Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, a bill by Senator Muhammad to completely remake our program accountability in Medicaid programs
• :18.200> programs.
• called them high-risk programs. called them high-risk programs.
• selecting and administrating grants. selecting and administrating grants.
• with entities receiving those grants. with entities receiving those grants.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference outlining a fraud-prevention agenda centered on transparency, accountability, and modernization of state systems. Majority Leader Erin Murphy said Minnesotans are angry about fraud and that the caucus has already passed multiple fraud-prevention measures, but more work is needed. She and other senators emphasized that outdated county and state IT systems leave programs vulnerable to waste and abuse, and said they want to pursue both immediate upgrades and longer-term funding solutions, including possible bonding for technology infrastructure. Senator Zena Mohamed described legislation to overhaul program integrity in Medicaid and human services by adding safeguards before, during, and after provider enrollment and service delivery. She said the goal is to prevent theft before dollars are spent, rein in third-party entities that profit without accountability, and improve consumer protections and reporting pathways. Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger highlighted a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks, arguing they are heavily used in scams targeting seniors and vulnerable people, and also backed a state consumer financial protection bureau and stronger False Claims Act enforcement. Senator Rob Kupec focused on ethics and conflicts of interest, including a proposal to bar legislative members and certain state employees from quickly moving into jobs tied to entities receiving state appropriations or grants. He also said lawmakers should strengthen penalties for theft of public funds and restrict state contracts for people convicted of fraud. Senator Heather Gustafson promoted her Office of Inspector General bill, saying oversight is fragmented and an independent office is needed for investigations, safeguards, and early detection; she said the Senate passed the bill 60-7 last year and she wants it enacted. In response to questions, Murphy and Gustafson said the OIG should have law-enforcement powers, that bipartisan support exists in principle, and that the House needs to settle on a single proposal. The senators also said prepayment review can be useful but can disrupt services, and they argued agencies must use the tools already given to them while lawmakers continue oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• active programs.
• That includes government-to-government grants, federal programs, tribal housing programs, and the like
• There is a direct supervision program, which is called our new covered persons program.
• Yes, we will provide you information about the grant program after we leave today. All right.
• CAC grants support arts education, community-based programs, cultural districts, and local organizations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Any questions for Grant?
• Any questions for grant?
• We tested eight programs based on risk factors such as enrollment caps, program admissions, and program
• Accepted into this program?
• Assistance Program.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a couple points there: we are a loan program; we are not a grant program.
• There's an overflow stormwater grant program, a small program that DEQ does administer.
• there's an overflow stormwater grant program that a small program that DEQ does administer we were able
• So we rely on that money and federal cap grants to run our program.
• Most of our money comes from those repayments, and so the cap grant capitalizes our program on top of

