Transcript Highlights:

• Corporate income tax is obviously based on corporate income.
• That's the majority of our tax liability is based on that.
• You know, the way we look at it is, or at least the last forecast was based on our process to look at
• Now, we will take a look at those numbers again, but based on what the numbers were last time, all of
• the last forecast was they based on.

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax convened with a quorum present, heard an introductory presentation of committee staff, and then received a staff briefing from Azar Khan on Florida’s state tax structure and revenue outlook. The presentation covered fiscal year 2023-2024 revenues, noting more than $127 billion in total state revenue, with general revenue exceeding $48 billion and sales and use tax making up the largest share. It also compared Florida’s tax burden to other states, highlighted Florida’s low per-capita revenue ranking and strong business formation numbers, and reviewed major and minor revenue sources, tax rates, and the revenue estimating conference process. Members asked about what drives revenue growth, including population, tourism, construction, and auto sales, and about Florida’s regressivity, corporate income tax participation, and investment earnings on state balances. Khan said the state’s revenue picture remains positive and stable, but that future growth is slower than during the COVID-era spike; he also explained that some negative forecast changes were tied to legislative actions such as the insurance premium tax credit, while others reflected lower tobacco consumption and severance activity. He noted that revenue and spending forecasts are separate and that budget-side growth is driving concerns raised in other state economic projections. The committee also discussed possible tax package ideas for the upcoming session, including tax holidays and homeowner relief, but no specific proposals were acted on. The chair announced the committee would not meet the following week and that the next meeting would be in week three of February. The meeting concluded with no objections to a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• This system will do staff evaluation statewide, and the appropriation will also provide for a skills
• They have a grant from the Align Program at the Office of Skills Development to support the LPN program
• So I'm curious as well as why there isn't a request here, because it sounds to me, based on the information
• So based on, if we're going to use $150 million, if that's what we're going to do, basically that's going

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, transfer, and review items, approving most requests in Sections B through J. These included temporary appropriations for state technology upgrades, personnel management, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, higher education workforce grants, an ARPA grant for the UAFS LPN program, an IIJA grant for geological/critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for 102 State Police vehicles, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, several cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission HVAC and AV needs, and overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands for $250,000 to cover operating expenses tied to a new building was discussed at length but failed on the vote after questions about the lease and operating costs. A major portion of the meeting focused on a $25.7 million pay plan appropriation request for 15 agencies. Members questioned why the Department of Human Services had not requested additional pay-plan dollars for human development centers, where DHS acknowledged staffing shortages, high turnover, and heavy overtime but said the issue was not lack of pay-plan funding. DHS was asked to provide a written plan to address staffing problems. The Department of Corrections testified that the pay plan had improved retention and hiring, and committee members asked for follow-up data on vacancies and staffing outcomes. Members also clarified that the pay-plan request was appropriation only, not new funding, and approved it. The committee then reviewed fund reports, including the restricted reserve, Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, Tobacco Settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust Fund, IIJA, and Revenue Services transfer reports. DHS and DFA were questioned closely about the Medicaid Trust Fund, with members noting a $90 million February draw and asking about projected year-end balances; DFA and DHS said February was a high-expense, low-revenue month and projected the fund would remain solvent through the fiscal year, ending between $150 million and $200 million, while a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The committee also discussed a state hospital damage report, where DHS explained that insurance proceeds would not fully cover the repair costs because of depreciation and the age of the buildings; members expressed concern that the state would recover far less than originally expected, and DHS said any additional insurance recovery would be limited and returned to restricted reserve.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the expansion of the water line in Curry County, which completed that funding; 2 million for a skilled
• Only those who wish to practice braiding or locking must complete 1,600 hours of training and skills
• This bill is based on rates or programs that the investor-owned utilities will suggest to the PRC that
• Senator, based on the comment that I just heard that we shouldn't be involved in the middle of the utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. rule based on the size of the rule based on the size of the
• </c><01:10:18.480><c> That's</c> primarily based on the tariffs.
• That's primarily based on the tariffs.
• and his mind, based upon what he thinks he can do without congressional input.
• </c><02:59:00.560><c> and</c> mission and brought his skills and mission and brought his skills and leadership

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My clinical skills were put to good use, but it was my human skills that mattered the most.
• My clinical skills were put to good use, but it was my human skills that mattered the most.
• </c> on lawful price structuring but based on on lawful price structuring but based on who<02:06:00.119
• </c> were not delivered on a market-based were not delivered on a market-based system<02:13:10.800><c
• </c> about is a model model that is not based about is a model model that is not based upon<02:23:52.560

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amount of relief is determined under three thresholds based on each county's median income, and an
• The program limits how much tax can be exempted based upon outdated median home values.
• This will expand the tax base. And that's not all. It'll challenge the 1% property tax cap.
• Because we are on a budget-based system.
• And then in the future years, it would revert back to budget-based adoption of budget by the legislature

Bills: HB2376 , HB2584 , HB2610 , HB2615 , HB2089 , HB2194 , HB2257 , HB2528 , HB2175 , HB2334

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: property tax, reform, local government, taxpayer, funding, agriculture, tax exemption, farm machinery, equipment, sales tax, HB 2610, property tax exemption, nonprofit housing, affordable housing, low-income housing, community use, temporary use, charitable property, Washington property tax, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• This ripple effect strengthens our tax base and fuels economic growth right here in Texas.
• Plus, when families become homeowners, our tax base expands.
• Senate Bill 2477 excludes buildings near heavy industrial zones, airports, and military bases.
• I'm glad that they're following along, and we would be ahead of the game.
• And we would be ahead of the game.

