Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:32.440> that had work funded by a Federal grant that had work funded by a Federal grant
• <00:31:21.960> program provided is our emergency grant program provided is our emergency grant
• child care to receive an emergency Grant child care to receive an emergency Grant students<00:31
• <00:42:57.559> and back to request an emergency Grant and back to request an emergency Grant
• <00:57:57.400> is math the um the grant is math the um the grant is 2500<00:57:59.319>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:35.559> program this bill which funds a grant program this bill which funds a grant
• Yes, it is, and that bill is a $200,000 grant. We had a project in the works.
• Some of the groups that we've served through the past grant cycle were vets, U.S.
• with grant funds, and the rate of reimbursement for each participant.
• <01:00:00.200> I participants and without this grant I participants and without this grant

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates not creates, excuse me, just a one-time five million dollar grant. dollar grant administered
• The grant is split into two parts.
• Grant B allocates 1.5 million to schools offering DLI programs in California.
• This bill also adds a cost-of-living adjustment to the CTIG grant.
• It puts programs at risk when these grants expire.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is $1.825 million in grants for public television and $100,000 for Ambers grants.
• <00:19:33.880> for There is $1.825 million in grants for There is $1.825 million in grants
• These are both public Ambers grants.
• > are broadcasting grants that are broadcasting grants that are administered<00:19:41.200>
• grants to schools. grants to schools.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of that through HIF and a lot of other federal grants that we get.
• It looks like it needs another accounting position to handle a lot of different grant programs.
• And then, of course, all these grants, all of the grant programs, require a match, and so minimum 50-
• And if that is not realized, then each grant award will be reduced 5%.
• And if that is not realized, then each grant award will be reduced 5%.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through this fund, WIFA can provide up to $2 million in grants and $3 million...
• You may find this hard to believe, but when offered between grants and loans, applicants prefer grants
• I'm sorry, my apologies: loans to grants, 60% loans, 40% grants.
• Then there was the Water Conservation Grant Fund, which is exactly like it sounds: it's a grant fund
• Then there was the Water Conservation Grant Fund, which is exactly like it sounds: it's a grant fund

Bills: HB2024, HB2053, HB2097, HB2116, HB2117

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that going to be a grant program, correct? Yes, ma'am. And who creates that grant program?
• Yeah, so it'd be a grant program promulgated by the Department of Ag.
• So assuming that, Yeah, so it'd be a grant program promulgated by the Department of Ag.
• But if they do have the money left over, somebody's going to have to write the grants, which is going
• Create that grant program. Okay, are there any other questions?

Bills: HB3056, HB3391, HB3657, HB3617, HB4055, HB3720, HB3902

Keywords: raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, animal welfare, commercial pet breeders, licensing, animal cruelty, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Grant, >> yes. Representative Grant, >> yes. >> yes. >> yes.
• >> Representative<00:10:03.440> Grant, >> Representative Grant, >> Representative
• Grant, >> yes.
• >> Representative<00:12:48.480> Grant.<00:12:49.040> Yes.
• >> Representative Grant. Yes. >> Representative Grant. Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's how I find out about all the grant programs, all the rulemaking, and all that stuff.
• I am curious, did we receive any grants in the ARPA funds from any of the conservation districts?
• So how are we moving along with that process, and why does it have to come out of a grant from us?
• That's how the grants are issued.
• My last question: how many different grants are out there?

Transcript Highlights:

