Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:53.720> is on a publicly searchable database is on a publicly searchable database is
• gambling laws and their bi anal budget gambling laws and their bi anal budget for<01:16:39.800><
• <01:17:03.639> was of crimes um their 20 2425 budget was of crimes um their 20 2425 budget
• Their 2024-2025 budget was $1.1 million.
• budget budget number<01:28:05.199> estimates<01:28:05.679> coming<01:28:05.920> out

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes by voice vote, and then took up House File 7, which was recommended to pass and be re-referred to the Ways and Means Committee. The chair also reminded attendees about decorum rules in the committee room. House File 7 was described by the author as a public safety package combining 12 provisions from prior Republican-authored bills, aimed at supporting law enforcement, reducing violent crime, and increasing accountability in the criminal justice system. The bill’s main provisions discussed included tougher penalties for aggravated fleeing, making it a crime to be in a stolen vehicle, allowing tracking devices on stolen vehicles even when occupied, increasing penalties for blocking highways and critical infrastructure, and increasing penalties for assaulting peace officers. The author also highlighted provisions on sex trafficking, predatory offender registration, and greater public disclosure of bail payments, case dismissals, sentencing reductions, and sentencing guideline changes. Testifying in support were Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, MPPOA President Shane Mey, and Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Jeff Potts, all of whom argued the bill would help officers address auto theft, fleeing suspects, and assaults on law enforcement. They cited increases in assaults on officers and high numbers of stolen vehicles and fleeing cases, and said the bill would improve safety and transparency. Witnesses generally supported the bill’s approach but suggested some refinements, including adding language for additional aggravating factors in officer assault cases and considering similar treatment for corrections officers. Sheriff Fletcher also urged reconsideration of the recently enacted raise-the-age changes, arguing they could limit law enforcement’s ability to respond to younger offenders involved in stolen vehicles. No opposition testimony or final vote on House File 7 was recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to pass and re-refer it.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jordan comes from, to us from the legislative budget board.
• , not just the Health and Human Services budget, but the overall state budget annually due to fraud,
• Do you get to cross section to the criminal database?
• If I put that into an analytic database, it would probably flag it.
• We're preparing a budget for September 1st, 2027.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services convened to discuss interim charges regarding fraud, waste, and abuse in Texas human services, particularly focusing on Medicaid and childcare programs. The meeting highlighted the importance of preventing misuse of taxpayer funds, with testimony from various stakeholders emphasizing the need for increased oversight and accountability in these programs. Key points included the alarming rise in healthcare fraud in other states, the necessity for Texas to enhance its fraud prevention measures, and the potential financial repercussions of failing to meet federal compliance standards. Several committee members expressed concerns about the impact of fraud on vulnerable populations, particularly those relying on Medicaid services. Testimonies from experts underscored the effectiveness of Texas's Office of Inspector General (OIG) in combating fraud, yet pointed out existing vulnerabilities, such as inconsistent enforcement and the need for better data sharing among agencies. The discussion also touched on the challenges faced by hospice care providers, with a significant increase in the number of hospices in Texas raising concerns about quality and oversight. The committee heard from various witnesses, including representatives from health plans and advocacy organizations, who provided insights into the complexities of managing Medicaid and the importance of maintaining program integrity. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore legislative solutions to enhance oversight and ensure that resources are directed to those in genuine need.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm David Pettit with the Legislative Budget Board.
• Legislative Budget Board. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Estrada on the budget. My name's Chris Palazzolo.
• Trust me, my constituents are paying your budget.
• And what's your total budget? Our total?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh this on the floor with the budgets.
• through working on the budget through working on the budget individually<00:07:44.720> and
• is going to affect our budget.
• is going to affect our budget.
• isolated funding in the upcoming budget isolated funding in the upcoming budget uh<00:24:39.279>

Bills: HB589, HB591, HB609, HB614, SB57, SB280, SB332, HB589, HB591, HB609, HB614, SB57, SB280, SB332, HB627

Keywords: Jefferson County, building regulations, zoning, public health, building commissioner, permits, construction, land use, county tax, lodging tax, Henry County, transient accommodations, hospitality industry, local act, sheriff, sheriff's office, task force, abandoned property, stolen property, unclaimed property

Transcript Highlights:

• The applicant would present the program to the department, set the budget, and provide a pro forma showing
• <00:13:43.839> that workforce and you set the budget that workforce and you set the budget
• SNAP benefits average $6 a day, meaning they only supplement grocery budgets.
• SNAP benefits average $6 a day, meaning they only supplement grocery budgets.
• they only supplement grocery budgets. they only supplement grocery budgets.

