Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call this meeting of the State Government Finance and Policy Committee to order for today
• Please state your name and who you're with for the record. Good morning. Please be brief.
• Next testifier, state your name, who you're with. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• It enables us to secure property transfers, reduces timing costs on development projects, road projects
• practices piece if you receive state money... ...if you receive state money, uh... thank you thank you

Bills: HF1, HF1754, HF1809, HF1478

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, we thank you for this opportunity to serve the great state of Alabama.
• It's not subject to state income tax.
• The rate is paid by the state, not by the employer.
• Okay, so it would be added to the employer contribution, but the state... A lot of questions...
• This is probably one of the most important parts of it because it's no cost to the state.

Bills: SB45, SB73, SB169, HB243, SB177

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• institution or state entity as a separate state entity.
• State senator, I want to commend the state of Texas for prioritizing the imperative to prevent, detect
• then state to state.
• agencies leverage generative AI technology for legacy modernization projects or other projects, for
• And state licensees were implicated. The lenders are state licensees.

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Bills: HB27, HB290, HB308, HB311, HB382, HB417, HB575, HB755, HB980

Keywords: HB 290, Act 426, sunset law, Department of the Treasury, Louisiana Treasury, re-creation, reauthorization, statutory entities, termination date, sunset review, Title 49, fiscal administration, state finance, agency continuation, legislative authority, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest memorial service our state has ever seen.
• Please state your name for the record. You'll have two minutes.
• State your name for the record, two minutes, please.
• And that just doesn't fit the needs of the state. Correct.
• It absolutely does not fit the needs of the state.

Bills: SB1010, SB1035, SB1058, SB1077, SB1093

Keywords: Charlie Kirk, Loop 202, Arizona highways, transportation, renaming, Arizona Department of Corrections, ADC, corrections, prison, jail, correctional officers, prison guards, staffing, retention, salary increase, pay raise, wage increase, general fund, appropriation, state budget

Summary: The Public Safety Committee met to introduce staff and pages, then heard several bills. SB 1010 would designate Loop 202 as the Charlie Kirk Highway and require signage; an amendment to rename it the Freedom of Speech Highway failed, and the bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote after testimony both supporting the honor and objecting that it could affect existing freeway names, including the Ed Pastor Freeway. SB 1077 would impose felony penalties for using an interactive computer service to facilitate prostitution, pandering, or child sex trafficking, and to require age verification for harmful sexual material; it passed 5-2 after a brief clarification about the law-enforcement defense. SB 1093 would expand the definition of riot to include acts or threats causing property damage and add riot to racketeering and conspiracy provisions; one public commenter opposed it as overbroad and anti-protest, but the bill still passed 4-3. The committee also heard SB 1058, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, which would bar government firearm registries and restrict merchant category codes tied to firearm purchases. A firearms industry representative said the bill protects financial privacy, and it passed 4-3. SB 1035 would appropriate funds for a 5% salary increase for correctional officers and department civilians; the sponsor and correctional employee representatives said raises are needed for retention, while others argued the increase should also cover private prison employees to preserve parity. The committee adopted a Payne amendment extending the raise to private prison workers under contract with the department, and the amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are asking the state for $3 million to help us move the next phase of the project forward.
• We're asking that the state invest in a project that delivers statewide, regional, and local benefits
• We shouldn't be giving shortcuts, and these projects should go through the State Transportation Board
• in the state.
• It is really unfortunate... ...to the way we fund projects in the state.

Bills: SB1024, SB1032, SB1059, SB1062, SB1064, SB1097, SCM1001, SCR1004

Keywords: roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, transportation funding, authorization, road improvements, intersection safety, transportation

Summary: The committee began with a JLBC presentation comparing the baseline budget to the governor’s proposal. JLBC said the baseline shows a positive cash balance in each year, with about $577–$578 million available above statutory formulas, but that major items such as tax conformity, state employee health subsidies, school repairs, SNAP administrative changes, and possible SNAP error-rate costs are not fully funded. JLBC also reviewed executive revenue and spending proposals, including border-security funding, sports betting tax changes, data-center tax changes, short-term rental and water surcharges, and several one-time items that JLBC said appear to be ongoing in practice. Members questioned SNAP error rates, Medicaid/Access enrollment and costs, possible fraud involving Access-to-Marketplace shifting, prison receivership risk, and the need for more oversight of waste and fraud. The committee then heard and passed SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office created last year. The sponsor and several advocates said the office is needed to provide independent oversight, improve transparency, help whistleblowers, and reduce the risk of federal receivership over the prison system. Testimony from advocacy groups and former incarcerated individuals strongly supported the bill, and the committee approved it 10-0. Next, the committee considered several transportation appropriations. SB 1064 would provide $3 million to Flagstaff for improvements along U.S. Route 66; the mayor and local planning officials described safety problems, congestion, and housing growth along the corridor, while some members objected to using general fund dollars for roads instead of HURF and to bypassing the normal transportation board process. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1059 would appropriate $9.2 million for a right-turn lane at SR 87 and SR 260 in Payson, and SB 1062 would appropriate $1 million for a left-turn lane at US 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon; both were supported by local witnesses citing congestion and safety concerns and both received do-pass recommendations, 7-3 and 6-4 respectively. The committee also began hearing SCR 1004, a voter-referral measure to prohibit photo enforcement systems, with the sponsor and public commenters arguing that photo radar is unconstitutional, abusive, and tied to ticket revenue, but the transcript cuts off before any committee action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the very first projects we did was State Highway 130.
• are not part of the program. for the state highway system, county and city projects.
• around the state.
• more rail projects.
• Across the state, we are licensed car dealers in multiple locations throughout the state.

