Transcript Highlights:

• grant worked prior to 2017, if there were funds available at the end of the biennium, those got distributed
• spending $58.1, and we're just using these miles and rides as the allocation of how we're going to distribute
• Students with disabilities in a public or private facility.
• there had been the placement of a student with disabilities in congregate care would be made in a facility
• to get... ...the students that are engaged in a process trying to get their student placed in a facility

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear and discuss three education bills and related budget items. House Bill 1214 would revise K-12 transportation funding by replacing the current rider-based formula with a new formula tied more closely to district size, square mileage, building counts, and the weighted student payment. Sponsors and DPI said the change would better reflect actual transportation costs, hold districts harmless overall, and likely increase funding by about $4 million beyond current spending; they also said parent-provided transportation and open-enrollment mileage rules would remain largely unchanged. No opposition was heard, and the committee closed discussion without taking final action in the transcript. The committee then reviewed House Bill 1013, the education appropriations bill, and walked through proposed adjustments to program and pass-through grants. The chair proposed keeping or reducing some items, eliminating others, and moving one-time items to the stabilization fund; examples included leaving free meals at $4.5 million for now, keeping the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, reducing some grant lines, and removing several new or one-time grants. DPI also explained that the student information system would remain a flow-through grant for this biennium but would move in-house after July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed adding an FTE for the School for the Blind and making a small equipment swap at the Center for Distance Education. House Bill 1369 was discussed as the main school aid bill, including a proposed 2 percent and 2 percent per-pupil payment increase, higher construction bidding thresholds, elimination of the 12 percent cap, and a transfer of $75 million from Foundation Aid to the School Construction Revolving Loan Fund, with the chair suggesting $100 million instead. DPI explained that the bill also included a policy change returning placement decisions for students with disabilities in congregate care to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, with support from the governor’s office. The committee heard testimony from school officials seeking gap funding for Title I losses caused by a switch from free-and-reduced-lunch to census-based allocations, saying districts with many open-enrolled students could lose substantial funding and staff positions. Later, the governor’s office presented a proposed $1.5 million one-time appropriation to help schools buy secure storage for student cell phones if a statewide device policy is adopted; members raised concerns about cost, local control, and whether the money would be enough. The committee also heard student testimony and then recessed without voting on the amendment in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a quick refresher: we represent 14 distribution cooperatives across the state of Wyoming and four
• the power to and transmit and distribute the power to uh<00:03:13.599> rural<00:03:14.000>
• <00:57:37.839> So<00:57:38.000> I facilities and things like that.
• So I facilities and things like that.
• County relies on direct distribution County relies on direct distribution from<01:07:14.640>

Bills: SF0099, SF0116, SJ0006

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we wanted to get a middle number for your distribution over the last two years.
• support recreation opportunities and we can use up to 25% for capital assets which is equipment facilities
• We're really looking at infrastructure upgrades, whether it's roads or campground facilities, and we're
• But if you're there and you go look at the facilities that are there, you know, they need a little bit
• And then I can't even begin to give you a number on the facilities that we need to upgrade.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized. The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• Use jeopardize this access and revenue, placing the survival of many rural facilities at risk.
• We operate 5 sites across the state, including facilities for manufacturing, distribution, research and
• Uh, not only your facility, but also, more importantly, the patients that it serves.
• Yeah, so it could be 10 or 15%, and that could be in either one of those facilities.
• Johnson & Johnson, while they have a facility, is not headquartered in any of your districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in Arizona, Nucor has facilities in Kingman, Phoenix, the top five recyclers globally.
• Here in Arizona, Nucor has facilities in Kingman, Phoenix, and Tucson.
• We officially opened their expanded Kingman facility last fall. I was able to tour it in January.
• Without objection, all amendments which have been distributed will not be read in full hearing, and so
• Santos stated that an individual who is employed by, contracts with, or volunteers in a medical facility

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities. Is that correct? facilities. Is that correct?
• If I could have in these facilities.
• with security to ensure all facilities with security to ensure all facilities not<01:17:45.520><
• We're doing our first facility audit. We have a facility audit scheduled for every month this year.
• now. >> facilities now.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next finding was about really distributed ownership of responsibilities associated with the Climate
• The next slide is also intended to illustrate how ownership of climate priorities are distributed across
• The next finding was about really distributed ownership of responsibilities associated with the Climate
• The next slide is also intended to kind of illustrate how ownership of climate priorities are distributed
• across these agencies. on the left-hand side. ownership of climate priorities are distributed across

