Senator Pappas introduced Senate File 927, a request to appropriate $1.5 million from the workforce development fund over the 2026‑27 biennium to the Hmong American Partnership (HAP) for workforce development, business lending and enterprise development.

Maen Zha Tao, president and CEO of HAP, described the organization's long record of serving Hmong and immigrant communities: “Since 1990...we have helped thousands of job seekers and businesses gain the education, training, and resources to thrive.” She said HAP’s recent work includes training, credentialing and business technical assistance; program graduates reported average wages of $20.25 per hour in HAP’s data.

Mo Chang, owner of Most Tropical Market, testified that HAP had provided direct lending and technical support that helped him expand his wholesale business and create jobs. He said HAP “went above and beyond exceeding their usual lending limit to invest a hundred thousand dollars toward the Most Tropical Wholesale,” which helped him secure a 28,000‑square‑foot facility and grow employment to more than 75 staff across locations.

Committee members questioned HAP staff about previous appropriations and how the new funds would be used. Ms. Dowell (HAP public testimony) said HAP aims to serve 100 workforce students under the new request and 400 businesses with its business services. She said roughly 30% of HAP’s revenue is state grants and direct appropriations, about 40% comes from social enterprises and the remainder from private funding.

The committee considered and adopted an A‑1 technical amendment moved by Senator Muhammad by voice vote; no individual roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript. After questions about prior awards and the timing and source of funds, the committee laid SF 927 over for possible inclusion.

Senators discussed program components that would be supported if the appropriation is approved, including workforce training (certified credentials), lending for small business and a pilot “wealth management”/real‑estate lending component HAP described as intended to help entrepreneurs acquire assets. HAP staff said aspects of the real‑estate lending proposal are still under development and would require additional clarification if funded.

The committee did not take a final appropriation vote at the hearing.