• and also the Encampment Resolution Fund grants.
• If I'm ballparking it here, around $80,000 to $90,000 per project for Infill Infrastructure Grant grants
• Having said that, the grant portion is... The grant portion is a supplemental part of the program.
• But for the grant program, you know, based on the outcomes that grant program has been able to support
• Our grant portal opened March 10 of 2025, closed March 19.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational presentation on the May Revision’s proposed reorganization of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into separate housing-focused and consumer/business-focused entities. Administration officials said the split would improve oversight, streamline decision-making, and create a dedicated California Housing and Homelessness Agency with a new housing development and finance committee. The Department of Finance said funding was needed in 2025-26 to begin implementation, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal without prejudice because the Little Hoover Commission review was still pending and the plan would require ongoing General Fund costs. Members raised concerns about the timing, the lack of alignment with the budget process, and whether the reorganization would improve accountability for homelessness spending; several public witnesses supported the concept but stressed it could not substitute for new housing and homelessness dollars. The committee then took up the Department of Veterans Affairs. CalVet requested funding for phase three of its electronic health care record project and a trailer bill to preserve authority for federal background checks, but the May Revision withdrew requests for deferred maintenance and additional administrative support. The LAO noted deferred maintenance can prevent larger future costs, and the chair criticized the withdrawal of less than $1 million for veterans’ homes as short-sighted given existing repair needs. No vote was taken. Next, the Department of Housing and Community Development presented its budget. HCD said the May Revision provides no new affordable housing or homelessness funding, but does retain existing rounds of funding and proposes a $31.7 million reversion from undersubscribed housing programs. Members from both parties expressed concern about zeroing out ongoing housing and homelessness investments, especially for LIHTC, the Multifamily Housing Program, and HAP. HCD also defended its homelessness accountability and compliance work, saying the unit includes about 30 program staff and six attorneys, with three additional attorneys requested mainly to handle public records and litigation workload. Public commenters largely opposed the lack of new funding and urged continued support for housing and homelessness programs, while some supported the reorganization and accountability efforts. Finally, the committee heard Go-Biz proposals. The administration requested authority to increase funding for a federal trade program match if needed, plus reappropriations for administrative funds tied to the Containerized Ports Interoperability Grant Program, zero-emission vehicle operations, and the Women’s Business Center Enhancement Program. It also proposed withdrawing the Cal Competes grant request and reverting remaining funds from the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The LAO said Cal Competes is generally effective but could be cut as a budget solution, while warning that the performing arts fund was close to awards and should be considered carefully. Members objected to pulling back committed funds for performing arts organizations and questioned why the state would withdraw support after applications had already been submitted.

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS and the applicants to this grant DHS and the applicants to this grant program<00:08:51.360><
• . grants will help of senior programming. grants will help community<00:35:25.280> leaders<00:
• And lastly, there was a harm reduction grant from 2023, and the full appropriation for that grant is
• Um moving next to line grants.
• analysis advancement advancements grant. analysis advancement advancements grant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• spending down of $1.45 billion in disaster-related federal funds. for community development block grants
• The funding is mostly made up of community development block grants for disaster recovery.
• The rules for grants with those advances, which requires them to be for immediate needs.
• grants were mostly funded with federal dollars.
• You included our surplus agriculture products grant.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we in been awarded two SOS grants.
• <00:20:14.680> and Affairs to help them review grants and Affairs to help them review grants
• <00:21:31.800> issued standard for competitive grants issued standard for competitive grants
• We will continue to administer grants.
• > that<00:22:15.400> we<00:22:15.560> have those grants as that we have those grants

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now this would through grant outcomes.
• Overall, all grants, including federal grants too, it's 75% of the grant funds.
• They give out in the form of grants.
• Overall, all grants<00:36:16.079> including<00:36:16.560> federal<00:36:16.880> grants
• <00:36:17.280> too, grants including federal grants too, grants including federal grants too

Keywords: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first nominated and elected Senator Lane Taylor as secretary by voice vote, with no opposition. It then took up several bills and reported each one out after brief explanations and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 2372, from the Department of Archives and History, would allow county filing-fee revenues now used only for preservation of historic records to also support records management, historic preservation, and museum services in counties. Barry White said the money is not for capital projects, but could fund services such as building assessments and recommendations. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2378, which would raise court reporter transcript fees from $2.40 to $4.00 per page; the sponsor said most costs are paid by litigants, while county funds are mainly affected in indigent criminal appeals. Both bills were advanced. The committee next considered Senate Bill 2401, relating to Accelerate Mississippi. Senator Sparks said it would extend the repealer to 2029, update procurement and reporting provisions, change some federal terminology, move the annual report deadline from October 1 to November 1, and repeal obsolete workforce-area references. It was reported out after a brief question about the obsolete sections. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 2402, the Amy Act, which removes the five-day grace period for lobbyist registration so registration must occur before a person begins lobbying; sponsors said the goal is transparency and tracking misinformation, not changing the definition of lobbyist. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2445 on community mental health centers. Department of Mental Health Executive Director Wendy Bailey said the bill would create a formal performance audit process, with standards developed by June 30, 2027 and audits beginning in FY28 every two years. Centers failing standards would be placed on probation, and continued failure could lead to temporary replacement of leadership by DMH-selected contractors until compliance is restored. Members asked about current probation and decertification procedures, the number of struggling centers, and whether consolidation would be preferable; Bailey said the department wants to preserve local centers and use the process only as a temporary intervention. The bill was discussed but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504, and overseeing Title I funds and Pell Grants
• And the way they want to pay for it is by shutting down public schools, by taking away Pell Grants, by
• And the way they want to pay for it is by shutting down public schools, by taking away Pell Grants, by
• firing public school teachers, by making our education in this state, away Pell Grants by firing public
• ... ...to know what happens with block grants.

