Transcript Highlights:

• C3 is $99,000 to return funds from the Unemployment Insurance fraud detection and prevention project.
• These adjustments support the department's organizational realignment and also prevent salary and match
• There are some measures built in to ensure that they're spending the money in accordance with the agreement
• This is to support the Senior Medicare Patrol, which utilizes outreach to prevent, detect, and report

Committee: All JBC-PEER REVIEW

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of appropriation, transfer, contract, and other review items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests in Sections B through F, including funding for prosecuting attorneys, education-related adjustments, school operating needs, labor licensing divisions, ARPA fund returns from Workforce Services, IIJA grants for state police CDL implementation and a forestry-related county grant, reserve fund transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic development, and a Commerce reallocation tied to organizational realignment. Cash fund requests in Section G and budget classification transfers in Section H were also reviewed, along with pay plan requests in Section I, overtime requests in Section J, and multiple methods of finance in Section K. The committee also reviewed discretionary grants in Section L, including agriculture promotion board grants and DHS aging/adult behavioral health grants, plus RFQs, construction contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and out-of-state contracts in Sections M1 through M5. Several items drew questions from members. Workforce Services explained that $225,000 in TANF-related funds would be returned to the federal government because the two-year hold period for uncashed or moved checks had expired. Commerce officials described the $25 million site infrastructure grant program, saying it supports site development, due diligence, and infrastructure build-out at eligible sites of 30 acres or more, including rural communities, with grant agreements and matching requirements providing accountability. DHS and Education officials answered questions about the Care Solace mental health referral contract, saying it is a statewide concierge/referral service that helps schools connect students to Arkansas providers and follow up so students do not fall through the cracks; members asked for more information on provider selection, school-day scheduling, and Arkansas vendor participation. The committee held one item over: the DHS discretionary grant item for the RSVP retired senior volunteer program in L2, after concerns were raised about whether state general revenue was being used effectively and how much administrative overhead the providers retain. Members also questioned several contracts, including a DHS sole-source contract with EMSLink for document management software and a DHS bridge contract with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care for Medicaid inspections of care reviews; in both cases, agency staff explained the need to avoid service disruption and said follow-up information would be provided. A Department of Corrections reentry center contract was discussed for its recidivism results, and ARDOT retirement-system investment contracts were briefly explained. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion of the Medicaid Trust Fund balance, with DFA and DHS officials saying the state is expected to finish the fiscal year without exhausting the fund, that a restricted reserve of $100 million is available as a backstop, and that the larger question is what minimum balance should be maintained going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• C3 is $99,000 to return funds from the unemployment insurance fraud detection and prevention project.
• These adjustments support the department's organizational realignment and also prevent salaries and match
• There are some measures built in to ensure that they're spending the money in accordance with the agreement
• This is to support the Senior Medicare Patrol, which utilizes outreach to prevent, detect, and report

Committee: All JBC-PEER REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So before government expands, government should measure.
• housing with federal funds and state funds, as well as for the sole purpose of providing dollars to prevent
• those funds are to be expended to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for the sole purpose of homeless prevention
• assistance, It is expended to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund for the sole purpose of homeless prevention

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that directly support new housing development, removing infrastructure barriers that can delay and prevent
• that directly support new housing development, removing infrastructure barriers that can delay and prevent
• speak a little bit more about how that lifecycle asset management is rolling out and how it will prevent
• construction season to get through what they need to do while implementing cost-effective resilience measures

Bills: H4987 , S2905

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: transportation bond bill, municipal roads, municipal bridges, Chapter 90, road aid, highway funding, bridge repair, pavement, MassDOT, MBTA, rail reliability, commuter rail locomotives, Fair Share surtax, Commonwealth Transportation Fund, infrastructure financing, bond authorization, deferred maintenance, climate resilience, parkways, DCR

Transcript Highlights:

• And this measure also asks them to take up some very specific tasks around the implementation and administration
• In the interest of time and to prevent tedious repetition, I won't provide background on this bill since
• In the interest of time and to prevent tedious repetition, I won't provide background on this bill since
• In the interest of time and to prevent tedious repetition, I won't provide background on this bill since

