Transcript Highlights:

• What was missing was morals, because we seek to not only give our children an education but a moral education
• </c> height of education height of education universities<00:01:38.560><c> were</c><00:01:38.799><c>
• but a moral our children an education but a moral education<00:01:48.479><c> to</c><00:01:48.720><c>
• to not only build a strong education to not only build a strong society<00:01:50.799><c> but</c><00:
• ><c> stakeholders</c><00:18:38.880><c> to</c> education groups and stakeholders to education groups and

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Education dismantle itself, sources of funds are you confident?
• , special education program supervision, and some other targeted special education services.
• This is to now we're into the Department of Higher Education.
• This is to now we're into the Department of Higher Education.
• The second is the Early Childhood Development Education Care Fund.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not just administrative services; there are things like CTE from the Department of Education, and
• and there's a statute that Education and there's a statute that guides<00:06:55.560><c> how</c><00:06
• </c><00:12:54.240><c> trust</c> appropriation use the education trust appropriation use the education
• But the governor has now taken these projects and put them in her capital budget under the Education
• Because I used to be on education. I've been following it for years. It's actually...

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Public Works and Highways committee held a capital budget orientation led by Legislative Budget Assistant Office staff, who walked members through the budget materials, the capital budget process, and the committee’s compare sheet. The presentation explained that agencies begin developing capital requests nearly a year in advance, submit them by May 1, and that the governor’s recommended capital budget is a reduced version of the much larger agency wish list. Members were told the agencies initially requested about $1.1 billion in projects, the catalog was trimmed to just over $400 million in general fund projects, and the governor’s recommendation in the pink book totals about $143 million in general fund capital appropriations. The committee also reviewed the prior capital budget and related statutes and committee procedures. Several specific projects drew discussion. The Department of Education’s CTE projects were explained as having been shifted into the operating budget in the prior cycle and now returning to the capital budget recommendation; members asked whether there was a backup CTE project and whether local approval had been secured for the named project. The Cannon Mountain tramway request was highlighted as a $20 million recommendation, with the presenter explaining that an earlier $18 million appropriation would be lapsed back to the general fund to help balance the budget. The Department of Corrections’ new prison project was also discussed; members were told the state has already appropriated $50 million for planning and site evaluation, but the governor’s current capital budget does not include a new prison construction appropriation because the project is not yet ready for that phase and may need to be funded differently, possibly through a separate, staggered appropriation. State Treasurer Monica Mezzapelli then presented on debt affordability and the state’s borrowing capacity. She said the state’s credit position has improved, with the debt-to-revenue ratio falling from 8.2% in 2015 to 3.8% in 2024, and explained that RSA 6-C limits debt authorization to 10% of unrestricted prior-year revenue. She noted that the Treasury’s planning assumes $60 million in annual bond issuance, with the prison-related $40 million now expected to be issued in 2026 rather than 2025 because the project is not ready to spend the funds. She said the state can still borrow more, but additional debt service must be paid from operating funds, and recommended keeping capital bonding in the $120 million to $130 million range to preserve affordability and the state’s credit rating. Members asked for clarification on the CTE funding shift, the prison schedule, and the meaning of the large agency request totals. The chair and treasurer discussed the governor’s $143 million recommendation versus the committee’s usual target range, and the treasurer said $130 million would be more comfortable than $140 million, with $135 million described as a possible compromise. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the meeting was informational and ended with the presenters offering to answer follow-up questions as agencies come before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reduction in statewide education reduction in statewide education property<00:33:50.640><c> taxes
• </c> does not spend enough on education. does not spend enough on education.
• </c> So we spend plenty on education.
• .<02:03:47.280><c> Um</c><02:03:48.639><c> uh</c> education.
• As long as we continue to underfund public education and the educational components of that, I don't

