Transcript Highlights:

• That's a significant number of grants. Safety net services, also a significant number of grants.
• That's a significant number of grants. Safety net services, also a significant number of grants.
• So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulances. So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulances.
• So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulance. CMS. So there'll be grants to upgrade ambulances.
• Dementia care services program.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee was called to order, the roll was taken, and the March 18 minutes were approved. Members then received several project and program updates, beginning with CHI St. Alexius’s behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks. St. Alexius reported that the Bismarck project remains on track for June 2027 completion, with demolition underway and final design work nearing completion. Williston reported construction is progressing, staffing recruitment is underway for psychiatrists and other staff, and an air handler replacement is creating a roughly $750,000 unbudgeted barrier that will slightly delay the timeline. Grand Forks reported its expansion is about 30% complete, with no major barriers beyond weather, and leaders said the project should be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2027. The Department of Health and Human Services then presented a series of budget and program updates. Donna Ockland explained several recent line-item transfers as technical corrections that net to zero and do not require new spending, then reviewed salaries, wages, and FTE counts, noting the department remains within its authorized staffing levels. Pat Rainer followed with an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program, saying 12 opportunities have been posted, 422 applications received, and $8.4 million obligated so far, with a goal of obligating the full $199 million by September. He described grants for workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community gardens, school wellness, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, equipment, technology, EMS, and other initiatives, emphasizing that the program is intended to be transformational and tied to metrics. Members asked extensive questions about how rural eligibility is defined, how grants will support both rural facilities and hub hospitals, and how future years of funding will build on current awards. The committee also heard an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller, who said North Dakota has been accepted as a demonstration state, implementation is underway in Williston, North Central/Minot, Fargo, and Dickinson, and care coordination and service counts are increasing. Rebecca Askins then reviewed SNAP payment error rates, saying the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89%, with the state aiming to get below 6% through policy updates, training, data tools, and a quality assurance team. Members pressed her on the causes of the error rate, the role of the SPACES software system, and the need for accountability and improvements. Finally, Dirk Wilkie reported the state laboratory project reached substantial completion on June 12 and is on budget at about $69.95 million, though a service elevator had to be redesigned because it was too small for equipment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um a few of the high view grant program.
• Uh, it caps the state grant program.
• <00:08:51.040> So, into the state grant program. So, into the state grant program.
• > kids<00:16:00.160> um<00:16:00.320> I grant program because these kids um I grant
• grant program, but we hole in the state grant program, but we were<00:18:18.080> adamant<00:18

Bills: HF2431, HF2438, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• The online music instruction grant recovery program, the Sen Foundation, Serve Minnesota, Starbase, and
• as well, the after-school program grants.
• <01:27:52.600> recovery<01:27:53.199> program<01:27:53.679> grants<01:27:54.400>
• the<01:27:54.520> sen Grant recovery program grants the sen Grant recovery program grants
• bill as well uh the after school program bill as well uh the after school program grants<01:28:33.840

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• from the redevelopment grant from the redevelopment grant program.<00:12:56.320> On line<
• changes to the work youth at work grants changes to the work youth at work grants program<00:19:
• > grant<00:37:48.160> program<00:37:48.480> across the redevelopment grant program
• <01:05:54.000> programs to have our competitive grant programs to have our competitive grant
• We would have on that uh grant program.

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• is our main portal for community grant programs that supplements the Chapter 90 resources.
• Also last year we incorporated two new programs into Grant Central that I know a number of folks here
• To give an indication of the demand for this program, we received 102 grant applications this past grant
• We also just awarded micro-transit and last-mile grants, a new program that increases transit options
• legislature's support of our grant programs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this past session, $84.4 million did go to remedial action grants, which is a competitive grant program
• But this past session, $84.4 million did go to remedial action grants, which is a competitive grant program
• You know, remedial action grant Complex cleanup projects, you know, the remedial action grant program
• So this program would be modeled after grant programs in a dozen other states' departments of insurance
• This grant program would help set that mark for everybody.

Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds<00:45:59.520> is<00:45:59.680> one grant program with unspent funds is one grant
• last year in the Sustainable Agriculture Development Grant Program.
• We don't necessarily anticipate needing that for this particular grant program.
• Agriculture Development Grant Program.
• We just wanted to be consistent across our grant programs.

Bills: HF1063

Keywords: grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Grants.
• I'm the Program Manager for the Mining Acquisition Program. Good morning, Mr.
• They have been recognized as a model program within the adult education program.
• Another popular program is our Certified Nursing Assistant and Phlebotomy program.
• land grant for the mining?

