Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will review Article 8, Regulatory Agencies, and Article 9, General Provisions.
• Item 3: Data center services recommendations include an additional $0.4 million in general revenue.
• revenue fund, and 24% or $819,000 from the general revenue dedicated water resource fund.
• On page 3, this just highlights that recommendations maintain $320,000 in general revenue funding.
• Generally, in other states, staff pay is based on the executive director's pay.

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:

• We have our Office of Inspector General chief here, Daniel Goharto.
• All right, and we will move on to General Selzer. All right, and we will move on to General Selzer.
• I'm Major General Tom Selzer, the Adjutant General of the Texas Military Department.
• Thank you, General. I have a couple of questions.
• I have three tiny requests from the Office of the Attorney General budget.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard the Legislative Budget Board’s overview of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s 2026-27 budget, followed by extensive testimony from DPS leadership. The LBB presentation covered funding and staffing changes across driver license services, facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, and border security. The recommendations included added support for customer service staffing and trooper hiring, but did not include several DPS exceptional items such as major driver license staffing and technology requests, new regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio, and other capital projects. Members also discussed proposed rider changes, including a new rider to lapse unused trooper funding and require reporting after recruit schools. Much of the committee’s questioning focused on driver license operations, where senators criticized long call wait times, low call-answer rates, appointment delays, and what they viewed as an overreliance on adding staff rather than improving processes. DPS and LBB witnesses said the agency is pursuing some technology upgrades, including automation, online pre-population of applications, and appointment-system improvements, but acknowledged that the driver license division remains a major problem area. Senators also raised concerns about whether the 2019 efficiency study led to meaningful changes and whether the agency should consider broader process redesign or even a different administrative structure. Colonel Freeman and other DPS officials then defended the agency’s broader law enforcement and border-security work, emphasizing the need for the Williamson County training academy, the 500 additional troopers funded in prior sessions, and continued support for Operation Lone Star. They described DPS’s role in border interdiction, threat-to-life investigations, oilfield theft cases, Capitol and Alamo security, and highway safety, and said the agency is stretched thin by deployments and overtime. Members asked about border reimbursement possibilities, regional staffing differences, pursuit safety, fleet and aircraft replacement needs, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame museum. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is the adoption of the committee reports on the bills on the general recent calendar.
• on the general secretary bills consent<01:28:06.800> calendar.
• General orders. Second reading of the bill. Senator Hendrickson. Thank you, Mr. President.
• For many of us here in generations.
• accessible for generations that will follow<01:44:19.440> us.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Short, so let's speak in more general.
• So generally, the general public will express concerns about air quality.
• It's a fifth-generation ranch.
• I serve as general manager of the Texana Groundwater Conservation District, as well as the general, general
• Uh, I'm the general manager of Walnut Creek SUD.

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:40.079> fund 11.5 million in one-time general fund 11.5 million in one-time general
• <00:20:05.600> fund which would address both general fund which would address both general
• <00:37:49.359> fund budget as opposed to the general fund budget as opposed to the general
• been filled by transfers from the Treasury's general fund.
• People who know that what they build today will stand for generations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2502E by Senator Hooper, a bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026-2027 General
• Since the House is hosting, we need to wait to receive House bills before we can take up the General
• Since the House is hosting, we need to wait to receive House bills before we can take up the General
• Members before you is Senate Bill 2500E, the general appropriations bill.
• House Bill 503E, a bill to be entitled an act implementing the 2026-27 General Appropriations Act.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice. The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference. The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Represent More now moves that Senate Bill 1530 be advanced from general order without objection.
• Representing Moore, now moves that Senate Bill 1847 be advanced from general order.
• Representative Kane now moves the Senate Bill 1377 be advanced from general order.
• Representative Kane now moves that Senate Bill 1990 be advanced from general order.
• Representative K moves that Senate Bill 1991 be advanced from general order.

