Transcript Highlights:

• The bill before you clarifies the public records request process as it relates to records generated by
• and generations beyond, and I think it's an important piece of work.
• The history of the facility extends back to 1892.
• The history of the facility extends back to 1892.
• Safeguarding these materials for generations to come.

Bills: SCR8406 , SB5892 , SB5863

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, voter registration database, election security, public records exemption, Secretary of State, county elections office, election infrastructure, cybersecurity, ballot signatures, ballot return envelopes, signature correction forms, voter privacy, personal identifying information, Social Security number, driver's license number, state ID number

Transcript Highlights:

• It is generally understood that prevention is significantly cheaper than treatment. ...treatment.
• Within 48 hours, we would need to pick those individuals up from that facility. So that's...
• And there's a training facility.
• General can bring an action in a district court for appropriate equitable relief.
• But what you're describing is something that happens outside the confines of a jail facility.

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• And then Jamie Gortmaker has a variety of also general government agencies.
• So in the two-year period, we have about $155 million worth of near-general-fund costs.
• You also see administrative reductions at a number of general government agencies.
• Skipping ahead to natural resources, much less general fund in this area of the budget.
• I understand the challenge of addressing a general fund shortfall.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee opened with committee guidelines for the 2026 session, including limits on testimony, amendment deadlines, confidentiality expectations, and professionalism rules. Chair Ormsby also reviewed housekeeping for the public hearing, noting the meeting was recorded and live streamed, and that testimony would be limited to one minute because of the large number of sign-ups. The committee then began its work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental operating budget, presented by OFM Director Katie Chapman, who outlined the state’s fiscal pressures: higher caseloads in major programs, a revenue forecast decline of about $390 million, federal policy changes tied to H.R. 1, inflation, and a relatively small ending fund balance. She said the governor’s budget solves about a $2.3 billion shortfall through nearly $800 million in spending reductions, revenue shifts, fund transfers, use of about $1 billion from the Budget Stabilization Account, and some tax preference changes, while also making targeted investments in areas such as child welfare, behavioral health, wildfire response, housing, and IT modernization. Chapman also explained that the proposal does not fully balance over the four-year outlook under the state’s statutory assumptions, but said the governor relied on the budget-balance law’s exception tied to BSA use and low employment growth. A question from Rep. Connors about credit ratings was answered with the view that the impact is difficult to predict and that Washington’s strong pension funding and balanced-budget framework remain positives. The public hearing drew testimony from state officials and many advocates, most of whom opposed specific cuts or fund shifts in the governor’s proposal. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs objected to proposed sweeps from the corporations and charities fund and the library archives account, citing prior cuts, layoffs, cyberattack-related costs, and the need to upgrade aging systems. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove urged restoration of wildfire prevention funding, saying the proposed amount was still $30 million short of the commitment in House Bill 1168 and that underfunding would increase suppression costs and risk to communities. Many education witnesses opposed reductions to Working Connections Child Care, transition to kindergarten, local effort assistance, Running Start, and higher education across-the-board cuts, arguing they would harm access, equity, and workforce development. Higher education leaders from community colleges, the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Evergreen State College described staffing cuts, program reductions, and pressure on student services, while K-12 groups and OSPI said the budget would deepen existing funding gaps. A large portion of testimony focused on human services, health, housing, and civil legal aid. Child welfare and youth-serving organizations supported some targeted investments but opposed cuts to child care, child welfare network administration, and