Transcript Highlights:

• So, specifically, a question was asked about the supplemental Education Opportunity Grant program.
• Um, so, the Pell Grant program being the, the largest of the federal programs, the SEOG is a smaller
• And, um, Sarah mentioned the Texas grant is probably the largest grant program that the state offers,
• Agricultural regenerative agricultural grant Program, that's a mouthful.
• Let me redirect This bill creates a new grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also made requests for our INI program, which is the infill infiltration to help give grants to communities
• We also made requests for our INI program, which is the infill infiltration to help give grants to communities
• We also made requests for our INI program, which is the infill infiltration to help give grants to communities
• capital programs.
• Why not just grant them?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on January 29, 2025, to hear the Metropolitan Council’s presentation on the Governor’s proposed agency budget requests. The Council outlined three main budget items: authorization to advance funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway project with arterial bus rapid transit construction; a proposal to make free regular-route transit rides permanent for eligible Metro Mobility riders, after a successful pilot that produced nearly 75,000 rides; and a reduction in general fund support for rail operations, which the Council said it could absorb in the near term. The Council also noted it was seeking $15 million in the bonding bill for bus rapid transit, including support for the H Line, and described other capital requests for an infill/infiltration program and regional parks. Council leadership said the advance-funds proposal would let two projects move together more efficiently, reduce disruption, and potentially lower costs by avoiding repeated reconstruction and maintenance. On the Metro Mobility fare pilot, they said the lower fare increased rider freedom and spontaneity while saving state money because fixed-route service is cheaper than individual Metro Mobility trips. On the general fund reduction, they said the agency is expanding service, opening the Gold Line, B Line, and E Line, and can manage the cut because of its diversified revenue sources, though it could affect future expansion. Senator Nelson raised concerns about the proposal to expand the Right-of-Way Acquisition Loan Fund to include regional parks and trails, warning that the legislation should clearly avoid creating condemnation authority for park or trail projects, especially where they are adjacent to MnDOT projects. Council staff responded that the program would finance local acquisitions rather than give the Met Council condemnation power, and said they would take the concern under advisement and ensure the legislation is carefully drafted. Members also discussed federal funding uncertainty; Council officials said federal transit operating support is about $30 million and that a pause or cut could affect future capital projects and some existing awards, while the region’s diversified funding base would help cushion operations. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:54.480> The eligible for government grants. The eligible for government grants.
• programs.
• <00:03:34.280> programs.
• state dollars from other grant programs. state dollars from other grant programs.
• grant grant and<00:08:31.560> not<00:08:31.840> get<00:08:31.960> ourselves<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• reached the point of launching the first RFP because the program has a small amount of grant-making
• thought was to have a workforce grant thought was to have a workforce grant program<00:50:51.359
• I'll note with the healthcare workforce grant program a similar point, but even added when a program
• I<01:08:24.319> have grant reform programs that I have grant reform programs that I have
• <01:08:57.279> program the healthcare workforce grant program the healthcare workforce grant

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Transcript Highlights:

• They have two grants.
• grants the first grant is a new federal grant valued at 11,500 dollars to north arkansas regional medical
• This is Amendment 2 to an existing grant, a federal grant, or, excuse me, other funded grant, valued
• , and it is to extend the sub-grant term to support an enabling technology pilot program.
• And it is to extend the sub-grant term to support an enabling technology pilot program to enhance services

Summary: The ALC-Review Subcommittee reviewed seven methods of finance, including university projects at ASU Jonesboro and Mountain Home, Black River Technical College deferred maintenance, UA Batesville’s Farm Project Gateway Center, UAMS PET cyclotron equipment, a new allied health building at UAPB funded by a federal grant, and UCA’s multi-purpose arena design work. The committee also approved an alternative delivery construction project for UAPB’s Allied Health and Sciences Building, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members then approved discretionary grants from the Department of Health and DHS, including support for a heart attack center designation, community health worker training, homeless services funding corrections, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. In the contracts section, the committee reviewed RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and a large slate of out-of-state and in-state contracts covering topics such as seatbelt survey data collection, Medicaid and DHS systems, state hospital staffing and services, veterans’ services, education assessments, and state IT and procurement projects. Several contracts drew extended questioning. Senators and representatives pressed DHS and the Department of Veterans Affairs about heavy reliance on contract nursing and staffing costs, and officials said they were using pay incentives and recruitment efforts to increase state employee staffing. Members also questioned AEDC’s lithium supply chain study and the Department of Education’s security contract, with concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments. The committee held three in-state contracts—Department of Education security services and two DHS staffing contracts—until Friday, then adopted the remaining contracts and received informational reports on contract amendments, executed contracts, and emergency procurements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• hands-on learning, and $36,000 in total is allocated for the grant funding portion of this overall program
• It must present at least three different programs per year, non-competitive grant awards of $3,000 to
• Now this is a competitive grant program supporting new and innovative arts-based projects and services
• programs to expand who we serve: $100,000 in lifelong learning grants, $50,000 in accessibility microgrants
• building grants.

