Video & Transcript : 'innovation fund' :
Page 97 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- General funds are about 38%, dedicated funds from fees and everything is 35%.
- fund in 2024.
- to the wolf fund because some years the elk fund is more, the wolf fund is more, and we've always had
- </c> potato inspections fund the 132,000. potato inspections fund the 132,000.
- funds through the USDA.
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They were originally issued for funding the state's DOT headquarters, some federal match funds, and for
- funding, as well as restoring funding in regional mobility and transit coordination grants.
- Vanpool funding, as well as restoring funding in regional mobility and transit coordination grants.
- Please fully fund CCA money and include the funding for those essential new rail projects in the state
- From a WSDOT delivery standpoint, funding uncertainty increases the risk of delayed advertising, Funding
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on three bills: SB 6225, a proposed substitute bond bill authorizing transportation funding bonds; SB 6005, the proposed substitute supplemental transportation budget; and SB 6354, a bill to expand access to electric vehicles through limited direct sales by qualifying EV-only manufacturers and changes to the documentary service fee. Staff explained that SB 6225 would authorize $1.1 billion in general obligation bonds, an additional $400 million for selected Move Ahead Washington highway projects, a $500 million increase in SR 520 bond authority, and the expiration of some older unused bond authorizations. For SB 6005, staff described a $17.5 billion supplemental budget with $1.5 billion in new funding, including reappropriations, preservation and maintenance spending, ferry investments, Climate Commitment Act-related adjustments, and a six-year balanced plan through 2031. For SB 6354, staff outlined the direct-sales framework for qualifying EV manufacturers, dealer licensing requirements, penalties for violations, and a fee increase that would direct revenue to EV rebates and multimodal transportation.
Testimony on the budget and bond bills was broadly supportive from transit, local government, labor, construction, ports, and climate advocates, who praised preservation funding, ferry investments, safety programs, EV charging, rail electrification, and flood-response or local project funding. Several witnesses asked for specific project or account changes, including support for Skagit Transit, Day Road and Poplar Way bridge-related funding, Spokane TMC operating support, Kent corridor funding, and additional rail capital projects. Some speakers also urged more Climate Commitment Act funding for EV rebates, charging, and rail electrification, while others warned against deeper cuts to local programs and stressed the need for long-term preservation and bonding to stabilize the system.
Testimony on SB 6354 was sharply divided. Rivian, Lucid, and several Washington auto dealers supported the bill as a compromise that would allow limited direct sales for EV-only manufacturers while preserving franchise protections and generating revenue for EV rebates. Climate advocates supported the bill as a way to accelerate EV adoption and asked that more of the fee revenue go to instant rebates for low-income buyers. In opposition, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation and Honda argued the bill creates unequal rules, weakens the franchise system, and was not the product of a true compromise. The committee announced that SB 6225 and SB 6005 would be in executive session Thursday at 8 a.m., with amendments due by noon the prior day, while SB 6354 would be scheduled for executive action later.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- funds.
- A colleague of mine is a venture VC manager, one of the funds funded by the State Investment Council.
- I’m not trying to ask, like, how do we fund mature industries?
- But we are in conversations with several companies that are funded by funds funded by the SIC that Several
- companies that are funded by funds funded by the SIC are doing exgeneration manufacturing of housing
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on the committee substitute for House Bill 27, which would modernize New Mexico’s research and development tax credit. Sponsors said the bill would allow the credit to be stacked with industrial revenue bonds for qualifying facilities, exclude data centers and national laboratories, permit up to $50 million in transferable credits per year for 2026-2028, and extend the carry-forward period to seven years. Supporters from business, construction, labor, and economic development groups argued the changes would improve cash flow for startups, help attract and retain high-wage jobs, and encourage commercialization of New Mexico-developed technology in sectors such as advanced energy, aerospace, fusion, and advanced manufacturing. Several witnesses emphasized that the bill was intended to keep commercialization and capital investment in New Mexico rather than losing them to other states.
Committee members raised concerns about tax policy, fiscal impact, and whether the bill would truly lead to commercialization. Questions focused on the transferability provision, the $50 million annual cap, who could buy credits, whether data centers should be excluded, how the bill interacts with IRBs and other incentives, and whether the labs could benefit. Some members supported the bill’s goals but worried it was too narrowly tailored or could create winners and losers. The sponsors and administration witnesses responded that the bill was designed to tie R&D to physical infrastructure, provide capital to early-stage companies, and protect the general fund with caps and time limits. They also said the bill would not apply to national labs and would not change existing rural-area doubling provisions.
