Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the budget and fiscal administrator for LSO, and my first presentation is really a follow-up from
• So while we haven't prepared a fiscal note for this bill, ... ... note for this bill, um many of these
• You'll note that the program was started before 2020.
• On page nine, there's also a staff comment that just notes that there are currently other... ...notes
• Chairman. >> And that would be, uh, line 18 on page eight, changing it to be of the third fiscal year

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H.R. 1, as noted earlier, makes sweeping changes to the Medi-Cal program, and we'll call.
• H.R. 1, as noted earlier, makes sweeping changes to the Medi-Cal program and will cause widespread harm
• And in the 2012-13 fiscal year, we eliminated the California Medical Assistance Commission, which set
• I think that what hospitals are generally doing is some multi-year fiscal planning and planning what
• In our county budget in the next year, doubling to over $1 billion in three fiscal years.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funds per FTE, that is the primary fiscal metric. You'll hear that term all the time.
• Funds per FTE, that is the primary fiscal metric. You'll hear that term all the time.
• So it was a total appropriation for fiscal year 24-25. So what's the difference?
• As an additional note, you'll see $57,758 state appropriation for the FDLRS associate centers.
• So I wanted to also note it was mentioned in the educational realm.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting and received an overview of the Pre-K-12 education appropriations jurisdiction and base budget. Staff explained that education funding is driven largely by enrollment and per-student formulas, with most money coming from state and local sources. The presentation highlighted the major budget areas: early learning, the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), non-FEFP K-12 programs, federal programs, and the State Board of Education. Members asked about instructional materials funding and how scholarship students who return to public schools are counted and funded; staff explained that instructional materials remain in the base and that funding depends on survey timing, with districts ultimately funded through the enrollment count process. The committee then reviewed federal IDEA funding for students with disabilities. Department of Education officials explained how IDEA Part B funds are split between state set-asides and local educational agencies, and noted that Florida ranked fourth nationally in total IDEA Part B funding and received a 95% state determination for meeting IDEA requirements. They also described the bureau’s responsibilities, including monitoring, dispute resolution, instructional support, and the Hope Florida unit for ages 3 to 5. Members asked for more information on student performance outcomes and how the state measures success beyond compliance, and the department agreed to provide follow-up data. The final major topic was the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), including associate centers, multidisciplinary centers, and specialized centers for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired students. Presenters described services such as child find, family support, assessments, professional learning, accessible instructional materials, and technical assistance. Committee members focused on whether families and schools have equal access to services across the state, how IEP disputes and reevaluations are handled, and whether more support is needed for parents, teachers, and rural districts. FDLRS representatives said they do not write IEPs but help connect families to districts, provide training and assessments, and support compliance and data collection; they also emphasized staffing and resource needs, especially for low-incidence disabilities and multilingual family outreach.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the idea I would say briefly that somehow this if you actually look at the fiscal note the the minor
• And the idea I would say briefly that somehow this if you actually look at the fiscal note the the minor
• And the idea I would say briefly that somehow this if you actually look at the fiscal note the the minor
• <00:42:28.079> note<00:42:28.640> the<00:42:28.880> the<00:42:29.119> minor
• c><00:42:29.520> changes<00:42:29.839> that fiscal note the the minor changes that fiscal

Bills: HB541

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• generate close to a million dollars in savings for the legions, $900,000 according to the revenue note
• generate close to a million dollars in savings for the legions, $900,000 according to the revenue note
• generate close to a million dollars in savings for the legions, $900,000 according to the revenue note
• generate close to a million dollars in savings for the legions, $900,000 according to the revenue note
• <00:09:41.600> analyst almost I would say uh fiscal analyst almost I would say uh fiscal analyst

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes, then heard Senate File 255, which would exempt American Legion and VFW buildings from property tax. The bill’s author and the American Legion Department of Minnesota testified that many posts are struggling financially, that the tax burden can threaten building ownership, and that the posts provide important community services such as charitable gambling support, youth sports, food insecurity assistance, suicide prevention training, and meeting space for veterans and local residents. Several members voiced support, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then took up Senate File 30, a proposal to allow Minnesota estate tax portability for married couples, so a deceased spouse’s unused $3 million exclusion could transfer to the surviving spouse, similar to federal law. The author said Minnesota is an outlier compared with other estate-tax states and that the bill would simplify planning and reduce tax burdens, especially for family farms and other illiquid assets. A CPA and a Minnesota Farm Bureau representative testified that the order of death should not determine tax liability and that portability would help keep family farms intact. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion. Next, the committee adopted an A1 amendment to Senate File 211 and heard the bill, which would create a Minnesota subtraction for Foreign Service pension income, treating it more like military pension income. The author said the change would cover a small number of retirees and would have a minimal fiscal impact, while the testifier described Foreign Service work and said the benefit would recognize their service. The bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 132, which would revise property tax language related to electric power systems by replacing references to attachments and impertinences with broader system-based language. The author said the bill would clarify tax treatment for power co-ops, restore the original intent of the law, and provide stability for Greater Minnesota, with an estimated property tax shift of a little over $700,000. Testimony was beginning when the transcript ended, and no vote on the bill was recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the way fiscal year 25 and fiscal year 24 worked was essentially we ran the formula as you see it,
• So sometimes it can get a little confusing when you're reading a fiscal note what's going on with the
• Page six through the next few pages shows you fiscal year 25 compared to fiscal year 26.
• So you'll be seeing that in fiscal notes.
• You've already been seeing that in fiscal notes, but any analysis moving forward, that's the standard

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of School Finance provided an adequacy-funding training for Division II, led by Mark Mello. He walked the committee through the adequacy formula using Albany, Allenstown, and Alton as examples, explaining average daily membership, base adequacy aid, and differential aid for free/reduced-price meals, special education, and English language learners. He also noted a recent change requiring home-education differential aid and emphasized that these aid streams are generally unrestricted district funding rather than money tied to specific students or programs. A major focus was the ongoing litigation over the adequacy base amount and the statewide education property tax, or SWEPT. Mello explained the historical basis of the current base amount, the 2008 legislative report that set the original methodology, and the later court ruling that the adequacy amount should be $7,356, which is now before the Supreme Court. He also described how SWEPT currently raises a fixed statewide amount of $363 million and how that revenue is used to offset the state’s adequacy obligation. For the example towns, Albany and Allenstown receive state adequacy grants because their SWEPT revenue is below their calculated adequacy cost, while Alton is an excess SWEPT community because its local SWEPT revenue exceeds the cost of adequate education. The discussion then turned to the pending “excess SWEPT” issue in the Supreme Court and what would happen if excess collections had to be remitted to the state. Mello said the Department is preparing a hypothetical walkthrough and explained that, if the court upholds the Superior Court ruling, DRA would likely be directed to collect excess SWEPT. Members raised concerns about whether SWEPT must be used for educational purposes and about the cash-flow burden on towns if money had to move from municipalities to the state and then back to districts. Mello and members discussed possible administrative workarounds, such as credits against other state aid distributions, and noted that the committee would continue reviewing the mechanics if the court decision comes down during budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's why it's not quite 200%, and special taxing is at 10.3%, but there is a note there. ...by 62.5%
• When you consider Texas' current fiscal environment, I think there are three reasons to look favorably
• I just had a note, which I know enough about data to know this is not conclusive, but all three of the
• I am a lifelong fiscal conservative.
• So that needs to be noted, and thank you for allowing me to proceed with that.

Bills: SB9, SB 9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• Just real quick, can you talk about the fiscal impact and how Thank you for the question.
• just a question for You know, earlier someone came into my office to visit with me about the updated fiscal
• So, as the 4.9, the updated fiscal impact, just curious. Thank you for the question.
• That's just my notes. That wasn't that's just what I said in my notes.

Bills: SB1288, SB1705, SB1878, SB2019, SB2118

Keywords: emergency management, federal funding, disaster relief, cost sharing, public assistance, bail reform, public funds, nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions, injunctive relief, criminal procedure, surety bond, judicial discretion, uniform bond schedule, liability insurance, judgments, insurance fund, Oklahoma, county sheriff, commissary

Transcript Highlights:

• notes.
• notes.
• When TAPS was coming online, permission to refer to my notes granted. Thank you.
• Speaker, permission to refer to my notes, please. Granted. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• And permission to refer to my notes? Permission granted.