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of House bills that had been moved during the budget process and, in many cases, were already addressed in the state budget. The chair explained that bills covered by the budget would generally be reported inexpedient to legislate, while some others would be placed on the consent calendar or handled separately. Early votes were largely unanimous, including House Bill 54, which would allow alternate treatment centers to operate for profit; the committee voted 25-0 ought to pass and sent it to the consent calendar. The committee then recommended inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation bill, because the funding had been replaced in House Bill 2 with $2.5 million in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Representative Rum opposed the ITL motion, arguing the projects would otherwise burden local property taxpayers and that the funding was important for housing and municipal infrastructure, but the motion passed 14-11. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also reported ITL 14-11 on the grounds that the budget already made significant reforms and separate action could create conflicting statutory language. House Bill 164, creating funding for a local government records manager position in the Secretary of State’s office, received a unanimous amendment appropriating $150,000 for fiscal year 2027 and then passed 25-0 ought to pass as amended, moving to the regular calendar. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew extended debate over whether restoring a state contribution to retirement system costs would reduce local property taxes; supporters framed it as tax relief for municipalities and school districts, while opponents said the effect would be minimal or offset by other retirement-system changes. The committee ultimately voted 14-11 ITL, with a minority report requested. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a report on potential harms and benefits, was amended and then passed 25-0 ought to pass as amended. House Bill 216, which would remove a workers’ compensation-related service-credit limit for certain disability retirement cases, was voted ITL 25-0 after the sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain. Finally, House Bill 219, which would redirect renewable portfolio standard funds and was amended to delay its effective date to July 1, 2027, advanced after debate over electricity costs and renewable energy policy; the committee adopted the amendment unanimously and then voted on the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> education fund. education fund.
• the House um increased special education the House um increased special education per<01:04:53.119><c
• ><c> trust</c><01:06:48.960><c> fund</c> relates to the education trust fund relates to the education
• </c> the general fund, education trust fund. the general fund, education trust fund.
• Representative Lad said no problem. education increase the differentiate a education increase the differentiate

Keywords: 10am HB 1 & HB 2, 928, house, all

Summary: The committee of conference for HB 1 and HB 2 reviewed the side-by-side budget comparison and began working through agreed and disputed items. Members first confirmed that grayed-out items were already settled and discussed a process for making later technical and intent changes, especially to true up abolished positions after additional decisions were made. They then moved through several budget sections, including judicial branch reductions, retirement systems, the Department of Justice, the Human Rights Commission, liquor enforcement, corrections, and the Department of Information Technology. Several items were agreed to or treated as settled package items, including the judicial branch position, the Department of Justice reduction, the Human Rights Commission item being held until related HB 2 language is finalized, the Housing Appeals Board being moved into the Board of Tax and Land Appeals, and the Office of Child Advocate. The committee also agreed to update the House bill language as needed based on HB 2 decisions, and to keep certain IT support rows in place unless related boards and commissions are eliminated. The effective date remained July 1, 2025, with no change. The main unresolved discussion centered on the retirement systems budget, where the Senate defended a large increase for deferred IT security and investment-function improvements, while the House argued the increase was too large and favored a back-of-the-budget cut. The Senate said the funds would support strategic IT and investment changes and would remain in the trust if cut, while the House emphasized the size of the increase and suggested a compromise. The committee ultimately retained the Senate position on retirement systems for the moment and said it would return to the issue later. On corrections and liquor enforcement, the committee described a negotiated back-of-the-budget cut structure, including a $10 million cut for corrections with some restoration of POS offices and administrative aides, and a liquor enforcement cut that was treated as part of a broader package. The Department of Safety item related to commercial enforcement and motor vehicle inspections was held for later discussion. The meeting ended with several items agreed, several held for coordination with HB 2, and some major budget questions still open.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there was an amendment also filed by Senator DiDomenico for a health education trust fund, which
• establishes a new fund to invest in conference of health education, which would include some maternal
• Just another way to try to make sure that our medical professionals are educated, but also that we have
• education, which would include some maternal health and other awareness, which is not adopted.
• Just another way to try to make sure that our medical professionals educated, but also that we have the

Summary: The commission reviewed the House and Senate budget outcomes for maternal and perinatal health-related amendments as the budget moved into conference committee. On the House side, amendments for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law, the Tuff Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants were not adopted. On the Senate side, several items were adopted, including funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a $1 million earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and Senator Rausch’s out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot, while other proposals such as the midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tuff Center request were not accepted. Members discussed whether the commission should send a letter to the conference committee. Several speakers supported doing so, but emphasized that the commission’s core mission is perinatal and postpartum mental health and that the budget wins, while important, did not explicitly fund PMAD or perinatal mental health priorities. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter highlighting the broader maternal health wins while also urging continued investment in perinatal and postpartum supports. The meeting also covered commission vacancies, including a vacant House minority seat, several governor-appointed seats, an open Senate co-chair appointment, and other commissioner slots. Members suggested possible future appointees or organizational representatives, including people connected to the Children’s Trust, addiction-affected families, and midwifery. The meeting ended with brief updates on upcoming minutes, future presenters, and the end of the legislative session, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The request was for $260,000; $150,000 was awarded to sustain menstrual product distribution and education
• trust fund, which establishes a new fund to invest in comprehensive health education, which would include
• The request was for 260,000, 150,000 was awarded to sustain menstrual product distribution and education
• education, which would include some maternal health and other awareness, which is not adopted.
• It is another way to make sure that our medical professionals are educated, but also that we have the

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants. On the Senate side, three amendments were adopted: funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a large earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and funding for an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot. Other Senate proposals, including a midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center request, were not adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• He entered the minor seminary in the Archdiocese of Medellín to pursue his education in junior The minor
• seminary in the Archdiocese of Medellín to pursue his education in junior high, where in addition to
• Therefore, an urgency exists to promote early diagnosis in Arizona through training and education of
• She is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.
• She is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also made several personal privilege introductions, including guests for National Women’s History Month, Father Andres Arango and Interfaith Day participants, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Representative Simacek and others highlighted United Cerebral Palsy’s work, early diagnosis, and expanded services for people with cerebral palsy. On the floor, the House announced committee substitutions and bill referrals, then moved into Committee of the Whole. Three Senate bills received do pass recommendations: SB 1092, described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; SB 1097, the annual claimant bill; and SB 1135, a government-related measure. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred those bills to engrossing. The House then took up SB 1430, a tax corrections bill. Representative Calles raised concern that a provision might remove multiple tax exemptions, while Representative Olson said the measure was a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The bill passed 51-0, with nine not voting, and was sent back to the Senate. The House also received committee meeting announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• a request to send questions to the Arkansas Department of Health regarding sexual risk avoidance education
• a request to send questions to the Arkansas Department of Health regarding sexual risk avoidance education
• Thirty-one education audit reports were included on the committee’s agenda for review.
• This slide presents program expenditures by higher education institution for the life of the program,
• This slide presents program expenditures by higher education institution for the life of the program,