After extensive discussion and no opposition testimony, the committee did not advance the bill. Representative Cadena moved to table the committee substitute for House Bill 27, Representative Parra made the second, and the motion passed without opposition, so the bill was tabled.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study May 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The Indian Education Fund, which you've maintained funding at $20 million for this year.
- in that fund shrunk to nearly zero.
- And this year, you all decided to repurpose that fund as a 3 year pilot fund for education initiatives
- In 2025, you did fund that, you did fund secondary, I'm sorry, math achievement, funding and professional
- funding.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 15th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't fund the budget based on crimes. There's no... How we fund public safety.
- How we fund public safety. We don't fund the budget based on crimes.
- So we are funding Proposition 36. So we are funding Proposition 36.
- This budget also includes critical funding for tribes by a commitment of $15 million ongoing funding
- California's innovation economy is California's innovation economy is the envy of the world.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- It helps us fund fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, secure digital banking, financial counseling
- And to the far right there, the 15-cent network process fee, those are the funds, the amount that goes
- And that 160, an interchange fee, that is before any funds are reimbursed to a consumer.
- The system that they need, they rely on those funds to get through week to week, once a month.
- So we think there's going to be innovation in the system that's going to further drive costs.
Summary:
The Special Commission on the future of payments and sales transactions by credit card heard extensive testimony from credit union, banking, retail, restaurant, and payments-industry representatives about proposals to limit interchange fees, especially on the tax and tip portions of transactions. Several witnesses opposed state-level restrictions, arguing they would create a patchwork of rules, burden state-chartered institutions, raise compliance complexity, and ultimately reduce resources for fraud prevention, cybersecurity, rewards, and access to credit. Others, including retail and merchant advocates, said swipe fees are a significant and growing cost for small businesses and that states should consider reforms such as limiting fees on taxes and tips, allowing surcharging, improving transparency in merchant contracts, and studying collection costs more closely.
Witnesses also discussed recent legal and regulatory developments, including Illinois’s interchange-fee law, OCC and NCUA interim rules, and the ongoing Visa/Mastercard antitrust settlement. Industry representatives said the Illinois law has been delayed and is likely preempted for most transactions, while merchant advocates argued the state efforts and court rulings show that networks and banks do not set fees competitively. The proposed antitrust settlement was described by some as a meaningful but limited merchant victory, with temporary fee reductions and expanded surcharge/steering rights, while others said it still falls short of structural reform.
The commission members pressed witnesses on the practical effects of fees, the cost of cash, whether merchants can pass costs through, and whether small businesses are actually seeing benefits from the current system. Members repeatedly emphasized the need for a fair middle ground that protects both small businesses and the payment system. No substantive votes or policy actions were taken beyond accepting testimony, and the meeting ended with adjournment after all scheduled witnesses had spoken.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, how to fund that, but right now there is no funding for that.
- Um, how to fund that, but right now there is no funding for that.
- to fund capital expenses.
- to fund capital expenses.
- to fund capital expenses.
Committee:
House Taxes
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, November 21, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to air traffic control, denied funding to farm assistance, denied funding for all the federal programs
- :51:15.599><c> the</c> Capitalism, American innovation, and the Capitalism, American innovation, and
- funding for permanent supportive housing by over 50%.
- Cochran's unwavering spirit for innovation and inquiry.
- Cochran's unwavering spirit for innovation and inquiry.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/04/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- whereas, Black ingenuity has always been a defining force in shaping this nation, exemplified by innovators
- MUSIC FROM BLUES, GOSPEL, AND JAZZ, TO ROCK, POP, R&B AND SOUL; BLACK MUSICIANS CONTINUED TO INNOVATE
- in Literature in 1993; and whereas, in recent decades, Black Americans have continued to drive innovation
- He funded the civil rights movement. He organized behind the scenes.
- HE FUNDED THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. HE ORGANIZED BEHIND THE SCENES.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship.
The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 8, February 18, 2026-AM 2
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- funding.
- funding.
- </c> general fund expenses in the future. general fund expenses in the future.
- </c> they do want it fully funded. they do want it fully funded.
