Transcript Highlights:

• This is a balance.
• This is a balance.
• This is a balance.
• This is a balance.
• This is a balance.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you balance the privacy of those individuals? Are... Follow. Sure.
• How do you balance the privacy of those individuals?
• How do you balance the privacy of those individuals?
• How do you balance the privacy of those individuals?
• How do you balance the privacy of those individuals? There's a criminal conviction.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the school district, being aware of the possibility of proration, would have some unassigned fund balance
• was excess funding, and then that lapses back to the taxpayers in the form of an unassigned fund balance
• the school district, being aware of the possibility of proration, would have some unassigned fund balance
• was excess funding, and then that lapses back to the taxpayers in the form of an unassigned fund balance
• It's just a question of the balance between the Education Trust Fund and the general fund dollars, where

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II committee heard a Department of Education budget presentation from Commissioner Frank Edelblut and CFO Tammy Valen-cour. The department outlined its organizational structure and emphasized that it functions largely as a flow-through agency for school funding. The commissioner reviewed general fund and Education Trust Fund items, including state aid, dropout prevention, special education, building aid, lease aid, charter schools, Education Freedom Accounts, and the district adequacy calculation. He also highlighted the public school infrastructure fund, saying the state has invested well over $50 million in school safety since 2018 for measures such as access controls, locks, and window film, and argued that safety spending should be ongoing rather than reactive. Members asked about the variability in the school infrastructure line, special education aid, and the Discovery Education learning platform. Edelblut explained that some safety funding had come from one-time surplus appropriations rather than the agency line, and said special education aid was underappropriated because districts submitted more invoices than expected; he said the governor added $16 million to address the shortfall. He also described CTE renovation funding, noting four projects were initially proposed but only Jaffrey and Milford were still moving forward, with local votes required and the state covering 75% of costs. He said Milford’s project was omitted from the governor’s budget by oversight. The department also reviewed enrollment trends, noting public school enrollment has fallen from about 230,000 students in 2002 to about 185,000 today. Edelblut clarified that charter students are not eligible for Education Freedom Accounts, while EFA students attending non-public schools are counted as EFA students. He described several one-time surplus-funded initiatives, including Student Clearinghouse, MTSSB work, civics curriculum development, computer science education, and adult education. He also discussed a $4 million CTE tuition and transportation grant, saying it was kept as a competitive grant rather than a formula grant to avoid creating an ongoing maintenance-of-effort commitment that could jeopardize federal Perkins funding. In the final portion, Edelblut identified prioritized needs in the department’s budget, especially funding for a state administrator for assessment to support the legislatively required civics assessment, and additional support for the Discovery Education platform. He said every school in the state is using the platform and cited more than 1.5 million educator engagements, while a member raised concerns about mixed reviews and uneven district awareness of the program. No votes or formal actions were taken during the presentation and question period.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:44:53.159><c> we</c><01:44:53.320><c> fund</c> and then to cover the balance we fund and then
• to cover the balance we fund raise<01:44:53.920><c> which</c><01:44:54.040><c> is</c><01:44:54.760><
• And I think it protects the interests of our constituents and achieves a balance between the ability
• a balance between the ability<03:44:51.840><c> of</c><03:44:52.279><c> creditors</c><03:44:53.239><c
• </c><03:45:15.000><c> I</c> it it strikes a very good balance I it it strikes a very good balance I think

