Transcript Highlights:

• Oh The following message from the State Bar of Texas. Secretary, read the message.
• value of an improvement to a resident's homestead that is completely destroyed by fire to local government
• Senate Joint Resolution 27, if approved by the Texas voters, would amend Article 5, Section 1A of our
• Lastly, the joint resolution adjusts the authority of the commission and the Texas Supreme Court to more
• President, members, I move to suspend Rule 11.10 and 11.18 to allow the local government committee to

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that section prohibits local governments from enacting a sales or income tax, and so we need
• Trunk Highway 71, as you know, goes all the way from Texas to Canada.
• <00:45:22.920> Uh<00:45:23.120> Sauk the way from Texas to Canada.
• Uh Sauk the way from Texas to Canada.
• reuse businesses, nonprofits, government reuse businesses, nonprofits, government entities,<00:53

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now, House H.R. 1815 is in front of the federal government.
• It's based on zip code and the federal definition of what highly rural is.
• But it is not something that they can just flash a QR code on their app.
• We are totally independent of the government.
• These are outlined in the New Mexico Administrative Code.

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government sort of entices hospitals to do that, especially in small rural areas, because
• So in Texas, for one patient, it's $17,346.60 that that hospital would be reimbursed.
• And yet, in Texas, Texas is being reimbursed $17,346 for that same patient.
• Texas, how much is the rate? $18,000? Mm-hmm. Arkansas, $8,000? Mm-hmm.
• Sheena Olson, Arkansas Children’s, Vice President for Government Relations.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures. Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete. A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation. At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• We operate by our numbers, and we also work with our City of Nogales and Santa Cruz County government
• Unfortunately, local government won't be able to spend it.
• The screwworm is currently active with 13 cases in the state of Tamaulipas, south of Texas.
• Well, it has transitioned into other states, and specifically probably to the Texas High Plains.
• Well, it has transitioned into other states, and specifically probably to the Texas High Plains.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ascertain from the federal government ascertain from the federal government and<00:52:44.720>
• medication to a patient in Texas.
• Three lawsuits, to Texas residents.
• affirms that New Hampshire law governs affirms that New Hampshire law governs New<03:32:14.239><
• ,<03:35:01.439> Florida, what the laws are in Texas, Florida, what the laws are in Texas,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that she's in local government, but she'll shortly join us this afternoon.
• Fresno State, UC Davis, we have collegiate teams also across the United States, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas
• It's massive government overreach into private ownership of poultry, specifically roosters.
• I think that it should probably be better left to the penal codes as to birds and penalties.
• I come from a district that very much disagrees with government overreach.

Summary: The Assembly Agriculture Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not yet present, then adopted its committee rules for the 2025-2026 legislative session by a 5-0 vote. The committee heard a series of agriculture-related bills, with most measures receiving broad support and moving forward. AB 1142 by Assemblymember Hoover would raise the fee thresholds for small public horse events that are exempt from equine medication monitoring rules; supporters said the current limits are outdated and hurt small riding clubs, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 411 by Assemblymember Papin would allow ranchers to compost livestock carcasses on-farm; supporters cited cost, environmental, and predator-control benefits, while rendering industry representatives asked for amendments to protect existing services and limit the bill’s scope. The bill passed to Natural Resources. AB 482 by Assemblymember Solache would modernize the California Table Grape Commission law and raise assessment caps without increasing assessments themselves; it passed to Appropriations. AB 312 by Vice Chair Alanis would shorten the holding period for ag theft property from six months to three months; it also passed to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 937 and AB 947 by Assemblymember Connolly. AB 937 would make technical changes to the Organic Transition Pilot Program to improve access to organic transition support, with testimony from a farmer who said the program helped him pursue organic certification; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 947 would expand and refine technical assistance under the Healthy Soils/Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including training, grant writing, matching funds coordination, equipment sharing, and outcome monitoring; supporters said the changes would help small and organic producers access state climate programs, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 1486, presented by the chair, would use Proposition 4 funding to start grants for public postsecondary agricultural research farms focused on climate resiliency; members praised the role of CSU and UC research farms, and the bill passed to Natural Resources as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on AB 928 by Assemblymember Rogers, the California Cockfighting Cruelty Act. Supporters argued the bill would help law enforcement target cockfighting and rooster trafficking, reduce avian disease risks, and protect public health and animal welfare; opponents, including poultry hobbyists, breeders, and 4-H-related participants, said it would overreach into lawful poultry keeping and harm heritage-breed and youth programs, urging instead that cockfighting penalties be increased to a felony. Committee members echoed concerns about unintended impacts on legitimate poultry owners and requested continued work on exemptions and language. The bill passed to Judiciary on a 5-2-1 vote, with one no vote and one abstention, and the chair noted that further committee review would continue as the bill advances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Code detachment. The coders are the uh helicopters that we often used for domestic operations.
• That's a Texas number in a California number. And that's it for me to get there.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other writers that we'd also included was an increased appropriations of $100 million at Texas Facilities
• Representative Govern Hawkins, Representative Lopez, Representative Slawson, Representative Villalobos
• The people of Texas deserve better than this, and they deserve at a minimum for us to comply with the
• The rules clearly do not apply to committees of the Texas House.
• They don't apply to subcommittees of the Texas House, or maybe, maybe, maybe ask you this: do they only