- cut is. this funding cut is.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 30th, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The agency is seeking changes in legislation, along with corresponding funds to compensate our peace
- Unlike the active duty, the Guard operates with persistent disparities in funding, support services,
- Innovation, where I work daily with men and women from the innovation unit of the Army, Navy, and Air
- It's about Texas taking the lead in solving a military readiness crisis with homegrown innovation.
- Just one quick example: Last session, the legislature funded $28 million for diversion centers in Texas
Bills:
SB 36 , HB 1065 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB3009 , HB3420 , HB3626 , HB3649 , HB4956 , HB4993 , HB5293 , HB5308 , HB5528 , HCR118 , SB36 , HB4023
Keywords:
transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jul 12 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There is major progress that is made in this budget on education funding, on innovation in the biotechnology
- Funding to create new jobs through Innovate PA because we know that the more we create jobs, the more
- The rainy day fund is fully intact. Interest will grow on the rainy day fund.
- into the problem with our pension funds, when we didn't fund them properly.
- funds, existing grant funds, to fully account for the liability.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, communications, committee reports, and leaves of absence. The journal was approved 50-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 1505, which drew extended debate over school funding and adequacy/tax equity. Senators Coleman and Keefer argued the bill continued to pour money into districts like Allentown without accountability or improved results, while Senators Costa, Miller, Haywood, and Anthony Williams defended the funding as a response to historic underfunding and the Commonwealth Court decision. A motion allowing Senator Coleman a third speaking turn was adopted 27-23, and the bill ultimately passed 45-5.
The Senate then considered House Bill 2400, the General Appropriation Act. Supporters, including Senators Martin, Dush, Phillips-Hill, Costa, Ward, Street, Hughes, and Pittman, emphasized that the budget was balanced without using the rainy day fund or raising taxes, reduced the governor’s proposal, increased education and child care funding, supported nursing homes, rape crisis centers, infrastructure, and workforce programs, and shifted money from lapsed or unused accounts to current priorities. Opponents, including Senators Saval and Muth, said the budget failed to address structural deficits and omitted new revenue options, emergency services funding, and other major issues. The bill passed 44-6 with amendments and was returned to the House for concurrence.
The Senate also passed a series of other bills, including House Bills 2412, 2413, 96, 858, 1042, 1286, 1646, 1851, 1862, 2017, 2024, 2401, and 2559, with varying margins, and sent them to the House, some with amendments. House Bill 1042 drew a negative recommendation from Senator Costa over a late amendment involving second-degree murder/felony language, but after reconsideration and vote changes it passed 30-20 with amendments. House Bill 1862, creating an Ignition Interlock Driver’s License, passed 45-5 after support from Senator Judy Ward. House Bill 1248 passed 43-7 and designates Pennsylvania rye whiskey as the official state spirit, with Senators Bartolotta and Robinson speaking in support. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 216, after defeating Senator Haywood’s amendment to narrow the scope of a proposed Legislative Budget and Finance Committee study of managed care organizations; the resolution passed 31-19. Several other bills were held over in their order, and the Senate later moved toward a condolence resolution.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 10th, 2025 at 08:35 am
Transcript Highlights:
- instruction and general funding, which encompasses the state's higher education funding formula that
- The HED report on New Mexico GROW funding shared participation data and the efficacy of these funds for
- Fund?
- state-funded residency program.
- Amount of funding 5 million.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children (8-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, it's very, very flexible funds that are guided locally by local boards to oversee those funds.
- It is fully federally funded.
- It is fully federally funded. annually. It is fully federally funded.
- In terms of the federal funding, you asked if we get federal funding, and we do. >> How much?
- This is already recurring funds.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its July 30, 2025 meeting. Members then heard a presentation from Roger McCann of the Department for Community Based Services on Kentucky’s 2026-2027 Community Services Block Grant state plan. He explained that the federally funded grant, now about $12 million annually, is distributed through 23 local community action agencies that use flexible funds for locally identified needs such as housing, nutrition, transportation, Head Start, and domestic violence services. McCann said the plan is submitted every two years and that the agencies served about 264,000 Kentuckians and 130,000 families in 2024. Senator Meredith asked whether there was a central place to review local projects, and McCann said regular reports exist and could be shared with members.
