Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to operating expenses. So we did get that 3% operating expenses cut last session.
• Our legal offices don't necessarily have those operating budgets.
• These are some of the operating expenses that we have.
• So our lottery operations—we're really proud of our lottery operations.
• The computers are faster, the operating systems, so that also leads to it.

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it's, so when we are operating those units, we are using them to meet existing demand.
• It just means on a sunny spring day, I may not need to operate it at 100% because...
• So that changes the operating profile of the unit.
• If I operated my utility like that...
• Those nuclear power plant operators have to have specific training from the NRC.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor is proposing a slight operational increase for the college and support for the second phase
• Which is the operational cut to UC, and we discussed the same for CSU.
• was the headquarters, if you will, of state operations.
• So right now, when we were running normal operations, life was okay. But now...
• This includes initiatives like a satellite operation of the kind we were just discussing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second category is optimizing operational costs. Capacity.
• Now, I will say that regulating right now in the context of Operation Nightingale...
• Recommendations include the base request for the operation of the program.
• The operating account is a self-leveling dedicated fund.
• They'll fulfill two or more statutory roles to ensure continuity of operations.

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:

• Congress especially as our operations Congress especially as our operations are<01:34:08.920>
• reductions uh the airport operations reductions uh the airport operations controller<02:16:34.719
• amount for our uh airport operations amount for our uh airport operations controller<02:18:29.920
• as well as non-airport or operations as well as non-airport or Aviation<02:20:56.240> operations<
• will provide maintenance and operations will provide maintenance and operations so<03:21:50.680>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• expended and and how that's operating. expended and and how that's operating.
• That's the downside: we're operating state fiscal year versus federal year.
• <01:32:24.639> And<01:32:24.960> I operations on the front range.
• And I operations on the front range.
• Thank you. those operating systems are to make sure those operating systems are to make sure that<02:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and safety, which is really about the life safety of buildings, homes, ...operation and safety, which
• Despite this, misunderstandings about how public water systems operate have shaped public expectations
• What is the plan for protecting the generators and to have a backup that's operational as well?
• I am a state-licensed pyrotechnic operator speaking on my own behalf. I oppose unless amended.
• I am a state licensed parotechnic operator speaking on my on behalf. I oppose on less amended.

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills related to public safety, wildfire preparedness, and fireworks regulation. SB 1299, by Senator Arreguín, would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after a court decision disrupted prior State Fire Marshal regulations. Supporters said the bill would protect life safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, while opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and labor-related effects. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment on a roll call vote, with DeMaio and Hadwick voting no. SB 1153, by Senator Caballero, would require urban retail water suppliers to incorporate wildfire-specific procedures into emergency plans and clarify that water systems are not designed to serve as wildfire defense systems. Supporters from water agencies and fire organizations said the bill would improve coordination, planning, and ratepayer protection while acknowledging infrastructure limits. Members discussed transparency, backup generators, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure; the author said he would continue working on possible amendments. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. SB 828, by Senator Cabaldon, responds to the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion by requiring fireworks licensees to disclose storage locations, verify local permits, and meet other compliance conditions. The author said the bill was developed with the State Fire Marshal and local public safety partners to close information gaps and improve enforcement. An opposition witness argued the permit-verification requirements could not be met in all jurisdictions, especially for hobby rocketry and small-scale uses, prompting discussion about clarifying different rocket categories and administrative implementation. The committee passed SB 828 as amended to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned after all bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's $250,000 transfer from professional fees to operating expenses.
• I just, again, if these are true operating... Exactly. Don't disagree with you.
• So what, at this point, you're telling us that these are for operating expenses.
• And we've allowed them to budget pay plan in their annual operating plan.
• That decrease was related to the election expenses and not their operating budget.

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, transfer, and review items, approving most requests in Sections B through J. These included temporary appropriations for state technology upgrades, personnel management, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, higher education workforce grants, an ARPA grant for the UAFS LPN program, an IIJA grant for geological/critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for 102 State Police vehicles, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, several cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission HVAC and AV needs, and overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands for $250,000 to cover operating expenses tied to a new building was discussed at length but failed on the vote after questions about the lease and operating costs. A major portion of the meeting focused on a $25.7 million pay plan appropriation request for 15 agencies. Members questioned why the Department of Human Services had not requested additional pay-plan dollars for human development centers, where DHS acknowledged staffing shortages, high turnover, and heavy overtime but said the issue was not lack of pay-plan funding. DHS was asked to provide a written plan to address staffing problems. The Department of Corrections testified that the pay plan had improved retention and hiring, and committee members asked for follow-up data on vacancies and staffing outcomes. Members also clarified that the pay-plan request was appropriation only, not new funding, and approved it. The committee then reviewed fund reports, including the restricted reserve, Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, Tobacco Settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust Fund, IIJA, and Revenue Services transfer reports. DHS and DFA were questioned closely about the Medicaid Trust Fund, with members noting a $90 million February draw and asking about projected year-end balances; DFA and DHS said February was a high-expense, low-revenue month and projected the fund would remain solvent through the fiscal year, ending between $150 million and $200 million, while a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The committee also discussed a state hospital damage report, where DHS explained that insurance proceeds would not fully cover the repair costs because of depreciation and the age of the buildings; members expressed concern that the state would recover far less than originally expected, and DHS said any additional insurance recovery would be limited and returned to restricted reserve.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a $250,000 transfer from professional fees to operating expenses.
• Are those operating expenses more than what you'd anticipated?
• So at this point, you're telling us that these are for operating expenses.
• And we've allowed them to budget pay plan and their annual operating plan.
• That decrease was related to the election expenses and not their operation budget.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 633 is an act relating to requiring municipalities to hold a vote concerning the operation
• <00:05:48.800> of<00:05:49.039> cannabis<00:05:49.680> retail the operation
• of cannabis retail the operation of cannabis retail establishments<00:05:51.039> introduced<00
• <00:06:02.479> of<00:06:02.720> cannabis<00:06:03.280> retail the operation
• of cannabis retail the operation of cannabis retail establishments. establishments. establishments.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence honoring four former members who had recently died: Avis Jarvis, Ernie Shan Jr., Ernest Earl, and Malcolm F. Severance. Members then introduced 12 bills for first reading and referral, covering topics including voyeurism and disclosure of sexually explicit images, crime victims’ rights in forensic cases, domestic abuse orders of protection, family court judgments, connected-device security standards, energy storage goals, environmental amendments, municipal votes on cannabis retail, cannabis consumption in prohibited places, elimination of Department of Corrections supervisory fees, an independent monitoring board for body-worn camera footage, and operating under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Each bill was read and referred to the appropriate committee. During announcements, members noted an upcoming Vermont National Guard and Veterans Affairs Caucus meeting, recognized a representative’s birthday, observed a moment of silence for former doorkeeper Cornelius L. Reed, and welcomed a new child in the gallery. The chamber then moved to the orders of the day. The House considered H.28, which would add explicit affirmation language to oath requirements in titles 1 through 10 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated and make related technical and gender-neutral wording changes. The Judiciary Committee recommended amendment, and the House adopted the committee amendment and ordered third reading. The House also took up H.409, a strike-all amendment concerning bail revocation procedures. The bill would correct bail-cap language for now-sealable misdemeanors and create a clearer process for prosecutors to appeal denied motions for bail revocation; witnesses from legislative counsel, public safety, prosecutors, defense, and the judiciary supported it. The committee vote was reported as 10-1 after a correction from the floor, the House adopted the amendment, and third reading was ordered. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and land management operations.
• There’s development that we do in our agricultural operations.
• There’s development that we do in our materials mining operations.
• Kellam owns and operates is open space. It's agriculture.
• A small portion of his operations—I don't by any means pretend to be an expert on his operations—but

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We certainly don't want to lose those Texans, but if they want to operate in another state, this would
• This change will streamline operations for healthcare facilities, reduce costs, ensure Texas law aligns
• And operation to ensure the safety of patients and equipment operators.
• Cherry, Operation Lavender, and Operation Happy New Year.
• Uh, tool to uh create more penalties for these, uh, owner operators of these establishments and being

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:20.400> appropriation, rail offices operating appropriation, rail offices operating
• operating account of 155,000 a year. operating account of 155,000 a year.
• appropriation of the DVS operating appropriation of the DVS operating account<00:13:37.880> of
• <00:14:09.160> account are from the DVS operating account are from the DVS operating account
• I'm not saying the best, but we operate I'm not saying the best, but we operate very<00:24:26.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so we would have a plan that would be very similar to what operates, and they operate as a plan.
• <00:12:54.880> and be very similar to what operates and be very similar to what operates and
• It's not an they they operate as a plan.
• > are<01:28:18.719> in Most of Denberry's operations are in Most of Denberry's operations
• Does it do you still have operations?

