Transcript Highlights:

• they need to succeed.
• , not nearly what they need, but they have funding and they see the value in these programs.
• We need to really focus on improving and fund.
• So our call to action here is to urge the Texas Legislature to fully fund to meet the real needs.
• As we've heard today it very clearly, policy change is needed. need for funding in special education

Keywords: special education, funding, equity, advocacy, Texas Legislature, SB568, HB2, disabilities

Summary: This was a press conference calling on the Texas Legislature to increase and reform funding for special education, with speakers arguing that the current system leaves a roughly $1.7 billion gap and forces districts to stretch general education dollars to cover mandated services. Sabrina Gonzalez Ocedo of The Arc of Texas opened by framing the issue as one of equity and self-determination for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and noted support for legislative efforts including Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 2. She also thanked a coalition of advocacy groups and legislators involved in special education funding work. Representative Steve Toth spoke in favor of investing surplus dollars in special education, citing high rates of functional illiteracy and dyslexia among prison populations and saying earlier intervention could change life outcomes. Amy Litzinger described how accommodations and assistive technology helped her succeed in school and urged continued investment so other students can access similar supports. Sarah Harden, a parent and disability advocate, shared her daughter’s positive experience in a well-supported district but warned that many Texas districts cannot provide comparable services because of funding shortages and that families are increasingly worried about cuts. Rachel Hull, a special education director, said well-resourced special education is transformational and outlined the need for individualized services, therapies, vocational training, and college readiness supports. Jean Mayer, a school trustee, said districts are struggling to meet state and federal requirements because funding does not match actual costs, pointing to staffing shortages and the need for parent engagement and professional development. The speakers repeatedly urged lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 568 and broader special education reforms this session; no votes were taken, as this was an advocacy event rather than a committee hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and say, we're done funding things in Afghanistan.
• USAID may have been doing and funding worthwhile. projects and it may be that Congress will need to pass
• So we need to scrutinize all this spending.
• hard for anybody to sort of track the funds.
• We need much more transparency with it.

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Keywords: fiscal responsibility, government waste, foreign aid, funding resolution, legislative oversight

Summary: The committee meeting addressed government spending and foreign aid, with a particular emphasis on perceived wasteful expenditures. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a funding resolution for the committee, which received unanimous support from the members present. The chair noted a quorum at the beginning of the meeting, signaling that the committee was ready to conduct its business. Discussions highlighted ongoing debates concerning fiscal responsibility and the necessity of legislative oversight, notably regarding foreign aid allocations and their implications for domestic fiscal health.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be grocers; it could be anything economically that parish may need to fund, or some other federal
• and funding source provides grants mechanisms where there's federal pass-through funds and private funds
• That's what that is funding it. Let me just say funding it.
• It could be anything economically that parish may need to fund or some other federal things that may
• That's what that is funding it. Let me just say funding it.

Bills: HR3 , HR80 , HB4 , HB172 , HB189 , HB623 , HB944 , HB1185 , HB1199 , HB1222 , SB105 , SB125 , SB461

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any questions, any need for the report? Resource witness. Senator Betancourt.
• We're providing the funds from the state without any sort of input from the public.
• Additionally this provides the legislature the opportunity to allocate funding to address funding losses
• . need to make the best choices.
• Fund was built from land gifted by Texans for Texans to provide a sustainable source of funding for our

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• All the COLAs are out of the funded deposit account, so that it's not out of the direct main fund.
• This amount is self-funded by the judiciary and has a subject-to-available-funding clause.
• they can self-fund it. ...compliance division within LDI that they can self-fund through fees that would
• private funds.
• We are a well-funded fund and we are not a state fund.

Bills: SB25 , SB250 , HB22 , HB27 , HB33 , HB47 , HB233 , HB290 , HB308 , HB324 , HB382 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB980 , HB1157 , HB1207 , HB1236 , HCR45

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Bills: SB370

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: tax increment districts, manufacturing zone, economic development, tax revenues, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been really torn with these competing needs.
• I absolutely understand the need for affordable housing.
• We need to be able to do this.
• And so I don't think anyone on the committee... ...needs to be addressed.
• This is something that we don't believe is needed, and I think that we need traffic safety throughout

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• But it's also the need, I can't stress enough, the need to have resources online because of the demand
• They need a little bit more ability to obtain the funding to complete that project.
• I'm changing that you need, for transportation, you need to consult tribes.
• If we have, we do have a tax increment area, but those funds are not... we don't need those funds to
• It's only in cases where there is a certifiable need for reliability... ...is a certifiable need for

Bills: SB6132

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to talk about maintenance, our maintenance needs also exceed the funding available, and this is
• We need both maintenance, operation, and preservation to be fully funded.
• We need both maintenance, operation, and preservation to be fully funded to keep our systems in a state
• Additional funding will be needed to finish the work and meet the court injunction, and I look forward
• to conduct a study to get a handle on cities' transportation funding needs.

