Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will position New Mexico to increase trade, increase reshoring, and increase onshoring.
• It ripples through the valuations of homes.
• increases by 1.6%?
• Is it based on market valuation or CPI? Mr.
• So we do have a cap on what that could increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no fiscal note attached to this bill, and it will not increase our authority, contract rights
• It will not increase or decrease our scope of duties; it simply is to codify the change.
• financial aid for students, and to develop recommendations on alternative methods for verifying valuations
• . equitable valuations.
• Our teachers are as diverse as the state is. increase their job satisfaction and retention.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Valuations, you know, with this drawdown, the hidden benefit of that is the market valuations are starting
• So when I'm showing you 21 times for the forward P/E on the S&P 500, that's a valuation measure.
• That's kind of a valuation measure.
• As that program grows, the savings increase as well.
• thing. ...to increase it, and we would not tell you that you were doing a terrible thing.

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we're requiring a property and it's pre-flood valuation, and there's no house on that property,
• If you could increase that to 51%, you'd have 51% of my support. You need to have my vote.
• We're asking for a rate increase. I mean, that's what this allows them to ask for a rate increase.
• Chair, Representative Montoya, it doesn't ask for a rate increase. It doesn't do that.
• And if there's an increase to the bill, that is what... Thank you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's equalized valuation per pupil.
• So the median family income and the equalized valuation per pupil.
• , odd uh charter schools, ever increasing, odd uh charter schools, ever increasing, as<04:08:40.479
• um, the valuation and everything else. um, the valuation and everything else.
• valuation question still exists. valuation question still exists.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:49.480> costs the um the um um The increased costs the um the um um The increased costs
• <00:40:00.599> the but uh but by increasing the but uh but by increasing the differentiated
• <00:46:36.400> by ed is being increased by ed is being increased by $1,041<00:46:38.760>
• today in terms of equalized valuation today in terms of equalized valuation per<02:15:06.280>
• bit more difficult to keep increasing bit more difficult to keep increasing the<03:07:18.880>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on HB 563, which revises the adequacy education grant formula, including differentiated aid for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and special education, and also restores fiscal capacity disparity aid. Members explained that for FY 26 the formula largely stays the same with the usual 2% increases, while FY 27 would raise the base cost and several aid categories, including a substantial increase in special education differentiated aid. Supporters said the bill recognizes higher special education costs and separates fiscal capacity disparity from the extraordinary needs grant, which they argued better targets property-poor communities. A major point of discussion was the fiscal capacity disparity aid component. Some members asked for more detail on how the formula affected individual towns and how much money was being allocated. The sponsors said the spreadsheet showed the impacts and estimated the fiscal capacity disparity portion at about $13.3 million, benefiting roughly 40 communities, with Manchester the only municipality expected to receive less under the new approach. They also said the change partially rebalances money that had shifted heavily toward larger cities under the extraordinary needs grant and that the special education increase is new money, not taken from the hold harmless or extraordinary needs funds. Several members supported the amendment as a good-faith step and a bipartisan compromise, while others expressed frustration that they did not have enough time or information to review the spreadsheets in detail before voting. After extended debate, the committee recessed for lunch to allow the spreadsheet to be distributed and reviewed, with the understanding that the bill would continue later in the day and then move on to the other bills on the docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• So page one of the original valuation: this is the summary of the valuation results at the very bottom
• Page two of the valuation shows the breakdown by plan.
• The next slide shows the revision to page 14 of the valuation.
• The next slide shows the revision to page 14 of the valuation.
• So the valuation report includes two UAL tables.

Summary: The Public Retirement Systems Actuarial Committee met on June 22 and approved the minutes from the February 23, 2026 meeting. There was no public comment. The main discussion focused on Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) and how appropriations from House Bill 312 of 2026 affect the system’s actuarial valuation and employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2027. Staff explained that HB 312 provided about $145 million in appropriations to LASERS, with roughly $87.6 million applied to the original amortization base and about $57.9 million applied to the experience account amortization base. As a result, the projected aggregate employer contribution rate for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 was revised from 32.51% to 30.05%, a reduction of 2.46%, and the required projected employer contribution was updated to about $738.7 million. The presentation also noted that the June 30, 2025 valuation itself did not change, only the projected 2026 rate, and that the original amortization base would be paid off by June 30, 2026. Committee members asked about the longer-term effect of the changes, including a projected 2036 payment reduction. Staff explained that later-year UAL payments would be lower, but that the exact savings would depend on future actuarial experience and investment performance. The committee then adopted the motion to revise the projected fiscal year 2027 LASERS aggregate contribution rate to 30.05%, subject to the appropriation, and later adjourned without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Austin, I want to recognize you for your past support of the 1D1 Ag tax valuation.
• This arguably penalizes the very people the 1D1 Ag valuation was supposed to support.
• Austin, I want to recognize you for your past support of the 1D1 Ag tax valuation.
• This arguably penalizes the very people the 1D1 Ag valuation was supposed to support.
• This arguably penalizes the very people the 1D1 Ag valuation was supposed to support.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB 1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, HB 2289, Truth and Taxation Bonds Notices, adds an increased property valuation
• Madam Chair Members, HB 2289, Truth and Taxation Bonds Notices, adds an increased property valuation
• HB 2108 increases those classifications to a Class 4 felony if a person commits unlawful flight from
• HB 2108 increases those classifications to a Class 4 felony if a person commits unlawful flight from
• No, the Muslim community in Arizona did not increase the cost of housing.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation.
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation.
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation. >> So, you're seeing more increases
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation. >> So, you're seeing more increases
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation. >> So, you're seeing more increases