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, the proposed “millionaires’ income tax” package. Staff reviewed the bill and a long list of amendments affecting the new income tax, related business tax changes, and several exemptions and implementation provisions. The committee adopted amendments to exempt diapers from sales tax, allow certain tribal income treatment clarifications, create an advisory group to help implement the tax, move up the repeal date for some business tax changes, and require the measure to go to the voters; several other amendments on federal conformity, agricultural income, pass-through entities, and the marriage threshold were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then adopted the striking amendment as amended and advanced the bill on a 9-6 do pass vote, with supporters arguing it would fund education, health care, child care, and tax relief, and opponents warning about competitiveness, capital flight, and the state’s spending growth. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities for county Conservation Futures Program funding. Staff said the bill would not change the tax levy structure and would have no state revenue impact, while tribal witnesses said it would improve voluntary conservation partnerships for habitat, farmland, and open space. Members asked about the bill’s scope, and staff confirmed it applies only to federally recognized tribes. House Finance also heard Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform measure that would consolidate the state school levy, expand senior and disability property tax exemptions, raise income thresholds, and simplify the application process with a standard deduction. The prime sponsor and county assessors supported the bill as a way to help seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans stay in their homes and reduce administrative burden, while several testifiers opposed it as a tax shift that would raise costs for others and potentially strain local revenues. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6113, an administrative and technical tax cleanup bill related to last year’s tax changes; the Department of Revenue supported it and noted a possible clarifying amendment, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, health care groups, workforce training providers, and trade associations asked for additional exemptions for live presentations and related educational activities. The chair announced that Senate Bill 6097 would be added to Monday’s executive session, Senate Bill 6114 was removed, and amendments for Monday’s bills were due by 5 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• law enforcement could document the incident, but there was no immediate way to enforce the order or prevent
• These measures support consistency and help protect children’s relationships with both parents.
• graduated penalties and restoration of custody, is a huge step toward disincentivizing interference and preventing
• am here because my family spent the last two years living through a tragedy that could have been prevented

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, then took up House Bill 685, which would add a sentencing enhancement when certain felonies and specified violent misdemeanors are committed while the offender is wearing a mask or disguise. The sponsor said the bill had been narrowed from an earlier version to avoid covering all crimes, and law enforcement witnesses from Nampa and Hailey, along with several public commenters, supported it as a tool for identification, prosecution, and deterrence. One member raised concerns about fiscal impacts and the bill’s provision allowing law enforcement to wear masks in some circumstances, but the bill was ultimately sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the vote was unanimous except for one recorded nay. The committee then considered House Bill 668 on child custody interference. The sponsor, drawing on a summer task force, said the bill was intended to address repeated failures to comply with custody orders by adding clearer guidance for law enforcement, affirmative defenses for legitimate delays, required welfare checks and reports, and a graduated penalty structure. Numerous parents and advocates testified in support, describing large legal costs, repeated denial of parenting time, and a lack of enforcement under current law. Some members and testifiers raised concerns that the bill’s revised language might unintentionally reduce penalties for the most serious conduct, especially cases involving taking a child out of state. After discussion, the committee amended course by sending the bill to general orders for further work, unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 696, which would expand the definition of prohibited sexual contact in correctional facilities to better address sexual abuse by prison staff. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by reports of abuse in Idaho prisons and was intended to clarify the law and strengthen accountability. Testimony from advocates and a survivor of abuse in custody strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the vulnerability of incarcerated women and the need for clearer legal protections. The committee approved the bill unanimously and sent it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• concern here is I love the intent of the bill, but I have a concern that when you start putting measures
• that money for anything other than airport improvement or operation, wouldn't that, by definition, prevent
• And to nail it down a little bit, I guess I see what you're trying to do is to prevent what the federal
• In 1982, the federal government passed the Airport and Airway Improvement Act to prevent the diversion

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We stand in support of House Bill 120 and we thank the sponsors for bringing this important measure forward
• By setting firm guardrails, requiring accountability, and prioritizing prevention and training, the bill
• We strongly support the bill's emphasis on de-escalation, positive behavior interventions, and prevention
• Currently, there are requirements to do the crisis prevention intervention training, correct? Mr.

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• It is targeted, performance-based, and focused on measurable economic outcomes.
• There's a lot of zoning and regulatory barriers that will still prevent vacant buildings from being rehabilitated
• And so I think that any property in the state would qualify; there's nothing that would prevent that
• Second concern is what's going to prevent this from being used to build a bunch of Airbnbs, and it isn't

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• concerns about it sounds like there are no provisions of which this buy now, pay later construct would prevent
• concerns about it sounds like there are no provisions of which this buy now pay later construct would prevent
• We know that systems, financial systems in particular, have been built to really prevent folks from being
• Yes, we at Kuka Rankin supply high-tech measuring equipment and have been doing this for about 100 years

