one of the entities— A major federal program is defined as
• one that's more of elevated risk than other federal programs, and they are determined by the auditors
• with requirements that could have a direct and material effect on each entity's major federal programs

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm telling my teams if you've got a federal grant or federal program to assume it's going to be cut
• or<00:23:04.320> federal<00:23:04.640> program<00:23:05.039> to<00:23:05.200
• > assume<00:23:05.440> it's grant or federal program to assume it's grant or federal program
• on federal aid.
• are almost all dependent those programs are almost all dependent on<00:25:44.080> federal<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As much as we worry about losing federal programs, the federal programs don't necessarily provide good
• And finally, if the Wood Innovation Grant program, which is a federal grant program, continues, that
• We also offer two federally-based programs: the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which is administered
• I always get this question: "Well, wait a minute, the federal government is cutting back programs and
• Moving on to other grant programs, Solar for All is a federal grant, $156 million again for low-income

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a six-month program.
• likely to be facing another federal likely to be facing another federal shutdown<00:15:05.600>
• of state law, not just the federal of state law, not just the federal guidelines<00:21:52.640>
• program and but but water still going. program and but but water still going.
• Um so, to operate one program.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from the Nursing Home Administrator Board, whose executive director explained the board’s role in licensing nursing home administrators, the AIT internship pathway, reciprocity, board composition, meeting schedule, and staffing. Members then shifted to an ice-storm-related discussion about nursing home emergency preparedness. Legislators asked whether any facilities lacked power, generators, or water, and urged clearer communication protocols so facilities would report problems directly through the Department of Health and emergency channels rather than through scattered calls to legislators. The board said facilities generally communicate with the Department of Health, that emergency contact information had been distributed before the storm, and that every facility has some form of generator, though not all can power the whole facility. The board also presented a small budget request, including modest salary increases for its two employees and a cloud-migration cost tied to House Bill 1491, with the understanding that statewide funding for that requirement might be handled separately. The discussion then moved to the Department of Health’s budget and operations. Agency leadership said the department has spent the last three years improving county health department efficiency, reducing overhead, and adjusting fees to eliminate program deficits, which has reduced spending by about $10 million and would shift roughly $8 million in general funds away from deficits. The department requested level funding overall, citing inflationary pressures and the possibility of another federal shutdown, but said it could absorb the impact for another year. Members discussed the public health trust created in a prior session, the need to rebuild county health departments, maternal and fetal care initiatives, and the importance of maintaining the $2.9 million in public health program support that has helped expand services such as obesity management, OB care, and home visitation for high-risk mothers and babies. Oversight and compliance issues were also reviewed. Legislators asked about prior problems with grants and sex education funding, and department officials said they had tightened oversight, adopted OpenGov for compliance, and corrected earlier violations so the programs are now in full compliance. They said the agency had improved accountability for both state and federal funds and that transparency remained a priority. The department also highlighted the cannabis program, saying it is now profitable, generating about $9 million in net revenue last year and about $12.5 million this year, with projections of $40 million to $50 million annually as it matures. Officials said they are asking for seed money for the public health trust from cannabis revenue so private-sector donations can be leveraged for long-term public health support. They described enforcement actions including fines, suspensions, license revocations, plant destruction, and referrals to law enforcement, the attorney general, and licensure boards for serious violations. The meeting ended with general support from legislators for the department’s work and acknowledgment of improved health outcomes, including Mississippi moving from 49th to 48th in overall health outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program, and the Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program.
• We also administer federal resources for low-income housing tax credits, the HOME Program, and the National
• Our largest element in our program is the recurring work program.
• There is also some federal funding for the LSTA program that is in the base budget.”
• “There is also some federal funding for the LSTA program that is in the base budget.

