Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe it's interagency cooperation where the LBB and the Texas Comptroller are working together, and
• that there's some agreement necessary or some other relevant... with an agency that comes alongside LBB
• perhaps this... ...this committee, you know, prior to the adoption of a spending limit for the state, the LBB
• maybe that's a formula that can be adopted here with respect to constitutional amendments, where the LBB

Bills: HB565, HB3743, HB4310, HB5083, HB5129, HB5195, HB5331, HB5469, SB21, HB3185, SB 21

Keywords: constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license

Transcript Highlights:

• And we'll have the LBB presentation, Justin D'Ezzo.
• Good morning, my name is Justin D'Ezzo with the LBB and I will be laying out the summary of recommendations
• second paragraph, the GCPD is required by statute to submit annual reports to the legislature, the LBB
• requirement. which requires the agency to report information including the purpose and expenditure to the LBB

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want, um, we could get a note from LBB that the fiscal note is wrong.
• Representative Rozio, I am not an expert in LBB.
• We met with LBB and the agency last time.
• they came back and I guess there was some, some more information they found, and I'll go back and ask LBB

Bills: HB 451, HB 645, HB 1041, HB 1151, HB 1155, HB 1536, HCR 12

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit

Transcript Highlights:

• And to LBB, Eduardo Rodriguez and his team, we are so grateful for all of your guidance.
• And also I want to thank LBB, Stacey, and Sean Opperman. Thank you so much for your service.
• And also, I want to thank LBB. Stacey also and Sean Opperman. Thank you all very much.
• And we're coming out of COVID, Senator Menendez, and so some of those projections, and I know the LBB
• Would you agree with me that LBB actually earned its keep? They certainly did.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several conference committee matters and resolutions. It granted the House request for a conference committee on House Bill 46 and adopted a conference report on Senate Bill 37, which was described as higher education governance reform, including stronger board authority, changes to faculty senates, general education requirements, and a new ombudsman office. Senators also adopted a large package of resolutions and HCRs by voice vote. A major focus was Senate Bill 12, the “Parental Bill of Rights,” whose conference report was adopted after extended questioning. The bill was described as giving parents more access to school materials and grievance procedures, requiring parental consent for student clubs, and restricting school district employees from assisting with social transitioning or related gender-identity instruction. Senators raised concerns about effects on students already socially transitioned and on parental rights in medical or psychological decisions; the author said the House language was retained in key areas and that districts would need policies and parent notification. The report passed 20-11. The Senate then adopted a resolution allowing the conference committee on Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-2027, to go outside the bounds, and later adopted the budget conference report. Senators highlighted major funding for public education, property tax relief, public safety, health and human services, child care, water and transportation infrastructure, and the Texas Energy Fund. The budget discussion also covered higher education, mental health facilities, community attendant wages, rural hospitals, DFPS case management, child care assistance, and a study rider on TRS. The report passed unanimously, 30-0. Finally, the Senate suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 8 and adopted its conference report. The bill requires counties with jails or jail contracts to participate in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program, with sheriffs choosing among available models and counties receiving tiered grants to help cover costs. Supporters framed it as a public safety measure targeting criminal illegal aliens, while opponents questioned whether it would divert local resources and increase fear in immigrant communities. The report was adopted after debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does LBB have some of that data? It depends on which population you're discussing.
• of the growth in TJJT. population like um it may not be on on this I've seen it in the past before, LBB
• We, and the projections by LBB, we understand that this request must be made in order to support the
• As you heard from LBB, we were granted $200 million last session to construct and renovate.
• agency's limit on travel rider has also been amended allowing travel with written notification to the LBB

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, LBB, article seven, you're recognized beginner. Yes, ma'am. My name is George Duke.
• Okay, does anyone have any questions of LBB or Senator Nichols or any of the work group?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• tax spending limit, which has a capacity of $4.8 billion. to page 10, you will see some ways that our LBB
• general revenue dedicated, cannot grow faster than the rate of. growth of population inflation and the LBB
• Both of those, you said LBB found them to be the same growth rate, but I know that the because they cover
• We really do appreciate the LBB. Just kind of going off of Representative Wu's questioning.
• and is it five minutes as you mentioned or or what do you what what is the goal What is the- So our LBB

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to LBB, Eduardo Rodriguez and his team, we are so grateful for all of your guidance to the agencies
• Also, I want to thank LBB, Stacey, and John Opperman.
• So, of those projections, and I know the LBB works really hard on this, the agencies work really hard
• But we just found, with the help of LBB, a way to serve additional eligible children through the child
• Additionally, would you agree with me that LBB actually earned its keep? They certainly did.

