Transcript Highlights:

• I sit on finance with you as well.
• I sit on finance with you as well.
• I sit on finance with you as well.
• I sit on finance with you as well.
• We've had a at finance with you as well.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• might already be getting this but I as you you you and I sit together on this committee and on our Finance
• More of a comment as you and I, Chair . and I serve on the Education Finance Committee.
• students would be something very, very difficult for me to support and as Chair of the Education Finance
• schools at the end of the current year. still a lot of work to do in the areas of facilities and finance
• last fall we held a hearing in this very room with the chair of this committee and the Education Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it is basically how it works now with your ESA scholarship just being a means of financing.
• Again, the program is sort of the way of financing.
• What about a provision that says that finances or income or ability to pay tuition can't be a reason
• You can just request a waiver and then there's no... they don't look into the finances.
• If you request a waiver, you're granted a waiver, but looking into their finances comes later.

Bills: HB 3

Keywords: emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure, Project 25, P25, broadband emergency alerting, outdoor warning sirens, homeland security, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that we heard in Education Policy, and it was referred to Education Finance, where it
• That was the decision that was made in Education Finance, that it wasn't necessary.
• It seems odd to me that it wouldn't go to Ways and Means but still need a hearing in Education Finance
• That was the decision that was made in Education Finance, that it wasn't necessary.
• So this, at a minimum, needs to go back to Education Finance before going to Ways and Means.

Bills: HF550

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] I'm going to convene the Committee on Finance
• I'm major of the Honolulu Police Department's finance division.
• hironaka I'm major of the H Police hironaka I'm major of the H Police Department's<00:16:03.399> finance
• <00:16:04.279> division<00:16:05.279> um<00:16:05.560> H Department's finance
• division um H Department's finance division um H Police<00:16:06.120> Department<00:16:06.560

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• programs, but also supported by central services such as procurement, contracting, IT, legal, and finance
• and cover off some of these support areas, particularly in terms of outreach, IT, contracts, and finance
• It combines public-sector objectives with private-sector expertise, innovation, and in some cases financing
• It established important safeguards, including public interest findings, State Finance Committee approvals
• The study will evaluate risk, financing opportunities, market interest, and public interest considerations

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finance, top of 18, 19. Taylor Nichols, uh, Department of Finance.
• They'll be advising the Department of Finance and the public school and college authority.
• :44:03.240> of they'll be advising the Department of they'll be advising the Department of Finance
• 04.560> the<00:44:04.800> public<00:44:05.120> school<00:44:05.520> and Finance
• and the public school and Finance and the public school and uh<00:44:06.640> college<00:44:07.200

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The time being 8:15, the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee will come to order.
• so thank you, honorable chairs, co-chairs Schumacher and Noor, members of the House Human Services Finance
• so thank you, honorable chairs, co-chairs Schumacher and Noor, members of the House Human Services Finance
• 25:51.120> house<00:25:51.440> human<00:25:51.760> services<00:25:52.400> finance
• the house human services finance the house human services finance committee.<00:25:54.240> My

Bills: HF729

Keywords: human services, provider enrollment, medical assistance, healthcare, housing stabilization, substance use disorder, vulnerable adults, fraud prevention, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of committee, Kelly Clinton, Legislative Finance Committee.
• Committee, Kelly Clinton, Legislative Finance Committee.
• Chair, members of the Senate Finance Committee, I am so pleased to be here today to share the executive
• We have an amazing partnership with the New Mexico Finance Authority, and they offer 2% low-interest
• And it's that Senate Finance that made the cuts, and but we—you want a new program and we're going to

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Ruby Ann Esquibel with the Legislative Finance Committee, and I have with me today my colleague,
• Harry Rommel with the Legislative Finance Committee as well.
• Harry Rommel with the Legislative Finance Committee as well. It's nice to see all of you.
• Rebates—this is something that we at the Legislative Finance Committee are looking at regarding costs
• So we at the Legislative Finance Committee staff met just last week with the health care authority and

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the executive director of the office of EEO and contract compliance in the finance and administration
• of EEO and contract compliance<00:04:24.160> in<00:04:24.320> the<00:04:24.479> finance
• <00:04:24.720> and compliance in the finance and compliance in the finance and administration
• U Finance is pretty much the overall commodity oversight, but agencies do have the ability to make small
• U Finance is pretty much the overall commodity oversight, but agencies do have the ability to make small

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

• The tension in the House bill was to eliminate the mechanism states used to finance their share, specifically
• When we finish all of our interim work, at the end of the day, we make recommendations to the finance
• I'm not close to those bills; I've never carried one of those bills, but I've carried a lot of finance
• Your thoughts: where do we go next in terms of hospital financing?
• Also, the two presentations by the Finance Committee have been combined into one at 8:30.

Transcript Highlights:

• you're entering into these kinds of investments between supporting broad investments in the school finance
• My name is Kimberly Smith, and I serve as the chief finance and strategy officer in Frisco ISD, testifying
• Golden Pennies are one of the main drivers of inequity within the school finance system, and I'm concerned
• That is one of the places in our school finance system where it really does matter how wealthy your community
• Creighton and Sherman Buckley for the hard work that has gone into this historic $8 billion school finance

Bills: HB2

Keywords: disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Summary: The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language. Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• which also includes harms and benefits language that was in a bill that we had, which was retained by finance
• bill that we had um which was retained bill that we had um which was retained by<00:27:52.080> finance
• because<00:27:52.960> they<00:27:53.279> incorporated<00:27:53.919> it by finance
• because they incorporated it by finance because they incorporated it into<00:27:54.640> the<00
• who she wants to have on the committee, as opposed to if it is just in the budget, it would be all finance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Environment and Agriculture Committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners. The chair announced a staffing change, noting Representative Comtois was no longer vice chair and Representative Barber would serve in that role. The chair then explained that the committee had before it an amendment incorporating Senator Pearl’s updated language and additional technical changes requested by DEES Director Whimsat for FBI background-check requirements, and a separate amendment offered by Representative Patenza that would add language from the budget bill relating to a site evaluation committee, moratorium provisions, and harms-and-benefits language. Representative Patenza argued that the governor’s solid waste and site evaluation language had been developed over years with the committee, the governor’s office, and DEES, and should be moved into a standalone bill so it would not be lost if the budget failed. She said she had been told by Senator Roseford that the budget language would be placed into a separate House bill, and several members supported having a standalone vehicle as a backup. Representative Bixby, Haskins, Gruber, and others said they favored keeping the work alive in a separate bill, while Representative Scully said he disliked non-germane amendments and would vote only for the base bill and the chair’s amendment. Representative Barber asked for clarification on why the amendment was considered non-germane, and the chair and Representative Patenza explained that the budget-related policy had not had a separate public hearing. Members discussed legislative procedure, including whether the committee should recess to allow a hearing on the non-germane amendment and then return to act on SB 302. After discussion, the committee took a show of hands and overwhelmingly favored recessing the executive session to Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. in LOB room 301-303, so a separate hearing could be held on Representative Patenza’s amendment before further action on SB 302.

Transcript Highlights:

• The health facilities authority law only allows for not-for-profit corporations to finance facilities
• The law only allows for not-for-profit corporations to finance facilities similar to private companies
• A health facility must hold a hospital or similar license to purchase financing under this act.
• There is an OPPAGA study in the bill as to the potential use of mezzanine financing and tiny homes.
• There is an Opaga study in the bill as to the potential use of mezzanine financing and tiny homes.

Summary: The Committee on Rules took up a long agenda of bills and reported several measures favorably. Early action included CS for SB 678, allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital, and SB 466, which designates St. Johns County as the site for the Florida Museum of Black History and creates a board to work with the supporting foundation and county officials. Senators and public speakers largely supported the museum bill, though some members asked about feasibility studies and long-term planning. The committee also approved CS for SB 578 on wine containers, SB 582 on penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, CS for SB 1168 creating an aggravated offense for unlawful tracking-device use in furtherance of crimes, CS for SB 806 clarifying that only the Florida Attorney General may represent beneficiaries of Florida charitable trusts as a public official, and SB 1228 to support spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee and Santa Fe springs. The committee then heard and favorably reported CS for CS for SB 304, which addresses child protective investigations involving infants and young children with genetic or other pre-existing medical conditions. The bill requires a qualified medical opinion before permanent removal in cases where injuries may be explained by an underlying condition, and it drew strong support from the sponsor and several speakers. Members also approved SB 1286 clarifying that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities, such as biking or playing outside, do not by themselves constitute neglect unless reckless, and SB 1318, a hands-free driving bill that renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the handheld-device prohibition, and adds penalties for handheld use in work and school zones and for certain serious crashes. The hands-free bill prompted the most debate, with supporters citing crash and fatality data and families sharing personal losses, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, and potential disparate impacts on lower-income and minority drivers; the bill was still reported favorably after amendments. Additional measures reported favorably included SB 14 and SB 20, two claims bills for injuries and deaths involving local governments, and CS for SB 68, which updates health facilities authority financing rules to reflect modern hospital structures. The committee also approved CS for SB 172 on health care practitioner specialty titles and designations after adopting an amendment protecting CRNA titles; the bill generated questions about whether licensed practitioners with doctoral degrees may still use the title doctor under their practice acts. Throughout the meeting, most bills were adopted without opposition, and the committee repeatedly voted to report them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• favorable review of agenda items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8A, 8B, and 9B, including the standard university financing
• provisions on agenda items 8A, 8B, and 9B, and approve agenda item 9A with the standard university financing

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will call the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee to order. We have a quorum.
• regarding the judiciary of the judge protection on property records bill that's incorporated in our finance

Bills: HF2300

Transcript Highlights:

• This session, it's been favorably voted out of the Health Care Financing Committee, but it does need
• The Senate version, yes, out of Health Care Financing. Yes, out of Health Care Financing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities’ Long-Term Services and Supports and Health Equity Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from Colin Killick of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network on disability discrimination in crisis standards of care during COVID-19. He described how Massachusetts and other states initially used standards that prioritized longer life expectancy and, in some cases, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), which he argued devalued the lives of disabled people and older adults. He also discussed related issues such as denial of transplants, pressure on disabled patients to sign do-not-resuscitate orders, and inequities affecting communities of color. He said disability advocates, legal groups, and public officials pushed back through litigation, media, and organizing, leading to revisions of Massachusetts’ standards and the eventual inclusion of disability advocates in the drafting process. Killick also discussed vaccine rollout, saying disabled people were initially under-prioritized but later gained broader access and more accessible vaccination options such as ASL interpretation and in-home vaccination. He closed by urging support for S. 869, an act relative to preventing discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of health care, which he said would ban disability-based discrimination in crisis standards, prohibit QALYs in health care decision-making, and add protections against coerced DNRs. He noted the bill had been favorably reported out of the Health Care Financing Committee but still needed support. In questions, members asked why the bill had not advanced further; Killick said earlier opposition from QALY supporters had been resolved, and the main barrier now was lack of legislative prioritization. Members thanked him for the presentation and for the work on revising crisis standards. The subcommittee then completed roll call, approved the prior minutes, and adjourned, noting the next meeting would be August 31.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation relative to Medicare coverage for end-stage renal disease, to the Committee on Health Care Financing
• vice chair, Representative Meg Kilcoyne, and my colleagues in the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
• And last but not least, I'd like to thank my staff here on health care finance, Bridget Maynard and my

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a Rules Committee resolution commending the National Alliance for Children’s Grief for Children’s Grief Awareness Day. It also concurred in several Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals on manufactured home insurance costs, firefighting water supplies and a state cistern program, Medicare coverage for end-stage renal disease, and short-term rental building inspections. The chamber then took up several bills and local matters. It advanced and later enacted measures including a workplace violence prevention bill for health care employers, a bill amending use restrictions at Foxborough State Hospital, a bill authorizing disposal of certain Upton land, a sick leave bank for Amy Tangway, and local bills for Ipswich, Palmer, Wareham, North Carver Water District, Lowell easements, and Westford agricultural preservation restrictions. The House also adopted a resolution rescinding prior Massachusetts Article 5 Convention applications, with Rep. Peisch explaining that the measure would withdraw old state requests for a constitutional convention; the resolution passed 155-3. Much of the floor debate focused on House 4767, the workplace violence prevention bill. Supporters, including Reps. Lawn, Kane, and Fields, described frequent assaults and threats against health care workers, cited injury statistics, and said the bill would require facility-specific risk assessments, prevention plans, training, incident reporting, and paid leave for injured workers. An amendment narrowing language about covered workers was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed to be engrossed by roll call 158-0 before later final enactment. The House also heard a commemorative resolution recognizing the Iwagua, Taino, Lukyu, and Cario Tribal Nations and other Taino tribes and their heritage in the Commonwealth, with Leader González and other members speaking in support. Several final passage votes were taken by roll call or voice vote, with the bills and emergency preambles adopted and the House adjourning to meet the next day in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, it helps cities and towns partner with property owners to finance critical infrastructure
• Senate Bill 1560 amends Section 49-1273, A.R.S., relating to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority
• Relating to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and several introductions of guests, including two young mayors visiting the chamber. Members then adopted House Resolution 2008 unanimously, honoring Daniel Cade Blackman, with extended remarks from his family and colleagues about his service, faith, and legacy. The House also took up a motion to reconsider SB 1456 from a prior date and proceeded into Committee of the Whole on multiple Senate bills. In Committee of the Whole, members considered and amended SB 1170, SB 1496, SB 1511, SB 1016, SB 1335, and SB 1683, with each ultimately receiving a do pass recommendation. The discussion included a correction to SB 1170 to remove an unintended section, a municipal improvement district process change in SB 1016, an ag-to-urban water permitting fix in SB 1335, and a land-sale restriction involving China in SB 1683. The committee reports were adopted, and the bills were ordered for third reading as appropriate. On third and final reading, the House passed SB 1188, SB 1560, and SB 1723, with recorded votes of 38-0-10, 48-2-10, and 51-0-9 respectively. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to HB 2265, HB 2404, HB 2950, and HB 2986, then passed those bills on final reading; members speaking in support highlighted court-fee policy, mental health crisis response, tourism improvement areas, and water infrastructure savings. The chamber then announced a Republican caucus meeting and adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026.