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• How were those, how were the actual distributions... determined?
• And some caregiving support, or if that individual is better placed in a long-term care facility, we
• We also, the commission is undertaking a real deep dive into grid modernization and distribution planning
• In Section 7, it is distributing that general fund as an interagency transfer.
• So we are distributing that to our most rural, hardest-to-connect households and locations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because our water is delivered to two facilities so far from us, we have provisions within our settlement
• We made a commitment to UNM that we could use this facility if we left by noon because they have to reset
• They also didn't see the need again to distribute the water specifically between the two states because
• It clarifies what happens with the distribution of water before Elephant Butte and what happens with
• The farmers paid for Kibayo, they paid for Purchase, they paid for all the canals, all the distribution

Transcript Highlights:

• except for substations and transmission generation equipment, the utilities cooperative power distribution
• except for substations and transmission generation equipment, the utilities cooperative power distribution
• systems are exempt from distribution systems are exempt from property property property taxes<00:37:
• include the construction of a courthouse or justice center if connected to a jail, correctional facility
• , or other law enforcement facility.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or residential care facility for the elderly, also known as RCFEs, in relation to a civil case under
• And we get calls pretty much every day describing abuse and neglect in these facilities, but we only
• Well, passed, the medical facility had so much paperwork and hoops to jump through.
• And the rest of the Latino community is distributed through the city of Santa Monica.
• , and it's distributed throughout the entire city.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most detailed discussion focused on AB 316, AB 251, AB 474, AB 1201, AB 464, and AB 614. AB 316 would prevent AI developers or deployers from arguing in civil cases that an AI system’s alleged autonomy absolves them of responsibility. Supporters framed it as a narrow guardrail to protect families, especially children, from harms like dangerous chatbots and deepfakes; opponents, including TechNet and the Chamber of Progress, raised concerns about possible strict-liability implications. The bill was moved out of committee to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 251 would let judges lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases when a skilled nursing facility or RCFE intentionally destroys evidence. Supporters said the measure is needed because elder abuse victims are often unable to testify and records are vulnerable to spoliation, while opponents argued existing sanctions are sufficient and warned of more litigation. The bill passed, with committee members emphasizing the vulnerability of elder abuse victims. AB 474 sought to expand nonprofit home-sharing programs, including tax incentives for low-income homeowners and changes to housing law and lodger rules. Supporters said it would help older adults and low-income Californians avoid homelessness, but several members and the California Apartment Association raised concerns about removing lodger-law protections for homeowners; the author committed to keep working on the issue. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 1201 would give courts discretion to provide family reunification services to parents with certain violent felony convictions, rather than applying an automatic bypass. Supporters from Starting Over Inc. described personal experiences with permanent family separation and argued the bill would give parents a fair chance when the conviction is unrelated to child safety. Some members supported the measure but questioned whether domestic violence histories should be treated differently; the author said the bill still allows courts to deny services when reunification would endanger a child. The bill passed to Human Services. AB 464 addressed sexual abuse and retaliation in state prisons by extending reporting time after release, adding 90-day monitoring after reports, barring rehiring of confirmed abusers, and strengthening reporting and anti-retaliation rules. Survivors testified about abuse, retaliation, and failures in CDCR’s response; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 614 would standardize the Government Claims Act filing deadline at one year for all claims. The author and supporters argued the current six-month deadline for injury and wrongful death claims is too short for victims to learn the process, find counsel, and gather evidence, while businesses often get a full year. A civil rights attorney and a family member of a deceased jail detainee testified in support, describing how the current deadline can block meritorious claims. The bill was presented for committee consideration as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• critical in addressing the increasing number of overdose fatalities linked to the illicit drug distribution
• The bill expands third-degree murder to include cases where the unlawful distribution of a controlled
• The bill expands third-degree murder to include cases where the unlawful distribution of a controlled
• But it does substantively add that the person distributing the drug needs to know or reasonably should
• If a family is living in a public lodging facility as their only home, then there ought to be a clear

