Transcript Highlights:

• to the Texas Department of Transportation for highway planning. and construction and this fully funds
• funding, and research support for a total of $33.3 billion in all. funds.
• Increases funding.
• It is not just simply funded by state funding.
• You said to fund or defund? fund to defund, defund. Yes, sir.

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• being euthanized just today in continuous numbers of animals being euthanized because we could use funds

Bills: HB3419 , HB3624 , HB3748 , HB4335

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law, public office, counties, property taxation, watercourse, boundaries, effective date, county government, administration, local resources, public institutions, construction, maintenance, animal welfare, pet shops, commercial breeders, county regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• health transformation act and the money that's going to follow, we have $203 million in one-year funding
• Some of this funding will have to be legislated. Uh, but we don't have a timeline.
• 08.400><c> these</c> Albert was talking about some of these Albert was talking about some of these funding
• </c><00:19:10.880><c> Uh</c> funding will have to be legislated.
• Uh funding will have to be legislated.

Bills: SB367 , SB368 , SB350 , SB351

Committee: Senate Healthcare

Keywords: rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety

Transcript Highlights:

• This code establishes minimum requirements and standards for buildings and facilities constructed in
• The technical advisory group would need to consider public health, safety, welfare, and construction
• and construction materials in the state, consistent with accepted standards of engineering, fire, and
• But I think the bill's supporters probably all stand ready to review any constructive amendments and
• and construction materials in Washington.

Bills: HB2228 , HB2273 , HB2418 , HB2381

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: building code, safety regulations, construction, scissor stairs, state standards, embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, environment, permit review, project permits, land use, zoning, development regulations, residential development, housing permits, affordable housing, local government, county planning, city planning

Transcript Highlights:

• That revenue is deposited into a trust fund, and that trust fund is used to pay benefits to workers who
• This is a federally funded program, and we have staff who go out.
• This is a federally funded program and we have staff who go out.
• This is the same funding approach that we do in our pension plans.
• worksites to all building construction worksites.

Bills: SB6014 , SB5972 , SB5869 , SB5874

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: pregnancy accommodations, pregnant workers, workplace accommodations, reasonable accommodation, undue hardship, lactation, breastfeeding, express milk, maternity leave, childbirth, pregnancy discrimination, employment law, labor and industries, L&I, confidential records, public records exemption, health care certification, workplace standards, employee rights, employer obligations

Transcript Highlights:

• We did set up the trust fund, and this time we are adding $1 billion to the Medicaid trust fund, which
• Madam Chair, yes, so when we built it last year, we didn't fund it. So this year, we're funding it.
• And the whole idea is that we've got the trust fund.
• As of right now, the fund will reach $2 billion by 2043, which is the goal of the fund, to get to $2
• Would it be accurate to say that this fund, like all of the funds that we have created in recent years

Bills: SB4 , SB7 , SB9 , SB17

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996

Transcript Highlights:

• an electrician and a cosmetologist at the same time, or different trades at the same time for construction
• All right, and how is it funded?
• Is it just whatever funds TEA has, or is there a separate line item?
• I can get back to you on that question; I'm not sure how the TEA handles that funding. All right.

Bills: HB 1061 , HB2800

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: education, teacher certification, cost subsidies, public school funding, career and technology education, reimbursement, subsidy, education funding, student subsidies, cost reimbursements, public school finance, public school, examination fees, apprenticeship, workforce development, career education, high school students, technical education, employment, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation is the state agency responsible for the state's transportation network, including constructing
• Funds in the account may be used for engineering and traffic investigations, creation and installation
• So this would emphasize, kind of like when you see construction zones, you will have immediate notice
• Actually, one of those years, the legislature approved funding for a study at that location, but then
• Some or all of the work related to construction, repair, and maintenance of city streets.

Bills: HB2267 , HB2183 , HB2174 , HB1529

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: urban forestry, local government, environmental policy, tree management, community planning, heat response, counties, public health, emergency management, climate action, crash prevention, traffic safety, roadside regulations, emergency zones, public safety, state legislation, infrastructure, county resources, road construction, maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is an uncontested claims bill for local funds in the amount of $500,000 payable from unencumbered
• funds from Miami-Dade County based on a settlement agreement between Lourdes and Edward Latour and Miami-Dade

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0208 , S0762

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, land use, development regulations, local government, application fees, affordable housing, zoning, residential construction, criminal defense, legal representation, death penalty, indigent defense, regional counsel

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 762, which was amended by a strike-all to remove a one-year sunset and delete a reporting requirement to the Legislature. The bill would allow offices of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel to take on certain capital cases from outside their region on an optional basis, with supporters saying it could save money and use existing in-house death penalty expertise. After testimony from Senator Martin and the Second Region’s regional counsel, the committee reported CS/SB 762 favorably. The committee also considered three local claims bills. SB 16, relating to relief for Heriberto A. Sanchez Mayan by the City of St. Petersburg, described severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the claimant’s counsel supported the bill, while President Gaetz spoke against the claims-bill process generally and voted no. The bill passed 9-1 and was reported favorably. SB 14, for Jose Correa against Miami-Dade County, involved injuries from a bus-pedestrian collision and was supported by the claimant and county; it passed 9-1 and was reported favorably. SB 24, for Lourdes and Edward Latour against Miami-Dade County, was an uncontested $500,000 settlement bill and passed unanimously. Finally, the committee took up SB 208 on land use and development regulations. A late-filed strike-all amendment, described as a negotiated compromise, would make development application fees transparent and cost-based, tie them to direct and reasonable indirect review costs, and set subjective compatibility standards for residential projects, with carve-outs for PUDs, master planned communities, and historic districts. Multiple local government, planning, environmental, and business groups appeared in support. The amendment was adopted, and the committee then reported CS/SB 208 favorably on a 10-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• service finance fund...
• Special funds.
• to the Human Services Fund, finance fund.
• Chairman and Senator Burckhard, that Social Services Fund used to be called the Tax Relief Fund.
• And if it can be shown that the amendment to fully fund that effort takes more... ...fully fund that

Bills: SB2012

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations division met to consider House Bill 1015, the OMB budget, with several amendments already in hand. A major portion of the discussion centered on Senator Mathern’s concerns about the proposed new state hospital in Jamestown. He argued the project is outdated, too expensive, and should be delayed or reduced in favor of local behavioral health services and deferred maintenance at the existing LaHogue facility. Other members questioned him about staffing, capacity, constitutional issues, and the relationship between the hospital proposal and broader mental health investments in other bills. The committee also reviewed budget mechanics, including the transfer of up to $240 million from the Social Services Fund to the Human Services Finance Fund, a $40 million deferred maintenance fund, a $3 million deficiency appropriation for the new and vacant FTE pool, and other OMB-related items. Members discussed whether OMB should have managerial control over the Jamestown project and generally agreed that OMB oversight could help manage costs, though concerns about the hospital remained. The committee then considered two funding items that drew the most debate: guardianship grants and a pro-life education campaign. After testimony from a representative supporting the campaign, members agreed to reduce that item by $500,000 and add $1 million for guardianship grants, while leaving the overall bill to be finalized in conference. The committee adopted Amendment Version 2006 with those changes and then passed HB 1015 as amended on a roll call vote, with all members voting aye except Senator Burckhard on the amendment vote; he later voted aye on the bill itself. The chair indicated the bill would move to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And an increase of $692,000 from the general fund, reduction of $464,000 from other funds.
• Heading number five, adjust funding sources from the general fund to other funds.
• The House had moved that from the Attorney General Refund Fund to the general fund.
• The House had moved that from the Attorney General Refund Fund to the General Fund.
• And the last one-time funding for statewide litigation funding pool, negative $3.3 million from SIF.

Bills: SB2012

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Government Operations Division

Keywords: transportation, funding, infrastructure, grants, municipal, 908, all

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to continue work on budget and bill amendments. The committee first took up the Attorney General’s budget and reviewed a detailed amendment package that adjusted FTE levels, salary equity funding, funding sources, and several one-time appropriations. Changes included removing some House-added items, adding contingent funding tied to other bills, restoring certain funding sources, increasing the electronic smoking device manufacturer fee, and adding a provision on 24/7 sobriety program fees. Senator Dwyer then offered a further amendment to make the electronic smoking device fee a $2,000 application fee with a $500 annual renewal fee, which passed. The committee then voted 4-1 to adopt the budget as amended and give it a do pass recommendation as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 1143, relating to Great Plains Food Bank funding. After testimony from Amy Cleary on behalf of Great Plains Food Bank, members discussed the organization’s statewide role and the project’s financing, including a planned $30 million facility and existing fundraising. Senator Burkhard moved to restore the appropriation from $5 million to $10 million, and the motion passed 4-1. The committee then voted 4-1 to give the bill a do pass recommendation as amended, with Senator Burkhard designated as carrier. Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 1524, which would fund regional planning councils and authorize 16 FTEs. Members expressed sympathy for the councils’ work but concerns about approving new state-funded positions. No action was taken, and the chair asked to hold the bill over for further review. The committee then recessed, noting remaining budget work and upcoming hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting on page one, recommendations fund the agency at $5.07 billion in all funds, with $68.3 million
• being GR-related funds.
• Recommendations include $5 billion in additional funds to the Texas Energy Fund, also known as the TEF
• Item 4, the Texas Nuclear Energy Fund and Texas Nuclear Energy Supply Chain Fund...
• all funds.

Bills: SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

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.

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:

• more in federal funds.
• No new funding.
• No new funding. Um but uh that language. No new funding.
• > um</c><00:21:06.559><c> and</c> general fund and federal funds um and general fund and federal funds
• and</c><00:21:44.240><c> federal</c><00:21:44.559><c> funds</c> million general funds and federal funds

Bills: SF0032 , SF0010 , SF0001 , HB0001

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• fund, $12,000 federal fund, um general fund, $12,000 federal fund, and<00:08:19.120><c> $577,000</c>
• funds.
• ><c> S1</c> swap of funds from general fund to S1 swap of funds from general fund to S1 reverting<00:
• . funds. funds.
• </c> fund as well. fund as well.

Bills: SF0032 , SF0010 , SF0001 , HB0001

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• [snorts] funding.
• </c> that fund would only be for equipment. that fund would only be for equipment.
• </c> some of these funds? What is going on? some of these funds? What is going on?
• </c> rental trust fund? rental trust fund?
• </c><01:20:33.280><c> would</c><01:20:33.440><c> then</c> fund for funding, uh, which would then fund

Bills: SF0032 , SF0010 , SF0001 , HB0001

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety, mental health, detention, competency evaluation, treatment, contractual agreements, Wyoming, budget, funding, education, wildfire prevention, healthcare, community colleges, grants, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe it's around $20 million, but we need to continue to put money into that fund for those sites
• This is pretty much a straight appropriation bill of $50 million to continue the cleanup of funds out
• I support the appropriation to fund the assessment and cleanup of abandoned uranium mines.
• SB 249 recognizes that this crisis cannot be addressed with one-time funding or symbolic action.
• Any expended balance at the end of FY27 will revert to the general fund.

Bills: SB201 , SB226 , SB242 , SB249

Committee: Senate Senate Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs

Keywords: rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Phase one, which was tremendously successful, was almost exclusively funded by money raised locally.
• That's what the Monahans Broadband Project has sought funding for.
• The funds that were appropriated for that purpose, to make sure that they can be utilized by an eligible
• It would still be eligible for funding. And so that, you know, obviously is a great concern.
• Thanks for your patience today and your constructive feedback for the author. Thank you. All right.

Bills: HB2838 , HB2964 , HB3213 , SB924

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• alternative technologies when feasible, and this body has given our office the flexibility to use state funds
• It's led to things such as the Permanent University Fund and the Permanent School Fund.

Bills: HB2838 , HB2964 , HB3213 , SB924

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• So their funding situation is adequate.
• So their funding situation is adequate.
• is</c><00:10:40.800><c> the</c><00:10:40.959><c> 2.25</c> funds our largest funding is the 2.25 funds
• </c><00:20:32.960><c> a</c> fund each time we're not able to fund a fund each time we're not able to
• Of course, the last funding stream that's also in this committee is called premium funds.

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house