Bills: SB208 , SB628 , SB777 , SB1042 , SB2354 , SB2477 , SB2521 , SB2523 , SB2608 , SB2703 , SB2778 , SB2835 , SB2965 , SB2367 , SB3044

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and limited public testimony to two minutes per person. The committee heard Senate Bill 628 by Senator Zaffirini, which would clarify that counties may enter interlocal agreements with emergency service districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, including for multi-county ESDs in the committee substitute. Witnesses from Travis County ESD-11, the Travis County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a member of the public supported the bill as a way to reduce duplication, costs, and jurisdictional confusion. Public testimony was closed and the committee substitute was left pending. The committee then heard several housing-related bills. Senate Bill 208 by Senator West would create a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund to provide zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders for workforce housing; Habitat for Humanity representatives, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, and housing advocates supported it as a way to finance infrastructure and land development for affordable homes. Senate Bill 2835 by Senator Johnson would allow cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings for small-scale, multi-story housing; supporters said the design is safe and could expand housing supply, while the Texas APA expressed qualified opposition over code-process concerns and fire-safety questions. Both bills were left pending after testimony. Additional bills heard included SB 1042 updating the Kimble County Hospital District’s enabling law; SB 1708, a committee substitute protecting familial property divisions from platting requirements; SB 2778 raising the ESD expenditure threshold requiring board approval from $2,000 to up to $50,000; SB 2608 expanding LIHTC eligibility for certain public housing projects; SB 3044 adding board representation for Marfa and Presidio on the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District and adjusting an exemption; SB 2367 extending park board authority to Waller County; SB 2523 clarifying ETJ reduction procedures and owner opt-out rights; SB 2521 requiring death-certificate reporting to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead exemption issues; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in larger cities. In each case, the bills were laid out, testimony was taken, and the measures were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there forms of computer-based interventions that are?
• Yes, there are some FDA-approved computer-based interventions that are not part of this bill because
• We are a 36-year-old Minnesota-based suicide prevention nonprofit organization.
• c> prevention</c> Minnesota based suicide prevention Minnesota based suicide prevention nonprofit<00:
• ,</c><00:08:21.120><c> etc.,</c> illegal drugs, uh choking games, etc., illegal drugs, uh choking games

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's literally the foundational natural resource base that so many of our economies rely on there, and
• So, there is expected skin in the game when it comes to these projects, to be clear.
• fish</c><00:09:43.120><c> and</c><00:09:43.279><c> US</c><00:09:43.600><c> forest</c> the Wyoming game
• and fish and US forest the Wyoming game and fish and US forest service.<00:09:44.320><c> And</c><00:
• It's just absolutely a game changer, and it's something that will make a difference in helping us to

Bills: HB0078 , SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0052 , SF0069 , SF0070

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's based on the legislation that you see before you today.
• I am curious based on your response to another colleague.
• House Bill 4128 by Fetgatter of the House and Ern of the Senate, an act relating to game and fish.
• They're not seeing fawns on their game cameras with the mother deer.
• We had legal descriptions based on Indian Territory, those in, you know, kind of the western part of

Bills: HB4420 , HB3974 , HB3016 , HB3062 , HB3021 , HB3145 , HB4128 , HB3131 , HB3015 , HB3472 , HB3453 , HB1638 , HB4126 , HB2696 , HB2710 , HB3552 , HB3031 , HB3544 , HB3521 , HB4490 , HB4488 , HB1746 , HJR1069 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1170 , HB3538 , HB4124 , HB3904 , HB4106 , HB2999 , HB3982 , HJR1077 , HB3464 , HB2588 , HB3462 , HB4440 , HB3674 , HB3345 , HJR1067 , HB4326 , HB4331 , HB4337 , HB4338 , HB4359 , HB4392 , HB3557 , HJR1076 , HB4003 , HB3495 , HB3497 , HB3501 , HB3505 , HB3749 , HB3011 , HB4336 , HB4346 , HJR1087 , HB3240 , HB3647 , HB3796 , HB3969 , HB3972 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3989 , HB3383 , HB3130 , HB4358 , HB3327 , HJR1055 , HB3386 , HJR1089 , HB3087 , HB2970 , HB3314 , HB4129 , HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything is Socratic-based. virtues and then the chief virtue is wisdom.
• Everything is Socratic-based. We don't have screens. We have a no-phone policy.
• Everything is Socratic-based. Everything is Socratic discussion.
• Now, I don't know if you saw the hockey game yesterday with Jack Hughes, but that was the first thing
• And again, phonics is a game changer. Thank you. And again, phonics is a game changer.