Bills: SB35, SB284, SB296, SB305, SB857, SB995, SB1121, SB1555, SB1902, SCR25, SB 35

Keywords: transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• We have done what we have done for the state of Texas.
• , and so I hope that represents the state of Texas well.
• Generally, in other states, staff pay is based on the executive director's pay.
• I am the presiding officer of the Texas State Dental Board.
• Yu stated.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we come before you humbly asking your hand of protection upon those in our state that are dealing
• We ask your hand of protection across our state for wisdom and discernment for our members of the Senate
• and the legislature, our state leaders, that maybe we may be... ...and the legislature, our state leaders
• Members, as you know, some parts of the state are still experiencing hazardous travel conditions from

Bills: SJR36, SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate convened briefly with an opening prayer by Senator Birdwell, who asked for protection and wisdom for Texans affected by severe weather, as well as for state and national leaders. The chair noted hazardous travel conditions from the winter storm and advised that attendance was not essential for affected members and staff; the journal was to reflect the weather event. The chair announced the signing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 in the presence of the Senate. On first reading and referral, the secretary read Senate Joint Resolution 36 by Hall, proposing a constitutional amendment related to appropriations for preserving certain items of historical moment, and Senate Bill 1 by Huffman, the General Appropriations Act. A motion in writing was then offered by Senator Zaffirini to recess the Senate until 10 a.m. Friday, January 24. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate recessed until that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• what is unseen. and by faith see clearly what lasts forever, and through each member, bless the great state
• community, their endeavor to lean in and serve their community, and become the next leaders of the state
• give direction to a private entity that this body 12 years ago allowed to go from being a part of our state

Bills: SB330, SB2069, SB2095, SB1721, SB1433, SB1316, SB1280, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1459, SB1461, SB1463, SB1465, SB1466, HJR1088, SB1684, SB378, SB1447, SB1920, SB1443, HR1047, SB1877, SB1884, SB1365, SB2174, SB1525, SB1810, SB1771, SB1805, SB1916, SB1530, SB1847, SB1990, SB2060, SB1992, SB1579, SB1778, SB2132, SB1623, SB2067, SB1589, SB1441, SB1224, SB372, SB1232, SB1264, SB1450, SB2011, SB2030, SB1980, SB1936, SB1477, SB1593, SB1725, SB1670, SB1480, SB1726, SB1633, SB1735, SB1632, SB1277, SB1217, SB1826, SB1824, SB1813, SB1326, SB1937, SB1641

Keywords: elk population, wildlife management, Oklahoma State University, veterinary medicine, ecosystem health, habitat assessment, waterfowl hunting, crane hunting, hunting guide, hunting outfitter, wildlife conservation, commercial hunting, outfitter license, guide license, hunting services, licensed guide, licensed outfitter, game and fish, hunting for compensation, waterfowl guide

Transcript Highlights:

• between us and our neighboring state. between us and our neighboring state.
• , or project-based learning.
• Akila Robertson. have a state grant available are an a have a state grant available are an a local<00
• <00:40:38.000> your uh, Miss Snider, um, please state your uh, Miss Snider, um, please state
• <01:21:23.040> has student everywhere in the state has student everywhere in the state has

Bills: HF630, HF1435, HF1607

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• Their brick and mortar presence is only in the state of Texas, but they operate in about 7 states.
• have that foothold in the state.
• And that would not cost the state any money. So I would urge a no vote.
• So, this is a big deal for the state.
• And again, several other states have done this.

Bills: SB1421, SB1427, SB1484, SB1503, SB1553, SB1557, SB1564, SB1566, SB1567, SB1591, SB1642, SB1794, SB1837, SB2044

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the state government and the federal government are still working on that project.
• Right now, the state of Arizona and the state of Sonora are investing and upgrading the port in Guaymas
• The project is not done completely.
• The project is not done completely.
• Canada is opening up a consulate office in the state of Arizona.