Bills: SB27, SB1494, SB2121, SB2373, SB2431, SB1, SB8, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB30, SB37, SB260, SB268, SB331, SB379, SB441, SB447, SB457, SB568, SB650, SB763, SB1405, SB1506, SB1540, SB1566, SB1610, SB1637, SB1660, SB2018, SB2024, SB2217, SB2308, SB2337, SB2601, SB2753, SB2878, SB2900, SB2972, SB3059, HB4, HB40, HB46, HB119, HB145, HB300, HB493, HB705, HB1545, HB2011, HB2017, HB2067, HB2516, HB2885, HB2963, HB2974, HB3071, HB3372, HB3556, HB3595, HB3642, HB3909, HB5138, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, SR634, SR687, SR703, SR709, SR715, SB1494, SB2121, SB2373, SB2431, HB46, SB1, SB8, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB37, SB260, SB331, SB379, SB441, SB447, SB457, SB568, SB763, SB1405, SB1540, SB1566, SB2018, SB2308, SB2337, SB2878, SB3059, HB705, HB2017, HB2067, HB3071, HB3372, HB3556, HB3595, HB3909, HB5246

Keywords: elections, local governance, political subdivisions, general elections, Texas Election Code, data brokers, personal data, regulation, business entities, consumer protection, financial exploitation, artificial intelligence, phishing, legal liability, criminal offense, civil penalty, foreign language, study abroad, higher education, language credit

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been working with LBB on a hybrid model for funding the solution for 206 and 2027, which will
• Chairman, uh, George Duke LBB, and this is assessed on insurance companies, right?
• Members, any questions of LBB? Thanks, Blake. Thank you.
• The #1 priority for us, as our friend, uh, Blake at the LBB mentioned, he may not have said it this way
• The last one I want to mention and the LBB mentioned is the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas, and I can call up the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) to give a more detailed summary of the bill
• I will do that, LBB. Thank you.
• With the LBB, our office has produced this document titled "Highlights."

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me ask, do we have a resource witness from LBB? No, we don't have a resource witness.
• Let me ask, do we have a resource witness from LBB? No, we don't have a resource.
• So I'm probably not going to move the bill today, simply because we have to give the LBB the opportunity

Bills: SB825

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security heard testimony on Senate Bill 825 by Senator Middleton, as substituted, which would require an annual or biennial study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration in Texas. Middleton said the bill is intended to provide lawmakers with comprehensive data on costs to law enforcement, health care, education, infrastructure, and taxpayers, and to support possible federal reimbursement claims. Several senators, including Hinojosa and Eckhardt, agreed that a study is needed but raised concerns about bias, the scope of the study, and whether the Comptroller’s Office rather than the governor’s office should conduct it. Middleton argued the governor’s office was the best coordinating entity because it could direct multiple agencies to provide data, while Hinojosa and others emphasized the Comptroller’s expertise and prior 2006 study. Public testimony was generally supportive of the idea of a study but critical of the bill’s framing. Sarah Cruz of the ACLU of Texas said the study should be a full cost-benefit analysis and warned that focusing only on costs could create an anti-immigrant narrative. Danny Woodward of the Texas Civil Rights Project also supported the concept but recommended moving the study to the Comptroller or, alternatively, creating a neutral commission. Jaime Pointe of Every Texan likewise supported updating the 2006 analysis and said state agencies should be able to cooperate with a governor-led study. Resource witnesses from the governor’s office, HHSC, TEA, OCA, TDCJ, and DPS explained that data collection would be uneven across agencies. HHSC and TEA said they often do not collect immigration status and, in TEA’s case, federal law limits schools from requesting such information; OCA and TDCJ said they could provide only partial or indirect data unless new reporting requirements were added. DPS said it already has Operation Lone Star data but would need to collect additional information if tasked with the broader study. The chair asked the governor’s office to provide a follow-up answer on separation-of-powers and related authority questions by the following Tuesday, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair without taking a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• that to say is this is concerning to me and I would ask if we could hear from a resource witness from LBB
• . wrote this but lbb and trs to understand the implications and the impact back to our teacher retirement
• that's something to be. contemplated with teacher compensation and we'll have folks here from TRS and LBB

