Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 738 directs the Texas Historical Commission to establish a program to identify, renovate,
• Additionally, Rosenwald schools renovated under this program may be repurposed as community learning
• We started this program last session, and I was able to secure. the funding to renovate one of the Rosenwald
• help guide... ...the programming and the educational programs that would be... you know, these new renovated
• And so to renovate this facility, they have a gymnasium that not only serves the folks in Gonzales. but

Bills: HB370 , HB738 , HB2935 , HB3227 , HB4103 , HB5259 , SB519 , SB1350 , SB1247 , SB1248 , SB2112 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR59 , HCR109 , HCR111 , HCR135 , SCR6

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• And does your, uh, plan for renovation deal with, uh, reducing those anyway?
• those renovation deal with uh, reducing those anyway?
• </c><01:50:40.719><c> plan</c> incorporated into this renovation plan incorporated into this renovation
• So, my question is how is that going to be considered in a renovation plan? Yeah.
• </c> consideration in a renovation plan? consideration in a renovation plan?

Bills: HF2080 , HF356 , HF1968 , HF228 , HF569 , HF603 , HF692 , HF1455 , HF2224 , HF1361

Committee: House Capital Investment

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• about a stronger partnership between the state and the segments to better support construction and renovation
• Historically, the state paid for construction and renovation of academic facilities at the segments through
• This evaluation revealed nearly $13 billion in needed seismic renovations across the 10 UC campuses.
• include four seismic retrofit projects, 10 projects to support STEM learning environments, and renovation
• over 25 years old, and more than 47% of our facilities are over 40 years old and are in need of renovation

Summary: The committee’s first major discussion focused on higher education facilities across UC, CSU, and the community colleges, with Chair Alvarez framing the issue as a final budget hearing before the May Revise. The LAO presented findings that campuses have grown substantially in buildings and square footage, while classroom and lab utilization remains below legislative standards and deferred maintenance backlogs continue to rise. The LAO also emphasized that the state and segments lack comprehensive data on capital renewal spending and recommended better reporting, clearer funding targets, and long-term planning for renewal and maintenance. UC, CSU, and community college representatives each described large five-year capital plans, aging facilities, seismic and deferred maintenance needs, and the role of student housing, while noting that construction costs are rising faster than inflation. Members questioned the segments about debt service, utilization rates, and how projects are prioritized. UC said its debt service tied to state support is about $665 million annually and described a $30 billion five-year capital financial plan, including housing, medical centers, and building renewal. CSU said it has about $31 billion in five-year needs and more than $8 billion in deferred maintenance, with funding coming from a mix of state-related and one-time sources since the state shifted capital responsibility to CSU. Community colleges said their unmet facilities needs total about $33.5 billion and explained their use of a scoring matrix and FUSION system to rank projects. The chair and members pressed all three systems to better distinguish between projects that are truly shovel-ready and those that are long-term needs, and discussed whether facilities condition data, total cost of ownership, and more standardized metrics should guide future bond proposals. The committee then turned to Proposition 2 and the Governor’s proposed community college capital outlay projects. The Department of Finance said Prop. 2 provides $1.5 billion for community colleges and that the Governor’s budget proposes 29 projects, with two continuing Prop. 51 projects also included. The LAO supported the overall use of the funds but raised concerns about the current 65/35 split between modernization and growth, the unusually large share of gymnasium projects, and some scoring metrics that favor larger campuses and certain regions. Community college officials said the scoring system was developed through participatory governance and would take one to two years to revise, but they supported the funding and agreed to follow up on questions about project categories and the rationale for the weighting. Members also suggested giving more weight to modernization, regional access, and intersegmental or collaborative projects. A final item addressed the CalKids program. The Department of Finance proposed $56,000 ongoing General Fund for three positions, while the LAO recommended approving two positions but rejecting a manager position until the current $7.5 million marketing campaign is evaluated. ScholarShare’s executive director said CalKids has enrolled more than 5 million children, with nearly 600,000 claims and over $45 million distributed, and argued that additional staff and outreach are needed to reach a goal of 1 million claimed scholarships by the end of 2025 and to implement AB 2808. Members asked about marketing effectiveness, data sharing, and eligibility rules, and the program said it is expanding partnerships with Cradle to Career and CSAC. No final vote was taken in the hearing, and the chair indicated the facilities item would be held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if there's renovations to the buildings that are included within the district, that would become the
• </c> existing land so if there's renovations existing land so if there's renovations to<00:51:45.720>
• </c><00:52:42.160><c> to</c><00:52:42.760><c> the</c><00:52:43.200><c> the</c> um with the renovations
• to the the um with the renovations to the the properties<00:52:43.799><c> within</c><00:52:44.079><c
• so it does it additional um renovation so it does it does<00:53:08.520><c> change</c><00:53:09.079><

Bills: HF1746 , HF2585 , HF1159 , HF2574 , HF2839 , HF157 , HF158 , HF160 , HF338 , HF512

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:28:55.040><c> And</c> Much more than an arena renovation.
• If we're able to do this renovation, that number would increase by $110 million a year.
• ><c> number</c><01:31:22.320><c> would</c> renovation, uh that number would renovation, uh that number
• This $800 million project is more than just a renovation. It's a commitment to the future of St.
• , how much for the River Centre renovation, and how much for Roy Wilkins.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Today to request assistance to renovate the roof of the historic Jackson Street Roundhouse, which is
• </c><00:04:50.919><c> as</c> that would be part of this renovation as that would be part of this renovation
• We are asking a little money to help us renovate the building that we are working on.
• We are asking a little money to help us renovate the building that we are working on.
• We are asking a little money to help us renovate the building that we are working on.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• first looked at the animal hospital, when that project was moving forward, we were looking at a renovation
• </c><00:35:33.000><c> possibly</c> were looking at a renovation possibly were looking at a renovation
• The first is it will lead to the renovation of 1500 Mississippi Street.
• </c><01:31:43.239><c> to</c> we uh uh make substantial renovations to we uh uh make substantial renovations
• </c> thirdly it would re it would renovate thirdly it would re it would renovate existing<01:32:43.480

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• He said renovations and upgrades will address building repair items beyond day-to-day maintenance and
• </c> really get that HVAC system uh renovated really get that HVAC system uh renovated and<00:15:10.880
• </c><00:15:59.240><c> I</c><00:15:59.279><c> don't</c> the repair of this renovation I don't the repair
• of this renovation I don't think<00:15:59.480><c> it</c><00:15:59.519><c> would</c><00:15:59.680><c>
• Renovations and uh repairs<00:41:57.880><c> for</c><00:41:58.160><c> our</c><00:41:58.440><c> campus

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, there has been no request, but I would like to request the use of those monies to renovate
• To request the use of those monies to renovate Committee Room C, which is on the fourth floor of the
• So, in keeping with the renovations that the House did in their offices and the fifth floor, this would

Committee: All ALC-EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Executive Subcommittee met and first considered a waiver request from the Stuttgart School District to use the TIPS interlocal purchasing system for a turf replacement project instead of the traditional competitive bid process. Superintendent Jeff McKinney explained that three bids were received but none fully met the RFP specifications, including warranty and insurance requirements. He said the district, with its architect’s guidance, determined that United Turf and Track was the best option because it met the 10-year warranty requirement, had resolved the insurance issue, had prior experience with the district, and could complete the work in time for summer installation. The committee approved the waiver request. Members then approved a consultant services agreement between the Bureau of Legislative Research and WorkEd Consulting for work related to the workforce system study and potential legislation for the 2027 session. Senator Jane English and Representative Mary Bentley said the consultant would help the legislature develop reforms after prior audit findings showed the current workforce system was inefficient and ineffective. They noted WorkEd’s experience in other states, including Louisiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Virginia, and explained that some subcontractors would include people who had worked on the earlier Georgia Center for Opportunity study. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a renewed actuarial and consultant services agreement with Perrin Knight for services related to the state’s new property insurance captive. Jill Thayer said the contract would provide independent actuarial support to legislative subcommittees, especially the State Insurance Properties Oversight Subcommittee, with services billed only as used. Members asked about budgeting, frequency of work, and overlap with existing executive branch contractors; Thayer and Senator Goodmore said the service had been anticipated from the start and would be separate and independent. Finally, Marty Garrity requested use of committee room funds to renovate Committee Room C in the Big Mac Building because its audio-visual equipment is outdated. That request was approved, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, there has been no request, but I would like to request the use of those monies to renovate
• So, in keeping with the renovations that the House did in their offices and the fifth floor, this would
• So, in keeping with the renovations that the House did in their offices and the fifth floor, this would