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> faith-based organizations. Thank you. faith-based organizations. Thank you.
• And what I'm in opposition to is to consider gaming.
• But again, I am totally against gaming. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Uh I I opposition is to consider gaming.
• Again, the reason that I am opposing this is based on opposing testimony that I heard in committee from

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, payment is based on the individual's assessed mode of transportation, and that's based on their
• </c> rides, and you have the county-based rides, and you have the county-based purchasers.<00:30:59.880
• </c> or other home and community-based or other home and community-based services,<00:37:39.400><c> that
• </c> to play the same game." to play the same game."
• Um just on Friday night, the commissioner, step up its game. I mean, a lot of the step up its game.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's to be determined based on the input of the cities of Albany and Berkeley, all the communities
• But I think it's to be determined based on the input of cities of Albany, City of Berkeley, you know,
• So the May Revision proposed $1.02 million one-time funding from the Fish and Game Preservation Fund
• If we assume that next week CARB is going to issue a ruling based upon what they said in April, then
• But obviously the bus, to my knowledge, is not going to be based upon electricity.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's close to the VA, as well as the base for their commissary and base access.
• I mean, that's how I kind of base my hiring.
• We'll get as much good information as possible to base our very important estimates.
• He named several people that they partnered with, but he left out Game and Fish.
• Is there anyone here from the Gaming Control Board?

Transcript Highlights:

• which revealed that special compensation for employee longevity was incorrectly included in employee base
• which revealed that special compensation for employee longevity was incorrectly included in employee base
• workforce model that combines hands-on training with classroom instruction, allowing workers to build skills
• progressively and demonstrate competency to the journey level in a merit-based system.

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I wish to announce that tonight is the charity softball game, Representative Biasiucci.
• You sound ecstatic for the softball game, by the way. Just wanted to point that out.
• Number four: Representative Olson refuses to play unless the game has a line item in the budget.
• Second base. He resigns from the team. That is it. Thank you.
• We have a food truck that can enjoy the game.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, appoint proportional representation based on the chamber size.
• You know, they've got skin in the game.
• All right, I don't want to shut it off either because you have skin in the game.
• I think that would be a game changer.
• I would touch base with accounting and see, because.

Committee: House Legislative Interim Committee Working Group

Transcript Highlights:

• So, that's kind of the base of what we're working from.
• in actual law and investigation is based in actual law and fact. fact. fact.
• Based<00:15:55.800><c> on</c><00:15:55.920><c> the</c><00:15:56.040><c> evidence</c> Based on the evidence
• I was in one of the top of my game.
• </c> in their lives, like a game. in their lives, like a game.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> fishing</c> Force and to help ourselves with fishing Force and to help ourselves with fishing games
• save lives through search and games save lives through search and rescue<00:13:44.120><c> operations
• All possibilities were looked at, and based on the realtor's professional opinion, we've come up with
• properties based on this request<00:35:50.520><c> Department</c><00:35:51.040><c> received</c><00:35
• on the realtor's looked at and based on the realtor's professional<00:36:51.560><c> opinion</c><00:36

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee met in organizational session and first elected Representative John Cluder as clerk. A nomination of Senator Mark Makoni as vice chair was made but not voted on because he was absent; it was carried over to the next meeting. The committee also reviewed its guidelines and procedures, including how it handles property-disposal requests, late items, and informational materials, and then approved the November 12, 2024 minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. The committee then considered several state property and lease requests. It approved a 50-year, $1-per-year ground lease for about 5.66 acres at Berlin Regional Airport in Milan for a New Hampshire Army National Guard hangar/support facility, after hearing that the project is federally funded, intended for training and search-and-rescue support, and would have no permanent full-time staffing. The committee also approved a 30-year lease for the Department of Justice to move the chief medical examiner’s offices, morgue, and autopsy suite to 279 Pleasant Street in Concord, with testimony that the current Concord Hospital space is inadequate and that the new site would double body-storage capacity. Several Department of Safety and Department of Transportation property items were approved as well. Safety received approval for a 10-year lease, with renewal options, for the State Police aircraft hangar at 91 Airport Road in Concord. Transportation was authorized to continue disposal efforts for remnant parcels in Concord, Conway, Lisbon, Effingham, and Mount Vernon, with testimony explaining market conditions, appraisals, access limits, and easements; members asked questions about access and buildability, but each item was approved. During the Berlin lease item, the committee was told the FAA objects to any lease longer than 50 years at that airport, so the request was revised from 55 years to 50 years on the record before approval.