Transcript Highlights:

• Marie, do you see this as being utilized more for retention or recruitment? Mr.
• SB 1270 gives agencies a tool to retain an experienced and stable workforce on behalf of the Fraternal
• Do you see this as being more helpful for recruitment, retention?
• and to train the recruiters and leadership and DOC on how to do this.
• This bill basically, what we're trying to do is corrections has a serious problem with recruitment.

Bills: SB1161, SB1215, SB1270, SB1400, SB1537, SB1538, SB1580, SB1584, SB1627

Keywords: appropriation, public safety, Yuma County, funding exemption, family advocacy center, firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1161, which would prevent lapse of a $750,000 FY2026 appropriation to DPS for the Yuma County Family Advocacy Center (Amberly’s Place). Testimony described the center’s 24/7 crisis response, forensic interview and medical services, and satellite offices in nearby communities. The bill was moved and received a do pass recommendation on an 11-0 roll call, with three members absent. The committee then considered SB 1215, a clarifying bill on the list of cancers covered by the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers, with a retroactivity amendment to June 30, 2021. Firefighters’ representatives said the measure corrects a drafting issue involving adenocarcinoma and would prevent denials of claims; members asked about peace officer coverage, independent medical exams, and workers’ compensation impacts. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with 11 ayes, one present, and two absent. SB 1270, dealing with supplemental employer contributions to defined contribution accounts for corrections employees, drew testimony focused on severe retention problems in corrections and county detention. Supporters said the bill would allow optional incentive payments at service intervals to help keep trained officers on the job; members discussed vesting, recruitment versus retention, and whether the program could be funded without a new appropriation. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation, with ten ayes, one nay, two present, and one absent. The committee also heard SB 1400, authorizing law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and setting confidentiality rules. Police association testimony supported the concept but noted concerns about the breadth of the privilege carve-outs, especially if licensed therapists are involved; several members said they would support the bill after an amendment clarifying privilege protections. The bill was reported do pass with ten ayes, one nay, and two present. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and allow one MDMA treatment course if federal approval and rescheduling occur by January 1, 2029. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued it could help severe PTSD cases, while county representatives opposed the mandate and raised cost and approval concerns. The amendment was adopted and the bill received a do pass recommendation, with seven ayes, three nays, and one present. Finally, the committee considered SB 1537, renaming the peace officer training equipment fund as the public safety de-escalation and life safety fund and repealing its advisory commission. Testimony explained the change was meant to reduce confusion between similar funds and reflect the fund’s use for de-escalation and safety equipment; some members noted opposition from the Arizona Police Association and concerns about whether the money might be better used for raises. The bill passed on a 7-4 vote with three absent. The committee then began SB 1580, which would appropriate Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund money for fire incident management support and other public safety equipment, including pepperball equipment, simulators, records management software, and retention/recruitment efforts. Testimony supported the equipment and data-sharing investments, but members also questioned accountability, ongoing costs, and whether the listed uses were the best use of the fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• The NCAA has historically barred schools from using NIL deals to recruit or retain student athletes.
• No, my question is can a booster, from whatever school who wants a five-star recruit, can a booster pay
• that recruit to go to a certain school right now?
• Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, we'll be able to recruit our student athletes. from around the country and
• broke college student, notwithstanding that my University was able to get money because of me and recruit

Bills: HJR5, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB1330, HB2110, HB2143, HCR64, HCR101