Bills: SB1290, SB1530, SB1847, HR1050, SB169, SB1377, SB1990, SB1991, SB1778, SB1579, SB1992, SB3, SB2028, SB1928, SB2127, SB2117, SB1439, SB1930, SB330, SB1191, SB2110, SB2134, SB2069, SB2095, SB1613, SB1246, SB1976, SB1346, SB1509, SB2071, SB259, SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the changes is a target change in the general fund, and then one is the health care access fund
• [Laughter] Very generous. High praise. Further discussion. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• the front, uh, first Chair Beerman will move House File 2435 be recommended for placement on the general
• the front, uh, first Chair Beerman will move House File 2435 be recommended for placement on the general
• recommended for placement on the general recommended for placement on the general register<00:16

Bills: HF2436, HF2435

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it will generate competition, it will generate credible ideas, and it'll generate a broader market of
• I think there's a couple primary proposals in general.
• I will say that electronic or software malfunctions are not serviceable, generally.
• So we have general discussion, unless you have a question. Okay, general discussion. Colonel?
• In general, well, we have not reviewed. And again, that is in a zero-trust environment.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met for its fourth hearing on emerging firearm technology, focused on personalized firearms and related privacy issues. Co-chairs noted the commission’s charge to study personalized firearm incentives, risks from digital manufacturing codes and AI, and the costs of requiring personalized firearm and microstamp technologies, and said the report deadline is being extended to July 31. They also announced the next public hearing for April 17 at 11:00 a.m., limited to Massachusetts residents. The first witness, Kai Kloepfer of Biofire, described the company’s personalized 9mm smart gun and argued it is designed to prevent unauthorized use through biometric authentication, local encrypted data storage, no wireless connectivity, and automatic disarming when released. He said Biofire opposes any mandate requiring personalized firearms, calling such mandates a de facto gun ban that would stifle innovation, limit consumer choice, and burden a still-developing market. He said the company has a patent portfolio, has received thousands of pre-orders, is shipping in all 50 states, and is approved for sale in Massachusetts; he also said the gun costs about $1,500, is currently sold online, and is intended mainly for home defense. Members questioned him about sales, manufacturing, battery life, repairability, transfer of ownership, possible expansion to other firearms, and whether microstamping could be incorporated. A Massachusetts firearms roster official, Michaela Dunn, explained the state’s testing and approval process for handguns and confirmed that the Biofire firearm is now on the Massachusetts roster and commercially available for retail sale in the state. Kate Crockford of the ACLU of Massachusetts testified only on facial recognition, warning that commercially available systems show significant demographic bias and that Massachusetts lacks comprehensive biometric privacy protections. She urged passage of pending data privacy and biometric privacy bills, including the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and related measures, before any broader use of biometric verification in firearm laws. Commissioners discussed privacy concerns, and Biofire said its system is zero-knowledge and would likely comply with stronger biometric privacy laws. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported beyond the scheduling announcement and the extension effort.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reverend now moves that House Bill 3414 be advanced from general order without objection.
• Strom now moves that House Bill 3415 be advanced for general order without objection.
• Strom now moves that House Bill 3416 be advanced from general order without objection.
• Representative Straw now moves that House Bill 3470 be advanced for general order.
• Chad now moves at House Bill 3706 be advanced from general order.

Bills: HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606

Keywords: long-term care, advisory board, sunset legislation, mental health, psychologists, University of Oklahoma, gymnastics, NCAA, congratulations, sports excellence, recognition, honor, athletics, Joseph Castiglione, leadership, education, sports management, HB3413, public finance, state budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, we have our new General Counsel, Amanda Arriaga.
• Will our general counsel brief the commission on this agenda item?
• Would our Deputy General Counsel brief the Commission on this agenda item?
• Would the general counsel please introduce this item? Yes, sir.
• Our Deputy General Counsel, Ms.

Keywords: Texas Ethics Commission, HB18, SB12, political contributions, civil penalties, Attorney General, criminal election offenses, legislation

Summary: In the latest meeting of the Texas Ethics Commission, significant discussions centered around newly passed legislation, specifically HB18 and SB12. HB18 introduces a civil penalty for members who accept political contributions while absent from the state, addressing potential obstructions to legislative actions. Senators and commissioners engaged in an in-depth dialogue about the implications of this bill, with many expressing concerns regarding enforcement and compliance. In contrast, SB12 expands the jurisdiction of the Attorney General to prosecute criminal election offenses, further tightening the oversight of election activities. The meeting concluded with acknowledgement of the efforts put forth by previous commission chairs, highlighting their contributions to the commission's success.