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and voted on a series of bills dealing with traffic enforcement, drug-related homicide charges, vessel regulation, crime-stoppers records, cyber harassment, pawn data sharing, hotel removals of nonpaying guests, and Fish and Wildlife Commission authority. Members and witnesses generally framed the bills around public safety, law enforcement efficiency, victim protection, and property rights, while several bills drew concerns about criminal penalties, due process, and impacts on workers or families. Public testimony included support from sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP, hospitality workers, civil liberties groups, and industry representatives, depending on the bill. PCS for CSHB 351, creating a criminal offense for dangerous excessive speeding, passed 13-4 after debate over whether the new offense would expand search-and-seizure authority and whether the penalties were too harsh. HB 457, which expands third-degree murder to include unlawful distribution of controlled substances resulting in death and removes the under-18 exclusion, was amended to add a knowledge/should-have-known fentanyl standard and then passed unanimously 17-0. CS for HB 1285 on disposition of migrant vessels and HB 1149 on vessel accountability both passed unanimously after brief discussion and a cleanup amendment on HB 1149. HB 397, providing a public records exemption for Crime Stoppers organizations, passed 16-0 after a clarifying amendment. HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment also passed 16-0 after an amendment expanding definitions, penalties, civil remedies, and limitations periods. PCS for HB 1359, requiring FDLE to study a statewide pawn database, passed 16-0 with support from law enforcement and concerns about linking local systems and private vendors. CSHB 535, which clarifies when guests in public lodging establishments may be removed for nonpayment and also addressed service-charge language affecting gratuities, generated the most extended debate and strong opposition from hospitality workers and labor advocates over due process and tipped income. Supporters argued it would clarify transient occupancy and protect property owners, but the bill passed 11-6. Finally, CS/HB 1133 on Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission appointments and warrant requirements for FWC officers passed 16-0 after an amendment requiring warrants or probable cause for entry onto private land. The meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then the distributions from that fund will only come from the earnings, a percentage of the earnings
• So the distributions happen now in October. We just did the recent...
• Approval of the eligibility list, there are going to be 19 land grants that will receive a distribution
• They'll get a distribution on a tiered system.
• They're receiving a smaller percentage than a full distribution.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can go to any hospital, freestanding emergency medical care facility, nursing facility, and home facility
• Facilities. We do have two, partner hospitals that aren't yet included.
• Dunn facility in Houston.
• And at the other facilities, uh, I'll say, um, Kerrville State Hospital.
• Essentially the superintendent serves to have complete oversight over the facility.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important to note that we've not distributed any grant funds fiscal year to date.
• for the Department of Public Safety allows them to leverage revenues generated from the use of facilities
• It also requires that those funds collected be used for facility maintenance at Camp Robinson.

Summary: The Special Language subcommittee met with a quorum and reviewed several governor’s letters containing special language for appropriations bills. Members heard housekeeping about the subcommittee’s call-based schedule and its role in reviewing only special language, not appropriations or personnel items. The committee then considered amendments affecting the Department of Finance and Administration, Department of Correction, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Safety, shared administrative services, Commerce/Workforce Services, and Environment and Quality. Key items included language directing DFA to limit administrative costs for pregnancy help organizations to 25% of awards; removing conflicting language so county jail reimbursement funds can only receive transfers in, not out; updating code to assign child nutrition responsibilities to the Department of Agriculture; implementing Act 909 of 2025 changes for school district EBD employer contributions and teacher equalization funds; and allowing the state CFO to waive a 3% central services fee for agricultural promotion boards to keep more funds in the industry. Members also discussed using Camp Robinson facility revenues for maintenance, allowing shared services billing under the Arkansas Forward Initiative, designating Arkansas Rehabilitation Services as the state unit for vocational rehab grants, and capping used tire program reimbursement rates at $2.31 starting July 1, 2026. There was brief discussion on the agriculture fee waiver, with questions about its purpose, duration, and possible precedent; agency officials said it was a discretionary, point-in-time waiver meant to help the farm sector during a crisis. Another question addressed reporting on crisis pregnancy center grants, with DFA noting no grant funds had yet been distributed this fiscal year. Each amendment was adopted by voice vote, item 9 was skipped because it was superseded by item 10, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• with immigration, but there has been some renewed activity in terms of us investing in private facilities
• stocks, securities, or other obligations of an entity that owns or operates a private correctional facility
• Other obligations of an entity that owns or operates a private correctional facility.
• 2 of your bill, utilities would, in their implementation plan, own and operate battery storage facilities
• Then, utilities had a monopoly, so they could control both production and distribution.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the land grant is unable to acquire insurance for facilities.
• Next up, we have a presentation on rural health care facilities. It's something that Mr.
• To put that in perspective, the facility that won the award last year was Trista's St. Vincent.
• The built facility was in need of repair.
• They don't want to go to a facility That they might see that same person at the grocery store.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without objection, all amendments that have been distributed will not be read.
• Without objection, all amendments that have been distributed will not be read.
• Without objection, all amendments which have been distributed will not be read in full.
• was upset about the federal government purchasing real property in the state of Arizona for an ICE facility

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our new public our new public safety facility is currently being built.
• The Senate doesn't have that facility, so go through the House, it gets to the committee, so. . .
• Our facilities. communications systems, and dedicated staff serve Texans every day.
• His other half is facilities maintenance.
• The 89th, the 88th legislature, funded the operational funding for the facility.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:30.960> both ongoing process that distributes both ongoing process that distributes
• physicians and our and our facilities physicians and our and our facilities could<00:54:00.720><
• <02:09:33.119> Medicare facilities? Well, guess what? Medicare facilities?
• <02:37:52.560> of and be honest about the distribution of and be honest about the distribution
• This is massive facility in Klay County.

Keywords: 1183, house