The committee then approved the CSBG state plan by roll call vote. After that, members received an update on Kentucky’s state-designated domestic violence shelter programs from Angela Yanelli of ZeroV, Mary Foley of Maryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and Elizabeth Martin of the Center for Women and Families. The presenters described ZeroV’s role as the statewide domestic violence coalition, its 15 member programs across all area development districts, and its contract with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to provide emergency shelter, supportive services, housing assistance, and batterers intervention programming. They emphasized that services are available 24/7 and are trauma-informed, with a strong focus on children and family support.
The domestic violence providers reported high demand and rising costs. ZeroV said its network served more than 14,000 adults and children in fiscal year 2025, including nearly 900 children in shelter and more than 500 in outreach, while Maryman House reported operating at 90-92% capacity, with 53 households waiting for emergency shelter and 63 more waiting for intake. Maryman House also described an 8-unit transitional housing complex and plans for a 48-unit apartment complex if tax credit funding is approved. The Center for Women and Families highlighted school-readiness support for children, tutoring, counseling, and family services, including back-to-school supplies and rights information for homeless students. No additional votes or formal actions were taken during the domestic violence presentations.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 4th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , and making a transfer from the general fund to the carbon reduction production and investment fund.
- from the general fund to the carbon reduction production and investment fund.
- Fund, making annual distributions to the Transportation Program Fund to provide matching funds for federal
- , and increased general fund.
- But the source of that fund, Mr.
Bills:
HB95 , HB111 , HJR1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM21 , HM34 , HB2 , HB32 , HB33 , HB61 , HJM2 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26
Summary:
The House convened with quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and then moved through a series of memorials, recognitions, and announcements. House Memorial 49, declaring February 4, 2026 UNM Day, was taken from the Speaker’s table, explained, and debated at length. Members from both parties and several guests praised the University of New Mexico for its role in education, health care, research, public service, and workforce development, with special recognition of President Garnett Stokes, interim provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Health Sciences leaders and students. The memorial highlighted UNM’s enrollment, degrees awarded, scholarship support, patent activity, and the UNM Hospital and Health Sciences Center. It passed 70-0.
House Memorial 48, declaring February 4, 2026 Valencia County Day, was also brought forward and passed unanimously. Supporters described Valencia County’s history, culture, economic growth, and traditions, including the annual matanza, Route 66 heritage, and major employers and development projects. Members from the county and local officials were recognized, and the memorial emphasized both historic communities and current business and infrastructure expansion. House Memorial 50, declaring Lincoln County Day, was introduced by title and placed on the Speaker’s table, but not taken up for final passage during this segment.
The chamber also recognized the Artesia Bulldogs football team for winning another state championship, Del Norte High School’s class of 1966 on its 60th anniversary, and a number of guests tied to nursing, education, and local community service. Several members used announcements to highlight nurses, school programs, and local events, including a Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus invitation and a reminder that the day was the final day to file bills with the clerk. The session closed with continued announcements and guest introductions, reflecting a day focused heavily on community recognition and celebratory memorials rather than substantive legislation beyond the memorial votes.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Indian Affairs Sep 25th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Have you had any issues getting your funding here? Have you lost any funding?
- With that funding from the EDA, we were able to fund five tribal liaisons who were all entrepreneurs
- So, you said you were funded, so we're out of funding? This specific program is no longer funded.
- Establish the Extreme Weather Resilience Fund, or fund those projects through other possible means.
- There are people that are trying to get funding, but they don't have backing or funding sources.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Let's take up tab 7, Senate Bill 1000, on trust fund interest for purposes approved by the Supreme Court
- Robert Ray's Florida Workers' Compensation Guarantee Fund waived in support.
- I am the CEO of Breit Fund.
- Florida has long been a national leader in financial innovation and technology.
- unclaimed property trust fund and funds transferred to the state trust fund.
Bills:
S0158 , S0314 , S0618 , S0684 , S0838 , S0990 , S1000 , S1082 , S1452 , S1494 , S1500 , S1568 , S1706
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Summary:
The Banking and Insurance Committee heard and advanced a wide range of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early in the meeting, SB 1000 on trust fund interest for attorney trust accounts was explained as setting a floor and ceiling tied to the Wall Street Journal prime rate and was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for emergency out-of-network claims. After extensive discussion about the relationship between the state and federal No Surprises Act processes, an amendment was withdrawn due to concerns about clarity and scope, but the bill itself was supported by providers and insurers and was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels, CS/SB 158 on pet insurance consumer disclosures and agent education, SB 1494 expanding breast cancer screening coverage, CS/SB 314 on digital assets and stablecoin issuers, and CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate procedures and small-estate administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance was amended to raise the consent-to-rate cap for workers’ compensation policies from 10% to 20% and then reported favorably, with supporters saying it would help keep higher-risk employers in the voluntary market. CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program was amended to remove authority for a Florida coin and limit the program to existing stablecoins, then passed.