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

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:19.000> prevent<00:34:19.240> the program to provide grants to prevent the program
• chance of of funding this uh this grant chance of of funding this uh this grant program<00:41:15.319
• The MPCA has grant programs for past replacement.
• we've looked at uh the mpca uh program we've looked at uh the mpca has<00:53:29.799> Grant<00
• has Grant programs for past replacement has Grant programs for past replacement the<00:53:32.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And line 117 is a one-time increase to the grant and aid program.
• <00:20:41.200> line motorcycle grant aid um program on line motorcycle grant aid um program
• This is establishing the new outdoor schools for all grant program that Mr.
• This is establishing the new outdoor schools for all grant program that Mr.
• This is establishing the new outdoor schools for all grant program that Mr.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds. Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027. Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and also grants for program development and sustainability for those institutions have an approved program
• On October one, we approved programs with an active grant.
• So here's grants last year in 23. 24, we awarded 19 million dollars in grants Fbc TP grants to programs
• grants Fbc TP grants to programs in 23. 24 our invoices paid out was 5.7 million in current at grants
• And of course, many of our programs and our grants cover a job coach.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that huge hole, state grant program.
• colleges from the state grant colleges from the state grant program.<00:31:51.600> For<00
• state grant program, and I welcome it. state grant program, and I welcome it.
• fostering independence<01:09:14.960> grant<01:09:15.759> program, independence grant program
• Cloud. grant program. We had to make hard grant program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Are those state grants or federal grants? They’re federal grants. Like we have USDA grants.
• Are those state grants or federal grants? They’re federal grants. Like we have USDA grants.
• Are those state grants or federal grants? They’re federal grants. Like we have USDA grants.
• Are those state grants or federal grants? They’re federal grants. Like we have USDA grants.
• Are those state grants or federal grants? They’re federal grants. Like we have USDA grants.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also directed large amounts of money to competitive grant programs rather than direct appropriations
• grant programs rather than competitive grant programs rather than direct<00:03:22.400> appropriations
• over 17 million dollars for a grant over 17 million dollars for a grant application<00:04:40.320
• Then two grants were added in for historical competitive building grants, and that's $1.5 million.
• $400,000 and then youth literary grants $400,000 and then youth literary grants on<00:10:13.360>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2563, the Omnibus Legacy Bill, was presented as a roughly $779 million package funding projects across Minnesota through the four Legacy funds: Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Chairs Vang and McDonald described the bill as a responsible one-time spending measure with no ongoing base funding, emphasizing habitat restoration, water protection, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the spreadsheet, explaining that the bill largely follows the recommendations of the relevant councils and governor, with some additions such as a Wilderness Inquiry partnership, an Ash River sewer extension, competitive grant funding, and several arts and history projects. Staff highlighted the major allocations and structure of the bill: Outdoor Heritage funding for land and habitat projects, Clean Water funding for water-quality work, Parks and Trails funding following the traditional 40-40-20 split, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for the State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Humanities Center, Indian Affairs Council, Department of Education, and other recipients. They also noted policy provisions requiring Clean Water Council recommendations to be broken out by fiscal year, requiring recent 990 forms for arts grantees, limiting arts funds from being used for capital construction except in specified cases, and extending a prior appropriation for the Sunni Lee memorial project. Members asked about land acquisition, the new 990 requirement, and reduced funding for children’s museums; chairs and staff responded that Outdoor Heritage includes land acquisition, the 990 is simply a documentation requirement, and children’s museum funding is lower because more money is now placed in a competitive grant pool. The chairs said the bill reflects compromise and an effort to keep the bill relatively clean of earmarks, while also noting that a Department of Revenue transfer of more than $31 million from legacy funds affected available funding and forced difficult choices. After discussion, the committee laid the bill over, with the chair noting it was also being done in honor of Representative Mary Murphy.

Transcript Highlights:

• program we have up to 500,000 in Grants program we have up to 500,000 in Grants to<01:08:13.680>
• You've heard the merits of the underlying program, and so that work has been done to allow grants.
• You've heard the merits of the underlying program, and so that work has been done to allow grants.
• <01:44:43.360> to program uh if a person gets the grant to program uh if a person gets the
• <01:50:26.599> rounds this program out have a few Grant rounds this program out have a few

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first reviewed its schedule, noting that 13 bills were being executed the next day and that additional subcommittee work would be scheduled around Town Meeting Day and the following session days. The chair explained that the committee would not meet on Town Meeting Day, would handle the remaining bills on the next available subcommittee day, and would continue any unfinished items later in the month. The committee then took up House Bill 774, which concerned Medicare-related coverage issues. Members discussed the bill’s purpose and the differences between Medicare standard and Medicare Advantage, with one member saying the proposal was informative but did not offer a workable solution. The committee also moved to inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 185, and the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. House Bill 241, relating to alternatives to opioids, was retained for further work. Members said the bill raised concerns about insurers effectively practicing medicine and about the lack of evidence on the efficacy of some alternative treatments, while also noting that chiropractic coverage mandates already exist in statute. The committee voted to retain the bill, with the motion passing 6-0. The most extended discussion was on House Bill 648, which would expand insurance coverage for glucose monitoring. Testimony and committee comments focused on whether coverage should be tied to insulin use or instead to a physician’s medical judgment, the role of continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, and the potential cost impact. An insurance department fiscal analyst said the original $22-per-member estimate was based on the unamended bill and that the amended version would require updated analysis; members agreed to retain the bill to narrow the eligible population and revisit the language later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also funds the newly created community grants program.
• It also funds the newly created community grants program.
• process for the community grants process for the community grants program?
• And through this new community grants program, you can apply for a grant up to two million dollars to
• And through this new community grants program, you can apply for a grant up to two million dollars to