youth programs; advocates for foster youth, homeless youth, and mentoring programs asked for continued or increased funding. Health care and long-term care providers warned that proposed Medicaid and rate changes would reduce access for seniors, people with disabilities, and safety-net patients, while Planned Parenthood and abortion access advocates urged full restoration of the Abortion Access Project and related reimbursements. Housing and legal aid witnesses backed the governor’s proposed right-to-counsel funding but asked for more support, and homelessness advocates sought contingency funding for federal housing programs. Crime victim and domestic violence service providers repeatedly said the proposed $12 million was far short of the roughly $21.38 million needed to avoid service cuts and closures. Other testimony addressed the Climate Commitment Account shift for the Working Families Tax Credit, with environmental advocates opposing the diversion of CCA dollars and workforce advocates supporting the governor’s economic security and employment programs. No votes or formal committee action were taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• residential treatment facility This residential treatment facility provides<00:35:46.880><c> education
• </c> you choose which facilities to support? you choose which facilities to support?
• , especially residential facilities, especially residential treatment<01:04:24.480><c> facilities,</c
• </c> provided in those facilities? provided in those facilities?
• And do we have all of the facilities? Because you have to register all these facilities.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:09 Approval of Minutes 00:00:48 KOAP Report 00:01:09 Update from CHFS 00:20:27, 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum, approval of the September 18, 2025 minutes, and a staff update on recent tobacco settlement-funded agriculture activities. The agriculture side highlighted Commissioner Shell’s outreach, including school visits, farm visits, and speaking engagements in Kentucky and a trip to Tennessee to discuss program models. A representative also described a national conference in Iowa, where Kentucky’s agriculture finance program was praised as a $180 million loan program built with tobacco settlement funds. The board noted September approvals totaling $950,000 for the agriculture development board and $3.3 million for the finance corporation, along with staff activity such as site visits, program closures, and project reports. The board also announced that the KKMP report covering 2015-2022 would be distributed and that the annual report, marking the program’s 25th anniversary, was being prepared. The board then reviewed two featured projects. The Organic Association of Kentucky requested $425,000 for organic producer support, but the board approved only one year of funding at $29,000, with members noting concern about recurring applicants and the need to evaluate long-term funding. The second project, by Joseph Dale Bentley in Lewis County, sought $51,300 to expand a small ruminant facility for goat production and export. Members were particularly interested because the project was already operating and creating market opportunities for Kentucky goat producers; the board approved half the project cost to help expand infrastructure and potentially allow quarantining on site. The cabinet then presented its annual update on tobacco settlement fund use in public health. Julie Brooks, Sarah Johnson, and Andrea Day reported on the HANS home visitation program, tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, lung cancer screening, and early childhood oral health. HANS served more families in FY25, rising from 6,293 to 6,715, and increased services from 139,943 to over 143,000. Tobacco prevention and cessation programs continued to support Quit Now Kentucky and My Life, My Quit, though officials noted federal uncertainty and the loss of federal tobacco control infrastructure. They also reported a slight decline in student outreach and cessation requests, but continued demand from schools and communities for vaping and nicotine prevention support. Lung cancer screening expanded to 55 screens, with Kentucky cited as a model for other states due to improved incidence, survival, and early detection rates. Early oral health efforts continued through local health departments, with more trainings for public health nurses, continued varnish kits, and expanded support for dental graduates and hygiene teams.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> related facility improvement. related facility improvement.
• Um competitive the general formula.
• prevention and facility security.
• prevention and facility security.
• prevention and facility security.