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our program goals.
• federally through the Randolph-Sheppard Program, but we also have a little Randolph-Sheppard program
• The second major federal program we have is WIOA Title II, and this is the primary federal investment
• The second major federal program we have and accountability of those particular programs as well.
• The second major federal program we have is we owe a Title II, and this is the primary federal investment

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the higher education programs under its jurisdiction. After roll call and member introductions, Chair Busatta outlined that the subcommittee oversees programs in the Department of Education and the State University System, including vocational rehabilitation, blind services, private postsecondary licensure, student financial aid, career and adult education, the Florida College System, and the Board of Governors. The chair and staff also noted that these areas represent roughly $9 billion in current-year funding. Officials from the Department of Education presented on several programs. Vocational Rehabilitation Director Kelly Rogers described services for adults and youth with disabilities, including pre-employment transition services, job coaching, assistive technology, and employer support; she said the program served more than 55,000 people last year, has no wait list, and reported a return of $7.61 to the economy for every $1 invested. Division of Blind Services Director Robert Doyle explained services from birth through older adulthood, including early intervention, school-age support, vocational rehabilitation, independent living, the Business Enterprise Program for blind vendors, and the Braille and Talking Book Library; he said the division serves about 12,000 people annually and also has no wait list, though some community rehab providers may have one. Tiffany Hurst of the Commission for Independent Education described licensure and consumer protection for independent postsecondary institutions, reporting oversight of about 1,100 institutions and 721 non-degree schools, along with enforcement actions against unlicensed operators. Sean Haskin of Student Financial Assistance reviewed 22 scholarship and grant programs totaling about $1 billion for more than 200,000 students, including Bright Futures, Benacquisto, need-based grants, EASE, EASE Plus, veterans’ scholarships, dual enrollment reimbursement, first responder scholarships, and the Ocoee and Rosewood scholarships. Members asked about surplus funds, marketing, Bright Futures eligibility requirements, and whether EASE awards had changed; Haskin said any unused funds are reverted to the Legislature, that the department markets through schools and the Florida Lottery, and that EASE remained at $3,500 per FTE for the last two fiscal years. Several members raised concerns that students and parents may not learn about aid programs early enough, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell then presented on Career and Adult Education, highlighting record participation in career and technical education, adult education, and apprenticeship. He said about 800,000 secondary students and 480,000 postsecondary students are in CTE, adult education serves about 183,000 learners, and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship programs include more than 22,000 participants. He also described the workforce development fund, Perkins, WIOA Title II, the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant, workforce capitalization grants, CAPE performance funding, and the Pipeline nursing initiative, noting strong NCLEX outcomes and expanded outreach through the Get There, Your Way, Future of Work Florida, and Zello platforms. Kathy Hebda began the Florida College System presentation by emphasizing open access, workforce preparation, statewide reach, and strong enrollment and completion growth, including more than 672,000 students, over 131,000 degrees and certificates, and significant dual enrollment savings for students and families.

Transcript Highlights:

• and education programs. and education programs.
• , or MERC program.
• , or MERC program.
• , or MERC program.
• That's a solicitation program. program. That's a solicitation program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the program was more functional.
• program based on credible allegations. program based on credible allegations.
• And at the state, we have to monitor the impacts to our programs given the large amount of federal funding
• the program as well as accessing the program as well as administering<00:31:19.760> MA.
• just sort of these federal definitions. just sort of these federal definitions.

Bills: HF3379

Keywords: housing stabilization, disability services, predatory funding, provider requirements, housing accessibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• federal funding, or is your plan going to include federal funding at this point?
• The cap-and-trade. trade program is a tax and spend program.
• CRC program.
• TURCIP program and the LCTOP program.
• Thank you. program.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you may have heard of the Conservation Reserve Program, the CRP program, which has been a federal
• program, the really foundational part of the federal Farm Bill.
• Some of you may have heard of the Conservation Reserve Program, the CRP program, which has been a federal
• program, the really foundational part of the federal Farm Bill.
• 47.559> the<01:04:48.000> really has been a federal program the really has been a federal

