Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:11.440> literacy capacity of our regional literacy capacity of our regional literacy
• <00:19:10.960> literacy went to support the regional literacy went to support the regional
• <00:20:44.240> literacy with us staff at the regional literacy with us staff at the regional
• <00:21:53.039> literacy meets with every regional literacy meets with every regional literacy
• <00:24:39.679> literacy benefits of the regional literacy benefits of the regional literacy

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So CDCR is really developing this from the ground up.
• Barbien with NGA, one of the regional providers for the 911 system.
• I work for Cynor Jim, which is one of the regional providers.
• I work for Cynor Jim, which is one of the regional providers.
• We’ve tackled problems together as regional providers.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the judicial branch, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget remains structurally imbalanced and urged the Legislature to avoid new ongoing spending unless offset by reductions elsewhere. In the judicial branch discussion, the Judicial Council highlighted language access funding, appellate court security, a backfill for the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation room mandate; Finance supported most items but suggested reporting language on interpreter costs and reducing the General Fund backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial vacancies, long-term salary freezes, remote hearings, and the lack of progress on court staffing in some counties. For the Board of State and Community Corrections, the administration proposed $10 million one-time each for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People grant program and a human trafficking vertical prosecution grant program. The LAO said both should be weighed against other priorities and suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and asked whether ongoing support would be considered. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said BSC was a good fit because of its grant administration experience and prior vertical prosecution work, while legislators asked why the program was not placed with the Office of Emergency Services as originally contemplated in prior legislation. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse staffing, completion of organized retail criminal enterprise cases, and trailer bill language for a continuous appropriation from the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO supported the antitrust account use but questioned the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s ability to cover the full request without General Fund repayment, and recommended against a continuous appropriation for the restitution fund in favor of a more limited mechanism with legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. In the CDCR portion, the largest discussion centered on the Boston Consulting Group efficiency review and sharply reduced savings estimates; LAO said the department had not fully explained the proposed position eliminations or future $100 million savings target, while Finance said the work reflected deeper analysis and ongoing efforts to find savings. Members repeatedly pressed CDCR and Finance on the gap between earlier promised savings and the revised figures. CDCR also outlined population projections showing continued declines in prison and parole populations, while LAO again urged the state to close an additional prison to save ongoing costs. The department then walked through several May Revision items, including workers’ compensation funding, a Corcoran honor housing dorm, incarcerated firefighter pay implementation, an incarcerated menopause program, mental health receiver staffing, mental health resource teams and crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing changes, and AI note-taking for the electronic health record. LAO generally recommended limiting-term funding and more reporting for many of these proposals, while Finance defended them as necessary ongoing investments or court-ordered obligations. Members questioned the cost of workers’ compensation, the need for more prison closures, the lack of funding for women’s facility violence prevention, and the timing and transparency of the BCG savings process. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• other assistance to private development other assistance to private development projects.<00:10:
• growth in the South Loop that attracts visitors to the city and the region, keeps a key regional tourism
• <00:14:30.240> and completing important development and completing important development and
• , visitors to the city and the region, visitors to the city and the region, keeps<00:14:34.240>
• education, and community development. education, and community development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation executive Director Mike Ferdinand.
• And representing their organizations as regional directors across our great state is Retta Washington
• We have past regional director Patrice Hillier. Regional secretary, Jasmine Ervin.
• Regional programs chair, Ashley McGee and the area for coordinator, Amanda Wilson.
• healthcare programs for the employees of small employers for the Subcommittee on County and Regional

Transcript Highlights:

• , was more of a greenfield area region.
• But now the area around it is heavily developed, 75% developed all around it.
• If I can mitigate on-site, that's a win for the developer.
• When development begins to occur there, there will be insufficient credits for that development.
• If the comp plan amendment, development permit, or development order is initiated by a private party,

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee heard and acted on several bills related to wetlands, emergency management, fishing licenses, disaster recovery, the Florida Keys, brownfields, wastewater treatment, and spring protection. HB 1175 on mitigation banking drew the most discussion, with supporters saying it would create more predictable release of mitigation credits and help address shortages, while opponents warned it could weaken watershed-based wetland protection and allow credits to be used farther from the impact site. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment making the changes prospective after July 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute by a 12-3 vote. The committee also considered HB 1535, a broad emergency management strike-all that would expand local storm-preparedness information, debris removal coordination, shelter planning, permitting procedures after storms, limits on post-storm fee increases and moratoria, and changes to election procedures after disasters. Members raised questions about FEMA coordination, shelter standards, impact fees, and the 100-mile post-storm land-use restrictions. After adopting the strike-all, the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute on a 17-0 vote. HB 673, which would extend the same fishing-license convenience to freshwater guides that saltwater captains already have, and HB 705, which extends a public-records exemption for disaster recovery assistance applicants, were both reported favorably without amendment. Later, the committee approved HB 995 for the Florida Keys, which combines affordable-housing incentives, a Habitat for Humanity bond exemption, an extension of the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, and a modest increase in hurricane evacuation time to allow additional residential permits; it was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. HB 733 on brownfields received a technical strike-all and was also reported favorably. HB 645 creating a general permit for distributed wastewater treatment systems passed unanimously, and HB 691 on a reclaimed-water project tied to Outstanding Florida Springs passed 16-1 after concerns were raised about cost, water quality, and whether the bill could broaden the intent of existing spring-protection law. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• customers in the region. customers in the region.
• our region through events we do. our region through events we do.
• for the buck into our region. for the buck into our region.
• Uh, we had over 4 million people engaged in our regional events inside of our region.
• that you all brought to development that you all brought to these<01:04:08.799> regions<01:04

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12 Approval of Minutes 00:02:25 Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48 Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58 Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56 Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for me, I've been serving as an economic development practitioner for the last decade in our region
• So for me, I've been serving as an economic development practitioner for the last decade in our region
• University of Minnesota Board of regions University of Minnesota Board of regions I<01:02:35.440
• region region is<01:03:09.440> I<01:03:09.559> know<01:03:09.760> the<01:03:09.920
• <01:50:29.280> is about decision- making as a region is about decision- making as a region

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm the former HUD region administrator for Region 4.
• It impacts the whole South Florida region.
• It impacts, you know, the whole South Florida region.
• As you mentioned, you paid them roughly $4,000 for a development right.
• On average, how many development rights come out of a purchase that you may make?

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• a tractor um we've also developed a tractor um we've also developed proprietary<00:10:30.640>
• to stimulate research and development to stimulate research and development and<00:27:20.720>
• development account this language is development account this language is structured<00:30:08.360>
• <00:31:40.279> the in place and so when we develop the in place and so when we develop the
• I believe you're a more regional model. So how big is that region going to be?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within the region.
• So we're deploying much less to Region 3. Region 4 is much different.
• It's really region, region three is really one of the only regions where we feel like we're really, really
• So we're deploying much less to region three. A region four, region three is much different.
• Are you seeing the development of the new housing development... ...the rapid spread?

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:

• recreational vehicle trail development recreational vehicle trail development that<00:09:51.200>
• During that time, the DNR also developed a seven-step process for new trail development that must go
• <00:19:57.840> and worked diligently to develop and worked diligently to develop and maintain
• <00:20:48.880> The development is done right. The development is done right.
• :20:51.120> Powers Northeastern Regional ATV Joint Powers Northeastern Regional ATV Joint Powers

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Varying in urban and rural regions.
• Middlesex and Suffolk is also a regional holding facility.
• In Suffolk, it is also a regional holding.
• developing programs.
• approaches in this regional level.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to continue its review of the county sheriffs’ role in corrections, reentry, and public safety. After approving the prior meeting minutes, the sheriffs completed a lengthy presentation describing how their offices provide regional jail services, women’s programming, mental health and substance use treatment, reentry support, community partnerships, and auxiliary public safety functions such as BCI work, TRIAD, Meals on Wheels, and event support. They emphasized that services are tailored to local needs, that women’s facilities are designed to keep mothers close to family and support reunification, and that programming, housing, and job placement are central to reducing recidivism. They also discussed challenges including K2/synthetic drugs in facilities, gang classification and separation, and the difficulty justice-involved people face obtaining IDs and birth certificates, especially for people from Puerto Rico. Commission members generally praised the sheriffs’ work and asked for more detail on how regional women’s facilities operate, how community-provider cuts might affect reentry services, how no-cost phone/tablet communication is balanced against programming time, and what the most essential programs are if funding is reduced. The sheriffs said programming must come first, identified mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence programming, and housing/job placement as critical, and explained that community organizations and the Registry of Motor Vehicles are key partners in reentry. They also described their approach to gang management through classification, separation, and information sharing, and noted that the Registry has become more flexible but Real ID requirements have made documentation barriers more significant. The commission chair stressed that the purpose of the study is collaboration and improving system performance, not an adversarial effort against the sheriffs or a decarceration debate. Members noted that future meetings would hear from probation in June and the Department of Correction in July, and that the commission would continue gathering information before deciding on next steps. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to limit military helicopter flights in our region.
• We need to limit military helicopter flights in our region.
• We need to limit military helicopter flights in our region.
• We need to limit military helicopter flights in our region.
• We need to limit military helicopter flights in our region.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But for us as a city, it's about growth and development.
• The road to be developed is about 50 miles, and it's $60 million that a private developer Submitted,
• Currently, the developer owns a large portion.
• developers will pay the cost, frankly, to put roads in.
• You say that as a singular developer, is that correct? Is there just one developer?

Transcript Highlights:

• For a region like the Central Valley, those decisions are deeply important.
• Our region includes both urban and rural schools.
• Our students matter, our families matter, and our region deserves to be heard.
• You then add that to the greater region in the San Joaquin Valley.
• But often, they are not included on most regional boards.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused on school health, funding, expanded learning, special education, bilingual teacher pipelines, regional representation, and student mental health. AB 2651, by Assembly Member Bonta, would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds; supporters said it would give families timely, school-specific information, while opponents raised privacy, stigma, and administrative burden concerns. The bill passed the committee on a 7-1 vote after amendments. AB 2509 would add a five-year rolling average option for calculating funded average daily attendance; the author said it would stabilize school funding amid attendance declines, and the bill passed 7-2. AB 2430 would expand after-school and expanded learning access, especially for high school students, and passed 9-0 after testimony about youth mentorship and program gaps. AB 2526 would expand the low-incidence special education funding category to include students eligible for the California alternate assessment; supporters said it would better align funding with student need, and it passed 9-0. The committee also approved AB 2325, a bilingual teacher pipeline bill creating competitive grants for local partnerships among school districts, community colleges, and universities to recruit and train bilingual teachers. Supporters emphasized the shortage of bilingual educators and the value of multilingual instruction; the bill passed 9-0 after a vote change. AB 2460, presented by Assembly Member Pellerin for Assembly Member Celeste Rodriguez, would update school referral protocols to address student mental health needs related to immigration enforcement and family deportation trauma; the bill passed 9-0. The consent calendar, including AB 2324 and AB 2429, also passed unanimously. AB 2404, which would have required at least one Central Valley representative on several governor-appointed bodies including the State Board of Education, drew the most debate. Supporters argued the Central Valley is underrepresented on statewide boards and deserves a voice; opponents said the bill could create geographic quota problems and that board appointments should balance expertise and statewide representation. The committee did not advance the bill, and it failed on a 2-5 vote. Several bills were pulled or not heard, including AB 1644, AB 2362, and AB 2197.

Transcript Highlights:

• So essentially... ...the ponds out in front of new developments, and in new developments, we're just
• I'm here on behalf of the Medina County Regional Water Alliance.
• in our region.
• city and the time that sometimes the developers face.
• As we've developed, pockets have not been annexed.

Bills: SB243, SB1586, SB1891, SB1959, SB2159, SB2568

Keywords: migrant labor housing, migrant housing, farmworker housing, migrant agricultural worker, agricultural labor, farm labor contractor, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, TDHCA, civil penalty, housing code enforcement, sanitation, occupancy standards, retaliation, worker complaint, language access, Spanish-language outreach, H-2A visa, temporary agricultural workers, unlicensed housing, rural housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, Coös and Monadnock, for example, all
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, Coös and Monadnock, for example, all
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, Coös and Monadnock, for example, all
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, Coös and Monadnock, for example, all
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, Coös and Monadnock, for example, all

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee opened with a public hearing on HB 196, which would repeal the Housing Champion program. Representative Matt Drew, the prime sponsor, argued the program is an unnecessary and poorly targeted subsidy, saying it rewards municipalities after projects are completed and may not be limited to new housing production. He questioned the transparency of the program, cited difficulty finding required annual reports, and noted a fiscal note suggesting the state could recover up to $3 million if obligations are terminated. Committee members and witnesses debated whether the program’s criteria amount to political favoritism or a standard grant process; supporters said the rubric is specific and that municipalities are evaluated against objective requirements. Representative Priest, Nick Taylor of Housing Action New Hampshire, and Karen Benfield of Stay Work Play New Hampshire all opposed repeal, saying the program encourages local zoning and regulatory changes, helps smaller communities participate, and supports housing supply and young people’s ability to stay in the state. The hearing on HB 196 was then closed. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 1405, a bill establishing an affordable housing guarantee program within the Housing Finance Authority. Prime sponsor Representative Chris Muns said the bill would reduce lender risk by guaranteeing up to 80% of principal on qualifying loans for affordable housing, with a cap of $30 million per lender per year and $300 million outstanding at any time. He described the measure as a low-cost public-private partnership backed by the full faith and credit of the state, and said it was identical to a prior Senate bill that had received unanimous bipartisan committee support before dying later in the process. He framed the bill as one part of a broader housing package aimed at financing, infrastructure, workforce, zoning reform, and other housing-related issues. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal actions were opening and closing the public hearing on HB 196 and opening the public hearing on HB 1405, with testimony continuing on HB 1405 at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE MODULE IS COMPLETED SO WE ARE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD AS FAR AS THE DEVELOPMENT.
• ASSISTED DEVELOPMENT WE STARTED OUR SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING WITH OUR IT STAFF RIGHT AFTER THE
• WE ARE CURRENTLY IN WORLD DEVELOPMENT FOR 50 984 WHICH IS THE NURSING HOME RULE.
• HUMANA AND THEN MELINA AND YOU CAN SEE AGAIN WHICH REGIONS THEY SERVE.
• SOME OF THEM ARE ONLY SPECIFIC REGIONS.

Transcript Highlights:

• promote economic development.
• The Texas Water Development Board.
• We have the Texas Water Development Board, we develop a comprehensive data-driven state water plan every
• The legislature and the Texas Water Development Board were tasked with developing our first state flood
• developed.

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:

• the region.
• Are you seeing the development of the new housing developments you're talking about, where they're putting
• 2073 Chair: ...the development of the new housing developments you're talking about, where they're putting
• Chair: ...development of the new housing developments you're talking about, where they're putting them
• Chair: ...narrow roads being developed.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.