Transcript Highlights:

• I would say that there is a huge opportunity, the gap between that 1 and 10.
• Chairman, as chair of the Article III workgroup, and the other members of Senate Finance have diligently
• budget that you Mr Chairman as chair of the Article III workgroup and the other members of Senate Finance
• progress in expanding opportunities for students with disabilities across the spectrum, significant gaps

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

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:

• and I'm Professor of Economics at UC Davis. and former senior economist for international trade and finance
• that there's capacity issues at the local level in urban and rural areas to figure out how do you finance
• You can certainly invest in nonprofits that fill the gaps where local government, state government, federal
• Economic and Workforce Development Department in Carolina Hall at the City of Los Angeles to bridge those gaps

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• work and if one agency doesn't feel that all agencies that need to be there are represented, we have a gap
• to create that kind of dialogue and then make sure that at a legislative where we will close those gaps
• We have a finance and human resources division. our government and external communications or I'm sorry
• But anything that helps as far as, you know, finances.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will put one if the House adopts it before it goes off to finance.
• Um but the if it goes off to finance.
• Um, so, but it's not something we can fix today. ...upending campaign finance law.
• <01:00:35.520> through budget gap gaps must be closed through budget gap gaps must be closed
• means or at least finance or something. means or at least finance or something.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so, I'd be just interested to see where the gap is.
• I don't think where the gap is.
• out to finance. out to finance.
• . finance. finance.
• on Finance. on Finance. Thank<02:13:33.480> you.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's good policy to untangle the finances of government institutions and labor organizations.
• <01:06:11.839> of good policy to untangle the finances of good policy to untangle the finances
• As such, it's wrong to use public resources to collect money to finance them.
• It simply makes them handle their own finances like every other private entity.
• It simply makes them handle their own finances like every other private entity.

Bills: HB0083, HB0102, HB0178

Keywords: subpoena, legislative authority, penalty, compliance, law enforcement, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, public employment, labor organization, dues withdrawal, collective bargaining, public funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HAVE A PROCEDURE TO TRANSITION AND BRING ON A NEW PERSON WITHIN THE SAME TIMELINE YOU CAN'T LOSE THE GAPS
• OUR FINANCE DIRECTOR 3 MONTH I AM ON OUR FOURTH. I'M SORRY, TWO MONTHS. >> Sen. Collins: HOW LONG?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It would go to the finance committee.
• <00:49:28.680> committee to consider with finance committee to consider with finance committee
• move it forward it's going to finance move it forward it's going to finance committee<01:03:55.319
• <01:31:35.280> with finance with finance with comments<01:31:37.600> next<01:31:37.920>
• That information would be important to Finance.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name the House Committee on Finance.
• Committee on Finance for today's 10<02:16:57.760> a.m.
• Um the bill actual gap in training.
• Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair, and finance committee.
• ,<03:00:10.640> um Department of Budget and Finance, um Department of Budget and Finance,

Bills: HB1977, HB1764, HB1934, HB2533, HB1790, HB2181, HB1870, HB2140, HB2468, HB2358, HB1588, HB1688, HB1986, HB2030, HB2195, HB1949, HB1695, HB1950, HB2094, HB2115, HB2297, HB2336, HB2416, HB2049

Keywords: maternal health, infant health, mobile application, Medicaid, healthcare access, state programs, music education, public concerts, Hawaii State Library, cultural collaboration, music accessibility, libraries, education, reading programs, early childhood, nonprofit, community engagement, teacher retention, Hawaiian language education, special needs schools

Transcript Highlights:

• where like Rochester uh certainly the um where like Rochester uh certainly the tax<00:17:12.160> gap
• 13.360> scrutiny<00:17:13.839> and<00:17:14.079> a<00:17:14.319> lot tax gap
• gets a lot of scrutiny and a lot tax gap gets a lot of scrutiny and a lot of<00:17:14.640> public
• finance uh significant projects. finance uh significant projects.
• So I heard people say you can't get out of an escape clause if you finance your boiler.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the finances of the state.
• This is the finances of the state.
• the gap coverage got kicked in.
• the gap coverage got kicked in.
• the gap coverage got kicked in.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote. The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions. Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also going to continue to have continuity gaps.
• Um, compact have continuity gaps.
• I'm putting on my finance hat for a second because this doesn't have an FM.
• up the gaps grow wider.
• Those gaps show up the gaps grow wider.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that a burden that is being pushed back on the taxpayers to fill that gap? Thank you.
• Is that a burden that is being pushed back on the taxpayers to fill that gap?
• And so there's a huge gap there just on American prosperity, like you were saying.
• What we were able to do is sort of bridge that gap with level premiums for a long time.
• He said, well, the government should only finance those based on pay-for-performance.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state leadership made ending veteran homelessness a top priority, and that focus identified gaps
• are the most valuable dollars for the mission as they fund programs specifically designed to fill gaps
• and specifically designed to fill gaps and needs<00:29:15.520> not<00:29:15.840> met<00
• But I will not do it if it will provide a three to five year gap in time where veterans are not served
• a three to five year gap in time where<00:36:21.760> veterans<00:36:22.160> are<00:36:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, I'm going to contextualize federal impacts within state public finance, so the state operating
• Second, I'm going to contextualize federal impacts within state public finance, so the state operating
• So now let's kind of contextualize that within public finances, which is not the only way by any means
• So now let's kind of contextualize that within public finances, which is not the only way by any means
• The point is that we are inextricably linked in our public finances to the federal government, and so

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The inaugural hearing of the newly named House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability focused on how federal policy changes could affect Massachusetts, especially in education, health care, research, infrastructure, climate, and business conditions. Chair LaNatra said the committee was created to monitor federal funding decisions and their impacts on state programs and services. Members introduced themselves, then heard testimony from Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, Sarah Mills of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Quentin Palfrey, the governor’s Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure. Howgate argued that the Trump administration and new Congress pose ideological, practical, and process-related risks to Massachusetts, citing proposed cuts to Medicaid, education, research, and other domestic programs. He said federal dollars make up about a quarter of the state operating budget and capital plan, warned against using one-time reserves to backfill ongoing federal cuts, and urged the state to prioritize core services while protecting areas where Massachusetts is especially strong, such as higher education and research. In response to committee questions, he said the House Medicaid proposal would still cost Massachusetts hundreds of millions and that international student and NIH-related changes could harm the state’s labor force and innovation economy. He also advised that the state communicate clearly without overreacting to daily federal developments. Mills testified that AIM members are most concerned about uncertainty, tariffs, Medicaid cuts, and NIH reductions. She said tariffs are raising costs, disrupting supply chains, and hurting small and medium-sized businesses, housing construction, and exporters, with AIM’s business confidence index falling to its lowest level since the pandemic. She said Medicaid cuts would raise employer health costs, reduce productivity, and strain the health care system, while NIH cuts would threaten Massachusetts’ life sciences and academic research ecosystem. In questions, she said AIM has increased federal outreach, is coordinating with the U.S. Chamber and the Massachusetts delegation, and is hearing concerns from employers about immigration compliance and workforce disruptions. Palfrey described the Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to maximize federal funding, including a biweekly interagency council, a municipal partnership effort, and a statewide roadshow. He said Massachusetts has secured nearly $9 billion from major federal laws for projects such as the Cape Cod bridges, Allston Multimodal, grid modernization, clean-energy school buses, and broadband. He also said the administration launched a public website to track federal impacts and is working with municipalities, nonprofits, and the Attorney General on grant changes, legal issues, and litigation. In response to questions, he warned that cuts to NOAA, NSF, Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs could affect services and the state budget, and said the administration is tracking changes to federal grant applications and conditions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you have been willing to stand in the gap. You've been a godly man and example.
• Senators, this bill addresses a gap in Florida's current management of bulk Class AA biosolids.
• I think it's absurd they've not been able to prosecute them because of this gap in the law.
• I think it's absurd they've not been able to prosecute them because of this gap in the law.
• I'm so enthusiastic about this ...them because of this gap in the law.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a state champion Crossroads Academy girls basketball team and a Florida State University student intern. The chamber then turned to executive appointment confirmations reported by the Committee on Ethics and Elections and other reference committees under Rule 12.7, with Chair Don Gates explaining that the committee had reviewed the qualifications and suitability of the nominees and held public hearings where required. Members debated several confirmations at length. The report containing 186 appointments was adopted 31-0 after Senator Polsky explained her no votes on three nominees, citing concerns about past comments and ideological views. The Senate then confirmed Jeffrey Aaron to the Public Employee Relations Commission by a 26-10 vote after sharp debate over his role as counsel to the Hope Florida Foundation and allegations tied to the diversion of Medicaid settlement funds; supporters argued he was a competent lawyer and no formal action had been taken against him. Chavon Harris was confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration by a 32-5 vote, with supporters praising her work on Medicaid funding and opponents criticizing her prior leadership at DCF and the Hope Florida-related issues. Taylor Hatch was confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families by a 33-4 vote, despite concerns raised about SNAP/EBT compliance, child welfare practices, audits, and DCF’s handling of Hope Florida; supporters emphasized her commitment to reform and the difficulty of the agency’s mission. After a brief recess, the Senate held a lengthy recognition of outgoing President Kathleen Passidomo. Senators from both parties offered personal tributes focused on her leadership, toughness, humor, mentorship, and support for colleagues, especially women in the chamber. Several speakers also referenced her handling of difficult bills, her post-presidency service as Rules Chair, and her resilience after personal loss. No further legislative action was taken during the recognition segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re in strong support of this measure to make sure that we are filling the gaps to feed our hungry
• it’s all the more important that the state step up to kind of, as Cedric mentioned, fill in those gaps
• <00:56:16.200> feeding<00:56:16.799> our<00:56:17.119> hungry filling the gaps
• to feeding our hungry filling the gaps to feeding our hungry families<00:56:18.000> across<00
• 00:56:58.079> so<00:56:58.799> um<00:56:58.920> being mentioned fill in those gaps