Committee: All ALC-EXECUTIVE SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• Luckily, H. 3577/S. 2286 Luckily, H. 3577/S. 2286, an act establishing a zero carbon renovation fund,
• LISC chairs the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund Coalition.
• LISC chairs the zero carbon renovation fund coalition.
• We urge you to include the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund as an amendment to the environment bond bill.
• The inclusion of a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund will help catalyze an equitable transition to a clean

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools. Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration. Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of our first of the modern renovations of the public library branch system in Boston, one
• We see growth in visitor counts upwards close to 40% following our renovations.
• With the men, there are 6,500 men in our prison, 175 ladies in our state prison, 50 of them that should
• be in Middlesex, and the same similarly with our county prisons.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held an FY27 Health and Human Services budget hearing in Mattapan, hosted at the Boston Public Library branch. Chairs Lydia Edwards and Russell Holmes, along with Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid, emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing ever in Mattapan and highlighted the importance of bringing state budget deliberations into a majority-Black neighborhood. Several legislators introduced themselves as they joined, and the committee noted that public testimony was not part of the format, though agencies were invited to discuss priorities and challenges. MassAbility opened the agency testimony. Leadership described the agency’s mission to support people with disabilities through employment, training, home and community life services, and disability determination. They said Governor Healey’s FY27 budget funds MassAbility at $93.3 million, a 1% reduction from FY26, and explained that the agency is responding to federal funding uncertainty and shifting program needs by redesigning services internally. Members questioned a proposed $1.3 million reduction to the Home Care Program, staffing changes, and whether services could be maintained with fewer resources. MassAbility said it was reviewing data on who uses the program, that it does not provide nursing or personal care, and that it is working with a transition plan and a working group. The agency also discussed federal uncertainty around vocational rehabilitation funding and said it had received delayed federal awards but remained in contact with national associations and federal partners. The testimony included a personal story from a participant, Joshua Corcoran, to illustrate the impact of services. The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing testified next, requesting $11.27 million, about a 6% increase over FY26. The commission said it serves about 1.4 million residents and focuses on communication access in health care, courts, public safety, and other public systems. It highlighted interpreter and captioner workforce shortages, a mentorship program to expand the provider pool, and a modernized referral platform funded through capital contingency money. Members asked about interpreter availability, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL access for students and families, and training for police and emergency responders. The commission said staffing remains limited, especially for after-hours services, but that it is expanding training, school outreach, and partnerships with DCF and other agencies. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind then presented its FY27 budget request of $30.8 million. The commissioner said the agency serves nearly 9,000 legally blind residents, provides training and peer support, and placed 190 consumers in competitive integrated employment this year. It also described services for older adults, vocational rehabilitation, and the Turning 22 program for young adults with additional disabilities. Members raised concerns about a 7% cut from the prior year and asked how the agency could maintain services; the commissioner said the agency had no waiting list, had trimmed overhead, and could manage the budget through internal efficiencies and strong partnerships. The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the session, describing expanded legal and support services for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, citizenship and financial literacy programs, and the Family Welcome Center in Mattapan. Members asked about federal funding losses and the structure of the new legal services program; ORI said FY26 funding is stable but FY27 federal cuts remain uncertain, and that the legal program uses a centralized intake system with priority for emergencies and first-come, first-served access.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is one of our first of the modern renovations of the public library branch system in Boston, one
• We see growth in visitor counts upwards close to 40% following our renovations.
• With the men, there are 6,500 men in our prison, 175 ladies in our state prison, 50 of them that should
• be in Middlesex, and the same similarly with our county prisons.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• President of the United States, you can suffer consequences including up to five years in a federal prison
• I'd be facing going to prison.
• c><03:36:24.479><c> could</c><03:36:24.640><c> take</c><03:36:24.880><c> as</c><03:36:25.200><c> prisoners
• ,</c><03:36:26.160><c> and</c> all they could take as prisoners, and all they could take as prisoners
• of the ago a $1.2 billion renovation of the state<03:52:28.160><c> capital</c><03:52:28.479><c> itself