Bills: HB2746, HB2751, HB2752, HB2753

Keywords: trade offices, committee, Arizona commerce authority, stakeholder input, efficiency, Arizona competes fund, economic development, fund repeal, state finances, state appropriations, Arizona Commerce Authority, job creation, business incentives, commerce authority, public-private partnership, business regulation, Arizona governance, 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Alan Renteria of the Puerto Peñasco Chamber of Commerce, who promoted Rocky Point as a major tourism and investment destination for Arizonans. He highlighted tourism growth, cross-border ties, safety coordination, the importance of fishing and shrimp to the local economy, and potential commercial opportunities such as improved border infrastructure and a possible cargo or cruise port. Members responded with personal comments about travel, geology, medical volunteer work, and the city’s appeal, and Renteria said he wanted to serve as a liaison to improve communication between Arizona offices and Puerto Peñasco. The committee then considered three bills related to the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). HB 2751 would continue the Arizona Competes fund indefinitely and subject use of the fund to legislative appropriations; HB 2752 would shift oversight of trade offices from the ACA board to legislative appropriation and require annual reporting to JLBC; and HB 2753 would add legislative ex-officio members to the ACA board, including committee chairs and, under an amendment, minority party ranking members. Supporters argued the bills would give the legislature more oversight and a seat at the table, while Greg Blackie of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club opposed HB 2751, calling for repeal or stronger guardrails and citing past audit concerns. All three bills advanced on due pass recommendations. HB 2751 passed 7-1 with one member present and one absent; HB 2752 passed 9-0 with one absent; and HB 2753 passed 9-0 after the Austin amendment was adopted, adding minority party representation. The committee also removed HB 2746 from the agenda before taking up the ACA measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on state affairs come to order. Kirk call the roll.
• State your name, please. Uh, Claire Warren.
• And the same holds true for the state.
• And if so, why is this any business of the state of Texas?
• So I, I travel around all over the state.

Bills: HB 45, HB 755, HB 1232, HB 1555, HB 2460, HB 2702, HB 2973, HB 3120, HB 3225, HB 3314, HB 3356, HB 3371, HB 3634, HB 3638, HB 4247, HB 4283, HB 4290, HB 4302, HB 4503, HB 4511, HB 4565, HB 4581, HB 4627, HB 4632, HB 4660, HB 4668, HB 4960, HB 5042

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, public junior college libraries struggle to donate old books due to strict state surplus property
• It relates to performance tier funding under the Public Junior College state finance program.
• THSC is the largest statewide advocacy organization for homeschooling and family rights in the state
• So Blinn normally has an increase in state funding.
• We have the lowest tax rate in the state.

Bills: SB 49

Keywords: Galveston County, legal expenses, appropriation, litigation, state funding

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several higher education bills and took public testimony on each. Senate Bill 60 would let public junior college libraries donate outdated, duplicative, or valueless materials instead of treating them as surplus property; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 49 would expand performance-tier funding incentives so community colleges are also rewarded for student transfers to private four-year universities; it also received no public testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 365 would allow higher education institutions to choose a transcript lookback period between 5 and 10 years for adult undergraduates seeking to waive older transcripts. Senator Eckhardt and witness Daniel Arrevalo described how old academic records can block adults from returning to college; the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 895 would expand the FAST dual-credit program beyond public school students to include eligible private school and homeschool students, with support from the Texas Private Schools Association, the Texas Homeschool Coalition, and a coordinating board witness explaining the funding structure; it too was left pending. Senate Bill 1400 would clarify what counts as a transfer for performance-tier funding by allowing students with 30 or fewer prior university credit hours to still be counted as transfer students when moving from a public junior college to a general academic institution. Former Representative Leighton Schubert testified that the change would address funding losses and better reflect modern student pathways; after testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• three things and dealing with large, complex issues as well, with some forms of coordination, complex project
• and Mexico, to possess the proper entry document, uh, to operate commercial motor vehicles in the state
• , and it provides for state best empoundment of those vehicles.
• Senate unanimously, and uh I'd ask that the committee find a favorable report for this. provides for state
• best empoundment of provides for state best empoundment of those<00:02:02.799> vehicles.

Bills: SB205, SB242, SB205, SB242

Keywords: appropriation, education funding, priority schools, Alabama education, State Department of Education, codification, state law, legal revisions, Alabama code, legislative updates, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, infrastructure, commercial driver license, English proficiency, work authorization, impoundment, false documentation, 1136

Bills: HB0036, HB0112, HB0106, HB0111, SF0001

Keywords: wildfire, fire management, funding, forestry, state investment, task force, capital construction, state funding, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, conservation, employment, inmate crew program, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, budget, education

Bills: HB0036, HB0112, HB0106, HB0111, SF0001

Keywords: wildfire, fire management, funding, forestry, state investment, task force, capital construction, state funding, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, conservation, employment, inmate crew program, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, budget, education

Bills: HJ0002, SF0118, SF0016

Keywords: mineral royalties, federal lands, Wyoming, revenue, education funding, transportation funding, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eminent domain, water projects, legislative approval, state funding, land acquisition, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management, 916

Transcript Highlights:

• Staca Barry, Office of State Lands and Investments.
• As you mentioned, this addresses subleasing issues on state lands.
• addresses subleasasing issues on state addresses subleasasing issues on state lands.<00:04:02.080
• Any questions for the office of state Any questions for the office of state lands?
• Further questions for the State Lands representative? >> Mr.

Bills: HJ0002, SF0118, SF0016

Keywords: mineral royalties, federal lands, Wyoming, revenue, education funding, transportation funding, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eminent domain, water projects, legislative approval, state funding, land acquisition, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management, 916