Keywords: 905, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then if it's on its own, obviously it's going to need a fiscal note of some kind or establishment
• <01:25:50.520> or to need a fiscal note of some kind or to need a fiscal note of some kind
• Fiscal note shows a very small increase in expenses to the board, about a thousand.
• <02:08:07.080> small<02:08:07.600> increase Fiscal note shows a very small increase
• Fiscal note shows a very small increase in<02:08:08.160> expenses<02:08:08.720> to<02:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The auditor did note that it is hard to give an exact rate of misclassification in Minnesota.
• <00:42:57.520> while questions I've been taking notes while questions I've been taking notes
• In addition to that, I would note that we do meet regularly with each other.
• In addition to that, I would note that we do meet regularly with each other.
• In addition to that, I would note that we do meet regularly with each other.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 2874 is proposing $450,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $450,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the
• Chair, this bill here, Senate File 2874, seeks $450,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $450,000 for fiscal
• Senate File 3088 is proposing $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the
• Senate File 3088 is proposing $500,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the
• Senate File 3111 is proposing $350,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 in fiscal year 2027 from the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see a fairly significant change when it comes to fiscal year 23, so at the end of fiscal year
• And the amounts that are in there for fiscal 26, we would like to move to fiscal 27.
• 26 we would like to move to fiscal 26 we would like to move to fiscal<02:04:14.920> 27<02:04:
• <02:07:40.719> year million in fiscal year million in fiscal year 2027<02:07:42.840> where
• It passed on a voice vote, with a pretty substantial fiscal note—$25 million.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Division 3 opened a work session focused on direct care agencies, with the chair saying the day would center on the Veterans Home and other state hospitals and homes. Members first discussed the upcoming Finance Committee process, including how many bills would be assigned to Division 3, whether they would appear on the House calendar, and how much time would be allowed for each bill. The chair said the division would likely spend about an hour on each bill, then return for a second day of review before making recommendations. Staff later identified three bills expected on the calendar: House Bills 704, 751, and 54. Members also raised a question about the use of educational trust fund money in the budget, but that issue was deferred. The main presentation came from Kim McKay, commandant of the New Hampshire Veterans Home, who described the facility as a long-term care intermediate facility serving eligible veterans. She said the home is licensed for 250 beds, budgeted for 225 veterans, and currently has 135 residents with four more scheduled to arrive. McKay highlighted improvements over the last two years, including a reduction in the admission wait list from more than a year to about three to six months, the creation of an LNA training program, energy-saving and Wi-Fi upgrades, and a new electronic learning management system that will provide mandatory training and continuing education units for staff. She said the home’s long-term goal is to return to a 225-bed census, but staffing remains the biggest hurdle. Members asked about admissions, wait times, staffing, vacancies, and the home’s use of contract nurses. McKay explained that the wait time is measured from the initial application date, not from a completed packet, and that staff now help families gather records and paperwork more quickly. She said the home averages about 45 deaths per year, residents stay about 2.5 years on average, and the vacancy rate is around 35 percent, though some positions are intentionally held open until census grows. She attributed staffing shortages largely to retention problems, citing higher private-sector pay, bonuses, and more flexible hours, and said the home has a handful of contract nurses, mainly on second shift. On finances, she said pharmacy services are contracted, the VA reimburses some medication costs based on disability, and the home is pursuing federal changes to cover high-cost medications and catastrophic disability cases. The discussion also covered the home’s off-book donation account, which is overseen by the state and transferred into the state system when funds are spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• it rescaled the premium contributions families make to participate in the program to avoid a major fiscal
• And I also want to note that the initial Florida Kid Care Program and the CHIP program in Florida serve
• So during the— as was noted by Chair Anderson— it passed in 2023 and was signed by the governor, and
• The fiscal impact on that, I don't have numbers specifically here, and I guess it would vary depending
• You've received a letter noting that you will be fined.

Summary: The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare. AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation. Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the fiscal note, I did note it used to be a flat fee for the fines.
• So in the fiscal note, I did note >> Yes.
• So in the fiscal note, I did note we<00:21:19.679> it<00:21:19.919> used<00:21:20.000><
• And I'm going to take from the fiscal note that there is no impact to the budget.
• And I'm going to take from the fiscal And I'm going to take from the fiscal note<00:57:34.640>

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 124 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal by consent, and then moved through introductory matters and a ceremonial resolution recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for its 113 years of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action in Maryland. Members welcomed visiting sorors and applauded the recognition. The chamber later confirmed 131 members present and proceeded to third reading bills. Several bills were passed without opposition, including House Bill 7, authorizing limited music therapy licenses; House Bill 42, revising the State Board of Massage Therapy Examiners; House Bill 164, on yard waste collection and disposal; and House Bill 177, on bicycles, play vehicles, and unicycles at crosswalks. House Bill 55, which would expand speed camera authority to local jurisdictions statewide for certain roads and areas, drew the most debate. Supporters argued it would give counties and municipalities local control to address speeding and safety concerns, while opponents raised concerns about local autonomy, revenue use, and whether camera fines supplement or supplant public safety funding. The floor leader clarified that the bill would extend authority now limited to three counties, that existing notice and public hearing requirements would remain, and that revenues must still be used for administrative costs and public safety. During debate on House Bill 55, members asked about the speed threshold, fine structure, whether citations go to vehicle owners, and whether the bill would change how local governments use camera revenues. The floor leader said the bill itself does not alter the existing rule that revenues after administrative costs must go to public safety, and that local jurisdictions could still further restrict use of funds. After debate, House Bill 55 passed 98-35. House Bill 164 passed 96-38, while House Bill 7 passed 133-0 and House Bill 42 passed 132-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just do want to point out that there is a fiscal note on the bill, but I have worked with LDH and they
• I just do want to point out that there is a fiscal note on the bill, but I have worked with LDH and they
• And there is also a note in HB1 that requires them to do that.
• Well, I looked at your fiscal note, too. I know this isn't, I'm just doing my job looking at it.
• All right, duly noted, Senator Cloud.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present and adopted the April 28 minutes. The committee first heard a presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, a leadership and networking initiative focused on Louisiana health care challenges such as workforce shortages, rural access, chronic disease, and the economic impact of health care. Speakers described it as a cross-sector program intended to build informed leaders and support collaboration with health systems, insurers, providers, LDH, and the Louisiana Hospital Association. The committee then moved through a series of bills, generally adopting amendments and reporting measures favorably. SB 57, a nutrition/labeling bill, was amended to delay the effective date for the labeling provision until December 31, 2028, and was reported as amended. HB 62 increased membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission and was reported as amended, and HB 193 adjusted membership rules for the Sickle Cell Commission foundations and was also reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help close accounts and avoid problems with automatic payments and federal benefit clawbacks; it was reported favorably. SB 405, which had been heard earlier, was reworked to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing home quality initiative, including short- and long-term quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, internal expertise, and reporting requirements; after reconsidering prior amendments, the committee adopted the new amendment and reported the bill as amended. The committee also advanced several health and human services bills. HB 222 would allow Medicaid dental coverage when needed to clear a patient for another covered medical procedure, and it was reported as amended after LDH said the cost could be absorbed. HB 420 expanded DCFS background-check requirements to cover staff with access to sensitive records, and HB 475 required verbal consent before AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit; both were reported favorably. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council for grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police, and was reported as amended. HB 486 joined Louisiana to the psychology interjurisdictional compact to expand access to psychologists through telepsychology and temporary practice across state lines, and HB 574 updated outdated board names in the Mental Health Advisory Services Board statute; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee heard HB 949, which would create a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address radiologist shortages and improve imaging access, especially in rural areas. Testimony emphasized that RAs work under radiologist supervision and would extend capacity without replacing physicians; the bill was reported favorably. HB 584 required foster children to be provided luggage or similar items instead of trash bags when moving placements, and also corrected language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights from “privileges” back to “rights” while extending the bill’s applicability to children from birth to age 18; it was reported as amended. The committee also reported HB 1214, which restructures certain LDH state facilities into a more unified system, and HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill, both favorably. Finally, HB 203 added members from Christus Health System and Xavier University’s College of Medicine to the uterine fibroids commission and was reported favorably before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to note that our Texas Music Industry Directory is getting a substantial facelift that will be
• It is attributable to the sale of beer and wine in the fiscal the prior fiscal year to help support the
• This spending supports over 1.3 million Texas jobs across our entire state, and as was noted, that is
• If it's not already noted... Been there, it's on its way. Interesting. Cool. Thanks.
• But I think that's an important thing to note. Appreciate the opportunity to visit with you today.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will just note that we've got a whole row of youth over here that have come to join us today.
• Make note of this: this is absolutely the shortest bill I've ever seen in my life.
• I think the fiscal implications are being the Budget Committee.
• The fiscal implication is just a question.
• There's no fiscal impact, because when we set up the statute, we put 30 million a year as a cap.

Bills: SB101, SB58, SB55

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is a fiscal note of $535,000 for the biennium, and that would be to pay for the two additional
• The study, um, would be to have 2 extra staffers and so there is a fiscal note, um, of 535,000, um, for
• We're also concerned about the fiscal note on this bill, and I was very concerned when I learned that

Bills: HB147

Keywords: government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Navajo Nation back you all 100% with this museum and letting McKinley County go ahead and become the fiscal
• So if If the county of McKinley was going to take over as fiscal agent, would they be required to put
• should go through Gallup or McKinley County instead of going through government and have Gallup be the fiscal
• So we're writing that in the notes as well. In the notes, annotate that we're doing that.
• And that was the initial problem: it had to be a consensus on moving the fiscal agent, and Navajo Nation