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, constitutional amendment, capital projects, workforce education, military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our WIP Regional Workforce Impact Program. We had 10.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The E&E Committee met to finalize action on Senate Bill 2018, the Commerce Department budget. Members reviewed several funding lines and made verbal adjustments, including reducing tourism marketing awareness to $5 million, keeping Operation Intern at $2 million, restoring the Destination Development Fund to $20 million, setting Autonomous Agriculture Grants/Grand Farm at $10 million, and reducing the WIP Regional Workforce Impact Program to $5 million. Representative Martinson proposed additional earmarks for the Fargo Theatre, Maddock trolley cars, a theater in Marmarth, and Driscoll’s community hall, and also moved to keep the Destination Development Fund at $25 million; the committee discussed these items, but the transcript does not show separate recorded votes on those proposals. The committee adopted two amendments. One dealt with the drone replacement program and related data-collection direction, with language agreed to by UAS representatives, IT, and the governor’s office. The second, offered by Representative Swantec, created a trigger for funding children’s science centers in Fargo and Grand Forks if the SIF fund exceeds a specified threshold during the 2025-27 biennium; the amendment was clarified to use the term “Children’s Science Education Center” and passed 7-0. The committee then approved a do-pass motion on the Commerce budget as amended and with the verbal changes discussed, passing the bill 7-0. During debate, Representative Louser raised concerns that the budget’s spending could affect property tax relief, while the chair responded that there would still be sufficient money for tax relief and that the programs funded were ongoing and successful. The chair closed by thanking members and staff, noting conference committee assignments and a committee dinner, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Katie Ralston-Howell, Workforce Director of Commerce.
• We now have a new focus as we move forward to build out some more strategic alignment for our workforce
• Our WIP, otherwise known as Regional Workforce Impact Program grants.
• Our WIP, otherwise known as Regional Workforce Impact Program grants.
• Once again, Katie Rosson-How, Workforce Director. I really appreciate that you brought this up.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a rural workforce development program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support
• Unfortunately, rural areas often lack the resources needed to develop that workforce.
• These young people are also the future of our workforce and economy.
• them to help build out a program, connecting with workforce boards.
• My name is Mary York, and I'm with the Texas Workforce Commission here. Good afternoon.

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Accordingly, Senate Bill 1534 would create a study to help prevent workforce shortages.
• This bill creates a rural workforce. force development program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support
• Unfortunately, rural areas often lack the resources needed to develop that workforce.
• These young people are also the future of our workforce and economy.
• out a program connecting with workforce boards.

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill creates a rural workforce development program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support
• Unfortunately, rural areas often lack the resources needed to develop that workforce.
• Unfortunately, rural areas often lack the resources needed to develop that workforce.
• These young people are also the future of our workforce and economy.
• them to help build out a program connecting with workforce boards.

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

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

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

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a nice place to be and really good for our workforce.
• system, to promote a highly skilled and well-educated workforce.
• 23 workforce programs.
• that administer workforce programs.
• development board plans are guided by the workforce system plan.

Bills: HB406

Keywords: local economic development, notification, workforce development, municipal agreements, county contracts, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the barriers to completion and allowing core curricula to be more responsive to the needs of the workforce

Bills: SB2847, SB3039

Keywords: higher education, bachelor's degree, core curriculum, general education, semester credit hours, credit hours, degree acceleration, time to degree, workforce-aligned credentials, workforce readiness, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, public universities, community colleges, transferability, curriculum reform, academic requirements, degree completion, transfer students, education transparency, academic credit

Transcript Highlights:

• It effectuates workforce training within our prison system.
• outcomes of our workforce outcomes of our workforce initiatives<00:04:05.200> as<00:04:05.440
• If you came huge component of workforce.
• as now the chair of economic workforce as now the chair of economic workforce development<00:05:
• <00:07:49.520> There's office of workforce. There's office of workforce.

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 31 March, 2026; 9:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered the Lieutenant Governor’s appointment of Charles Tyler Norman to the board of MAG Core, formerly the Mississippi Prison Industries Corporation, to fill a vacancy for a term ending June 30, 2028. Members described the board’s role in prison-based workforce training and noted that most of its membership is made up of state officials, with only a few outside appointees. Norman said he has a long business background, has served on other state boards, and supports public service and workforce development, including prison work programs. Several senators used the nomination to raise broader concerns about the effectiveness of prison workforce training and whether MAG Core should continue as a separate entity or be folded under Accelerate Mississippi. The chair said he was frustrated with workforce outcomes for incarcerated people, including the implementation of presumptive parole and the value of some training credentials, and stressed that any program should be profitable and not burden taxpayers. Norman agreed that workforce training should be practical and tied to real trades, said he has hired felons and believes in second chances, and said he would bring committee suggestions back to the board. A senator asked about a 2008 derogatory incident in Norman’s background report; Norman acknowledged it as a college misdemeanor and said it was the only such issue. Another senator asked about the board’s composition and diversity, and staff said one remaining outside member is a governor’s appointee, later identified as Ronnie McNeil from the faith-based community. The committee then adopted a motion to report the nomination out with a do advise and consent recommendation, and Norman was reminded to keep his statement of economic interest current.