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions, focusing on how the products work, how they are used in Washington, and whether existing state law adequately protects consumers. Department of Financial Institutions staff described BNPL as short-term, usually no-interest installment financing offered at checkout, often with automatic payments, late fees, and varying credit-reporting practices. Members asked how BNPL compares with payday lending and earned wage access, whether it is effectively a loan or credit product, and whether Washington law already covers it. DFI explained that some BNPL structures may fall into a legal gray area under the Retail Installment Sales of Goods and Services Act because pay-in-four products may not meet the statute’s “more than four installments” language, while other structures may be covered; they also noted the Attorney General can enforce the act. DFI and committee members discussed consumer risks such as overextension, automatic debits, and lack of standardized disclosures, and DFI said it would follow up with additional data on defaults and related issues. Molly Gallagher of the Poverty Action Network and Nadine Chabrier of the Center for Responsible Lending argued that BNPL can help consumers but also poses significant risks, especially for lower-income consumers and consumers of color who already carry debt or use other alternative financial products. They said BNPL use has grown rapidly, often involves multiple simultaneous loans across providers, and can lead to overdrafts, late fees, and difficulty tracking obligations because payments are spread across different schedules. They emphasized concerns about weak disclosures, limited dispute protections, automatic payment structures, credit reporting inconsistencies, consumer overextension, and data privacy/dark-pattern marketing. They also described federal retrenchment, including the CFPB’s withdrawal of an interpretive rule that would have treated BNPL like a digital credit card, and pointed to state responses in places like New York, California, and Maryland. Committee members signaled interest in possible Washington legislation and stronger state oversight. Retail and business witnesses offered a more favorable view of BNPL as a cash-flow and sales tool. A Washington Retail Association representative described BNPL as an evolution of layaway and credit-card-style installment purchasing, noting that merchants receive payment up front minus fees while consumers get goods or services immediately and repay over time. A representative from a business using deferred-payment financing said the tool helps customers obtain equipment and helps the business manage inventory and cash flow, while NFIB said small businesses also use BNPL to bridge expenses and avoid higher-interest credit card debt. Members asked about merchant fees, consumer education, and whether BNPL is being used for impulse purchases or essential expenses like rent, car repairs, medical care, and travel. The chair concluded by saying the committee intends to pursue regulatory language and continue working with stakeholders, while also hearing from retailers to avoid eliminating legitimate financing tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately the bill is about preventing tragedies and about saving lives. That is the bill.
• amendment clarifies that an app and front device must be approved by the FDA and having appropriate pre measured
• Second, the bill prevents districts from imposing Second, the bill prevents districts from imposing enrollment

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• La Parte Institute at the University of South Florida to conduct innovative research and improve prevention
• holding managing entities accountable, which will require them to report on specific performance measures
• AHCA and APD and DCF to ensure a more stable and informed process moving forward, with a focus on preventing
• redetermination process, the bill requires AHCA to continue making Medicaid payments for these services, preventing

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures. The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony. Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices. The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona passed a safety measure limiting trains to 14 passenger cars or... freight cars, and the court
• another opportunity for us to listen as part of an... ...ongoing process to improve mobility and prevent
• What would have prevented that type of incident, and you know which accident I'm talking about?
• And to your question about what could have prevented the accident in Pecos, that involved a Union Pacific

Bills: HB341 , HB791 , HB1564 , HB1695 , HB1722 , HB1729 , HB1772 , HB2003 , HB2954 , HB2989 , HB3084 , HB3134 , HB3135 , HB3309 , HB3611 , HB3679 , HB3727 , HB3832

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates

Transcript Highlights:

• They thought it was great for the opioid abatement money as prevention.
• They thought it was great for the opioid abatement money as prevention.
• </c><00:46:28.880><c> their</c> assessment that will measure their assessment that will measure their
• We’re going to open the hearing on SB 210 relative to bullying and cyberbullying prevention.
• And what we want to do in this statute and the amendments is to prevent that divisive instruction in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> important well that provision prevents important well that provision prevents escalating<01:02:06.079
• Does this violate the State Constitution, which prevents retroactive laws?
• Does this violate the State Constitution, which prevents retroactive laws?
• Does this violate the State Constitution, which prevents retroactive laws?
• </c><02:18:28.519><c> school</c> change the RSA by preventing school change the RSA by preventing school

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a practical and measured bill that sets a stage for us to keep improving in the future and provides
• </c> Sometimes termed preventive detention.
• No one should be held in preventive detention for life based upon theoretical danger that others may
• No one should be held in preventive detention for life based upon theoretical danger that others may
• Our correctional facilities, by any objective measure, cannot possibly be considered therapeutic.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris Weisakku at WMA: I want to start off by thanking the author for introducing this important measure
• these protections to all renters or lowering this cap, we risk... ...displacing even more families, preventing
• I'm proud to be a co-author of this measure, and you, of course, have my support today.
• And then going back with similar measures in 2021 or 2020 with Prop. 2020 with nearly 60% saying they
• interests leverage their issues. when opposition interests leverage their influence and power to prevent

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's intended to prevent confusion between the department and carriers in the future.
• 30:23.840><c> between</c> intended to prevent confusion between intended to prevent confusion between
• It's the industry standard for how to prevent insolvency in risk pools.
• </c><05:48:53.920><c> We</c><05:48:54.160><c> don't</c> prevent risk pool insolveny.
• We don't prevent risk pool insolveny.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Research Institute of Texas contingent upon the... ...support the Dementia Prevention and Research
• This is the 2026-27 cost for property tax relief to implement property tax relief measures that have
• It's a pretty astonishing number by any measurement. True? That's correct.
• Sir, what accountability or performance measures are there for the courts of appeals?
• We have performance measures based on clearance rate in the sense of the number of case filings that

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it came to enforcement, it is not a punitive measure that we're trying to implement.
• As a mother and as a psychologist, I've always believed that the best intervention is prevention.
• As a mother and as a psychologist, I've always believed that the best intervention is prevention.
• To measure the impact, a class of 28 students tracked their notifications over a 60-minute period.
• the impact a class of 28 measure the impact a class of 28 students<01:00:37.160><c> tracked</c><01:00

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all