Transcript Highlights:

• ITD decisions on what they would focus on, because it seems like a department will send in five priorities
• , and then their top five priorities are chosen, and then they get in trouble because they didn't get
• But if you look at the right-hand side, participants enrolled in this program earn an average of $20,000
• more a year than those who have never enrolled or did not complete the program.
• there seemed to be a lack of coordination between who's requesting the data and whether it is a priority

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• cannabis legally under Virginia law, we want you to know that that commitment remains our number one priority
• not only will we continue to have conversations that speak to those shared goals and those shared priorities
• The administrations were changing, and this was not quite a priority in comparison to other things that
• Spanberger, who recommended a substitute version of the bill that made significant changes to the enrolled

Keywords: Cannabis Retail Market, Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Representative, they would also be included as a high priority. Okay.
• And the publicly funded facilities could discriminate based on who they enroll. Mr.
• Because if we're truly saying that this is about low-income, at-risk kids, they should be the priority
• If it's truly about infant toddler care, they should be the priority as we expand. Thank you.

Bills: SB132, SB241

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• While effective in ensuring quality, these standards have not supported the state's priority to align
• institutional review process that supports innovation and encourages outcome and competency-based education priorities
• imposes a one-size-fits-all standard that may not reflect Texas' unique educational and economic priorities
• I want to make sure that everybody, once they take that PSAT, can enroll in dual credit. ...and get help

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Realtors, thank you for coming today. your capital today and talking about the priorities that are important
• Administrative Procedures, HB 3741 by Schaffner relates to requiring a sworn statement by a foreign student enrolled
• HB 3807 by Harris-Davila relates to establishing a childcare service waiting list priority for the children
• to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the appraised value of certain land located in a priority

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I enrolled in Access, I was provided with the support of job searching.
• When I enrolled in Access, I supervisor.
• When I enrolled in Access, I was<00:15:32.320> provided<00:15:32.560> with<00:15:32.720
• So that would be a priority on this program.
• So that would be a priority on this program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It outlines enrollment verification requirements for access to confirm member eligibility and standards
• It revises the existing order of priority for Housing Trust Fund awards that occurred during the first
• instructional modules for teachers, instruction, and educational materials for the parents of students enrolled

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are required to currently be employed as dialysis techs, have completed or be enrolled in a training
• But that is one of my number one priorities, yes. Great. Thank you for that.

Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Back to the public education. education, funding, and average daily attendance versus enrollment.
• Is that because of projections of potential enrollment?
• Increase in enrollment or increase in attendance or a combination of all?
• of those kids that are referred that don't get enrolled. enrolled because we try to reach out to the
• We started enrolling providers in.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:01:17.800> priorities<02:01:18.280> that<02:01:18.400> I achievement of
• the priorities that I achievement of the priorities that I previously<02:01:19.040> mentioned
• And when our veterans are inpatient, they are visited by this nurse, whether or not they're enrolled
• We've had a lot of stories since we started this program as well of veterans who were not enrolled in
• us uh strategic key strategic priorities us uh strategic key strategic priorities continue<02:35

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That $6.2 million is for New Mexico Care; this is a governor's priority.
• Our second big priority area is New Mexico Care, and New Mexico Care, as you heard from both Lori and
• Was the question about priority consultations and the district court and the amount that's spent?
• Adding new prosecutors to the districts was a priority of the executive.
• If our priority is for public safety, and this is a crime, everyone has said their priority is crime,

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the top priority for us at DHS, and to make sure that every dollar from the taxpayers is working
• That<00:03:39.440> is<00:03:39.640> the<00:03:40.320> top<00:03:40.640> priority
• for us at DHS That is the top priority for us at DHS and<00:03:43.120> to<00:03:43.240> make
• This would immediately save enrollment.
• <00:53:48.520> in providers that would be enrolling in providers that would be enrolling in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when you create a budget, you also create budget priorities.
• would ask those school districts that are looking at this from that particular lens to heighten the priorities
• Heighten the priority of their safety in your budget process.
• If we had a priority of ten things, I can't see how this is not almost top priority.
• When he was enrolled, we submitted extensive medical documentation confirming multiple.

