Transcript Highlights:

• c> you<00:24:08.679> choose<00:24:09.000> to<00:24:09.159> live person's control
• that person being here by controlling that person's sustaining resources, does that change your opinion
• that person being here by controlling that person being here by that<00:28:16.279> sustaining
• <02:15:19.840> um<02:15:20.559> and border um and border um and the<02:15:22.360> right
• <02:15:32.079> New Hampshire across the border New Hampshire across the border New Hampshire

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “I mean, we’ve had a lot of bills in here trying to take away local control. Sure.
• They get to control that. Exempt from the state overseeing their trust fund.
• They get to control that 100%.
• So by supporting Representative Lujan's bill, we're restoring the control back to the municipality.
• -Mexico border in Nueces County. This bill, however, is specifically bracketed to Cameron County.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we've had a lot of bills in here trying to take away local control. Sure.
• They can also control the pricing so they can have affordable cemetery pricing for their community.
• They get to control that. Exempt from the state overseeing their trust fund.
• They get to control that 100%.
• -Mexico border in Nueces County. This bill, however, is specifically bracketed to Cameron County.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Transcript Highlights:

• But we control those capital... ...and waterways back in order.
• Proposals and directives are aimed at controlling spending costs.
• We have planted the seeds with some very fertile amendments to be able to help control those costs.
• Employees to run the town's sewer because housing costs have just spiraled out of control.
• Streamlining permitting is not the same thing as eliminating local control.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, adopted two commendatory resolutions honoring the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day recognition and Megan’s Light’s Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month observance, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several House petitions to committee. The chamber also briefly recognized Diane Talk of the South Shore Regional Emergency Communication Center on her retirement after 30 years of dispatch service. Later, the Senate passed two local bills to enactment: House No. 4006, authorizing Dartmouth to grant an additional all-alcoholic beverages license, and House No. 473, relating to the charter of Westwood. The main business was the Senate Ways and Means presentation of the fiscal year 2027 budget, totaling about $63.3 billion. The chair described the budget as balanced, with no new taxes or tax cuts, based on a consensus revenue estimate of $986 million in growth over FY26 (2.4%), and including about $15.8 billion in federal financial participation and roughly $2.7 billion from the Fair Share surtax. The budget emphasized record local aid, including $1.376 billion in unrestricted general government aid, $7.66 billion for Chapter 70 education aid, increased minimum school aid, higher regional school transportation reimbursement, rural aid, and the revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission. It also highlighted major investments in MassEducate free community college, food security, housing, and support for vulnerable residents. Members then engaged in extended colloquy on the budget’s major cost drivers and policy choices. Questions focused on debt service, pension and OPEB liabilities, MassHealth caseload and rising per-enrollee costs, child care funding, and program integrity in DTA and other benefit programs. The chair said debt service would be about $2.67 billion, pension payments would be $5.1 billion, OPEB would receive a $150 million payment, and MassHealth enrollment was projected at about 2 million with costs driven by acuity and medical inflation. He also said the budget includes no collective bargaining agreements and no state tax changes. Senators supporting the budget praised its investments in education, local aid, homelessness prevention, public health, libraries, and housing, while minority leaders and others stressed the need for fiscal discipline, transparency, and further work on affordability and municipal support. The Senate also received a House message on House No. 5316, which the House had nonconcurred in, and a conference committee was appointed on the disagreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of fact, my constituents who live on the border traditionally go into Texas for care.
• Investors are allowed to own... up to 49% of a practice, but they can't hold a controlling stake.
• I don't think we can conclusively say that if private equity automatically owns the controlling stake
• Oregon's structure keeps that percentage below a controlling stake and requires.
• the controlling stake just to ensure that the clinical decisions are being made by providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, all the things in life you can control. >> I sent it in to ... Can you help me?
• Uh, so one concern I have is when we take away that local control and the ability to do that.
• I'm not a purist on local control. I am on protecting kids. Thank you.
• I'm not a purist on local control. I am on protecting kids. Thank you.
• <01:30:33.120> Um,<01:30:34.239> I border. I'm not sure about that. Um, I border.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, sitting there in Louisville, Kentucky, miles away from a border state.
• Louisville, Kentucky, miles away from in Louisville, Kentucky, miles away from a<00:02:15.440> border
• I know of countless RTS a border state.
• So hopefully, you know, those along the borders of those states are able to move back and forth based
• So hopefully, you know, those along the borders of those states are able to move back and forth based