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Daniel and Stupiang with the Legislative Education Study Committee. Excellent. Thank you very much.
• Thank you to the sponsors, and thank you to all of you for your amazing work in supporting educators.
• educators stay or leave.
• Educators...
• Educators in New Mexico are our working families, representing 12% of the statewide workforce.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up several House bills, mostly related to funding for conservation, housing, education health insurance, and public projects. HB 184 as amended made technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and Investment Fund to prevent trapped balances and improve distributions to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund; public testimony from conservation groups strongly supported it, and the committee voted due pass. HB 200 as amended created an incentive program for starter-home construction and homebuyer assistance; supporters said it would help low- and moderate-income buyers, address the shortage of starter homes, and support local builders, and the committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation because funding was already included in House Bill 2 before voting due pass. The committee then considered a substitute for HB 47, the school employee health insurance “80-20” bill. The substitute kept the 80% employer contribution but added statewide participation in NMSIA, removed waivers, added reference-based pricing, and expanded oversight to control costs and stabilize the risk pool. Supporters, including school employees, unions, and educator advocates, said it would improve recruitment and retention and reduce take-home health costs; the committee approved the substitute and moved do pass on the substitute while not passing the original bill. The committee also approved HB 63, authorizing NMFA Water Project Fund loans or grants for 113 water projects recommended by the Water Trust Board, and HB 64, which appropriated $13.3 million from the Public Project Revolving Fund for drinking water, local planning, and cultural affairs facilities. HB 48, a straight appropriation already included in the budget, was tabled. The meeting ended after those actions, with no opposition recorded on the final motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is why the committee prioritized healthcare, human services, education, the arts, and food distribution
• ><00:02:40.080><c> the</c> And that is why the committee prioritized healthcare, human services, education
• c> services,</c> prioritized healthcare, human services, prioritized healthcare, human services, education
• 32.239><c> the</c><00:03:32.480><c> arts,</c><00:03:32.799><c> and</c><00:03:33.040><c> food</c> education
• , the arts, and food education, the arts, and food distribution. distribution. distribution.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational briefing on Act 310, which set aside $50 million for nonprofit and community organizations facing uncertainty, especially amid federal funding disruptions. Speakers thanked Aloha United Way for handling applications, as well as the governor, lieutenant governor, House and Senate leadership, and legislative staff for helping craft the measure and review more than 200 applications totaling over $150 million in requests. They noted the funding was intended as a safety net for organizations serving at-risk populations and those that had lost federal support, with priority given to healthcare, human services, education, the arts, and food distribution. The co-chair then presented the recommended award list, describing it as aimed at programs with broad reach and high impact. The list included a large number of nonprofits and community providers across the state, such as food banks, health centers, youth and family services, domestic violence and legal aid organizations, cultural and educational groups, and hospitals. Several of the larger awards mentioned included Hui Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, West Hawaii Community Health Center, The Food Basket, and multiple Maui and Oahu service organizations. After the full list was read, the chair asked for discussion or objections. Hearing none, the committee adopted the list of nonprofit awards as read. The briefing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• continuing ed taken by a licensee of the various boards listed, that that may count as continuing education
• continuing ed taken by a licensee of the various boards listed, that that may count as continuing education
• the commission, so lines one through three, which is to provide annual prevention and awareness education
• the commission, so lines one through three, which is to provide annual prevention and awareness education
• So currently, the whole new subsection reads: provide annual prevention and awareness education on human

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on HB 1308 met to review Senate amendments related to the Human Trafficking Commission and continuing education language for regulated professions. Senator Beauchay explained that the bill would make the commission more independent and robust by changing permissive language to mandatory language, adding members from DHS/Children and Family Services, school districts, the State’s Attorneys Association, and the governor’s office, and designating the Attorney General or designee as presiding officer. The committee also discussed a new duty for the commission to provide annual human trafficking prevention and awareness education for students, with a proposed cross-reference to DPI curriculum law to avoid conflict with HB 2330. Members raised questions about the size of the commission, quorum concerns, and how the existing human trafficking task force differs from the commission. Testimony from Amy Boyd-Bomey of YouthWorks supported broader representation, especially from child welfare, schools, and tribal entities, and emphasized that trafficking of youth in North Dakota disproportionately affects Native youth. Committee members discussed the need for tribal representation, including a single representative chosen by tribal chairs, and suggested adding language to ensure that perspective. Boyd-Bomey also noted that the statute already references designees from state, local, and tribal agencies, though the committee considered making that more specific. No final action was taken. Representative Davis was asked to draft possible language changes, and the committee agreed to stand at ease and reconvene later, but ultimately the chair announced that more time would be needed and that another meeting would be scheduled.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jumping further on your spreadsheet to line 19, the Greater Minnesota Housing statewide tenant education
• The Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training (HECAP) program supports much-needed financial
• HECAP funds are critical to Habitat's mortgage foreclosure prevention program, allowing us to educate
• We encourage considering the Homeownership Education, Counseling, and Training (HECAT) program.
• of 31 nonprofit organizations in every corner of Minnesota that provide the Homestretch homebuyer education

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We chose education over indoctrination. We have chosen law and order over rioting and disorder.
• Florida is also leading on the issue of education.
• We led the way in Florida by being the first state to eliminate DEI from our higher education system.
• Every family deserves universities that provide education, not indoctrination, and the education must
• We codified parental rights in education.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 17 refers to the appropriation for the Higher Education Public Safety Fund.
• Section 20 refers to the appropriation in Section 2 for the Education Compensation System Review and
• Modernization in the Department of Education.
• It has been an incredible education, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate.
• It has been an incredible education, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate.