Bills: SB5989

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: aircraft fuel tax, tax revenue distribution, aviation funding, transportation, state revenue

Bills: SB1379

Committee: House A&B Judiciary Subcommittee

Keywords: human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding

Transcript Highlights:

• great for our state to have that many, but it's also sad that. that many, but it's also sad that we need
• The network sounds wonderful and it probably sounds like many others that we've funded in the state.
• , or will this be... get individual funding, or will this be collective funding from the state of Alabama
• The funding goes to the network and then it trickles down to the centers.
• We're not changing the funding mechanism at all.

Bills: HB493

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a form, but we don't need... I'm going to let... there's a draft of an...
• That they need. But with our turnover rate, sometimes that can be difficult.
• All the information you need would be available on this particular website.
• So, we need a department. I want... need a department.
• When we talk about DHR, we have the children here saying we need you.

Bills: HB493

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: child advocacy centers, certification, funding allocation, Alabama Network, forensic evaluation, children's welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• In my view, we need...
• And the research should be focused on those needs, the health needs of Americans.
• We need to do a better job with the funds we spend at the NIH so that it actually produces better diagnostics
• All scientists supported by NIH-funded research have the resources they need.
• I'm committed to making sure that the NIH funds are spent to address America's chronic health needs.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this funding can be used.
• So I see this fund being essential. Thank you. So I see this fund being essential. Thank you.
• The endowment fund is like a trust fund that money is invested and then you draw off X% every year to
• fund the library, right?
• Chair: How large is the fund now?

Bills: SB61 , SB62 , SB99

Committee: Senate Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs

Keywords: rural libraries, funding, cultural affairs, education, community support, appropriation, state investment, public resources

Transcript Highlights:

• What it's saying is that you're not going to be able to utilize taxpayer dollars to fund that.
• We need to stop calling this gender-affirming care. It's anything but that.
• Counties, when they do a general obligation bond to fund things, it's a 60-60% threshold.
• It Is fully funded by the Woody Williamson Foundation.
• That's what I needed. Are there any further questions?

Bills: HB3057 , HB3130 , HB3310 , HB3314 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4486

Committee: House Government Oversight

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a program that's currently funded through FY 29, and I don't see the need for this right now,
• funds.
• These funds provide it.
• These funds provide it.
• I need you here.

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund, once that fund is exhausted, it can now reach the appropriation contingency fund.
• And hopefully, if needed, the soil and water districts can help access some of this funding.
• I mean, we need to fund this.
• So I'm hoping we can not only—this fund is great, but I think we need to expand because we have so much
• We've got a whole lot of things going right now, and I know we need to set up a fund and we have to be

Bills: HB2 , SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not guaranteeing funding.
• If we need to be more clear.
• settlement fund.
• So if we go back to 134, irrigation works and construction fund—how much is in that fund? Mr.
• Yes, and that's, there's not funding for that because there's funding else.

Bills: SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145 , HB2 , SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• If you'd like to register and you need any assistance, please let our committee clerk, Madison Cooper-Knauf
• Additionally, it seeks to increase funding for P-TECH campuses from $50 to $150 per student enrolled.
• But to fund this increase, we're going to take that money. from the existing New Tech Program that takes
• So it seemed like it made sense to put that fund into the P-TECH program.
• So it's just an effort to help those schools be able to fund those services and recognize the important

Bills: HB 1209 , HB4746

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: school funding, instructional days, education, public schools, school performance, four-day school week, performance rating, school governance, school calendar, education funding, emergency closures, school district, school operations, Texas education, public school accountability, academic distinction designation, postsecondary readiness, career and technical education, CTE, P-TECH

Bills: HB 101 , HB1819 , HB1875 , HB1965 , HB2193 , HB2914 , HB3248 , HB3354 , HB3531 , HB101

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security