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We worked very hard on balancing everyone's concerns.
• It took a while to address everyone's concerns and get it balanced, and I'd be happy to take any questions
• /c><00:13:03.920><c> very</c><00:13:04.240><c> hard</c><00:13:04.639><c> on</c><00:13:05.120><c> balancing
• </c> We worked very hard on balancing We worked very hard on balancing everyone's<00:13:06.240><c> concerns
• and I'd be happy to take get it balanced and I'd be happy to take any<00:13:20.160><c> questions,</c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 1598 and an amendment, 2026-0463H. Elliott Barry and Nick Norman testified that the amendment reflected a hard-fought compromise balancing concerns from all sides, and they urged no further changes. With no questions from members, the subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend the bill with the amendment to the full committee, 3-0, and closed the subcommittee. The housing committee then moved through several executive session bills. HB 1010 was amended with 2026-0274H, described as clarifying and implementing prior housing law (HB 631) governing residential units above office and retail space; the amendment was adopted unanimously and the bill was reported ought to pass as amended on a 17-0 vote and placed on consent. HB 65 was then voted ought to pass and also placed on consent, with members saying it was duplicative of the compromise reached on HB 1010. HB 1349 was reconsidered for a clarifying vote and again received unanimous support for its prior disposition, 17-0, and was placed on consent. The committee next took up HB 1523, which concerned homeowners associations. An amendment, 2026-0380H, removed Section 5’s Attorney General enforcement mechanism, added HOA conflict-of-interest approval language, and delayed the effective date to give stakeholders more time; it was adopted unanimously. The bill then passed 18-0 as amended and was put on consent. The committee also voted ITL on CACR 16, a constitutional amendment related to sleeping or homelessness issues, after debate over unintended consequences and whether it protected a basic right; the vote was 10-8, with a majority report assigned and a minority report to be written. Later, HB 108, dealing with inclusionary zoning, was voted ITL 10-8 after members argued the bill imposed unrealistic burdens and could halt development; a minority report was noted with amendment 0149H. HB 7, concerning ADUs and restrictive covenants, was also voted ITL 10-8 after discussion of unintended consequences and a proposed amendment to encourage second ADUs; it was sent to the regular calendar with a minority report and amendment 0289H. HB 1120, on water-related subdivision requirements, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent, with one member noting a study amendment had been offered. HB 1143, addressing housing-provider obligations and municipal enforcement powers, was ITL’d 17-1 and placed on consent. Finally, HB 1145, a fee/tax proposal tied to housing development, was ITL’d 11-7; members debated whether it would discourage development, and a minority report was assigned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I reserve the balance of my time. >> The gentleman reserves.
• And with that, I yield the balance of my time.
• And with that, I yield the balance of my time.
• I reserve the balance of my time.
• I yield back the balance of my time.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 11, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we were going through the<03:44:15.760><c> exercise</c><03:44:16.199><c> of</c><03:44:16.399><c> balancing
• our budget to the exercise of balancing our budget to make<03:44:17.680><c> the</c><03:44:18.120><c>
• captured the other side of the equation in our adequacy for public school, and I'm just trying to balance
• c><03:55:45.080><c> just</c><03:55:45.279><c> trying</c><03:55:45.520><c> to</c><03:55:45.720><c> balance
• </c> school and I'm just trying to balance school and I'm just trying to balance the<03:55:46.359><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 2 Finance Committee work session focused primarily on House Bill 115 and a proposed amendment, 114H, which would carry over language from HB 2 into HB 115 and place limits on Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs). Representative Murray described the amendment as a way to keep the 350% federal poverty eligibility cap, require students to have attended a charter public school in grades K-12 for the preceding year before entering the voucher system, and add guardrails against universal eligibility. She argued the state was facing a severe budget crisis, that expanding EFAs would divert money from other programs, and that public testimony and local votes showed widespread opposition to expansion. She also cited a letter from former Finance chair Neil Kirk opposing expansion. Other members responded that the committee should not revisit policy already decided by the House, though some said the amendment was fair to discuss because of its fiscal implications and supported it on that basis. The discussion then broadened into a debate over the fiscal impact of universal vouchers and the reliability of enrollment and cost estimates. Representative Luno argued that prior EFA projections had relied on assumptions that could badly underestimate state exposure, pointing to Arizona as a cautionary example and saying New Hampshire should not expand the program without better analysis. Representative Papovich similarly warned that universal eligibility could create a large, unexpected cost, estimating a potential exposure of about $285 million based on school-age children not currently in public, charter, or EFA programs. In contrast, Representative Weyler said EFAs can save money because public school spending is already high and parents using EFAs still pay taxes and take on more responsibility for their children’s education. After discussion, Representative Murray moved to accept the amendment, and Representative Bean seconded it. There was some procedural clarification about voting on the original bill and the amendment. The transcript ends before a final recorded vote on the amendment or on HB 115 itself, though the committee had also been told it would likely reconsider several retained bills later in the week, including HB 129, HB 133, HB 671, and HB 781.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm president of a grassroots organization called North Country Alliance for Balance Change.
• </c> Country Alliance for balance Country Alliance for balance change<02:32:25.600><c> um</c><02:32:25.840
• > picks</c><02:36:04.520><c> that</c><02:36:05.000><c> number</c> We want that needle to be more balanced
• ><c> we</c><02:38:06.080><c> need</c><02:38:06.319><c> another</c><02:38:06.680><c> landfill</c> balanced
• yes if we need another landfill balanced yes if we need another landfill we<02:38:07.560><c> cannot<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the state treasurer, the State Land Trust currently has a $10.1 billion balance with an
• The goal here is simply to balance growth with preservation, allowing continued investment and housing
• Chair with the balance of what they've said they encourage And I'll close, Mr.
• Chair, with the balance of what they've said.
• The bill strikes an appropriate balance between community standards and responsible pet ownership.

Bills: SB1041, SB1088, SB1118, SB1128, SB1168, SB1176, SB1189, SB1207, SB1250, SB1272, SB1274, SB1286, SB1428, SB1457, SB1461, SB1503, SB1519, SB1537, SB1582, SB1618, SB1654, SB1713, SB1827, SCR1012, SCR1020

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:44.760><c> if</c><01:02:45.120><c> you</c> could be a check and balance if you could be a
• check and balance if you don't<01:02:45.520><c> feel</c><01:02:45.800><c> that</c><01:02:46.040><c> the
• There are checks and balances built in.
• There's no way you're going to be able to balance that.
• </c> going to be able to balance that. going to be able to balance that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Nadeau: The downside of that is the current 2026-27 balance of our budget is $7.734 billion
• So, can you kind of help me out there what, cuz there's definitely going to be a negative balance on
• on this as far as the negative balance on this as far as the Tax<00:34:40.960><c> Committee</c><00:34
• This is about balancing, or trying to balance, the costs of our health care system with a very, very
• This is about balancing, or trying to balance, the costs of our health care system with a very, very

Bills: HF4493, HF3133, HF4595, HF4143, HF4142, HF3756, HF4289, HF1724, HF2291, HF4568, HF4547

Keywords: opioid use disorder, OUD, medication-assisted treatment, MAT, pharmacist prescribing, pharmacy practice, controlled substances, Schedule III, Schedule IV, Schedule V, DEA registration, Board of Pharmacy, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, buprenorphine, naltrexone, harm reduction, prescription authority, pharmacist intern, Minnesota pharmacy law

Transcript Highlights:

• Together with the Senate, we made tough decisions and achieved a balanced and responsible budget while
• </c><00:02:58.680><c> and</c> decisions and achieved a balanced and decisions and achieved a balanced
• members, advocates, and colleagues in the Senate and the administration to find the best possible balance
• Senate Bill 284 implements the actions needed to balance the budget and to provide the resources needed
• the budget and to needed to balance the budget and to provide<00:08:47.040><c> the</c><00:08:47.160>

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are strong checks and balances to ensure program integrity.
• 01:28:50.440><c> strong</c><01:28:50.800><c> checks</c><01:28:51.080><c> and</c><01:28:51.200><c> balances
• </c><01:28:51.719><c> to</c><01:28:51.880><c> ensure</c> are strong checks and balances to ensure are
• strong checks and balances to ensure program<01:28:52.480><c> integrity.
• </c> that we were balanced that we were balanced fiscally<01:44:49.960><c> for</c><01:44:50.160><c> our

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, because there needs to be a balance, right. >> Absolutely.
• Currently, we have 42 capital projects in active construction with balances exceeding $1 million, along
• exceeding $1 construction with balances exceeding $1 million<00:46:12.720><c> along</c><00:46:13.040
• What was— >> 42 capital projects in active construction with balances exceeding $1 million. Okay.
• </c><00:52:52.880><c> and</c><00:52:53.200><c> and</c> allotted and claims balance and and allotted and

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• So, now you have to balance that as well.
• So, now you have to balance that is.
• So, now you have to balance that<01:39:24.560><c> as</c><01:39:24.800><c> well.
• Guarantee due process, real due process. and balances, trust erodess.
• That and balances, trust erodess. That overreach<01:50:43.920><c> must</c><01:50:44.239><c> stop.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pre-trial detainees of that 52% and the pre-trial detainees of that 52% and the<00:08:34.560><c> balance
• > those</c><00:08:35.680><c> include</c><00:08:36.200><c> those</c><00:08:36.400><c> that</c> the balance
• of those include those that the balance of those include those that were<00:08:36.719><c> just</c><00
• Uh, but these are things that we had to do to try to balance our budget.
• </c> had to do to try to balance our budget. had to do to try to balance our budget.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:13 Approval of Minutes from August Meeting 00:01:55 Discussion of County Jails 00:03:31 Discussion of Centralized Collection of Net Profits and Occupational License Taxes 01:02:12 Adjournment 01:54:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 26 minutes, and then took up a discussion of county jail funding. KACO representatives and county officials said jail operations are an ongoing strain for counties because they must pay for inmate care, facilities, and mandated standards, while many counties also rely on jail revenue to offset costs. They described Kentucky’s jail system, including 77 jails, 43 closed counties without jails, and the mix of county, state, federal, and controlled-intake inmates. KACO emphasized that counties remain financially responsible for inmates even when they must contract with other jails, often at costs above the state’s per diem rate, and said it is developing a broader proposal to present later. The testimony focused on rising expenses and shrinking revenue. KACO said counties spent about $374 million on jail operations in FY24, up 24% from FY19, and about $41 million on jail medical costs, up 40%. General fund support for jails was said to total $147 million in FY24, more than double pre-COVID levels. Speakers also noted that state inmate populations in county jails have fallen from about 11,500 in 2019 to 7,212 in 2025, while federal inmates have increased because they are more lucrative for counties. The state jail per diem of $35.34 was described as insufficient to cover actual costs, especially medical care. County judges from Webster, Knox, and Hardin counties gave examples of local budget pressure. Webster County said it now houses 114 state prisoners, 47 county prisoners, and 24 out-of-county prisoners, and that it transferred $512,000 from its general fund to the jail last year, about $77 per taxpayer. Knox County said its jail budget has grown from an initial $2.8 million projection to $5.7 million, with $3 million coming from occupational tax revenue. Hardin County said its jail has an approximate $11 million expense budget against $5 million in revenue, creating a $6 million deficit, driven by higher payroll, medical, and insurance costs and a 29% drop in state prisoner revenue. The judge said the county has responded with property tax increases and an expanded occupational tax district, but still uses reserves to cover other county services. A Grant County magistrate then began speaking from the perspective of magistrates and commissioners, describing her background working at a local jail before serving in county government. The discussion remained centered on the fiscal burden of jails and the need for counties and the legislature to work together on a long-term solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it's a careful balance, but that's just my perspective.
• I think that's kind of the balancing act when you look at something like this. I agree.
• I think that's kind of the balancing act when you look at something like this.
• And this was the balance. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Ramos. And go ahead, Mr. Munn.
• This bill also strikes the right balance by acknowledging the needs of indigent defendants.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to process new filings, but again, there's a balance there, right? Okay. Thank you.
• ><02:03:10.520><c> billing</c><02:03:11.520><c> in</c><02:03:11.760><c> most</c> a prohibition on balance
• So, like I said, I think we've struck that balance between filtering out the not serious proposals, the
• So, like I said, I think we've struck<02:09:05.520><c> that</c><02:09:05.760><c> balance</c><02:09:06.079
• ><c> between</c><02:09:06.960><c> filtering</c> struck that balance between filtering struck that balance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the blessings directly produced by the blessings directly produced by the influence of that well-balanced
• Liberty influence of that well-balanced Liberty influence of that well-balanced Liberty which you claim
• uh and and that's increased balance uh and and that's increased balance uh and and that's contributed
• based on 921 uh that was converted based on 921 uh that was converted based on current Bud uh uh balance
• current Bud uh uh balance current Bud uh uh balance 126 126 126 m253 121 so with that Mr Speaker I would

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• taking the risk and trying to provide and work with providers to provide that care, to find that balance
• inpatient, outpatient, and drugs, I hope that they're a lot smarter than me and they're trying to balance
• where, you know, the tools that they have at their disposal in order to find that proper balance between
• taking the risk and trying to provide and work with providers to provide that care, to find that balance
• I hope that they're a lot smarter than me and they're trying to balance where, you know, the tools that

Keywords: 1183, house