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the insurance commissioner’s office. The commissioner said most of the request was for personnel costs, including an increase above LBO and two additional IT positions tied to a possible conversion to a state-based system and cybersecurity needs. The office also discussed travel costs, contractual expenses, vehicle replacement, and hurricane mitigation funds, noting that some funds are in trust accounts and require legislative authority to spend. The commissioner also briefed members on possible policy changes affecting the ACA exchange and a proposed low-cost plan for the high-risk pool, warning that if coverage options are not developed, more people could shift into uncompensated care. Members asked about the budget request, the IT positions, and a constituent question about propane meter regulation, which the commissioner said falls under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, though his office sometimes checks related issues informally. The committee then moved to the State Fire Academy hearing. The academy director described a workforce stabilization proposal focused on retaining and recruiting fire instructors, citing competition from local fire departments that pay more, a shrinking applicant pool, and a growing number of retirement-eligible staff. He said the academy’s instructors are being recruited away by municipalities, that recent applicant pools have produced very few qualified candidates, and that the academy may soon have to cut advanced courses if staffing does not improve. He referenced a State Personnel Board review that supported the need for compensation changes and said the academy is trying to remain competitive while continuing to train firefighters, hazmat responders, EMS personnel, and fire officers statewide. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the portion provided. Members mainly asked questions, requested written follow-up on some budget items, and indicated they would work with the agencies later in the session if pending bills or funding needs changed.

Transcript Highlights:

• fund, and again this is staffing operational costs and supplemented by earned revenue.
• fund, and again this is staffing operational costs and supplemented by earned revenue.
• fund, and again this is staffing operational costs and supplemented by earned revenue.
• fund, and again this is staffing operational costs and supplemented by earned revenue.
• MAC owns and operates the Minneapolis-St.

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes $6.5 billion to maintain support for Operation Lone Star, which you all know is the
• These divisions became operational on September 1, 2024, and each has two judges.
• So yes, 19% of our annual reports... ...has been operational.
• But in Operation Lone Star cases, we do pay for 100% of the cost of that representation.
• Brazos County wanted to expand their operation.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• We again plan to use not operational.
• , core government operations, core government operations, modernizing<00:29:01.120> outdated
• :18:28.320> have operational concerns and we have operational concerns and we have long-term<01
• The operational with needs of Kuckians.
• county paid operating expenses. county paid operating expenses.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into committee and floor reports. Several measures received favorable committee reports and were ordered to first reading and placed on the calendar, including Current Resolution 9, Senate Joint Resolution 23, House Bill 145, House Bill 567, and House Bill 506 with House Committee Substitute 1. The chamber also noted that House Bills 500 and 504 had already received two readings and were sent to the Rules Committee before House Bill 500 was brought up for final consideration. Most of the discussion focused on House Bill 500, the executive branch budget bill. Members described it as a “good first draft” and emphasized a budget process they said was more transparent than in prior years. The bill was presented as a restrained two-year operating budget with spending growth kept at a little under 2% annually, while setting aside about 2% of projected revenues, or roughly $614 million, in the Budget Reserve Trust Fund for future needs. The budget also used base reductions in some areas while exempting others such as Medicaid benefits, SEEK, corrections, behavioral health, and veterans programs. Subcommittee chairs then outlined major spending areas. Education provisions included a 2% annual increase in base SEEK funding, transportation funding held flat, equalization for recallable nickel funding, continued retirement contributions, and major support for postsecondary access, dual credit, asset preservation, and workforce training. Health and family services provisions held Medicaid steady while adding waiver slots, behavioral health and substance use support, public health investments, and funding for rural health and laboratory capacity. Other sections covered personnel and pensions, veterans services, infrastructure, public safety, economic development, tourism, and environmental projects. The only recorded action on the floor was adoption of House Committee Substitute 1 to House Bill 500, followed by a motion for final passage of the bill as amended. The transcript ends as discussion on final passage begins, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of the operating engineers and the Carpenters unions.
• To be clear, the owners and operators of these data centers run a great work site.
• To be clear, the owners and operators of these data centers run a great work site.
• consumed in constructing and operating consumed in constructing and operating these<00:41:18.400
• the terms that they operate under.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that system becomes operational.
• To become operational at Holloman. Thank you. Let's go back to Cannon.
• The Air Force operates this, and last summer, they wanted to optimize the operation of this interim measure
• Operations are readiness. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Mr. Chair? Yes, Senator.
• They're still able to operate and perform what they're doing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to operating expenses. So we did get that 3% operating expenses cut last session.
• Our legal offices don't necessarily have those operating budgets.
• These are some of the operating expenses that we have.
• So our lottery operations—we're really proud of our lottery operations.
• The computers are faster, the operating systems, so that also leads to it.

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.