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. Uh, we do have a quorum.
• we will just uh spend some committee time uh better understanding how transit and transportation finance
• we will just uh spend some committee time uh better understanding how transit and transportation finance
• just uh proceed with uh our presentation from the Met Council on Regional Transit and Governance Finance
• :25.759> Transit<00:01:26.080> and<00:01:26.320> Governance<00:01:27.040> Finance

Bills: HF4693

Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house

Summary: The Transportation Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 13, 2026 minutes and then heard a presentation from Charles Carlson of Metropolitan Transportation Services on regional transit governance and finance in the Twin Cities area. Carlson reviewed the history of transit governance from private streetcars and buses to public control, including the creation of the Met Council and Metropolitan Transit Commission in 1967, later fragmentation through suburban opt-outs and the Regional Transit Board, and the 1994 consolidation that made Metro Transit part of the Met Council. He also explained the role of the Transportation Advisory Board as a state-created advisory body to the council’s federally designated MPO function, and noted that any major structural change to the Met Council could trigger federal redesignation requirements. The presentation then focused on funding changes over time. Carlson said transit was long supported by fares, property taxes, and federal aid, but that property taxes for operations were prohibited in 2001, federal operating assistance ended, and the state shifted to general fund support and then motor vehicle sales tax revenue. He described the 2006 constitutional dedication of motor vehicle sales tax, the volatility of that revenue during the Great Recession, and the use of one-time state appropriations and later federal COVID relief to cover operating gaps. He said the 2023 legislature created the regional 3/4-cent transportation sales tax to stabilize transit operations, reduced the state’s rail operating obligation, and moved Metro Mobility/Metro Move into a state forecast-based program effective in 2025. Members asked several questions about the structure of suburban “opt-out” providers, including Maple Grove and Plymouth, and how they can contract with Metro Transit or private providers while still retaining control of their allocated funds. Carlson explained that replacement service municipalities receive statutory and formula allocations and choose how to use them. He also described Metro Move as a waiver-based service begun in 2024 that uses human services and Medicaid funds to reduce pressure on the state general fund. Later discussion covered ridership and service shares, with Metro Council providing the vast majority of regional transit service and suburban providers accounting for a small share. No votes or bill actions were taken beyond adoption of the minutes; the chair indicated a bill would be taken up later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That new division of finance and auditing was in the audits in 2018, 19, and 20.
• fill the gap between the 90% and 100%. fill the gap between the 90% and 100%.
• It was held by finance. Um, our bill had some language in it that dealt with the PILOT programs.
• It was held by finance. Um, our bill had some language in it that dealt with the PILOT programs.
• Um our the our me our bill had finance.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:27.480> of<00:42:27.599> these<00:42:27.760> data<00:42:28.079> gaps
• <00:42:28.400> that<00:42:28.599> exist fill some of these data gaps that exist fill
• But yes, I would say the permitting is a piece of it, and then the financing as well.
• <01:28:17.000> and<01:28:17.320> and get the the industry financed and and get the
• the industry financed and and and<01:28:18.040> invested<01:28:18.480> in<01:28:18.800>

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco