Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bonding year, housing infrastructure bonds. We were just presenting over in the Senate.
• This is a bonding year, housing infrastructure bonds. We were just presenting over in the Senate.
• This is a a bonding year, housing<00:35:35.040> infrastructure<00:35:35.480> bonds.
• bonds will be in there.
• Uh the bonds will be in there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the Ability to have improvement bonds.
• And it has to be there for the life of the bond.
• bonds, 21%.
• And the Clean Water Program has about 70% revenue bonds and 30% improvement bonds.
• And the clean water program has about 70% are revenue bonds and 30% are improvement bonds.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have given us funding in the past in previous bonding bills through geo bonds and cash.
• You have given us funding in the past in previous bonding bills through geo bonds and cash.
• You have given us funding in the past in previous bonding bills through geo bonds and cash.
• bill bonding bills previous bonding bill bonding bills through<00:32:03.600> um<00:32:03.919>
• through um geo bonds and uh and cash. through um geo bonds and uh and cash.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bonded title process provides opportunities for title disputes, fraud, and vehicle theft.
• Once approved, the title bond is valid for three years. Within that time...
• And then also make sure that there's a bond in place just in case. That's exactly right.
• This pertains to the permitting of the over axle tolerance and the bonds that we have.
• There won't be an 84,000-pound limit because you're no longer recognizing that bond.

Bills: SB215, SB1104, SB1351, SB1931, SB2245, SB2589, SB2707, SB2807, SB1423, SB1568

Keywords: education, funding, school districts, local control, equity, digital identification, identity verification, Department of Public Safety, Texas legislature, wireless communication, Texas, technology, identification program, fee structure, wireless devices, public safety, hunting license, handgun license, fingerprinting, dealer license

Transcript Highlights:

• Then let's see, on bonding.
• On bonding here, you know, a typical, if you recall, in 1176, there's language in there that says the
• Well, we all know that on bond issues, a typical bond issue is for like 20 years, and so we need to make
• an exception for these bonds, knowing that bonds go for 20 years.
• There's no bond that's going to be issued for four years.

Bills: SB2397

Keywords: oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House. The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap. Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on page 1, line 21, and that is a figure that goes to the cost of issuing bonds, and it doesn't
• Chair, I'd like to amend line 121 to change that $30 million figure to $30,000. the cost of issuing bonds
• and it doesn't the cost of issuing bonds and it doesn't need<00:01:39.119> to<00:01:39.240>
• Authority for the RFA uh I own bonding Authority for the RFA uh I own and<00:03:56.599> operate
• share my support for additional bonding share my support for additional bonding Authority<00:04:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue Bonds.
• bonds.
• That concludes my presentation on lease payments and revenue bonds.
• Item four discusses the revenue related to the private activity bond program.
• I'm the executive director for the Bond Review Board.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she got a $50,000 bond, maybe it's, I mean, maybe it was $1,000 for a $50,000 bond, and she knows
• I'm going to get a $1,000 bond and buy, you know, I'll buy 20 wells and spend $20,000 getting a bond
• But if you don't prosecute or start chasing bonds, the bond companies will say we're not going to issue
• you a bond because you're not creditworthy.
• they are tasked with chasing those bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can bond that and we can come up with about $75 million.
• Can you help me understand what the benefit is to issuing a bond? Thank you, Chair. Mr.
• And then are there revenue bonds that don't currently exist?
• Like why create a whole new flood recovery bond?
• The issuance of flood recovery bonds, revenue bonds. And wasn't that put in in an emergency?

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why the bond is so important and timely.
• Funds from the last statewide housing bond ran out last year.
• And I do think, you know, it's hard to escape that with bonds.
• Infrastructure bonds.
• We need a bond. So with that, we have a motion and a second.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 518 on low-impact camping areas. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for small rural camping operations on private land, expand outdoor access, and support rural economies, while opponents from campground associations and counties warned it could undermine existing regulation, create enforcement problems, and allow advertising of unpermitted sites. Members raised concerns about fire safety and local control, but the bill was ultimately passed as amended on an 8-0 vote. The committee then approved AB 635, which would require HCD to refer up to 25 of the most serious mobile home residency law complaints to the Attorney General. Supporters said mobile home residents need stronger enforcement against egregious park-owner violations, while opponents argued the existing program is underused, costly, and should remain subject to a sunset. After discussion of the program’s surplus and enforcement role, the bill passed 9-1. AB 893, which expands ministerial approval for mixed-income housing near college campuses and broadens eligibility for affordable units to students, faculty, and staff, also drew strong support from student advocates and housing groups and respectful opposition from the League of California Cities over local control and height limits; it passed 10-0. AB 925, the Mobile Home Emergency Safety Act, would require stronger emergency preparedness measures in mobile home parks, including accessible exits, working fire hydrants, and gas shutoff access, with a fee increase to fund enforcement. Supporters framed it as a life-safety measure in disaster-prone areas, while opponents argued the bill duplicates existing requirements and imposes an unnecessary fee increase. The committee voted 6-1 to send it to Appropriations, with the bill left on call. The consent calendar, including several other housing and local government bills, was approved 8-0. The committee also heard AB 712, which would increase penalties and attorney-fee protections for applicants enforcing state housing laws against public agencies; supporters said it would improve compliance, while special districts opposed the bill as overly broad and unclear. Members discussed indemnification and timing issues, and the bill was advanced with amendments to Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• State bond funding has become less predictable and more inconsistent than ever.
• So back to bonding. At its core, this request is about providing some pretty basic facilities.
• the development of the bonding bill.
• I think we have available for you our 2024 bonding book.
• Lastly, kind of as a final reminder for newer bonding committee members.

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what this bill does is just state that the bonding pool, the money in the bonding pool that's invested
• <00:03:13.519> pool pool, the money in the bonding pool pool, the money in the bonding pool
• the distant future a self-bonding the distant future a self-bonding uh<00:03:26.000> pool
• , not just the BLM bonding, so state bonding and Oil and Gas Commission bonding as well.
• Bonding, not just the BLM bonding, so state bonding and Oil and Gas Commission bonding as well.

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:27.600> request here to talk about the bonding request here to talk about the bonding
• That appropriations bond potentially.
• would be an opportunity, a revenue bond. would be an opportunity, a revenue bond.
• <00:52:00.800> bill the governor's recommended bonding bill the governor's recommended bonding
• governor's bonding uh, proposal. governor's bonding uh, proposal.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation infrastructure bonds are just what they sound like: bonds from which the proceeds are
• They are not the geo bonds that we discussed in the capital bill, but rather special obligation bonds
• bonds for FY 2028 and 2032. bonds for FY 2028 and 2032.
• > Transportation infrastructure bonds are Transportation infrastructure bonds are just<01:02:32.000><
• bond fund is only um is a single bond bond fund is only um is a single bond fund<02:09:14.000>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm available for any questions. original Bond was for 8.5 original Bond was for 8.5 million<00:17
• use of the proceeds of tax exemp bonds use of the proceeds of tax exemp bonds and<00:55:46.440><
• GO bonds would fall under this.
• GO bonds would fall under this.
• GO bonds would fall under this.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Information must be provided to the bond review board after the election.
• Certain information must be provided to the bond review board, and once the bonds are paid, there is
• additional information that needs to be provided to the bond review board.
• No, this is just good data, and at the bond review board, it's the right place to put it.
• Is the bond review board here? Do we have someone from the bond review board? Everyone is ag...

Bills: HB148, HB334, HB554, HB762, HB1520, HB1593, HB3526, HB3810, HB5092, SB2215, HB2607, HB148

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 3 provides the city the authority to issue the bonds to finance the cost of the project.
• Establishes the limit on the bonds must not exceed that they may be paid from the secured by the funds
• to issue the bonds to finance the<00:03:44.200> cost<00:03:44.640> of<00:03:44.680>
• issuing the bonds. issuing the bonds.
• the subdivision three is the bonding the subdivision three is the bonding authority authority authority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• separate budgets for facilities and capital expenses, similar to the legislature's general-funded bonding
• how we report it to the Minnesota Department of Education, is primarily made up of the proceeds from bonds
• and pay-as-you-go bond sales and pay-as-you-go levies that school districts across the state use to
• House File 1340 would expand the use of housing infrastructure bonds for the adaptive reuse of buildings
• and pay-as-you-go bond sales and pay-as-you-go levies that school districts across the state use to

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1340, authored by Chair Lee, which would expand the use of housing infrastructure bonds to support the adaptive reuse or conversion of buildings into affordable housing. The author described the bill as a way to help nonprofit and other affordable housing developers compete for surplus buildings, especially when school districts are selling unused properties on the open market. Tom Parent of Minneapolis Public Schools testified in support, explaining that school districts manage facilities through separate capital budgets and that selling surplus property at fair market value helps offset future property tax burdens. He said districts often face tension between maximizing sale proceeds and meeting community needs, and pointed to Minneapolis examples where former school buildings are being converted to housing, including projects serving youth experiencing homelessness. He argued the bill could better align reuse of school properties with community housing needs while protecting local taxpayers. In response to a question from Representative Scraba, the author confirmed the bill does not allocate new dollars but instead expands eligible uses under the statute for housing infrastructure bonds. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the bill was presented as part of a broader bipartisan discussion about reuse of vacant buildings for housing and other community purposes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1066 increases the payment and performance bond dollar thresholds to $150,000 for public
• Under current law, contractors on public work projects must take out surety bonds, including payment
• bonds and performance bonds, for contracts in excess of certain sums of money in order to mitigate risk
• Current state law requires payment bonds for contracts in excess of $25,000 and performance bonds for
• Senate Bill 1066 raises the threshold for payment bonds from $25,000 to $150,000 and performance bonds

Bills: SB480, SB767, SB790, SB971, SB1066

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be bringing updates on the latest bond sale as Mr.
• We do not engage in selling bonds or going to bond elections for a capital program.
• bond that you decided you were short after the bond.
• Our bond cycles are scheduled every four years.
• We have district bonds available totaling $41 million.