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• This is a federal program. It is not a state program. Accessible to Floridians.
• The program combines two long-term existing federal grants: the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant and
• the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which allows homeowners to apply directly to the state for residential
• , including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, the Community

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard several housing and disaster-recovery items. The committee heard SB 48 by Senator Gates, which would require local governments to allow voluntary accessory dwelling units, preserve homestead treatment for the owner-occupied portion of the property, limit undue parking restrictions, require 30-day minimum rentals, extend certain density bonuses for military families, and allow reusable tenant screening reports. The bill drew strong support from the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals and several others, and it was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 34 by Senator Sharif, creating a historic cemeteries program to help preserve historic African-American cemeteries and allow sale of excess vacant land if proceeds are used for long-term maintenance; it was also reported favorably. The committee then considered and recommended confirmation of Fox Henderson to the Board of Directors of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Members also received a presentation from the Department of Commerce on the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program and Rebuild Florida. Deputy Secretary Justin Domer described the state’s administration of HUD disaster recovery funds, including more than $4.3 billion received since 2017, housing repair and replacement programs that have completed 5,271 homes, and infrastructure and mitigation projects such as sewer conversion in Alford, the new Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, and the Florida Keys desalination plant. Members asked about average project costs, contractor oversight, corrective actions for deficient work, and audit procedures; Domer said the department uses inspections, vendor oversight, and financial penalties, and noted stricter contract consequences in newer programs. The Division of Emergency Management also presented on Elevate Florida, a federal mitigation program that allows homeowners to apply directly for elevation, reconstruction, acquisition/demolition, or wind-mitigation projects, with a 75/25 federal-homeowner cost share and no state funds. Director Kevin Guthrie said the program is designed to reduce repetitive flood losses and keep homeowners in place, and that it has received more than 12,000 applications, with about 1,500 prioritized, 500 on a wait list, and 305 submitted to FEMA for final approval. Members asked about the 25% match for seniors, the wait list, contractor procurement, and how projects are classified; Guthrie said the program uses insurance proceeds where available, has competitively procured 27 contractors, and may shift projects from elevation to reconstruction depending on damage and flood rules. The committee adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• grant and the TEOGs of the state need-based financial aid programs that are funded with general revenue
• So specifically, a question was asked about the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program.
• So the Pell Grant program being the largest of the federal programs, the SEOG is a small smaller program
• Probably the largest grant program that the state offers for the population. receives the designated
• This bill creates... creates a new grant program focused on the regenerative that has been mentioned

Bills: HB3032, HB3434, HB3574, HB5339, HB5646

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• put forward in the state grant program, rather than specifying the 10% here.
• This proposal mirrors the assisted living grants law that passed last year, and there is a grant program
• And so there is a<00:07:19.840> grant<00:07:20.080> program<00:07:20.560> for<00
• :07:20.880> assisted<00:07:21.360> living a grant program for assisted living a grant program
• Under the assisted living grant program, provisional licenses are excluded, and in this particular language

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that's that program. We are a AAA. Uh, bonded program.
• Um, for regular programming, and then they, they gave us two additional kinds of grants, one for lead
• That includes 32 programs for um the COVID-related programs.
• , the supply Building grants and the second tranche of their stabilization grants.
• supplemental grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• The mandatory programs continue to operate.
• that grant project.
• on all kinds of federal grants.
• Go forth and apply for the grant. And apply for the grant type of thing.
• Senator, on this particular grant I was talking about, it was collected; the grant was agreed to in 2022

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020, CAL launched the Stronger Together Fund, which was a small grant program for small businesses
• Our program, like I said before, received a $282,000 grant, and we've seen great impact through it.
• Our program, like I said before, received a $282,000 grant, and we've seen great impact through it.
• Our program, like I said before, received a $282,000 grant, and we've seen great impact through it.
• Our program, like I said before, received a $282,000 grant, and we've seen great impact through it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all