Summary: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Articles 14 and 5 met first and adopted its report on budget recommendations by a 4-0 vote, with three members absent. The chair said the report finalized prior decisions and could not be changed at that stage. Notable additions discussed included increased appropriations for the Office of the Attorney General, DPS driver’s license offices in Hays and Montgomery County, TJJD facilities and programs, Texas Facilities Commission funding for SCIF projects in Lubbock and San Antonio, THC funding for the Juneteenth Museum, an alcohol tourism study, and a TDCJ statewide reentry services pilot program. Members thanked staff and the meeting adjourned after the vote. The Article 3 subcommittee then presented its report for the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1, describing it as a procedural step that incorporated prior discussions, member writers, and changes made with Chairman Bonin. The chair noted that most items had been moved to Article 11 and that rejected riders were duplicates or conflicted with general law. The report was adopted unanimously, 6-0, and the subcommittee adjourned. The Articles 6, 7, and 8 subcommittee followed with its report for Senate Bill 1. During consideration, a member raised a point of order arguing the subcommittee had violated House rules requiring audio and video recording of formal meetings and public availability online. The chair rejected the point of order and proceeded to a roll call vote. After extended debate over the recording issue and the chair’s handling of the point of order, the report was adopted, with the transcript reflecting 6 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 absent. The subcommittee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community Action Agencies are governed by a tripartite board of directors.
• situations where the federal government situations where the federal government was<00:25:22.080
• And then another example I wanted to provide is the state of Texas, which had a constitutional amendment
• in November of 2019, which was supported by 88% of Texas voters.
• I'm also Texas voters. Texas voters.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, our tax code is subsidizing asthma and air pollution.
• We need more unrestricted general government aid.
• It is not that the federal government is cutting funds.
• somebody with a R in front of their name in the federal government, those laws are set.
• We used to live in Texas.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some states, including Texas, have operated under waivers that allow for managed care organizations to
• that exists under a federal waiver, which is subject to change at the discretion of the federal government
• > have Some states, including Texas, have Some states, including Texas, have operated<00:08:32.399
• <00:08:48.240> and discretion of the federal government and discretion of the federal government
• and Texas has been cited multiple times and I<00:13:28.720> also<00:13:28.959> know<00