Keywords: 1183, house

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
• Is it totally federally regulated?
• continuum-of-care programs.
• We've seen cuts in federal funding.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on homelessness in Arkansas, with speakers from law enforcement, behavioral health, homeless service providers, and policy groups. Presenters argued that Arkansas should focus more on treatment, accountability, better data, and stronger coordination among providers, and they highlighted the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model as a way to expand Medicaid-reimbursed crisis, mental health, substance use, jail-based, and homeless outreach services. Testimony emphasized that Arkansas has relatively low overall homelessness numbers but a significant unsheltered population with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, and several members asked about sex offender tracking, provider accountability, statewide coordination, and whether the state could apply for federal funding or a statewide continuum of care arrangement. Speakers also discussed workforce supports, family homelessness, and the need for more transparent reporting and outcomes-based funding. The committee then reviewed several Department of Energy and Department of Health/Board of Nursing rules. DEQ sought to raise the threshold for commission review of certain post-closure cleanup expenditures from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing presented multiple rule changes implementing recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, updating contact-information requirements, clarifying APRN authority to sign death certificates and prescribe certain durable medical equipment, implementing delegation of certain nursing tasks to unlicensed workers, adding a declaratory-order process, revising certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each nursing rule was reviewed without objection after brief questions. In closing remarks, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its National Cancer Institute designation submission, calling it an important step for the state. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• CFP program.
• funds received for the federal broadband program and to continue BEAD would not be affected.
• Was there any federal funding, and what is the status of the EPA involvement in that program? Mr.
• One is that there are plenty of federal dollars being utilized through the programs.
• Uh, the state trade and export program is Uh, the state trade and export program is a program by the

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even though the title is grant program, this is a cost share program.
• The title is grant program, but this is a cost share program.
• When federal funding is available and awarded to state forestry, we implement a cost share program similar
• When federal funding is available and awarded to state forestry, we implement a cost share program similar
• She said they have been working for 14 years with federal partners to do forest health programs, invasive

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• include the recovery grant program for federal dollars back in.
• One is a loan participation program, which we operated 15 years ago, 10 years ago, with the same federal
• That's a federally funded program. That law hasn't been cleaned up since 2001 or 2002.
• The other program here is a partner's program.
• Programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• But why federal? Because it's obviously not federal. I mean, why not other?
• This is a federal grant to provide students access to a full range of high-quality education programs
• It's fully federal money.
• Federal grant. Yeah.
• For interns and program staff for psychology internship programs.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the bill codifies new federal requirements for Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP programs, which will eliminate
• is a federally mandated program.
• Programs tied to SNAP participation. Those losses are not required by federal law.
• programs.
• The transformation program that the federal government is going to be able to do that, and we want to

Transcript Highlights:

• PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN.
• program in over 50 years.
• These include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and federal housing benefits.
• THESE INCLUDE THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND FEDERAL HOUSING BENEFITS.
• him to decide which Americans are able to access federal programs like SNAP, Social Security, and Medicaid

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:03.320> to relative to establishing a program to relative to establishing a program
• <00:28:19.320> they to uh uh to qualify for the program they to uh uh to qualify for the program
• Thank you. federal level to calculate the child federal level to calculate the child care<00:33:33.039
• Um, that would change the program, um, removing the mandate and making it a grant program for districts
• toolbox in order to keep their program toolbox in order to keep their program running<01:12:25.679

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 112, which would require students in the University and Community College systems to pass the U.S. citizenship civics naturalization test. A motion was made to retain the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to retain it, resulting in no report. HB 510, dealing with due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty in higher education disciplinary proceedings, was passed over for a later meeting so the University and Community College systems could meet with the committee. The committee then discussed HB 659, creating a college graduate retention incentive program, but retained it without further debate after noting the prime sponsor was unavailable. HB 770, concerning tuition credits for community service, was also held for later in the day because an amendment was expected. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 583, which would have the state participate in Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced-price school meals. Supporters argued it would identify more eligible students, reduce paperwork, improve accuracy in school funding formulas, and bring in additional federal child care scholarship money; opponents argued it would significantly affect school funding calculations and should be delayed. The committee rejected the amendment by a 10-8 vote and then voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and minority report to follow. HB 646, requiring school districts to establish an online application for free and reduced-price meal participation, was also debated. One member said many districts already do this voluntarily and that the bill was unnecessary; another proposed an amendment to convert the mandate into a grant program to offset startup costs, but the committee proceeded on the underlying motion and voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and a minority OTP report. HB 665, concerning eligibility for the free school meals program, was then retained by an 11-3 vote. Finally, the committee began work on HB 703, which would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid balances and appropriate funds for that purpose. An amendment was explained that would remove state payment of district meal debt and instead require district policies against shaming or bullying students and allow voluntary donations to reduce debt. After discussion, a motion was made to ITL the bill, with the sponsor saying constituents opposed subsidizing the program and wanted districts to retain collection tools; further debate was underway when the transcript ended.