Transcript Highlights:

• These cameras are generally fixed at designated intersections.
• In general revenue to advance certain high-priority projects.
• General revenue surplus to help move forward a $7 billion initiative.
• So my question was, what's a general timeline for any of your projects? Thank you, Senator.
• Whether it's the county, cities, or regions in general, how has that been?

Summary: The Committee on Transportation received a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on Florida’s camera-based traffic enforcement programs: red light cameras, school bus stop-arm cameras, and school zone speed cameras. The department explained how each program works, the distinction between a civil notice of violation and a uniform traffic citation, and the fee distribution for each type of violation. It also reported preliminary data showing 42 jurisdictions operating red light cameras, with 496 cameras at 302 intersections and 923,133 notices of violation in fiscal year 2024-2025; for the newer school bus and school zone programs, the department said preliminary figures showed five active school bus programs and 40 active school zone programs, with prior-year totals of 61,150 school bus notices and 26,300 school zone notices. Senators asked about camera placement, school zone requirements, review procedures, and whether law enforcement or third parties are involved in reviewing violations. The committee then received an update from FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue on the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which used $4 billion in general revenue to advance a $7 billion package of 20 major congestion-relief projects. He said the department has used innovative delivery methods, including modified phased design-build, voluntary acceleration, and structured acceleration, to move projects forward faster and control costs. He highlighted progress on projects including I-4 congestion relief lanes, the Golden Glades Interchange, I-95 at US-1, I-75 auxiliary lanes, I-75 at Pine Ridge Road, and I-275 in Tampa, and said 80% of the plan is expected to be underway by the end of 2026, with four projects remaining in 2027. Members asked about temporary traffic patterns at Golden Glades, subcontractor opportunities, public transportation planning, contractor safety and OSHA issues, bridge strikes, logistics hubs near airports and seaports, aggregate and material supply, local government coordination, and federal transportation funding. Secretary Perdue said FDOT continuously reevaluates traffic management plans, works with small businesses and local subs, and monitors contractor safety closely, including corrective action plans after incidents. He emphasized that Florida’s transportation revenues are flat, that the state remains largely state-funded, and that additional resources are the main thing the Legislature can provide to support future infrastructure delivery. The committee adjourned after the chair requested FDOT staff provide senators with district-specific project updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a generation of community engagement.
• Uh, I'm representing myself as a fourth-generation rancher in the South Texas border region and as a
• Ah, our general fund balance, I mean, our, our general fund revenues are at 19 million, Precinct 1, 1.6
• unless they're exempt, is deposited into the general revenue fund.
• During the last biennium fiscal year 2223, 6.08 million was generated from these permit fees.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the right reason because generally for the right reason because generally speaking,<00:39:52.320
• 59.520> first<00:43:59.839> responders generally speaking with first responders generally
• I know there's prioritize generally.
• That said, it is general dentists who have long-term, sometimes generational relationships with patients
• Because general dentistry covers a broad scope of care, having at least one general dentist on the board

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the general fund is that revenue to the general fund is being<00:36:54.640> used<00:36:54.960
• The first uh article is general The first uh article is general education.<00:52:44.440> There
• component of general education revenue. component of general education revenue.
• Other districts may generate more money year over year.
• <01:17:45.760> less<01:17:46.120> money generate less money generate less money in<01:17

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Attorney General to absorb those costs. Attorney General to absorb those costs.
• And so total net General Fund spending for MDA, it comes out to net zero from the General Fund on line
• in the General Fund on lines 20 and 21. in the General Fund on lines 20 and 21.
• General Fund on line 24. General Fund on line 24.
• The total net General Fund impact is $80,000 from the General Fund.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill talks about separating the transmission grid from the generation grid.
• Base load generation has limited competitive market.
• the generation grid. the generation grid.
• electric system um separating generation electric system um separating generation from<00:14:17.840
• This is how we keep the generation-related costs low. Right?