Bills: HB179, HB354, SB57, SB137, HB431, HB179, HB354, SB57, SB137, HB431

Keywords: campus chaplain, chaplain, school chaplain, volunteer chaplain, public schools, public K-12 education, public charter schools, local control, teacher support, student support services, religious volunteer, faith-based support, church-state separation, background check, sex offender registry, school volunteer, education policy, district attorney, compensation, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it's like saying I saved 10 bucks, but my budget went up $100. >> I understand.
• just, you know, my budget went up $100. just, you know, my budget went up $100.
• Overtime was 20% of your budget in 2021. I mean, that's a lot of your budget.
• I understand that 20% of your operational budget, my god.
• And also, I operational budget, my god.

Bills: HB1984, HB1593, HB2423, HB1691, HB2283, HB2386, HB1824, HB1697, HB2164, HB2165

Keywords: renewable energy, solar energy, self-certification, building permits, environmental regulations, HB1593, affordable housing, pet-inclusive housing, pet friendly housing, rental housing, affordable rental housing, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, tenant pets, companion animals, dogs, cats, landlord-tenant law, security deposit, pet deposit

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Bills: SB514, SB346, SB1593, SB1782, SB1366, SB1497, SB366, SB1895, SB2048, SB2005, SB2006, SB710, SB1480

Keywords: SB514, school choice, charter school, virtual charter school, OSSAA, extracurricular activities, interscholastic activities, athletics, homeschool, other means of education, alternative education, student eligibility, student transfer, district policy, public school district, adjacent district, blended learning, virtual learning, school sports, academic eligibility

Bills: HJR1032, SB1314, SB1257, SB1326, SB1365, SB1932, SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: HJR1032, House Joint Resolution 1032, Service Oklahoma, administrative rules, rule repeal, joint resolution, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 670:15-1-10, OAC 670:15-1-14, agency regulation, legislative oversight, Secretary of State, Oklahoma Register, rulemaking, permanent rules, administrative code, groundwater, indemnity fund, well drilling, pollution prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:23.360> as<00:28:23.679> selfmp on and managing our budgets as selfmp on and
• managing our budgets as selfmp employed<00:28:24.720> business<00:28:25.039> op<00:28:
• They cut services to get inside their budget.
• So, that's why get inside their budget.
• And then the sub itself did a lot of things Chairman or wanted to do upstairs to protect our budget.

Bills: HB185, HB378, SB28, HB400, SB155, HB312, HB185, HB378, SB28, HB400, SB155, HB312

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, judicial system, funding, state budget, Pickens County, local act, vehicle tag fee, registration fee, issuance fee, motor vehicle registration, license plate, replacement tag, transfer tag, renewal fee, county revenue, earmarked funds, ambulance service, emergency medical services, EMS

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 16%, basically, of our budget.
• And this is now $15 million, almost $16 million out of our general fund budget. and that equates to about
• The compounding effect of this since 2008 has really been devastating, and we've got a budget to produce
• So in the packet I've given you is a slide from the budget presentation, and I know what the judge just
• do pay taxes and it's 4.02 cents down to two decimal points, and again, that's in there from the budget

Bills: SB524, SB782, HB42, HB1056, HB2894, HB3033, HB3474, HB3594, HB4738, HB5246, HB42

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Transcript Highlights:

• But it takes money, and you saw that in the budget—the additional resources that we The budget had the
• The vote was on the general fund budget, and I remember voting against my own budget because in my opinion
• I've been admittedly a bit tied up with Representative Garrett and the budget because he and I had the
• and the budget because he and I had the goal of no conference committee if we could avoid it, and we
• today is... million to where it is budgeted today is 42 million for the fiscal year 26.

Bills: HB86, HB273, HB379, HB386, HB387, HB388, HB389, HB487, HB600, SB120, HB176

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, tax credits, qualified donations, Alabama Department of Revenue, HB273, Hunger-Free Campus Act, hunger free campus, food insecurity, college hunger, student hunger, campus pantry, food pantry, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, basic needs, student food assistance, meal vouchers, meal credits, food vouchers

Transcript Highlights:

• roughly $15,000, which you can Imagine adds up quickly and easily overwhelmed our city's operating budget
• Put another way, each break was roughly 1% of our overall budget.

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• roughly $15,000, which you can imagine adds up quickly and easily overwhelmed our city's operating budget
• tenure as mayor in 2021 and made infrastructure my top priority. overwhelmed our city's operating budget
• , overwhelmed our city's operating budget, which<01:13:19.840> at<01:13:20.080> the<01:
• c><01:13:26.480> of<01:13:26.719> our<01:13:26.960> overall<01:13:27.440> budget
• ,<01:13:28.239> and<01:13:28.400> it roughly 1% of our overall budget, and it roughly

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• So it puts it in perspective, members, the database will be how...
• using the bond, including data regarding funding sources for the projects, project cost, project budget
• It was really, you know, quite surprising to me that we didn't have a central database, and again, we
• TEA will have a form you file, and we'll have it on the database.
• Operating budget.