Bills: HF3492 , HF3493 , HF3494 , HF3495 , HF3602

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• As in 2017, assisted living facilities, at least. Rage.
• Our Attorney General has credibly Our Attorney General has credibly filed 34 lawsuits against your administration
• This is the quote from Attorney General Chris Mays.
• The Attorney General understands what I do.
• And I believe that our Attorney General does that.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the prior journal, and several guest introductions, including Arizona agricultural producers and suppliers and sixth graders from James W. Rice Elementary School. The chamber then moved through a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bill references and committee reports, with no substantive debate on those items recorded in the transcript. The main floor action centered on Senate Resolution 1036, which was converted from a concurrent resolution to a Senate resolution and brought forward under a suspension of rules. The resolution condemned Attorney General Chris Mays for public comments about the use of force and law enforcement, and called on her to retract, clarify, and resign. Senators debated whether the resolution was a necessary public safety response or a politically motivated stunt, with supporters arguing Mays’ remarks endangered officers and opponents saying the resolution misquoted her and was being rushed without committee review or public input. A floor amendment was adopted, and after extended debate the Senate passed SR 1036 on a 17-13 vote. After the resolution vote, the Senate briefly returned to personal privileges, including an introduction of visitors connected to civics education, and then recessed and adjourned until Monday, February 2, 2026. The transcript does not show any other bill final actions beyond the SR 1036 vote and the routine referral and reporting of other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The founding generation asserted that legitimate authority arises from the consent of the governed, as
• And then we meet Edward Bates, who would go on to be the Attorney General.
• Let us work tirelessly to make sure that that bounty remains for future generations.
• I did not know this year that Lyndon was in a facility.
• I did not know this year that Linden was in a facility.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's reflecting higher General Fund estimates.
• They also have increases for property and general liability insurance.
• Weed Union and SISCU is a facility rated.
• This is a general fund that is stable except for an overextended, if I can say this, facility project
• that is now going to burden the general fund.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met for its annual Proposition 98 overview, with Chair Alvarez outlining the committee’s focus on K-12 funding, student outcomes, and use of one-time funds. Superintendent Tony Thurmond gave an update on education issues, including wildfire recovery support for affected school communities, ongoing concerns about federal threats to education funding and immigration enforcement, progress on literacy and math, dual-language immersion, educator housing, and support for dual enrollment. Members broadly expressed support for these priorities, while also raising concerns about implementation, funding stability, and the need for schools to remain safe places for students. The committee then reviewed the Governor’s Proposition 98 proposal. The Department of Finance said the 2025-26 Proposition 98 guarantee is projected at $118.9 billion, with higher revenues and TK-related rebenching driving the increase. The LAO said the budget adds about $7.5 billion over two years and discussed the volatility of the guarantee, especially in 2024-25, when changes in revenue could have an outsized effect on school funding. Members questioned the proposed $1.6 billion delayed settle-up payment, the legal basis for delaying it, and the impact of possible federal funding freezes. The LAO presented alternatives such as a reserve deposit or delayed disbursement, while Finance said the proposal is intended to manage uncertainty. Members also raised concerns that ethnic studies implementation was not funded in the January budget, and Finance said the administration was not proposing funding for it. The committee next heard on the Proposition 98 rainy day fund and education deferrals. Finance said the reserve would receive a mandatory deposit of about $1.2 billion in 2024-25 and a discretionary deposit of $376 million in 2025-26, leaving a balance of about $1.5 billion. The LAO supported rebuilding the reserve as a way to manage volatility. On deferrals, Finance described the Governor’s plan to eliminate remaining deferrals by 2025-26, and the LAO said paying them off improves cash flow and budget resilience. Members generally supported eliminating deferrals and rebuilding reserves, though some asked about acting earlier if revenues allow. The committee also reviewed the proposed $1.8 billion student support and professional development block grant; Finance said it would fund professional development, recruitment and retention, and dual enrollment, while the LAO recommended clearer language on local discretion and use for one-time costs. Members were divided, with some supporting flexibility and others warning that one-time block grants can create instability and confusion for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota operates a state-supervised, county-administered human services system, and what that in general
• When we talked about, we don't want 87 different models, this will likely generate that type of result
• means is that the state sets the general means is that the state sets the policy<00:02:05.119><c> and
• </c> have the lowest ability to generate have the lowest ability to generate Revenue<00:04:52.160><c>
• </c><00:05:11.880><c> that</c> models this will likely generate that models this will likely generate

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• open up a new facility.
• open up a new facility.
• open up a new facility.
• If you would charge of the facility.
• Um, one thing I note in general policy.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, even general scholarship in nature.
• We're the most generous state in the country when it comes to a taxpayer-funded scholarship program.
• But at the same time, they use our public facilities for all of their stuff, or 90% of their stuff.
• But at the same time, they use our public facilities for all of their stuff, or 90% of their stuff.
• If you've seen their facility, they have a nice facility. Real quick, we're running out of time.