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the previous meeting minutes and then reviewed a draft preliminary report on long-term managed care. The chair explained the report is intended to frame issues and outline legislative options, not make a final recommendation, especially given unresolved questions about the federal One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). The report’s key issues included the current financing of county and private nursing homes through Medicaid rates, ProShare, MQUIP, and related funding mechanisms, and the concern that those payments could be affected or eliminated under a managed care model. Members also discussed managed care organizations’ role in Medicaid and cited other states’ experiences, noting examples of savings in Florida and Tennessee but higher costs in California. One member raised Indiana as another important comparison, and the committee agreed to add it to the report’s state examples. The committee also reviewed sections on dual eligibility, D-SNP, PACE, and CFI waivers. The chair raised concerns about whether OB3 creates incentives for states to move toward D-SNP and whether federal changes could affect provider taxes, state-directed payments, and intergovernmental transfers. Henry Litman, the state Medicaid director, said he would confirm details on D-SNP incentives and explained that ProShare is based on certified public expenditure rather than an IGT, while county cap financing is the relevant intergovernmental transfer issue. He said IGTs are not going away and that the main risk is whether current financing mechanisms could be preserved if the state later changed course. Members discussed the possibility of a waiver not being granted or renewed and the high fiscal impact that could have on counties and property taxes. The committee then discussed the population that any long-term managed care model should cover. Members agreed that there is no appetite to move developmental disability or acquired brain disorder populations into long-term managed care at this time, and the chair changed the report’s terminology from “elderly” to “aging population.” The chair also noted that the status quo option should reflect the recent shift toward home and community-based services and reduced nursing home utilization since earlier county reports. The report’s four policy options were summarized as: maintain the status quo; pursue D-SNP for dual eligibles, with DHHS potentially submitting an application as early as 2027; adopt an HCBS carveout; or move fully to managed care for the aging population. No final policy recommendation was made, and the committee discussed making edits to the draft before circulation, including adding Indiana, clarifying OB3-related issues, and changing the report title from “final” to “preliminary” or “interim.”

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas University, Cole Garrett.
• Texas requires you to have a U.S. Coast Guard certification.
• And it was, I understand it, Texas was not enforcing it through their wildlife and fisheries.
• And it was, I understand that Texas was not enforcing it through their wildlife and fisheries.
• Or are you telling me Texas is enforcing it through their wildlife and fisheries?