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 0:31 HB 36 Discussion 1:10 HB 36 Vote 8:20 HB 776 Discussion 9:42 HB 776 Vote 12:19 HB 236 Discussion 14:15 Adjournment 20:40, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So above all else, first and foremost, with the amount of money that they can control, for others.
• And during the open border policies in this country, this loophole, which is the reasonable opportunity
• And during the open border policies in this country, this loophole, which is the reasonable opportunity
• So we did not have any efficiencies, but we are doing absolutely everything within the control of the
• department to But we are doing absolutely everything within the control of the department to make sure

Bills: HR267, HCR105, HCR107, HCR110, HCR113, HCR114, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB237, SB333, SB433, SB483, SCR37

Keywords: diabetes, amputation, amputations, diabetic foot ulcer, peripheral artery disease, PAD, wound care, podiatry, vascular disease, endocrinology, limb salvage, health policy, public health, healthcare costs, insurance coverage, Louisiana Department of Health, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, patient education, screening

Transcript Highlights:

• probably less than an hour, the game wardens showed up a little after 10 a.m. and started taking control
• I'm not going to put an 18-year-old with 15-year-olds because that's a difficult age gap to help control
• They required us to map our borders. We’re going to be... They required us to map our borders.
• Under basic Texas statutory construction, a specific later statute controls over a general earlier one
• And that is what the APA controls, and that is what the process is.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the warrant is less than zero, the of the warrant is less than zero, the state<00:23:05.280> controller
• would be required to state controller would be required to transfer<00:23:07.440> sufficient<
• <01:11:58.640> I Many of the districts, and I've worked in a couple near the border, send
• <01:38:51.600> It's that's controlled by environment.
• It's that's controlled by environment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the November 21, 2025 minutes, making several clerical corrections before adopting them as amended. The edits included adding the date, correcting a misspelled name, clarifying references to a scholarship fund representative’s title, removing an incorrect “DOE” reference, and fixing a few wording errors. The minutes were approved with one abstention from members who were absent. The bulk of the meeting focused on organizing the commission’s work under SB 57 and identifying which special education cost issues should be prioritized for research and reporting. Members discussed a long list of topics, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, increases in referrals since school closures, interventions before referral, costs of non-medically necessary services in IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal and state requirements, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, dispute resolution, Medicaid and insurance use, graduation rates, and adult learning participation. Several members emphasized the need to combine or narrow topics and to gather better data before the report due July 1, 2026. Representative Ames highlighted HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid payments when state appropriations fall short, and explained that the Education Funding Committee recommended interim study. He argued that local districts are bearing too much of the cost and that the state and federal governments should provide more support. Other members raised concerns about rising special education identification rates, possible overidentification, school climate and mental health factors, bullying, staffing, speech therapy access, and residential placements. One member cautioned that DOE website numbers may be inflated or at least difficult to interpret because of how students are counted. Department of Education staff then explained how special education data and costs are monitored. They said student counts are tied to IEPs and SASIDs in the state system, districts are checked through both desk audits and on-site monitoring, and billed services are compared against IEP requirements. They also described IDEA funding, noting that most DOE special education staffing is federally funded, with a large share of federal money flowing through to local education agencies and the remainder supporting administration, monitoring, and training initiatives. Members discussed whether more staff and more robust oversight would improve accuracy and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then obviously, breaking ground on a multitude of projects, as well as the Westie Air Traffic Control
• One of the trailers has kind of the command and control piece where it's got a room where a Couple of
• So don't get me wrong, Graardi's is not going to be at the controls of the spaceplane at the end of the
• as a part of this project along with some other things that were put in the tower, some lighting control
• Same thing for our friends south of the border in Mexico.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is air traffic control.
• We've been challenged in terms of recruiting and maintaining air traffic controllers.
• wildland fire team has been active, actually, and our forest department, previous to this, to do some control
• So we continue to do control burns to be able to mitigate potential large-scale fires.
• Northern Command for the southern border mission, U.S.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas retains sovereign control over the 10-mile zone off its coast, an important expression of our state's
• trafficking that we're trying to stop, and you know how prevalent it's become in recent years on the border
• HB 18 required internet sources to implement systems that give parents greater control over their child's
• , so these are, um, social media applications, websites, and others, um, we'll have to establish controls
• Uh, uh, you know, I'm good at controlling time. So, uh, the chair calls Doctor, uh, Lindy McGee.

Transcript Highlights:

• providing key trade routes, energy resources, and national security benefits. ...retain sovereign control
• It's become more so in recent years on the border, and I think this would be a great effective tool that
• HB 18 required internet sources to implement systems that give parents greater control over their child's
• service providers, including social media applications, websites, and others, will have to establish controls
• You know, I'm good at controlling time, so the Chair calls. Also, Dr.