Bills: HR17 , HB385 , HB406 , HB787 , HB1021 , HB1058 , HB1059

Committee: House Education

Keywords: education, investment, workforce development, TOPS, higher education, repayment, scholarships, academic eligibility, financial aid, athletics, high school sports, state report, student wellness, computer science, scholarship, curriculum requirements, workforce training, education funding, data administration, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• I think about 40 of the 48, which is extremely good compared to a response we generally get.
• So, there's a lot of generally get.
• And that's what we've been desperately trying to get away from as school facilities is all about.
• That's what you facilities is all about.
• I'm with the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming. We are in support of this bill.

Bills: SF0052

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• whose amount of lost ad valorem tax revenue is equal to or greater than 10% of the local government's general
• In 2020, when the new purpose-built facility was built out in Leander, Texas, and that facility houses
• Yeah, the security measures that are in place at the facility are... Impressive.
• They were responsible for building the facility.
• So it appears that we would be more limited in revenue generation.

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

Committee: Senate Finance

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

Transcript Highlights:

• neglect when parents or guardians: one, seek medical care; two, present the child to a health care facility
• And it basically says that, you know, if you appear at a health care facility at any point,... ...it
• basically says that, you know, if you appear at a health care facility at any point, then you can never
• We use general fund money to administer it. And at the current law it was 50-50. Now it's 75-25.
• But actually, we have to use our own general fund money to administer the SNAP program.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PROGRAM RECEIVES NO GENERAL REVENUE.
• WE CAN TALK ABOUT SOME FACILITY AND DISPENSATION DATA AND SOME KEY REGULATORY FEATURES AND SOME EDUCATION
• ALL MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT CENTER FACILITIES HAVE YOU CAN ADD PRODUCTS AND ADVERTISING MATERIALS
• THIS PROVIDES A VISUAL OF THE FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE.
• WHICH IS THE CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE, AND FACILITIES.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this funding that you're seeing on that chart, that's all federal. ...receive any general revenue,
• We just got a six million dollar grant, and we're building a huge facility.
• We’re going into some general education courses, and it’s a pilot project.
• Yes, we are also working with the Department of Inspector General and coordinating with them.
• And then just a general enrollment disability breakdown here.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eligible producers or facilities can enter the program until the end of June last year.
• :01:15.760><c> enter</c><00:01:16.000><c> the</c> producers or facilities can enter the producers or
• </c> Grand Forks facility. Grand Forks facility. And<00:17:58.799><c> Mr.
• Generally on the administrative penalties, there is a warning notice of violation.
• Generally<00:39:18.079><c> on</c><00:39:18.320><c> the</c><00:39:18.480><c> administrative</c> Generally

Bills: HF858 , HF2577 , HF2576

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• F&A, or facilities and administrative costs, is something you hear a lot.
• On page 21, you were talking about indirect cost rates or the facility. facilities administrative costs
• At colleges and universities, it's generally five to ten percent. Thank you very much.
• Therefore, a lot of them are talking about capital outlay and facility renovations and new facilities
• I'm the Assistant Attorney General at the Navajo Nation Department of Justice.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> my question so I see that facility my question so I see that facility worksheet<01:33:28.159><c>
• </c> some of the things that the facility some of the things that the facility reports<01:59:26.360><
• </c><02:13:54.199><c> fund</c> year it goes to the state general fund year it goes to the state general
• </c> another statement that um the facilities another statement that um the facilities can<02:39:51.640
• </c> my general my general counsel<02:41:01.080><c> anyone</c><02:41:01.680><c> else</c><02:41:02.680

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, you Senator W for third general.
• </c> general funds only. general funds only.
• </c><00:58:40.319><c> couldn't</c> work, that the the facility couldn't work, that the the facility couldn't
• So, um to the operation of the facility.
• </c><00:58:58.720><c> And</c> at this facility. And at this facility.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all