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met on May 21 with a quorum, approved the May 14 minutes, and then took up a series of natural resources, wildlife, flood control, and transportation-related measures. HB 841 on expropriation procedures was amended to strip most of its substantive language and then deferred. The committee also adopted a technical amendment and reported SCR 54 favorably, which memorializes Congress to fully fund the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act to help address invasive carp and other aquatic invasive species. Several wildlife bills were heard and reported favorably. HB 1248 allows licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer for rehabilitation, and HB 1258 codifies a policy for sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife so the department does not automatically euthanize animals that can be rehabilitated or released. HCR 5, which allows limited red drum harvest at certain established rodeos under strict guardrails, drew opposition from a fishing guide concerned about impacts to redfish recovery, but the committee still reported it favorably. HB 688 adds Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish, with support from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and others, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several infrastructure and flood-related measures. HB 595 requires local governments to respond within 30 days to certain road-use permit requests tied to natural resource development, and it was reported favorably after testimony from oil and gas and industry representatives. HB 802 creates a watershed restoration and conservation fund, narrowed to the Amite River Basin, and was reported favorably with support from conservation and levee interests. SCR 59, urging Congress to ensure FEMA lowers flood insurance rates once the Comite Diversion Canal project reaches 50% completion, was amended and reported favorably, and HCR 62, asking FEMA to review Louisiana flood maps every five years, was also reported favorably. The committee deferred HB 1171, which would have authorized airboats in the Maripaw Swamp Wildlife Management Area, after extensive testimony from supporters and from LDWF officials who raised concerns about habitat sensitivity, migratory birds, user conflicts, and deed restrictions. Finally, HB 1161, transferring certain state property in Lafourche and Jefferson parishes to local governments, HCR 78 supporting the American Seafood Competitive Act, HCR 86 supporting a migratory waterfowl study, and HB 1189 requiring charter boat guides on certain waters to hold U.S. Coast Guard licenses were all reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're from the largest county in the state of Missouri, Texas County.
• Federal elections are under the purview of the federal government.
• I thought we were small government people in here.
• Three of my four counties are township form of government.
• Three of my four counties are township form of government.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal for the 51st day by roll call vote, 117-1. Members then spent a long portion of the morning on personal privileges and introductions of guests, including students, local officials, university visitors, fraternity and sorority members, county officials, banking association representatives, and other constituents. The Speaker also suspended business several times so the Speaker could sign enrolled bills and a Senate substitute, including HB 2061, HB 2641, HB 2423, and HB 2934. The main floor debate centered on House Concurrent Resolution 48, which urges Congress to pass the SAVE America Act requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters argued it would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizen voting, while opponents said it would function as a poll tax, create burdens for women, seniors, students, military members, immigrants, and others who may need to re-register, and would be unnecessary given existing verification systems and the rarity of non-citizen voting. After extended debate and a motion for the previous question, HCR 48 passed third reading 92-43. The House then took up House Concurrent Resolution 23, a federalism resolution urging Congress to reaffirm state authority over elections; it passed unanimously, 137-0. The House also perfected and printed House Bill 2855, which adjusts workers’ compensation and second injury fund tax rate changes from 0.5% increments to 0.1% increments to better match receipts and expenditures. An amendment dealing with permanent total cases and replacement of attorneys in long-running cases was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed. House Bill 1906 was also perfected and printed; it would allow township counties to offer annual, semi-annual, or quarterly payment options for real and personal property taxes, a change supporters said would help taxpayers and modernize outdated statutory language. The House ended the morning session by announcing committee and event notices and then recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, work with the federal government with BLM or whether it's broader DOI or NRC, etc. um.
• We're currently making sure that there's not hidden data in the Texas Health.
• With with the federal government, we cannot be permissive of delays. We can't.
• Hopefully are the people in Texas, cause right, doesn't Amarillo or Texans and they get there.
• I just wonder if Texas is another kind of. And so on this issue in a way. Throw it out there.

Transcript Highlights:

• Childhood Education Governance and Childhood Education Governance and Outcomes<00:08:31.240> Task<
• governed by this chapter. governed by this chapter.
• code and so<00:57:20.640> forth.
• It's put a strain on businesses, churches, schools, local governments, city governments.
• It's put a strain on businesses, churches, schools, local governments, city governments.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 98 members present, declared a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received Senate concurrence requests on Senate Bills 263, 281, and 324. The chamber then moved through second readings and committee reports on a range of measures, including education, agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing, and task force resolutions. Among the reported bills were measures on KEES scholarships for non-certified schools, a residential safe room rebate program, dual credit scholarships, impeding a first responder, motor vehicles, tallow-based cosmetic products, animal health emergencies, mortgage loan income limits, deferred deposit fees, child protection, Attorney General operations, corrections operations, school leadership, school transportation, advanced mathematics coursework, and task forces on charitable gaming and early childhood education governance. The House passed House Bill 642, a Teachers' Retirement System housekeeping bill, after adopting House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said the bill updates survivor benefit documentation, raises the daily earnings limit for retired members returning to work from $170 to $200, removes an unused early-return provision, reinstates a pension waiver program, clarifies benefit tier calculations using an earlier participation date in another state system, and allows a parent member to manage payments for a disabled child without a court order. Members asked about substitute teaching limits, retirement penalties, budget impact, and a removed provision involving index funds; the sponsor said he would follow up on the day limits and stated he did not believe the bill would add to unfunded liability. The bill passed 96-0. The House also passed House Bill 780 on recording commissioner’s deeds, after adopting a floor amendment that removed fines and penalties. The bill allows a city to petition circuit court if a deed is not recorded within 30 business days, and the court may compel filing and award costs and attorney’s fees. Members discussed whether the bill effectively created a lawsuit-based enforcement mechanism rather than a fine, and supporters said it would help local governments identify responsible property owners and address code enforcement and public safety issues. The bill passed 96-0. House Bill 541, concerning peace officers, also passed after a committee substitute; the sponsor said it cleans up Kentucky Law Enforcement Council procedures, strengthens certification standards, clarifies revocation language, and reflects input from law enforcement groups. It passed 95-0. House Bill 195, the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, passed after a committee substitute and floor amendment. The substitute added Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension alongside UK Cooperative Extension, and the floor amendment changed the pilot’s implementation date to January 1, 2027 and adjusted the program’s term timing. Supporters said the bill would expand urban agriculture education, connect youth to food systems and career pathways, and help students in urban counties learn practical agricultural skills; it passed 97-0. The House then took up House Bill 794 on financial exploitation, which expands protections to all adults age 65 and older, adds felony penalties for knowingly, wantonly, or recklessly exploiting those adults, allows the attorney general to seek extradition from another state, and requires investment advisers to complete three hours of continuing education on financial exploitation. Members cited real-world scam experiences and urged stronger penalties, but the bill passed 96-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• co-equal branches of government. co-equal branches of government.
• We can reopen this government today.
• Um, you don't know how to govern.
• :13:25.679> terrorize a government that doesn't terrorize a government that doesn't terrorize
• <01:22:38.480> running workers to keep our government running workers to keep our government