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting to page 10, you will see some ways that our LBB staff can provide, can assist the committee
• And the LBB also adopted that rate at 8.93% for that.
• We really do appreciate the LBB. Just kind of going off of Representative Wu's questioning.
• of abuse or neglect, they have reduced their. turnover to the high teens, and as a result, while our LBB
• What is the- So our LBB performance measure is that 7.4. minutes, which we currently exceed.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ask LBB if there's any other ways or pockets we could try to utilize.
• policy procedure, that's a different matter, but I think, sort of my question from your perspective as LBB

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, OK, well, let me also ask LBB if there's any other ways of pockets we could try to.
• I think uh so sort of my question from your perspective as LBB is.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Pension Review Board actuarial analysis and the LBB fiscal note are based on the introduced version
• The Pension Review Board actuarial analysis and the LBB fiscal note are based on the introduced version

Bills: HB135

Keywords: civil liability, motor vehicle, legal protection, removal, animals

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard Senate Bill 2345, as a committee substitute, which would reform the Austin Firefighter Retirement Fund. Senator Schwertner explained that the bill is based on an agreed voluntary funding soundness restoration plan between the City of Austin and the fund, and would create a new reduced benefit tier for firefighters hired on or after January 1, 2026, adjust COLAs for current retirees, establish an actuarially determined funding model to address legacy liabilities and 2024 asset losses over 30 years, and add new board seats. Mayor Kirk Watson, city finance staff, the fund executive director, trustees, and retired firefighters all testified in support, describing the measure as an agreed-to, fiscally responsible compromise that protects benefits, supports recruitment, and reduces risk to taxpayers. The committee adopted the committee substitute, but left SB 2345 pending. The committee also heard House Bill 135, which clarifies tax treatment for exotic game or exotic livestock operations by defining them within agricultural exemptions and stating that sales of exotic livestock are not subject to sales and use taxes. Senator Flores described it as a clarification to provide consistency and fairness, and a witness for the Exotic Wildlife Association said it would resolve a Comptroller-related tax issue and benefit ranchers, landowners, and hunters. The committee closed public testimony and reported HB 135 favorably to the full Senate, with a motion to place it on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 771, by Senator Hinojosa, was also heard and later reported favorably. The bill would allow diesel fuel used in auxiliary power units or power takeoff units to qualify for the same fuel tax credit or refund already available for gasoline, correcting an inadvertent exclusion from the 2003 motor fuel tax rewrite. A witness supported the bill as a matter of tax equity. The committee then considered House Bill 1109, the House companion to SB 935, which exempts counties from certain motor fuel taxes on fuel used in county vehicles; Senator Hall explained it as simply exempting government agencies from paying the tax on their own vehicles. HB 1109 was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee adjourned after completing its business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now if you take the statement of the LBB that there's going to be one lost educational professional for
• Representative Dutton: And so I was trying to figure out with LBB how many special education students
• Representative Dutton: But did the LBB make any estimate about... well, I guess they made an estimate
• So you're arguing with the LBB in terms of the 175,000.
• Because that is what this bill refers to the appropriations and the appropriations language says LBB

Bills: HB 3

Keywords: emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure, Project 25, P25, broadband emergency alerting, outdoor warning sirens, homeland security, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, the LBB reports that as a. of November 2024, $85.5 billion of pandemic related. aid now flows
• The LBB has had a contract oversight role since 2001.
• LBB has a kind of amazing service, but only two districts a year.
• So the LBB does this and they produce pretty comprehensive reports on it.
• I remember as a school board member from Dallas, LBB had gone in about 10 years before I got elected.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you know, LBB does you know I'm a fiscal conservative. Um, LBB does request information.
• Um, there is a cost associated with developing the software, um, but LBB made the determination that
• So there, there is some limited costs associated with it, um, but not significant enough for LBB purposes

Transcript Highlights:

• The LBB providing us a fiscal note, in other words.
• Sure, the LBB is not an expert in health care or in different plans.
• I mean, usually when we refer to the LBB, we're asking them how the state agency is going to implement

Bills: HB35, HB138, HB754, HB1314, HB1612, HB2254, HB2510, HB2789, HB3560, HB3597, HB4224, HB4273, HB4643, HB4783, HB138

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting