Transcript Highlights:

• Up in Texas.
• So your Texas Tech University system, your Texas State University system, North Texas, University of
• So your Texas Tech University system, your Texas State University system, North Texas, University of
• girl, and when you marry a Texas girl, you retire in Texas.
• , Texas.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes they will call Texas DPS. They'll ask us, hey, am I in the database?
• So one of the biggest gangs that we've got is in Texas called Cuernos.
• And once again, Texas is leading with this legislation.
• We have two senior fellows here in Texas, including one here in Austin. OK.
• Senate Bill 659 simply amends the Texas Penal Code to expand certain provisions in the definition of

Transcript Highlights:

• And with regard to these codes, who's suggesting what goes into the codes?
• code.
• on a pretty good code.
• code.
• If a code, some code, results in an increase in fee, we're typically not going to oppose the code, as

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee on Finance will come to order.
• And I'm the Mayor of Austin, Texas.
• But thanks to the leadership of Senate Finance Chair, Committee Chair Huffman, and House Pension and
• The exotic game industry is a crucial part of the Texas economy, particularly in rural areas where it
• It benefits ranchers, landowners, and hunters in Texas. And I want to thank the committee.

Bills: SB771, SB2345, HB135, HB135

Keywords: diesel fuel tax, tax credit, auxiliary power units, power take-off equipment, refund, energy efficiency, firefighter retirement, municipal contributions, pension system, retirement benefits, funding ratios, sales tax exemption, exotic animals, game animals, agriculture, livestock, civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair Dondero Loop and members of the Senate Finance Committee.
• Welcome to Senate Finance, and please go ahead when you're ready.
• Thank you, Chair, and members of the Committee on Senate Finance.
• Kayko Duncan, Division of Health Care Finance and Policy.
• The bill The bill was presented by the Governor's Finance Office.

Bills: AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district

Transcript Highlights:

• West Texas Panhandle at the South Plains region.
• Item 11, Thriving Texas Families. Recommendation.
• This is a method of finance adjustment.
• Texas Civil Commitment Office Good morning.
• It started in Texas in 1999.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an amendment that's bar code number 941, Chair: 889.
• And I do see an Amendment Chairman: bar code number 718509.
• Chair: Bar code number 897687. You're recognized to explain the amendment.
• I don't want to be Texas. We ought to be better than Texas.
• This was information from the Housing Finance Corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, those systems—Texas Tech University system, Texas State University system, University of North Texas
• and move to Texas.
• Texas or spent they have already served in Texas.
• , Texas.
• , Texas.

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:

• This is modeled after a very successful program that was enacted in Texas.
• It was initially rolled out in the more rural areas of Texas.
• Because you're talking about it was successful in Texas.
• When did Texas implement this?
• Yeah, and I don't think it necessarily needs to be done annually by code.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 4893, which would increase penalties for contempt of magistrate court and raise the maximum fine a court may impose without a jury trial. Counsel explained that the bill would raise fines for first, second, and third offenses, add community service, and allow weekend jail or work release for a third offense. The committee adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and adopted a title amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 5684, a pilot program creating child protection commissioners to help handle abuse and neglect cases. Counsel and the sponsor described the proposal as a way to reduce circuit court backlog, improve the frequency and consistency of hearings, and provide more focused attention to children and families while leaving final decision-making authority with circuit judges. Supporters cited the heavy caseloads, shortages of guardians ad litem, and a Texas model that reportedly improved efficiency; one senator criticized the bill as adding bureaucracy, while others said the system needs a new approach. Members discussed funding through a companion bill tied to the medical cannabis fund, with an initial startup amount and ongoing annual support. Several senators raised concerns about the lack of a sunset date and the need for measurable outcomes. The committee adopted an amendment requiring the Supreme Court’s Administrative Director to identify measurable outcomes, establish a pre-implementation baseline, and provide annual reporting to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance, including costs and projected costs. House Bill 5684, as amended, was then reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this would have a significant public finance impact.
• It's not Florida or Texas, okay?
• It's not Florida or Texas, okay?
• Texas doesn't have that problem.
• For example, Texas has lots of private roads and highways.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if anyone, in fact, many years ago when we took the Legislative Finance Committee to the park, as
• they Many years ago when we took the Legislative Finance Committee to the park, as they took a look
• Bill 131 does not override homeowners association covenants, does not eliminate building or safety codes
• And that is recurring, if the Finance Committee, it just makes it through here and it gets there.
• By a vote of six to four, you have a due pass on to Finance. Thank you. Thank you, committee.

Bills: SB211, SB131, SB183, SB222, SB246, SB254

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Children's was like number two in the country for neurology for kids.
• Did y'all see a neurologist when you went to Texas Children's?
• That NAIC model is still contained in the Louisiana Administrative Code.
• That NAIC model is still contained in Louisiana Administrative Code.
• Aggregated, such as zip code or county.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 23 with a quorum present and first deferred HB 1142. The committee then heard HB 1187, which would direct any excess Louisiana Citizens emergency assessment funds, after related debt is paid, toward the Louisiana Fortified Homes Program or future Citizens debt. Representative Sawyer and Commissioner Tim Temple said the bill would likely redirect about $50 million in one-time surplus funds and would help expand a popular roof-mitigation program that has already awarded more than 4,600 fortified roofs. The bill drew support from several witnesses and was reported as amended without objection. Next, HB 1210, dealing with insurance claim disputes and a pre-suit review process for Louisiana Citizens claims, was discussed. Representative Dana Henry said he was voluntarily deferring the bill and instead pursuing a study resolution after hearing concerns from members and stakeholders. Department and Citizens officials said the proposal was modeled on Florida’s process and could help resolve disputes faster and cheaper, but the bill was ultimately voluntarily deferred after testimony and some opposition cards were noted. The committee then took up HB 1199, which requires coverage for genetic testing and treatment related to SCN2A-associated disorders. Representative Jordan and the Diedon family gave emotional testimony about their daughter Emily’s diagnosis and the importance of timely genetic testing. The bill was amended to require that testing be ordered by a provider and deemed medically necessary by the health plan, with discussion about whether a neurologist should be involved; members said that issue could be refined later. HB 1199 was reported as amended. Finally, the committee considered HB 880, the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act, which would regulate AI use in underwriting, rating, and claims. After a lengthy discussion about state insurance regulation, McCarran-Ferguson, and concerns that the bill could jeopardize federal broadband funding, Representative Jordan voluntarily deferred HB 880, and HB 920 was also deferred. The committee then heard HB 1221, which would limit the policy data collected for the Louisiana Fortified Program Fund. Former Representative Bowler argued the bill was needed to protect policyholder privacy, while the Department of Insurance and Commissioner Temple said the data is needed for surplus-lines premium tax audits, fraud detection, and consumer assistance after disasters. The discussion continued with questions about what data would be visible and how it would be used, but the transcript ends before a final action on HB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Children's was like number two in the country for neurology for kids.
• Did y'all see a neurologist when you went to Texas Children's?
• That NAIC model is still contained in the Louisiana Administrative Code.
• That NAIC model is still contained in Louisiana Administrative Code.
• It collects the things that can be aggregated, such as zip code or county.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 23 with a quorum present and began by announcing that HB 1142 was deferred. The committee then took up HB 1187, which would direct any excess Louisiana Citizens emergency assessment funds, after related debt is satisfied, toward the Louisiana Fortified Homes Program or future Citizens obligations. Commissioner Tim Temple and Rep. Sawyer said the bill would likely redirect about $50 million to the popular fortified roof grant program, which has already awarded thousands of roofs and is oversubscribed. With support from Citizens and others, the committee adopted technical amendments and reported HB 1187 favorably. The committee next considered HB 1210, a proposal by Rep. Dana Henry to create a pre-suit claim review process for Louisiana Citizens disputes modeled on Florida’s system. After explaining that the bill was prompted by constituent concerns about rising homeowners insurance costs, Henry voluntarily deferred the bill and instead moved toward a study resolution. The substitute version, which would have allowed Citizens disputes to be resolved through the Division of Administrative Law, was adopted for discussion, but the bill was ultimately voluntarily deferred after testimony from Citizens and the department supporting further study. HB 1199, by Rep. Jordan, would require coverage for genetic testing and medically necessary treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders. After adopting an amendment clarifying that coverage depends on provider order and medical necessity, the committee heard emotional testimony from a parent describing her daughter’s severe SCN2A condition and the difficulty obtaining genetic testing. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up HB 880, the Louisiana Artificial Intelligence Insurance Fairness Act, which would regulate AI use in underwriting, rating, and claims. Jordan said the bill raised state-federal insurance regulatory issues and could jeopardize federal broadband funding, so he voluntarily deferred it; HB 920 was also voluntarily deferred. Finally, the committee considered HB 1221, by Rep. Amadee, which would narrow data collection under the surplus lines premium tax system to protect policyholder privacy. Former Rep. Bowler argued the department should not collect names, addresses, or coverage limits and that the bill would preserve privacy without affecting tax collection. The Department of Insurance said the broader data is needed for premium tax reconciliation, fraud detection, and post-disaster assistance. After debate, a motion to report HB 1221 favorably failed on a 6-6 roll call. The committee then moved on to HB 869 by Rep. Lyons, a health insurance bill covering injectable drugs for glucose or weight-loss treatment, but the transcript ends before further action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Texas A&M and Texas Tech University.
• The Texas Success Initiative Assessment, TSIA is a test designed to help guide Texas public institutions
• First, it enhances reporting requirements of the education code.
• This is a cleanup bill from Texas for Texas Leadership Scholars Program, which Senator West puts in the
• Texas State Technical College was not relieved from this requirement, which occurred because Texas State

Transcript Highlights:

• We will also update Texas Administrative Code rules.
• codes, the doctor codes, and the hospital codes.
• on to those procedure codes and hospital codes.
• codes were added to Procedure codes or admission codes.
• , the Medicaid codes, and the ERS-T-R-S codes.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um then you built per plans and per code um then you have<00:12:28.320> you<00:12:28.639>
• They are code specialists and they're very familiar with the building codes and are able to be that third-party
• > American<00:20:47.520> with building codes, the American with building codes, the American
• I do also want to say that we are in current conversations with the finance director's office, which
• I do also want to say that we are in current conversations with the finance director's office, which

Bills: SB88, SB337

Keywords: expungement, criminal records, courts, victim rights, rehabilitation, Alabama law, SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• One discusses the Texas Energy Fund.
• Item four: The Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Fund.
• We are a small agency; therefore, not only does my finance director handle finance, she also serves as
• I mean, who doesn't want to live in Texas? Come on.
• While fantastic for access to care in Texas...

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:

• HB 13 by King relating to the creating of the Texas interability council in the grant program in ministry
• And the Texas public utility commission to support the deployment of advanced nuclear reactions in the
• of the Texas water development board referred the committee on natural resources.
• A silver billion for the state to hold in the Texas billion dispository.
• HB 1147 by Gomez relating to the establishment by the Texas Workforce.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is the amendments will be in Senate Finance.
• My understanding is the amendments will be in Senate Finance.
• Their deaths were classified under ICD-9, diagnosis code 632, missed abortion.
• Well, because the CPT codes are federally designated, we couldn't do that.
• Let's do what our dear friends in Texas are doing and bring it up to 150.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first heard HB 971, which would equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; supporters said independent clinics are disadvantaged by a large payment disparity, and the bill was reported favorable without objection. The committee also recognized visiting Alpha Phi Alpha members and other guests during personal privilege remarks. Members then considered HB 414, which would bar hiring certain health care workers and direct support professionals with serious disqualifying convictions from other states and address background-check issues for therapeutic group homes. After adopting three amendment sets, the bill was reported as amended. HB 740, creating an independent review process for Medicaid behavioral health claim disputes in the coordinated system of care, was amended to clarify applicability and CSOC definitions and then reported as amended. HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation, drew emotional testimony from affected parents and advocates; the committee reported it favorable. The committee also advanced several more bills: HB 405, updating the name of the national acupuncture certifying body, was reported favorable; HB 786, prohibiting extrapolation in certain managed-care claims recoupments, was reported favorable; HB 1095, allowing alternative backup power sources for nursing homes, was reported favorable; HB 403, raising the cottage food gross-sales cap, was amended from $50,000 to $150,000 and then reported favorable; HB 930, modernizing cosmetic-product regulation and creating a small-producer exemption, was reported favorable; HB 557, defining long-term pharmacies for policy purposes, was reported favorable; HB 779, on expedited partner therapy for sexually transmitted diseases, was reported favorable; HB 915, setting utilization-management timelines and standards, was reported favorable; HB 546, expanding criteria for peace officers to take someone into protective custody during a mental health crisis, was reported favorable; HB 796, creating a chiropractic preceptorship program, was reported favorable; and HB 933, authorizing commemorative birth certificates, was reported favorable. The final major item was HB 1041, a “no-mandate” bill barring discrimination based on medical intervention status. The sponsor and Surgeon General said it was aimed at healthy, asymptomatic individuals and not at public health quarantine powers, but Senator Boudreaux objected to exemptions for schools and hospitals and offered an amendment to restore broader coverage. That amendment failed on a roll-call vote, and the bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended, with no final committee disposition shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our statutory authority is in Chapter 36 of the Human Resources Code, the Texas Health Care Program Fraud
• We took a look at the Texas Administrative Code, the TAC, audit ready.
• We took a look at the Texas Administrative Code, the TAC, and based on publicly available data, looking
• They can code the Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal, which is TULIP, and the Medicaid contracting
• Texas Health Authority was established in 2007, Chapter 182, Health and Safety Code, really to promote

Keywords: 1185, senate, all