Bills: SB1361, SB2105, SB2690, SB2713, SCR38, SB2637, SB2881

Keywords: SB 1361, Texas disaster recovery loan, small business loan, micro-business loan, community development financial institution, CDFI, economic disaster assistance, post-disaster financing, business recovery fund, Texas Economic Development Bank, zero-interest loan, working capital, payroll support, health benefits, job retention, declared disaster, small business relief, microenterprise, franchise exclusion, private equity-backed business

Transcript Highlights:

• challenge to preserve its independence from federal oversight of our state, particularly in maintaining control
• to prevent it; we're just setting certain parameters as long as it stays out of the FERC and NERC control
• the proposed interconnection... must not subject the aircraft power region to additional federal controls
• And we control what happens in Texas, as far as gas-fired and other types of technologies, but we don't
• easing new residents' entry into the workforce, reciprocity agreements can also support Texans in border

Bills: HB 11, HB 14, HB 132, HB 1584, HB 1606, HB 5061, HB 1041, HB 2286

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism, critical infrastructure, emergency response, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting was a thorough exploration of multiple bills, most notably focused on innovative energy solutions and public safety enhancements. Key discussions centered around HB14, which aims to bolster the state's nuclear energy capabilities through the establishment of a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office. Senators and expert witnesses discussed the potential of nuclear power as a clean energy source and a strategic necessity for Texas's growth. There was strong support for the bill, with various stakeholders highlighting its importance for the future energy landscape. Additionally, other bills like HB132 addressed the need for enhanced confidentiality protections regarding sensitive information, while HB1584 sought improvements in power restoration procedures during emergencies. Overall, the committee engaged with multiple viewpoints, balancing innovation with safety and ethical considerations.

Transcript Highlights:

• California, I'm a Californian, that we got that Californians are significantly more endangered by out-of-control
• So regardless of climate. changes, which again we have very little near-term control over, we can radically
• So in the case where it's the government controlled thing.
• Of those, risk is the only one a homeowner has any control over.
• are much more affluent but also have suffered from multiple fires that have continued to cross our border

Keywords: homeowners insurance, natural disasters, insurance costs, climate change, disaster preparedness, federal policies, bipartisan solutions

Summary: The meeting reviewed critical issues surrounding the rising costs and accessibility of homeowners insurance across the United States, particularly in light of increasing natural disasters linked to climate change. Members engaged in extensive discussions regarding the implications for families and the economy, citing significant increases in premiums and decreasing availability of policies in high-risk areas. Supervisor Peysko highlighted the direct impact of federal policies on local communities, emphasizing the growing burden on homeowners as they face skyrocketing insurance costs amidst a backdrop of environmental challenges and regulatory constraints. The committee expressed a unified call to action for bipartisan solutions, focusing on improving building codes and enhancing disaster preparedness measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• entrusted with command. of that same mission, leading a combined operation of U.S. and allied partners in control
• major basing decisions, currently including platforms and mission sets like F-15EX, KC-46, and space control
• about a certain place in the world he called it the most strategic place on the planet and whoever controlled
• that place would control the world Mr.
• exact kind of misinformation that Russia pushed to justify them rolling troops and tanks across the border

Keywords: Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure

Summary: The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the Rio Grande Valley, where I'm from, is situated along the border.
• What the letter is, instead of like a quality control customer care issue system going on.
• While modern vehicles are manufactured with better emissions and have cleaner emissions, of controls,
• Senate Bill 27 gives business owners more control over their costs and reduces the financial burden when
• So what we really need to do is still allow a city to You sort of control who comes in and make sure

Bills: HB5057, HB4519, HB5033, HB3997, HB 1237, HB1904, HB4400, HB 1227

Keywords: solid waste management, exclusive contracts, public agency, contract amendment, notification requirements, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Emissions Reduction Plan, TERP, air quality, emissions reduction, clean fleet, alternative fuel, natural gas vehicles, hydrogen fuel, hydrogen infrastructure, diesel replacement, fleet grants, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, clean school buses

Transcript Highlights:

• Completely out of control. 63% increase, our population is growing 2.6%.
• We've never had a process to control federal spending.
• The Budget Control Act did restrict discretionary spending for a couple of years, but we weaseled around
• there thinks everything is enough. world, the business world doesn't have to defend, you know, two borders
• We've had the same sort of thought with air traffic controllers, and Reagan fired them famously. at one

Keywords: nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to item nine, border security.
• And the, and, but we need to control our rate of attrition to provide the greatest degree of service.
• And apart from controlling attrition, another part of having an impactful organization is having the
• Uh, the chair calls, uh, Lisa Craven, the Deputy Controller. Please state your name, position.
• Uh, good morning, Lisa Craven, Deputy Controller of Public Accounts.