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes construction services, maintenance, repair, renovations, capital improvement projects as
• Number seven, UAMS, endoscopy procedure room renovation. This increases an existing...
• Endoscopy Procedure Room Renovation, this increases an existing MOF to modernize this procedure room
• And this includes similar to U of A small order jobs, including roofing, renovations, carpeting, HVAC
• , gym renovations, and projects on all three campuses.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes construction services, maintenance, repair, renovations, capital improvement projects as
• Number seven, UAMS, endoscopy procedure room renovation.
• Endoscopy Procedure Room Renovation.
• jobs, including roofing And this includes similar to U of A small order jobs, including roofing, renovations
• , carpeting, HVAC, gym renovations, and projects on all three campuses.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are now in the midst of a $100 million renovation, which includes geothermal energy, sustainable
• to a building, a capital renovation that might take a couple years, three years to begin and complete
• school that has never been renovated, in which we educate 21st century teachers.
• There is the potential for renovation and reuse as housing for veterans, seniors, faculty and staff,
• And it hasn't had any major renovation for a long time.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its second public hearing of the 194th General Court on capital investments in higher education, focusing primarily on H.54, the Bright Act, along with H.1426/S.949 on green and healthy public colleges and universities and deferred maintenance, and H.1424 on capital investment in Gateway Cities. Chairs and administration officials framed the hearing as a response to aging campus infrastructure, climate goals, workforce needs, and federal pressures on higher education, and explained that testimony would be taken from pre-registered speakers in person and virtually. University of Massachusetts leaders strongly supported the Bright Act, describing large deferred maintenance backlogs, aging buildings, and the need to decarbonize campuses while modernizing research and teaching facilities. UMass officials said the bill would help keep tuition and fees lower by reducing the need for campuses to finance capital work themselves, and argued that the investments would improve competitiveness, support research, and create construction jobs. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary of Education Tuttweiler, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Gorzkowicz also backed the bill, saying it would leverage Fair Share surtax revenues for a proposed $2.5 billion in campus investments plus additional targeted grants, and that it would support affordability, economic growth, and climate resilience. Committee members asked about the balance between deferred maintenance and decarbonization, the role of grant programs versus direct spending, the impact on tuition and fees, and how the plan would help campuses respond to federal cuts such as NIH and NSF funding. Administration officials said the proposal was designed to be phased in quickly, with some projects ready to start immediately and others taking longer, and that the grant programs would be structured to include all campuses equitably. They also said the plan would build on an existing financing model similar to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and could help campuses avoid future tuition increases tied to capital costs. Additional testimony came from MassBay Community College, where President David Podell and recent nursing graduate Deanna Cavazos described the benefits of a new Framingham campus building and said community colleges need modern labs, better planning capacity, and deferred maintenance support to serve the enrollment growth from MassReconnect and MassEducate. State university leaders, including President Mary Grant, President Linda Thompson, and President John Keenan, said their campuses face outdated classrooms, insufficient electrical capacity, and aging facilities, and urged passage of the Bright Act as a long-overdue investment in student success and workforce preparation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The flexibility in our venues as we're doing different renovations and improvements around the State
• c><00:37:22.000><c> and</c> funding of re of construction and funding of re of construction and renovation
• , it became clear it's going renovation, it became clear it's going to<00:37:24.079><c> be</c><00:37:
• or construction of CCT renovation or construction of CCT centers.<00:37:35.280><c> So,</c><00:37:35.680
• </c><00:37:50.160><c> or</c> uh and be able to do renovations or uh and be able to do renovations or

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• foot renovation of our current<00:43:10.920><c> structure.
• We also have renovation that has to be done to our water treatment facility and water tower.
• <00:52:02.640><c> or</c><00:52:02.880><c> replacement</c> renovation or replacement renovation or replacement
• We also have renovation that has soon.
• </c><01:25:33.199><c> the</c> facility will expand and renovate the facility will expand and renovate

Bills: HF2178 , HF942 , HF2470 , HF1043 , HF1287 , HF1229 , HF1230 , HF424 , HF571 , HF404 , HF910 , HF1055 , HF318 , HF319 , HF401 , HF609 , HF306 , HF1599 , HF1881

Committee: House Capital Investment