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I came here today to speak in strong opposition to House Bill 286, an act relative to autism education
• It undermines decades of hard-won progress and inclusive education.
• Do we need stronger preparation for our educators?
• If the Commonwealth of Massachusetts wants to lead on autism education, then we must listen to autistic
• of Massachusetts wants to lead on autism education, then we must listen to autistic people.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on a broad slate of disability-related bills. Topics included creating a permanent Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board (H. 231/S. 134), establishing a system for compensating guardians who serve incapacitated, unbefriended individuals through MassHealth (H. 253/S. 154), expanding Nikki’s Law to require MassHealth day habilitation programs to use the abuse registry (S. 165 and related bills), modernizing and streamlining the Disabled Persons Protection Commission’s statute and procedures (H. 243/S. 139), updating the definition of developmental disability to align more closely with federal law and include people such as those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (H. 276/S. 150), removing outdated and offensive terminology from the General Laws (H. 232/S. 137), and an autism education reform bill (H. 286). Several bills had no sign-ups, and the committee also noted related measures on cueing and prompting in PCA programs (H. 277/S. 157).

Transcript Highlights:

• And importantly, this bill supports our commonwealth educators. Thank you.
• And importantly, this bill supports our commonwealth educators.
• There are many important education policies that this body and this legislature have enacted over the
• We worked very hard in the bill that came out of the Education Committee and then came to the floor of
• It will require payments for graduate medical education.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor. After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will allow us to expand our program, specifically our education and community programs, to
• > to</c><00:13:01.680><c> Al</c> This bill will allow us to expand our program, specifically our education
• > in order to roll out these programs in order to roll out these programs these<00:18:51.039><c> education
• </c><00:18:51.679><c> programs</c><00:18:52.159><c> these</c><00:18:52.280><c> free</c> these education
• </c> Access to music and educational Access to music and educational opportunities<00:27:02.080><c> I

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on March 14, 2025, and heard two measures. On SB 441 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, the committee received strong support from the orchestra, the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, IATSE Local 665, and an in-person testifier, with testimony emphasizing statewide access to music, education and community programming, cultural value, economic impact, and job stability for musicians and staff. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and suggested language related to the State Endowment Fund. Committee members asked about how the funding would be used, the orchestra’s reach, and its history; the orchestra said it preferred direct operating support and described its audience and employment footprint, neighbor-island outreach, and plans to expand season length and education programs. The committee then heard SB 1581 SD1, relating to the Hawaiʻi Japan Pacific Peace Monument. No testifier from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts was present, and no one testified on Zoom. With no discussion from witnesses, the measure was briefly taken up and later advanced. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments to SB 441 SD1, including a preamble describing legislative intent and the orchestra’s history, references to the State of Hawaiʻi endowment fund and statewide public benefits, and language ensuring the funds support statewide purposes and neighbor-island access to music and educational opportunities. The committee also added a deferral date of July 1, 3000 and technical amendments, then voted to pass the measure with amendments. SB 1581 SD1 was also passed forward with amendments, including a July 1, 3000 deferral date and technical changes, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The modest grant program has laid the groundwork for tribal communities to implement public education
• higher education.
• I think it's a combination of a bit of everything regarding education, awareness...
• That's education. And to talk about it even more and more, that's all part of probation.
• Maybe that's in the education or the social service. It is a domino effect. This is something.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• , representing the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. and Amy Copeland representing the Texas Education
• Education Committee right now, but this is a, I believe, a Bexar County School District, as I recall,
• and then our appraisers go out and they're they're not tasked with funding public education they're
• But again, it's to ensure equitable distribution of... state funding for public education.
• That's a tough thing to try to explain and educate.

Committee: House S/C on Property Tax Appraisals

Keywords: 1184, house, all