Transcript Highlights:

• This request is specific to Oahu.
• This request is specific to Oahu.
• Next batch of requests we have three technology-focused requests.
• on<00:10:31.839> this the next request or last request on this the next request or last request
• We're only requesting funding.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an appropriation or fund transfer request. J1 is a FY 26 request. J1 is a FY 26 request.
• These are cash fund appropriation requests. K1 are FY 26 requests.
• K2 are FY 27 requests.
• These are budget classification transfer requests. L1 are the FY 26 requests.
• These are pay plan appropriation requests. N1 are the 26 requests.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an appropriation and/or fund transfer request. J1 is a '26 request.
• J2 are the 27 requests.
• These are cash fund appropriation requests. K1 are '26 requests.
• These are budget classification transfer requests. L1 are the '26 requests.
• These are pay plan appropriation requests. N1 are the 26 requests.

Summary: The committee met to review a large slate of fiscal year 2026 and 2027 appropriation, transfer, and continuation requests across multiple sections. Early items included temporary appropriations for agencies such as Health, DHS, Education, Public Safety, State Police, Emergency Management, Aeronautics, Military, Economic Development, and Game and Fish, covering items like maternal health outreach, energy assistance repayments, Wynne High School tornado rebuilding, senior food services, cybersecurity, crime victim reparations, aviation grants, conservation incentives, and emergency tower maintenance. Members asked questions on several items, including DHS aging carry-forward funds and Treasury custodial banking fees tied to COVID-era balances; the committee also approved a disclosure by the chair on the Game and Fish-related item before voting to approve the section. The committee then approved continuation requests, CARES Act and ARPA reallocations, and federal grant appropriations. Notable discussion included the Boonville developmental disability project, ALIGN program reallocations at several universities, a small business technical assistance grant at UA Little Rock, and a Department of Public Safety highway safety grant, for which members requested more detail on operating expenses and professional fees. Additional approvals covered a transfer to the Merit Teacher Incentive program, restricted reserve fund transfers for military medical command and university projects, and a state central services deduction held at 2%. The Department of Commerce also received approval for a reallocation of positions and spending authority tied to its organizational realignment. Later sections included shared technology and higher education transfers, cash fund appropriations for school Medicaid reimbursements, corrections, youth mental health, narcotics detection canines, bike safety equipment, a state motor pool pilot, and law enforcement safety costs. The committee also reviewed budget classification transfers, including a Governor’s Office legal fee transfer related to a California lawsuit, and heard explanations about E-Rate reimbursements affecting the Office of State Technology. Members asked about VOCA funding levels for crime victim services and about the National Security Grant Program for nonprofits and faith-based organizations; officials said federal funding had declined from prior highs but appeared to have stabilized, and that the nonprofit security grant is an annual federal program. The meeting concluded with review of pay plan requests, DHS overtime funding for child protection caseloads, and a year-end adjustment request allowing DFA to make up to $1 million in transfers to close the books, after which the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can cover all of our requests, her salary increase request, except that one about our IT request if
• requested in it.
• Our FY26-27 appropriations request is pretty simple. Our total request is $1,424,070.
• What's important to note here is that this request is only part of the overall request and is a combined
• Turning toward the agency's exceptional items requests, we support funding the agency at the requested

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's part of our actual ICIP request.
• So, going on to our request, again, we're pretty thin on our requests.
• This program is an executive request.
• That's what This request is, so when you see this DPS honor guard program request, understand that this
• So this was a request.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's such tight requests. I hear you.
• And then item six on the next page is the request. requesting a modification to rider 36.
• And the agency is essentially requesting this rider so that this. request for the additional, basically
• You'll see item one as a request for funding for the semiconductor innovation fund item two is a request
• GR, to request additional.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations do not include this request.
• Um, like our other requested session, these, uh, this fellowship and these requests are, are quite modest
• At the request of the Judicial Compensation Commission, the appropriation request for the judiciary section
• the things that we request.
• It is a very ambitious request.

Transcript Highlights:

• requests, delaying response times.
• A requester may request that a copy of electronic public information be provided in in the format in
• More requests that forward. which the entity or requester follows through with the request, and we're
• So what I'm requesting is that there be.
• not just our requests, but the public's requests.