Bills: SB3326

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, uh, I would move House File 269 to the general register, and then I'll have more testimony.
• So your motion is to move House File 269 to the general register? That is my motion, Mr. Chair.
• I would renew my motion for House File 269 to the General Register.
• motion for house file 269 to the general motion for house file 269 to the general register<01:12
• <01:12:44.080> register 269 to be placed on the general register 269 to be placed on the general

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 269 and House File 749 together, both aimed at ending Northstar Commuter Rail service. The bill author described HF 269 as directing the Metropolitan Council and MnDOT to request a federal waiver and discontinue Northstar operations, with HF 749 setting performance requirements that would trigger a similar termination request. Supporters argued Northstar has low ridership, high operating subsidies, and large maintenance costs, and said the agencies now agree with the intent to terminate the line and possibly replace it with bus rapid transit. The chair moved HF 269 to the general register while also laying HF 749 over in committee, and testimony was heard on both bills at once. Testimony split sharply. Supporters of termination, including the bill author and Annette Meeks, said Northstar has consistently underperformed ridership projections, has required large taxpayer subsidies, and should be ended rather than extended. Opponents, including Jesse Cook, Darwin Scherlan, Joel Mueller, Katie Nicholson, and Annie Buckle, argued the line still serves riders, workers, and communities, that low frequency and underinvestment are the real problems, and that the state should improve service rather than shut it down. Several opponents emphasized Northstar’s role for commuters, special events, and future growth, especially the St. Cloud corridor. Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle and MnDOT Commissioner Danenberger said they support carefully evaluating alternatives to commuter rail and acknowledged the subsidy is not acceptable, but they also said the agencies are working with the federal government and BNSF on possible next steps. Zelle said the agencies believe bus service could provide more frequent and direct service, and when asked directly, he confirmed they are in favor of terminating Northstar and replacing it with bus service if feasible. No final disposition beyond the motion on HF 269 and the laying over of HF 749 was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 2020 Budget Act, the state provided $200 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund for the
• The proposition authorized a total of $10 billion in state general obligation bonds.
• So the 2025 Budget Act appropriated 300 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund to establish the
• So the Governor's budget proposes a total of $3.4 million General Fund, $537,000 Teacher Credentials
• And then finally, one last thing I'll highlight is that the budget proposes $132,000 ongoing General

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would move that House File 3379 be re-referred to the General Register. >> Awesome.
• programs back to the general fund. programs back to the general fund.
• Be placed on the general register. All those in favor? I. All those opposed? Nay.
• Thank you. be placed on the general Thank you. be placed on the general register.<00:21:58.320><
• recommended to be placed on the general recommended to be placed on the general register.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3379, a technical bill dealing with the housing stabilization supports program in human services. The bill’s author explained that the program had been terminated at the state’s request and approved by CMS, and the bill would remove it from statute so the legislature would have a role if the program is later brought back. The discussion quickly broadened into a debate over legislative versus executive authority in Medicaid and human services programs, with members arguing about whether the department should be able to terminate or redesign programs without legislative approval and how to protect vulnerable participants. Members discussed three amendments. The A1 amendment sought to require 30-day public comment periods for Medicaid waiver and state plan changes, require publication of comment text online, and prohibit the commissioner from terminating legislatively enacted Medicaid waivers or benefits or requesting federal assistance to do so without legislative involvement. The A3 amendment was offered as a modification to A1 to address concerns about requiring the legislature to be called back in during the interim; however, after debate over whether the amendment would give the commissioner too much authority and whether it could affect existing fraud-sanction procedures under section 256B.064, A1 was withdrawn and A3 was also set aside. A2, described as a technical cleanup amendment from nonpartisan staff, was then adopted. The committee then voted on the bill as amended. The motion to re-refer House File 3379 to the General Register passed on a voice vote, and the bill was recommended to be placed on the General Register. Throughout the discussion, members emphasized different priorities: some stressed oversight, public input, and legislative control over program changes, while others argued the department needed flexibility to address fraud and protect services for seniors, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable residents.