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• the end of the first sentence and second it Also in section one, delete subsection N-1 since the budget
• Then we get into the budget conference committee and we go well we don't know if we have enough money
• There is a database nationally that lists police officers that are considered to be at risk for employment

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll move that House File 1644 be laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill or budget bill
• I will be moving your bill, House File 99, to be laid over for possible inclusion in the budget bill.
• So we know with budget targets that the committee has Some hard decisions to make, but I do hope you
• Our annual budget is about $530,000 to serve those 13 to 18 individuals with full wraparound services
• No members, Elise Bailey, Budget Director of the Department of Human Services.

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• over for possible inclusion in budget over for possible inclusion in budget bill bill bill and<00
• Despite our state budget Um, all right.
• Now, our members, Elise Bailey, budget director of the Department of Human Services.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, with a budget. And so, we'll see what happens with that.
• And so, we'll Chair, with a budget.

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• They are hoping for the $5 million capital budget request in order to complete the project. street, the
• two million, um, in Rogers has budgeted two million, um, in MSA<00:12:55.920> funds,<00:12:56.560
• 00:13:39.760> $5<00:13:40.000> million<00:13:40.720> capital<00:13:41.120> budget
• <00:13:41.600> request<00:13:42.399> um um $5 million capital budget request um um
• $5 million capital budget request um in<00:13:42.800> order<00:13:42.959> to<00:13:43.200

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

Keywords: HF2178, Cohasset, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, public infrastructure, water tower, water infrastructure, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, street reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, Public Facilities Authority, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, local government aid, utility infrastructure, public works, infrastructure, stormwater

Transcript Highlights:

• governor's uh uh recommended budget governor's uh uh recommended budget would<00:49:42.079> be
• Sixteen million is in the current database.
• Sixteen million is in the current database.
• databases that plus forward- facing databases that Minnesota<00:59:04.839> law<00:59:05.039><
• budget the governor's budget part of the budget the governor's budget recommendation<01:19:44.400>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do keep budget increases to a minimum, and our budget request for fiscal year 2027 is only slightly
• > has legislative budget committee has legislative budget committee has recommended<00:09:08.320
• Um it is the overall state budget.
• :38.720> um<01:02:38.960> as our current budget request um as our current budget request
• approximately 70% of our budget request. approximately 70% of our budget request.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 22 January, 2026; 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The hearing began with the State Board of Architecture’s budget presentation. The executive director described the board’s mission to regulate architecture, landscape architecture, and certified interior design to protect public health and safety. He highlighted the board’s consolidated structure, license totals, high reciprocity rate, recent rule changes to reduce barriers to practice, and a proposed FY 2027 budget of $368,123, which included a 5% staff salary increase and higher operating costs. He also noted a newly identified need to modernize the licensing system, estimated at at least $25,000, and asked that the board not be reduced below the requested level. A board member also praised the small staff’s responsiveness and effectiveness. The State Board of Public Accountancy then presented its budget and policy requests. The executive director said the board regulates CPAs and CPA firms, oversees the CPA exam process, and has about 3,600 active individual licensees and 800 firms. The board requested only a 3% compensation increase for staff, plus a special request to allow an audit supervisor to repay the cost of a Becker review course through payroll deduction as part of succession planning. She also described a board-approved waiver program that began January 1, eliminating application fees for CPA exam candidates and retakes; 42 candidates had used the waiver in the first two weeks. In response to questions, she said the board does not assist CPAs with IRS disputes, but it does investigate complaints from the IRS, SEC, PCAOB, or others. Finally, a representative presented for the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. She explained that the board regulates licensed counselors and psychotherapy providers, meets frequently, and has two staff members. The board’s main request was for additional investigative capacity: a full-time investigator and related funding, because complaints are currently handled by part-time investigators, contractors, and sometimes board members, which can require recusals from hearings. She said the state auditor had recently flagged complaint backlogs at regulatory agencies, supporting the request. The board also sought funding for a contractual administrative position, salary progressions, and a one-time technology increase to modify its new licensing system for the counseling compact and better search functions. Members questioned the board about its large cash balance, which was reported at about $860,000, and whether it should provide fee relief or other benefits to members; the presenter said the board would look into that and noted that revenues had increased significantly in recent years, partly due to out-of-state and telehealth-related licensing demand.