Transcript Highlights:

• This appropriation of $55,000 helps us improve and make STARS accessible to students enrolled in alternative
• panel of staff, agency, and community partners, along with ongoing youth representatives, with a priority
• Priorities such as uplifting youth voices and substance abuse prevention.
• The Minnesota Youth Council gives us the important tools that we need to turn these priorities into positive
• student has the chance to reach their fullest potential by making school attendance a community priority

Bills: HF1966, HF54, HF2043, HF1171, HF2741

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you tell me what the legislative priorities are?
• That's our legislative priority: to work with the legislature.
• So our priority is to continue to serve and do what's best.
• That's our legislative priority: to work with the legislature.
• So our priority is to continue to serve and do what's best.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a priority of both my office and law enforcement to improve those numbers.
• Currently, TDHCA uses school A-through-F ratings for nearby general enrollment public schools as a metric
• Currently, TDHCA uses school A-through-F ratings for nearby general enrollment public schools as a metric
• This was one of our priorities. And thank you, Senator Huffman, for championing the bill.
• This was one of our priorities long before session. And so thank you very much.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• the needle forward in this space All right, well my my opinion at this point is it's not a high priority
• This is obviously what we do in the budget, which is grapple with priorities, but I certainly know that
• I witnessed them gain confidence, enroll in transfer level courses, and begin to reimagine their futures
• We just have to weigh all of the priorities but certainly. You can see the impact it's making.
• This is a mission priority.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Career development and technical pathways have been one of the top priorities.
• The top priorities we have had for multiple years, and we support it.
• That's your priority.
• Protecting our children should be a priority.
• It should be the top priority of every legislator out here, and I think it really is.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those in the body who were here, you may remember my priority bill a couple years back was the Prenatal
• little pamphlets section, they now have pamphlets about the Prenatal Plus Program and how to get enrolled
• They now have pamphlets about the Prenatal Plus Program and how to get enrolled in the benefits that
• Colleagues, I used my personal priority designation on this bill.
• And a priority motion: Speaker Arch moved to recess the body until 1:00 p.m.

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• They have been refused enrollment in public schools without due consideration of their disability.
• The Children's Law Center has received calls from English learners who have been discouraged from enrolling
• For example, our office has issued guidance to schools on their obligation to enroll students regardless
• often work with schools to ensure that all students, including immigrant students, are promptly enrolled
• This legislation is a priority to our agency and students with developmental disabilities throughout

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a very full public hearing on the first Education Committee hearing of the session, with testimony taken on a large slate of bills, especially H. 650/S. 436 and related measures. The chairs explained the hearing rules, including two-minute testimony limits, live streaming, written testimony, and accommodations for interpreters and disabilities. The committee first heard extensive testimony on H. 460/S. 436 and later H. 650/S. 436, bills to affirm and maintain equal access to public education for all children, including immigrant students, English learners, and students with disabilities. Witnesses included parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and state officials, many of whom described fears caused by federal policy changes and argued that Massachusetts should codify protections for school enrollment, special education, interpreter services, and due process in discipline cases. The Attorney General’s office, Mass Advocates for Children, Lawyers for Civil Rights, MIRA, the Children’s Law Center, the Disability Law/advocacy community, and others all urged favorable action, while committee members asked questions about Plyler v. Doe, manifestation determinations, interpreter qualifications, and how the bill would mirror or preserve existing federal protections at the state level. The committee also heard testimony on H. 702/S. 460, establishing an elementary and secondary school robotics grant program, which was supported as a way to expand STEM opportunities and help schools fund robotics programs. Representative Sweeney also testified on H. 713, a bill to support student participation in 4-H programming by allowing excused absences similar to those for athletics and other sanctioned activities; members noted bipartisan support and the bill’s long history. The hearing then moved to H. 543/S. 417, a recess bill requiring at least 30 minutes of free-play recess for K-8 students. Supporters included the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the League of Women Voters, educators, and parents, who emphasized recess as important for physical health, social-emotional development, attention, and academic performance, and noted that unequal local policies create disparities across districts. Several witnesses also tied recess to broader concerns about student well-being and screen time. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed testimony on the bills as it moved through the agenda.