Transcript Highlights:

• then would allow our K-12s and community colleges to make application to the Mississippi Office of Workforce

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee considered two bills focused on workforce development and construction trades training. The first, Bill 338 from Chairman Bale, would create a training assistance fund for K-12 schools and community colleges, especially for construction trades programs. The proposal would divert 2.75% of the contractor tax, which members noted is already collected and would remain in education, into a grant fund that schools and colleges could apply to through the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development/Accelerate Mississippi. Members asked for clarification that the money would not go to individual schools automatically but would be awarded through grants, and the bill was approved by a do-pass motion. The second bill would establish a state Office of Apprenticeship to comply with federal requirements and allow Mississippi to draw down federal apprenticeship funds. The sponsor said the measure was still a work in progress and asked the committee to insert a reverse repealer because the language had not been finalized after Department of Labor review. A question was raised about whether the program would work with existing trade union apprenticeship programs, and the sponsor said the legislation would include advisory committee representation from the union community. The committee adopted the reverse repealer amendment and then reported the bill out on a do-pass as amended motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're trying to do is deal with the child care needs, particularly in the workforce community.
• child care uh needs particularly<00:02:01.600> in<00:02:01.759> the<00:02:01.840> workforce
• particularly in the workforce community. particularly in the workforce community.
• a bit of a laborious process that takes away the speed that we're looking for, that may be the recruiting
• a bit of a laborious process that takes away the speed that we're looking for, that may be the recruiting

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 2417 on employment telework policies. The chair explained the bill was intended to give agencies, boards, and other groups clear authority to set telework policies, noting much of the issue arose during COVID and that the Personnel Board may already have adopted similar rules. The committee adopted a title-sufficient do pass motion and reported the bill out without opposition. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2419, a child care workforce proposal from Senator Boyd. The chair described it as a companion to another finance bill and said it would create an employee child care tuition assistance partnership program to help address child care costs that can keep people out of the workforce. The bill was moved as title sufficient do pass and reported out. The committee then advanced Senate Bill 2671, which would bring forward code sections related to state salary-setting and economic development hiring, especially for positions such as MDA and Accelerate Mississippi leadership that are not currently at market rates. Senate Bill 2672 was also advanced; it concerns code sections tied to economic development and Accelerate Mississippi’s role in recruiting, training, and speeding business investment and startup in the state. Both bills were reported out on title-sufficient do pass motions. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2678, a proposal by Senator Taylor to index unemployment benefit duration to the state or regional unemployment rate. Taylor said the bill would shorten benefits when jobs are plentiful and extend them when unemployment is high, citing other states that use similar systems. Members asked whether the measure should be based on state, region, or county data, and the chair agreed it should be made region-specific or county-specific if needed. The committee then adopted a title-sufficient do pass motion, reported the bill out, and adjourned on a motion to rise and report.

Bills: SF1832

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attraction, recruitment, training, and retention.
• We need to scale the workforce as well.
• Workforce is one of the key bottlenecks.
• So I think a strong attention to workforce and to building the workforce and to providing the amenities
• Katanazi, on your response to Senator King's question about workforce.

Keywords: defense industrial base, small business, workforce development, acquisition processes, national security, cybersecurity, critical minerals

Summary: The meeting of the committee revolved around critical discussions on enhancing the defense industrial base, focusing on small business engagement and the importance of streamlined processes in defense contracting. There was a significant emphasis on the need for more investment in the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in the face of competition from countries like China. Some members expressed frustration over the treatment of small businesses, citing barriers that prevent these innovative companies from effectively participating in defense contracts. The need for a workforce capable of meeting the common challenges posed by evolving technologies and geopolitical threats was also highlighted throughout the meeting.

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 210; 4 March, 2025: 2:45 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 210; 27 February, 2025: 1:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 210; 4 February, 2025: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, hearing no questions, we have two witnesses: Michael Britt, a resource for the Texas Workforce
• Under current law, individuals appealing a final decision by the Texas Workforce Commission must file
• Health care entities and workforce boards will create a resource guide.
• collaborations noted by the 2024 Texas Healthcare Workforce Task Force.
• healthcare workforce shortages in each of those regions.

Bills: HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4341, HB4396, HB5195

Keywords: Defense Economic Adjustment, grant applications, economic assistance, local government, Evaluation panel, judicial review, Texas Workforce Commission, unemployment compensation, legal proceedings, labor law, rural development, infrastructure, Texas economic fund, private investment, job creation, meteorological evaluation towers, wind resources, aviation safety, regulations, construction notice