Keywords: public education, Department of Education, funding, Trump, Kassar, Elon Musk, education policy, youth advocacy, billionaire influence

Summary: This was a press conference organized by student advocates and Texas Democratic lawmakers to oppose efforts by the Trump administration and allies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and to criticize Texas voucher proposals. Speakers argued that the department and its Office for Civil Rights are essential for enforcing civil rights protections, supporting special education, Title I, Pell Grants, career and technical education, and other federal education programs. They said eliminating the department would weaken oversight, shift power to states that have a poor record on student protections, and harm marginalized, low-income, disabled, and rural students. Congressman Greg Casar framed the issue as a transfer of public money from schools to billionaires, tying the department fight to federal budget and tax-cut debates and to Texas voucher efforts. State Representative Gene Wu said Texas public education is already near collapse and warned that losing federal support would worsen school closures, staffing shortages, and class-size increases. Representative Gina Hinojosa highlighted Texas’s past special education cap and attacks on Section 504, and said she filed bills to route federal block grants directly to schools if federal policy changes move forward. Representative Vicki Goodwin said the state should fund schools rather than vouchers and noted underfunding of special education and inflation pressures. Round Rock ISD trustee Melissa Ross and Texas AFT president Zef Capo emphasized that federal oversight protects students and that Texas has a history of underfunding and mishandling special education, meals, and other services. The final speaker, Westwood High School senior Eliza Abert, said the loss of federal education support would most harm low-income and middle-class students and called on attendees to oppose the changes. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for public pressure on lawmakers and continued advocacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in receipt of a very large grant now from the Texas Broadband Development Office.
• This grant that I mentioned expires December 2026.
• These professionals bring with them a lot of institutional knowledge on conducting the grant program,
• Grant Program to award grant funding to community non-profit organizations, local government departments
• A pilot program for trauma recovery centers in that grant.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are the grants going to go to?
• money to then issue a grant money to then issue a grant and<00:28:38.640> it<00:28:38.760
• <00:29:08.919> to um eligible to apply for the grants to um eligible to apply for the grants
• grants going to be used for? grants going to be used for? Senator<00:29:19.560> Wiklund.
• and so now we're going to offer grants and so now we're going to offer grants to<00:31:44.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services they provide us payroll Grant services they provide us payroll Grant Administration<01:
• <01:46:22.920> Grant<01:46:23.199> programs security Grant Grant programs security
• Grant Grant programs Minnesota's Minnesota's Minnesota's $250,000<01:46:26.000> per<01:46:26.239
• bill to expand the program grants bill to expand the program grants through<01:46:45.719> 2026
• <01:46:51.040> up<01:46:51.199> to<01:46:51.280> $75,000 grants up to $75,000 grants

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That work continues and continues to receive grant funding to help us with doing that.
• , particularly things like Title III and Title V, Minority Serving Institution grants, Hispanic Serving
• Institution grants, and Asian and Pacific Islander grants, that directly impact our ability to serve
• And of course, we'll talk with you about trying to align our Washington College grant.
• My understanding was that there were going to be a decrease in Pell amounts and grants overall.