Bills: HB 111, HB1545, HB2145, HB2467, HB2520, HB4136, HB4181, HB4214, HB4218, HB4219, HB4359, HB4437, HB4822, HB111

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• of that request.
• Upon the request by with that request.
• Again, this is unique to commercial requests. requests. That includes um copy fees if requests.
• > requests.
• . request. request.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Use of AI and drafting FOIA requests.
• drafting FOIA requests.
• an agreement made between the parties beforehand about what the request was then the requesting party
• came back said well we want these videos and other stuff and they request was, then the requesting party
• ; and two, if you deny a request because the requester is not from Virginia, all the requester has to

Keywords: Freedom of Information Advisory Council, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we will go to budget request previews with folks.
• So let's get into the agency's budget request.
• So when thinking about the requests that the agency has made, the $48.6 million request for income increases
• That's a request for $13 million more. Correct?
• On average, we saw about a request for 12%.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do make a public records request. We do...
• I feel the request. And I also would... Motivated. And it doesn't matter. I feel the request.
• On January 21, 2025, the Dairyland Sentinel also sent a public records request to DPI, requesting records
• relating to A public records request to DPI requested records relating to the panel of experts, including
• The problem was the request from Dairyland Sentinel.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:23.399> is the first is a fiscal uh request is the first is a fiscal uh request is
• In terms of requests, that's about 1,000-plus requests, and then fiscal notes completed, on average,
• In terms of requests, that's about 1,000-plus requests, and then fiscal notes completed, on average,
• And again, the process requesting those, technically a local impact note is made on, can be requested
• From there, I'm happy to answer any questions. fiscal request comes in and gets fiscal request comes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This This is a $500,000 request.
• Uh, Commissioner, uh, on your first request... Request request.
• This is our second capital request. We're requesting $500,000 in general fund capital.
• We are requesting for... We're not requesting any general fund capital in this request.
• That draws from turnpikes, and we don't include those requests in our capital budget request.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, for non-recurring special appropriation requests, we would request consideration for additional
• Regarding capital outlay requests, Mr.
• They have requested $26 million this year, and we're expecting to have additional years of requests to
• There is a $19 million request.
• The reason you see a state agency being able to request it is, one, so that they can request supplemental

Transcript Highlights:

• So, what is a data request?
• Districts will be able to offer requests for inspection, and then if the requester does not show up for
• comes in. that is a serious request.
• And then also to the requester as well.
• Can an anonymous individual request a Can an anonymous individual request private information about a

Transcript Highlights:

• The fifth request, which does not appear in this packet, is a rider request.
• items and the one rider request.
• Uh, the fifth request, which does not appear in this packet, uh, is a rider request.
• items in the one rider request.
• These are a request to increase the agency's internet bandwidth, a request to fund an FTE's enrollment

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a request for $141,900.
• The smaller requests now: we have a cybersecurity request for $900,000.
• You sort through those requests.
• not a GROW fund request.
• We have a special GROW request.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are<01:48:01.119> requesting<01:48:01.760> $895,000 are requesting $895,000 are requesting
• We're requesting<02:17:57.599> 1,9696,000 requesting 1,9696,000 requesting 1,9696,000 to<02:18
• Mahalo for considering our request. Mahalo for considering our request.
• . request. request.
• We are requesting<02:37:50.640> 403,000 requesting 403,000 requesting 403,000 to<02:37:52.800>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> same request. >> same request. >> So<00:15:07.760> ordered.
• >> Same<00:19:28.640> request. >> Same request. >> Same request.
• >> The<00:23:13.360> request. >> The request. >> The request.
• >> Same<00:31:31.440> request. >> Same request. >> Same request.
• >> Same<00:31:33.679> request. >> Same request. >> Same request.

Bills: HB2139, HB1892, HB1893, HB1890, HB2335, HB2468, HB2091, HB2092, HB1878, HB2297, HB2127, HB1785, HB2345, HB2344, HB1780, HB1891, HB2398, HB1764, HB2564, HB1783, HB2567, HB1934, HB1778, HB1781, HB2621, HB2019, HB1803, HB2454, HB1811, HB1943, HB1589, HB1607, HB1851, HB2490, HB2546, HB2568, HB1972, HB2391, HB2575, HB1896, HB2399, HB2004, HB1894, HB2397, HB2498, HB2560, HB2310, HB2214, HB2167, HB2197, HB2116, HB1879, HB1596, HB2096, HB2298, HB2343, HB2566, HB1518, HB2044, HB2336, HB1603, HB1718, HB1740, HB1616, HB2171, HB2022, HB2347, HB1882, HB1708, HB2086, HB2154, HB2027, HB2179, HB1620, HB1913, HB2159, HB1597, HB2121, HB1864, HB2305, HB2576, HB1713, HB1729, HB1756, HB2122, HB2559, HB1743, HB1733, HB1868, HB1723, HB1711, HB1812, HB2515, HB1724, HB1604, HB2270, HB1722, HB1727, HB1920, HB1593

Keywords: invasive species, Queensland longhorn beetle, agriculture, environmental impact, University of Hawaii, Board of Education, Hawaii public schools, teacher representative, nonvoting member, bargaining unit 5, HSTA, teachers union, education governance, school board, executive session, collective bargaining, public school teacher, policy-making body, student representative, military representative