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 3426, the annual LCCMR bill appropriating money from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which is funded by lottery proceeds and does not use general fund money. Representative Jordan said the bill funds 108 projects totaling $102.036 million, including projects in resiliency, water, outdoor recreation, fish and wildlife, energy, and a newly created community grants program. He thanked LCCMR members and staff and noted strong voter support for these programs. Representative Fischer supported the bill but raised concern about a prior decision to cut funding from a group that had misused the LCCMR logo, saying the penalty may have been too severe given the project’s purpose of helping expose 12,000 children to the outdoors. Representative Heintzeman also supported the bill and emphasized the committee’s work on integrity measures for the new community grants program, including consulting the Office of the Legislative Auditor and building safeguards against fraud. He highlighted the program’s focus on aging trail infrastructure and said grants of up to $2 million could help restore trails and improve safety. After discussion, the House proceeded to a roll call vote. The bill passed with 117 yeas and 15 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can maintain about 10% of the OHV funds for administrative purposes, so that's running the grant program
• program doing education whatever that might be the rest are are dispersed through a grant process so
• We went through an overview of the grants programs and what the eligibility is.
• We went through an overview of the grants programs and what's the eligibility is.
• And we stay responsive to that through this grant program, right?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Winona County's emergency management program grant was $28,000 per year, but was recently cut to $20,000
• So, Senator Westrom, do you know if there are any other grant programs where the name of the grant recipient
• this program. this program.
• <00:43:15.720> programs<00:43:16.720> where there are any other grant programs where
• there are any other grant programs where the<00:43:17.520> name<00:43:17.839> of<00:43

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• border to- border Broadband grant border to- border Broadband grant program<00:57:58.440> we've
• <00:58:24.520> program<00:58:25.520> that the Border to- border grant program that
• /c><00:58:39.680> partner<00:58:40.119> with grant program you have to partner with grant
• border and Broadband Grant border and Broadband Grant programs<01:17:46.120> in<01:17:46.280
• <01:18:51.440> programs about the Minnesota uh Grant programs about the Minnesota uh Grant

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza. University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this creates a pool of money, a grant program to allow those services to get at least a And what
• So, this creates a pool of money, a grant program to allow those services to get at least a that.
• grant uh program to a pool of money, a grant uh program to allow<00:10:52.000> those<00:10:52.399
• Then there are two other buckets: one relating to a cost of readiness grant program, which would make
• > program<00:13:15.519> uh<00:13:15.600> which of readiness grant program uh which

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Land Grant Council receives a list of audit-compliant Land Grants Merced from the state auditor by
• Within 30 days of receiving this list, the Land Grant Council will determine which Land Grants Merced
• After he had done what they did, he was granted the land grant.
• Created a 40,000-acre land grant called the Santa Cruz de la Cañada land grant.
• These people were expected to make the most of that land grant, of our land grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• business program. business program.
• Grant, the Dairy Business Planning Grant Grant, the Dairy Business Planning Grant um um um as<00
• Um, other requirements for how much must be earned each year in order to participate in those grant programs
• Uh, and 2.7 reads has it not received any money under the Ag Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program.
• Ag Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Ag Biofuels Infrastructure Grant Program.<01:26:26.240> Uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That has helped us grow our isn't always just a grant or a BRC isn't always just a grant or a BRC program
• And whether it's a grant, which I've already spoke about, or it's programs like Assessments to Action
• Sheridan's also a community that has benefited from the support outside of the grant and loan program
• Sheridan's also a community that has benefited from the support outside of the grant and loan program
• Outside of the grant and loan program, such as the community needs assessment and the assessment to action

Bills: HB0150

Keywords: Wyoming business council, economic development, task force, evaluation, policy reform, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• because of that that program this year. because of that that program this year.
• grant or public health infrastructure grant or FIG,<00:33:42.080> which<00:33:42.320> is
• Just a note, um grants, Thank you.
• Just a note, um grants, federal<00:54:43.200> grants,<00:54:43.839> as<00:54:44.480>
• Number two is about workforce. out five goals in our grant. And you out five goals in our grant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all