Summary: The committee held a work session on the state of Washington’s community and technical college system with State Board executive director Nate Humphrey and Tacoma Community College president Ivan Harrell. They described the system’s open-access mission, 34 colleges serving more than 307,000 students, relatively low tuition, enrollment growth over 12 consecutive quarters, and strong outcomes such as more than 46,000 credentials awarded last year. They also highlighted system initiatives including guided pathways, I-BEST, dual enrollment, tribal partnerships, a new program search tool, and six colleges named Aspen Prize finalists. At the same time, they emphasized major challenges: high rates of student food, housing, and homelessness insecurity; sharply rising emergency aid requests; and federal funding disruptions affecting TANF, BFET, adult basic education, Carl Perkins, NOAA-related tribal work, and several federal grants. Members asked about SNAP impacts, declining high school graduates, and how BFET and TANF interact with other aid programs. The presenters also discussed system priorities such as AI, Workforce Pell, capital planning, nursing accreditation alignment, and the Washington College Grant. The committee then heard testimony from AFT Washington and the Washington Association of Higher Education on faculty and staff conditions in the community and technical college system. Jackie Kane and Suzanne Sutherland argued that classified staff, professional staff, and contingent faculty are essential to student success but face low pay, instability, and weak retention, and they urged lawmakers to protect existing funding and avoid further cuts. They said working conditions for faculty and staff are student learning conditions, and that underfunding leads to reduced services, shortened advising, and program instability. Marina Parr of the Workforce Board presented on federal H.R. 1’s new Workforce Pell provisions and the updated Career Bridge website. She explained that Workforce Pell would allow federal aid for short-term training programs of 8 to 15 weeks, with high completion, employment, and earnings thresholds and a requirement that credentials be stackable and portable. She said Washington is well positioned to implement the program because of its existing eligible training provider evaluation system and Career Bridge, which now has a redesigned public portal, digital portfolios, multilingual access, and performance data on programs. Members asked about rulemaking, possible gaps in state services, and how the wage and completion standards would be applied. The Washington Student Achievement Council then briefed the committee on the new Washington Completes FAFSA campaign created by executive order. Staff described an advisory board with statewide representation, a pilot that used microgrants and other supports at 25 priority schools, and a new goal of 46,000 FAFSA or WASFA completions this year. They reported that completion rates were tracking slightly ahead of last year, with 24% of high school seniors having completed a FAFSA by the end of November, and they showcased a public dashboard with subgroup data and a WIAA-based leaderboard. Members asked about outreach to rural and homeschool students, legislative communications, Pierce County representation, and barriers to FAFSA completion, and staff said they would provide toolkits and continue expanding outreach. The committee then began hearing from student presenters about affordability, access, equity, and student experience.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd just like to start off, Chair Kalra, members of the Select Committee, thank you so much for granting
• Was that using our Friends of the Earth microgrant or state funding grants that have now expired, or
• or state funding grants that have now expired or a common micro grant or state funding grants that have
• The second is the 2022 alternative protein research and development grant to UC Davis.
• from Houston Harris County gave us a grant to go to elementary schools to County gave us a grant to

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its second informational hearing at UCLA, focusing on California’s alternative protein sector and the role of public institutions in expanding plant-based, fermentation, and cultivated protein options. Chair Ash Kalra opened by highlighting prior state investments in UC research centers, the importance of student engagement, and the hearing’s three panels: reducing the carbon footprint of institutional meals, addressing market challenges to scaling alternative proteins, and advancing future food research and workforce development. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan also briefly praised the committee’s work and its relevance to climate and health goals. The first panel featured Friends of the Earth, UCLA Dining, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Megan Jones described California school food efforts, including technical assistance and microgrants that helped districts expand plant-based meals, reduce water and carbon footprints, and improve student satisfaction. Pete Angelese explained how UCLA Dining uses concept-driven venues, sustainable purchasing, and marketing nudges to increase plant-forward choices, while Dr. Michelle Wood outlined Los Angeles County’s 2024–2025 board motions to expand plant-based options in county food venues and programs, including joining the World Resources Institute’s Cool Food Pledge. Committee members asked about costs, procurement, and how student and consumer behavior can be influenced. The second panel addressed market barriers to scaling alternative proteins. Zach Weston and Daniel Gertner emphasized that the sector faces a cost-and-scale trap, high capital needs, and financing gaps, and they recommended grants, tax credits, loan guarantees, procurement commitments, and workforce development. T.K. Pillen of Beyond Meat argued that the category has faced a recent downturn due to consumer skepticism, industry attacks on “fake meat,” and pricing pressures, and said the key to renewed growth is increasing demand through better taste, health, pricing, and messaging around “plant protein.” Panelists also discussed hidden subsidies and structural advantages for conventional animal agriculture, and committee members raised questions about iBank loan guarantees and supply chain challenges. The final panel highlighted UCLA’s research and training efforts. Dr. Amy Roet described the Future Food Fellows program, which trains students across disciplines in science, communication, leadership, and community-building, and supports research on scalable, safe, and nutritious alternative proteins. Corinne Smith shared her cultivated meat research and student leadership in the Alternative Proteins Project at UCLA. Dr. Janet Tomiyama presented consumer psychology findings showing that disgust, gender norms, and terminology strongly affect acceptance, with “plant protein” and “complementary proteins” testing better than “fake meat.” The hearing concluded with support for continued public investment, clearer messaging, and expanded education and workforce pipelines to help California remain a leader in alternative protein innovation.