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no fiscal note attached to this bill, and it will not increase our authority or contract rights
• It will not increase or decrease our scope of duties.
• PBS punishes school districts for valuations they have no control over.
• And alternatives: efficiencies must be gained while maintaining the goal of equitable valuations.
• Earlier this session, we heard from teachers across the state that increasing burdens in our schools

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• valuations valuations there<00:28:28.880> are<00:28:29.000> a<00:28:29.120> lot
• to that COLA; the board is supportive of doing that. increase that formula the 1% fix to what increase
• That is a 0.75 increase on the employer side and a 0.25 increase on the employee side.
• employer side and a 0.25 increase on the employer side and a 0.25 increase on the employee<00:57
• at the lowest annual increase currently at the lowest annual increase of<01:14:03.520> any<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know that the way the bill is written, this is for appeals that have an increased valuation over
• Appeals that have an increased valuation over 15%. We heard from around the state.
• I don't think that someone with a 16% increase should have an opportunity to get a 0% increase, while
• He said someone with a 16% increase should not have an opportunity to get a 0% increase while someone
• Just the tax increase proposals.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So page one of the original valuation.
• This is the summary of the valuation results at the very bottom of that page.
• Page two of the valuation shows the breakdown by plan.
• The next slide shows the revision to page 14 of the valuation.
• This next table is one that is typically at the very end of the valuation.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee met on Monday, June 22, with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. There was no public comment. The main item was an actuarial update from Ms. Johnson on LASERS, prompted by House Bill 312 of 2026, which appropriated about $145 million to LASERS and required the committee to revise the projected fiscal year 2027 employer contribution rate to reflect the funds received. Ms. Johnson explained that $87.6 million was applied to the original amortization base, paying it off, and the remaining $57.9 million was applied to the experience account amortization base. As a result, the projected aggregate employer contribution rate for fiscal year 2027 was reduced from 32.51% to 30.05%, a decrease of 2.46%, with the projected employer contribution amount revised to about $738.7 million. She also noted that the original amortization base balance would be zero by June 30, 2026, while the experience account amortization base would continue to be paid down over time. Committee members asked about the longer-term impact of the changes, including a question about projected savings in 2036. Ms. Johnson said the later-year savings would depend on future actuarial experience and investment performance, but the projected UAL payment in that year would be lower under the revised schedule. The committee then moved to adopt the revised projected fiscal year 2027 LASERS contribution rate of 30.05% by plan, the motion was seconded, and it passed without opposition. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the increase is caused by two things.
• The less stress there is on reducing, excuse me, on increasing prices.
• . increase across the board.
• Every one cent tax increase, it increases the property tax bill for your residence, 12 bucks a year.
• And so our suggestion would be to simultaneously increase that $2,500.

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22, HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• Farmers and compliance are taxed each year on buffer acres at valuations that assume those acres are
• <00:32:33.080> of a shift within the the valuation of a shift within the the valuation of
• uncertainty and increased uncertainty and increased acknowledgement<00:52:55.480> and<00:
• <00:54:46.640> on real estate tax increases on real estate tax increases on conservation<00
• <00:58:11.200> of eroded uh and therefore the valuation of eroded uh and therefore the valuation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disability rating the valuation disability rating the valuation exclusions<00:01:57.280> have
• <00:02:11.480> dramatically homesteads have increased dramatically homesteads have increased
• And as far as the increase, we're fully supportive of getting an increase.
• <00:10:45.360> of heard about the the increases of heard about the the increases of property
• It hasn't been increased in 17 years.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Will it say if it is a property tax increase? This is a property tax increase.
• I wouldn't know what the revenue increase is, but the revenue increase is exactly.
• Capping valuation increases at 2.5% does not cover the cost of our annual public safety existing personnel
• That's a $6 million increase.
• Right now, they did a tax rate of $0.60 per $100 valuation, representing a 25% increase. ...and people

Bills: HB17, HB23, SB 10

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:34.559> tax compensate for the increased tax compensate for the increased tax liability
• This increased tax liability is jointly.
• c><00:48:15.440> of<00:48:15.599> a also increases the likelihood of a also increases the
• modifications to increase Potential modifications to increase efficiency<01:04:48.559> or<01:
• <01:16:04.159> without installations going to increase without installations going to increase

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ultimately much of that tax increase ultimately much of that tax increase will<02:05:59.239>
• the state um if we were to increase the state um if we were to increase business<02:09:06.119>
• That would increase base adequacy.
• So if they increased their property tax rates, that was paired with increased funding from the state
• communities and they didn't increase communities and they didn't increase their<04:20:25.159>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.