Video & Transcript Research : 'Cook Museum'

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FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Feb 20th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • you compare the funding that we have in those main grant programs, like, for example, cultural and museum
  • you compare the funding that we have in those main grant programs, like, for example, cultural and museum
  • which has the most number of, Senator Smith asked about the main grant programs, such as cultural and museum
  • Chair DeSiglie said that, for cultural museum grants, the Senate has $11.9 million this year, compared
Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-01-16 - 9:30AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Vermont Historical Society, a wonderful organization, great caliber, and I encourage you to visit the museum
  • 58.480> the caliber and I encourage you to visit the caliber and I encourage you to visit the museum
  • <00:16:00.399> It's<00:16:00.639> a museum next door sometime.
  • It's a museum next door sometime.
Keywords: 926, house, all
Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Brenda Steady and then suspended the rules to introduce 12 House bills by number only, referring them to committees. Members also read a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellow Jackets boys soccer team on winning the Division 2 championship, and the chamber welcomed the team and coaches to the gallery. The Speaker announced that HCR 163 had been mistakenly placed on the consent calendar and removed it, and also announced committee appointments following a resignation. A series of guest recognitions followed, including visitors from the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, the 2026 Snelling Early Childhood Leadership Institute cohort, mentoring organizations observing National Mentoring Month, the Vermont Historical Society, and former Representative Mari Cordes. Members also highlighted an upcoming Act 73 overview, the first Farmers Night concert, and a Caucus for Vermont’s Economy meeting. No votes were taken on these announcements, but the House formally welcomed the guests and recognized new House leadership and a new committee assistant. On the action calendar, the House passed H.649 on captive insurance companies and concurred in S.60 establishing the Farm Security Special Fund for weather-related farm losses. The House then approved H.534 on community action agencies, with the Human Services Committee describing it as a statute update that changes terminology, strengthens planning and governance requirements, and uses people-first language; the committee reported a 10-0-1 vote. The House also advanced H.84, which allows telehealth appointments to be recorded only with patient and provider consent; the Health Care Committee said it modernizes telehealth law without weakening privacy protections and reported a 10-0-1 vote. The chamber ordered third reading or passage on each bill and then adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Mar 20th, 2025

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, it says something about a museum Hill. Property for $5 million. Do you know what that is? Mr.
  • Chairman and Senator, so that Museum Hill property is one that once was in the governor's statewide requests
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Regulated Industries Mar 19th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • And don't discount the quilting museum that you also have in Gilchrist. Good morning, Mr.
  • And don't discount the quilting museum that you also have in Gilchrist. Thank you, Commissioner.
  • And don't discount the quilting museum that you also have in Gilchrist, which is fine, future.
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and heard several bills, with SB 1742 on condos temporarily postponed. SB 1298 on building construction was reported favorably after sponsor testimony about continuing education for building professionals, rural sharing of building officials, residential inspector limits, a planning examiner internship, permitting modernization, and contractor transition liability. SB 638 on home inspectors was also reported favorably after discussion of increasing required education from 120 to 200 hours, adding subject-specific exam and course requirements, and requiring $300,000 in errors and omissions insurance. SB 960 on elevator accessibility requirements was reported favorably, allowing additional shorter support rails in elevators while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. The committee also unanimously recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees. The committee adopted amendments and reported favorably CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms, aimed at stopping bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations; the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the bill, and members discussed how the measure would preserve direct restaurant-platform relationships like OpenTable and Resy while targeting third-party marketplaces that resell reservations. CS/SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was reported favorably after amendments that defined mRNA vaccine use and added a cosmetics-related amendment addressing harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasing agents, and mercury compounds; the Florida Retail Federation raised concerns but said it was working with the sponsor. CS/SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was reported favorably after an amendment clarifying the definition of heated tobacco products and excluding hookah, with support from the Florida Retail Federation and comments that the bill would distinguish these products from cigarettes for tax purposes. The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 1262 on construction contracting, which adds consumer protection and financial literacy topics to contractor continuing education, increases penalties for unlicensed contracting, creates a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and requires timely refunds and project completion standards; the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. Finally, CS/SB 1304 on solar facilities was reported favorably after extensive testimony from county commissioners and local officials supporting greater local oversight and decommissioning requirements for utility-scale solar on agricultural land; the bill would remove the current statewide by-right treatment for solar on agricultural land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances. The meeting ended with members recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, May 8, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Miss Adler's work includes repurposing the historic Kennedy Pharmacy as the Davenport House Museum Shop
  • Shop,<02:09:22.159> ensuring<02:09:22.560> that<02:09:22.719> Savannah's Museum
  • Shop, ensuring that Savannah's Museum Shop, ensuring that Savannah's rich<02:09:23.599> past<
  • ,<04:37:23.600> fitness,<04:37:23.920> and vocational skills, cooking, fitness, and
  • vocational skills, cooking, fitness, and nutrition,<04:37:24.799> how<04:37:24.959> to
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Select will meet today at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1W.14 at the Agricultural Museum
  • formal meeting to consider pending referred and committee business. in Room 1W.14 at the Agricultural Museum
Keywords: 997, house, all
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 11th, 2025 at 09:30 am

Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • But, you know, our director from the Grant Forks Children's Science Museum has been...
  • You know, our director from the Grant Forks Children's Science Museum has been doing outreach to small
Bills: HB1540
Summary: The committee first took up amended bill 10-13, a school funding and education appropriations measure. Senator Schaible walked through the final version, which included changes to foundation aid, transportation grants, free and reduced-price meals funding, paraprofessional and teacher support programs, Native American education items, library and school facility projects, and several one-time grants. Members discussed removing the science center grant funding, and Senator Meyer objected to that removal, arguing that Grand Forks had raised matching private and local funds and that other cities had received similar state support. The committee also agreed to adjust regional education association funding to reflect six centers rather than seven, reducing that line to $600,000. The committee then adopted the amendment to 10-13 unanimously and passed the bill as further amended on a unanimous roll call, with Senator Shively designated as carrier. After a brief recess, the committee turned to bill 1540, but no formal action was taken. Bank of North Dakota and OMB representatives raised concerns that the draft included policy changes and procurement/IT exemptions that needed further discussion. Members agreed the bill would be delayed until Monday so the Bank, OMB, and NDIT could confer and work through the mechanics and policy issues before the committee moved it forward.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Next, we have the Agriculture Museum board. Remember to please state your name as you come up.
  • Where is the Agricultural Museum? It's in Dothan, Alabama. Okay, so it's down there. Thank you.
Keywords: 924, joint, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Jul 17th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think you had quilting, cooking. I think those really help our communities. And you're right.
  • And I want to also thank the cooks for preparing such a delicious meal.
  • We don't have music, we don't have drama, we don't have cooking, those types of.
  • They can't take their kids to the museum.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • I am the senior curator of modern contemporary art at the Honolulu Museum of Art, testifying here as
  • This bill would harm the State Museum, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the artists,
  • This bill would harm the State Museum, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the artists,
  • Right now, the State Museum, um, is that the only property that sort of falls in your, like, physical
  • Is that something that is under your... that is with the Friends of the Hawaii State Art Museum?
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, June 8, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 7,500 works.
  • The museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 7,500 works.
  • The museum maintains a permanent collection of more than 7,500 works.
  • <00:10:38.320> satellite longestr running museum satellite longestr running museum satellite
  • The museum maintains a program.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think you're familiar with the quasi-state agencies would be places like the Science Museum of Minnesota
  • I think you're familiar with the quasi-state agencies would be places like the Science Museum of Minnesota
  • agencies would be f um places like state agencies would be f um places like science<00:20:38.480> museum
  • <00:20:38.799> of<00:20:39.039> Minnesota science museum of Minnesota science museum
Bills: HF3426, HF3428
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • California Indian people using Google rather than reaching out to local tribes, chairmen, chairwomen, or museums
  • using Google and not reaching out to any of the local tribes, chairman, chairwoman, or going to any museums
  • that we had here. not only is going to any museums that we had here.
  • gardens to learn biology, food sovereignty, and responsibility, taking field trips to rivers, tribal museums
  • ... ...food sovereignty and responsibility, taking field trips to rivers, tribal museums, or tribal lands
Summary: The Select Committee on Native American Affairs held a historic hearing at Table Mountain Rancheria focused on tribal education, culture, resilience, leadership, and trust. The opening prayer and remarks emphasized the significance of holding the first committee hearing on tribal land. Members said the hearing was intended both to hear testimony about ongoing problems in schools and to identify next steps for legislation and policy, especially as the session neared its end. The committee also referenced recent efforts supporting Native students’ right to wear regalia at graduation and broader concerns about representation in education and state institutions. The first panel centered on Native students’ experiences in public schools. Bella Garcia described a two-year fight with Clovis Unified over wearing tribal regalia at graduation, including a restrictive approval form and administrators who she said denied Native identity and made her feel invisible. Morningstar Ghali connected those experiences to the legacy of boarding schools, racial profiling, suspensions, and the “boarding school to prison pipeline,” and called for culturally responsive education, Native educators, counselors, Native studies, and restorative justice. Janet K. Bill, from the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs, described her own path from tribal Head Start to Stanford, law school, tribal council, and state service, and said education, justice, and sovereignty are linked. Members asked about restorative justice, representation, and how to build pipelines into leadership and education roles. The second panel focused on solutions. Chairwoman Michelle Heredia Cordova urged a reimagined education system that is more personalized, experiential, culturally grounded, and balanced with land-based learning, while also recruiting Native teachers and creating stronger tribal partnerships. Chairman Leo Sisku said schools should educate educators, stop tokenizing Native students, and create accountability and consequences for discriminatory behavior; he also supported stronger tribal-school partnerships and more positive outreach. Chairman Fred Bean emphasized consistent engagement from tribal leaders at every level of schooling, stronger transitions from elementary to college, and programs that prepare Native youth for leadership, trades, and higher education. Chairman Shaineto of Tule River argued that schools and administrators should face consequences for violating Native students’ rights, and that Native people should not have to keep educating institutions about basic cultural respect. Committee members responded by discussing possible statewide solutions, including regional tribal boards, better enforcement of existing laws, stronger pipelines into teaching and leadership, and improved representation on boards and in state agencies. Several members raised the need to implement existing laws, fill vacant Native appointments, and consider broader protections for Native regalia and cultural expression. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but the hearing concluded with a clear call for continued collaboration, accountability, and legislation driven by Native voices.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 18th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Not only that, we see our history, our Black history, being erased at museums, state parks.
  • So yes, I agree with At museums, state parks. So yes, I agree with my colleague.
  • We cannot accept it, and without at museums, state parks. So yes, I agree with my colleague.
Keywords: 988, house, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. Apr 29th, 2025 at 08:30 am

Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Transcript Highlights:
  • Testing Museum, which gives you all the history of what they did.
  • I do have to point out, though, that the museum you mentioned, which I have been to, it's in Las Vegas
  • Yes, it's a great museum. I highly recommend it. Vice Admiral Papano and Mr.
Summary: The meeting of the committee revolved around critical discussions on enhancing the defense industrial base, focusing on small business engagement and the importance of streamlined processes in defense contracting. There was a significant emphasis on the need for more investment in the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of competition from countries like China. Some members expressed frustration over the treatment of small businesses, citing barriers that prevent these innovative companies from effectively participating in defense contracts. The need for a workforce capable of meeting the common challenges posed by evolving technologies and geopolitical threats was also highlighted throughout the meeting.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Education K-16 Apr 22nd, 2025

Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:
  • destinations, conventions, and visitor bureaus, marketing organizations, sports teams, and many more museums
  • So if I'm wanting to go to Cook County Community College and I live in Parker County in a different district
  • , the policy is that I haven't been paying taxes or my family hasn't been paying taxes into Cook County
Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES Feb 12th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tourism notified us in April 2024 of the loss of receipts totaling almost $3,500 from one of its museums
  • and Tourism notified us in April 24 of the loss of receipts totaling almost $3,500 from one of its museums
Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection. For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation. For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • I have refused this year because the Science Museum has developed a full curriculum and, uh, based on
  • I have refused this year because the Science Museum has developed a full curriculum and, based on your
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The House took up the conference committee report on Senate File 3045, an act relating to state government operations. The authors described the bill as a broad agreement on government operations that funds state functions, limits growth in government, and includes elections and campaign finance provisions that were characterized as common-sense and bipartisan. Members also noted the bill supports legislative staff and other government operations, and one speaker highlighted that the final product reflected technical changes and input from counties and other election stakeholders. During debate, several members praised the conference process and the bipartisan work between the House and Senate co-chairs. One member specifically emphasized that the elections portion was developed to address technical fixes and to respond to concerns from those involved in election administration. Another speaker, in a lighthearted aside, referenced a “giant beaver bill” and thanked a colleague for bringing it forward again, before urging members to vote green. The House adopted the conference committee report and then repassed Senate File 3045 as amended by conference. The final roll call was 116 ayes and 18 nays, and the bill’s title was agreed to.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • addition, recommendations include $10 million in general revenue for the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
  • LB talked about your Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • LB talked about your Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • The City of Waco has spent a tremendous amount of money on the Hall of Fame museum there in Waco.
  • This is just a relocating of that museum. I’m not sure what’s covered in it.
Bills: SB 1
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 20th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and Tourism to conduct a study, in consultation with the board of directors of the Louisiana State Museum
  • and the National World War II Museum, on the feasibility of establishing a museum and trail dedicated
  • We're going to ask the World War II Museum to take a look and see could we have a trail up there on the