Later, the committee approved CS/SB 838 on electronic payment convenience fees for retail installment contracts, with the sponsor emphasizing that a fee-free payment option must still be offered. SB 1452, the Department of Financial Services agency bill, was amended and reported favorably; it covered My Safe Florida Home administration, insurance and licensing changes, unclaimed property updates, and other DFS-related provisions. The committee also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, targeting owner-occupied condominiums at or below 80% of area median income, and SB 990 on protected cell captive insurance companies, which supporters said would modernize Florida’s captive insurance laws and encourage more competition. The meeting ended with all listed bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- Last month, the Momentum Fund, a first-in-the-nation state-operated revolving fund to support reasonably
- HIF, Housing Innovations Fund, FF, Facilities Consolidation Fund, and community-based housing provide
- HIF Housing Innovations Fund, FF, Facilities Consolidation Fund, and community-based housing provide
- We should be funding it more. We need to fund the Fair Housing Trust Fund; there's no money in it.
- known as the Momentum Fund.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Housing
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing opened its second hearing of the session with remarks from Chairs Haggerty and Cyr emphasizing that the hearing was a broad look at Massachusetts’ housing crisis rather than a single bill. They highlighted topics including zoning, permitting, rental assistance, public housing, homelessness prevention, and housing production. The first witness, Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Augustus, reviewed implementation of the Affordable Homes Act and the state’s new housing plan, citing a 1.6% vacancy rate, a projected need for 222,000 new homes over 10 years, and ongoing efforts such as ADUs by right, fair housing enforcement, eviction record sealing, seasonal communities planning, and new funding for affordable housing, public housing, and the Momentum Fund. He also discussed infrastructure support for municipalities, technical assistance for ADUs, and concerns about possible federal funding cuts.
Committee members questioned the secretary about ADU financing and technical assistance, the likely unit yield from the Affordable Homes Act, infrastructure barriers in suburban and rural communities, public housing waitlist management, supportive housing, and federal budget risks. MassNAHRO then testified that public housing authorities are facing rising operating and capital costs, a statewide waitlist nearing 300,000, and uncertainty over federal Section 8 and HUD funding. Witnesses described recent state support for operating subsidies, capital improvements, vacancy turnover teams, and resident service coordinators, while warning that proposed federal cuts could sharply affect voucher issuance and agency operations.
CDAC’s executive director Roger Herzog described the agency’s role as a quasi-public source of early-stage financing and technical assistance for nonprofit housing developers, noting its loan capital, supportive housing bond programs, home modification loans, and preservation work under Chapter 40T. He said CDAC has helped produce or preserve more than 55,000 units and stressed the importance of patient capital and preservation tools. CHAPA CEO Rachel Heller urged the committee to focus on production, preservation, planning, and political will, supporting goals for affordability, supportive housing, and homeownership, and endorsing policy changes such as YIGBY, clearer site plan review rules, stronger fair housing funding, and more support for vouchers and public housing. MassHousing then outlined its financing role, including mortgage lending, down payment assistance, the Community Climate Bank, and the Momentum Fund, while noting that permitting delays, capital gaps, and possible federal changes could affect production. Members also asked about transparency, prevailing wage compliance, and a recent internal restructuring related to diversity and business engagement.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee - Morning Session Dec 17th, 2025
A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- But that's what those funds are for.
- mechanism for the Workforce Commission revolving fund so that we can continue to inspire innovation
- for that workforce transformation revolving fund, the fund that was formerly ARPA, but being able to
- provide that seed innovation funding for folks, $5 million.
- provide that seed innovation funding for folks um5 million dollars.
Committee:
House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Summary:
The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year.
Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels.
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide.
Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you so and innovation to come.
- My final point is the funding that this particular tax will fund is AI readiness programs.
- My final point is the funding that this particular tax will fund is AI readiness programs.
- a general fund $68 million cut.
- revenue fund.
Committee:
Senate Taxes