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, March 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Shelley Hampton, director of government >> Shelley Hampton, director of government
• Counties are responsible governments.
• In my home state of Texas, burglary.
• In Texas, we every single felony.
• <01:01:56.400> now Florida, Georgia, Texas, and now Florida, Georgia, Texas, and now Virginia

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the October 21 minutes, and then heard a KO presentation focused on county jail funding pressures. KO leaders and county judges said jail costs have become a statewide crisis, noting that county general fund contributions to jail budgets have risen sharply since 2019. They said the organization’s sole legislative priority this session is to “reshape the shared responsibility” for county jails through three main proposals: incentivizing regional jails, clarifying responsibility for pre-trial felony detainees, and changing the model for housing state inmates. On regional jails, KO proposed one-time state construction help for new or expanded regional facilities, allowing former county jails to become 96-hour holdover facilities, changing regional jail authority boards so each participating county jailer can serve, increasing the closed-jail supplement, and offering a one-time payment to counties that close a jail and join a regional plan. On pre-trial felony detainees, Judge Mosley argued counties bear the full cost for people held before trial, sometimes for years, and said counties should be reimbursed for time served credit when those inmates are later sentenced. On state inmates, KO said the current per diem of $35.34 is below the average daily county jail cost of $63.44, and proposed a new contract model requiring the Department of Corrections to pay actual housing costs while counties provide agreed programming such as substance use treatment, cognitive behavioral programming, re-entry services, workforce training, and academic programming. Members asked about the fiscal impact of the package, the feasibility of regional jail population thresholds, and whether the proposal could affect counties’ ability to house federal inmates. KO said regionalization should remain a local decision, that a bill draft and fiscal note were being developed, and that only certain jails are eligible to house federal inmates under existing agreements. Representative Maddox also asked about social media comments by Judge Mosley regarding homeschooling; Mosley said the remarks were unrelated to KO and apologized for any offense. Senator Mills asked what counties would do with savings from jail costs, and judges said the money would likely go to local services such as roads, ambulance service, senior programs, parks, economic development, infrastructure, broadband, and water projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• that re-engineers how more than 30 million Texans will be represented at the highest levels of government
• You thought that big government was coming in to take over everything.
• And it seems like leadership in Texas...
• So the people of Texas spoke. They came out in overwhelming numbers to these hearings.
• To assert that the people of Texas... Want this is strange credulity. It's unbelievable.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that re-engineers how more than 30 million Texans will be represented at the highest levels of government
• you to understand, just like some of you remember what that fear felt like you thought that big government
• And it seems like leadership in Texas.
• So the people of Texas spoke. They came out in overwhelming numbers to these hearings.
• To assert that the people of Texas want this. I Strange credulity. It's, it's unbelievable.