Transcript Highlights:

• And today I will be providing a brief overview of Senate Bill 1, although the Chair did provide a wonderful
• In addition, this reflects $51 billion provided to maintain tax relief provided since House Bill 3 of
• And finally, exceptional item number five would provide funding to replace the legacy system that provides
• Exceptional item number five would provide funding to replace the legacy system that provides case management
• In addition to the 10% increase provided during the 2024-25 biennium, the legislature provided an additional

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides $4.85 billion to increase teacher compensation, providing the passage of legislation, which
• And today I will be providing a brief overview of Senate Bill 1, although the chair did provide a wonderful
• And today I will be providing a brief overview of Senate Bill 1, although the chair did provide a wonderful
• And in addition, this reflects $51 billion provided to maintain tax relief provided since House Bill
• There's a report that was provided.

Bills: SB 1

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• He said someone is here today who can testify and provide a little more information.
• </c><00:23:08.400><c> a</c> testify and they can maybe provide a testify and they can maybe provide a
• </c><00:34:31.480><c> that</c> and key fobs and provided that and key fobs and provided that information
• We'll see if the bill author can... ...thresholds do provide safety and protection for consumers and
• </c><01:05:35.559><c> and</c><01:05:35.760><c> how</c><01:05:35.960><c> these</c> far as regulations

Bills: HF737, HF247, HF325, HF1330

Keywords: lead, cadmium, consumer products, safety regulation, retail restrictions, motor sports, nonoxygenated gasoline, fuel regulations, storage requirements, racing events, HF325, flavored nitrous oxide, nitrous oxide, whippets, laughing gas, retail sales, consumer protection, misdemeanor, commerce, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F

Transcript Highlights:

• This provides that opportunity.
• It would just... ...provided.
• And the providers were able to use...
• This amendment just helps provide some clarification.
• Care services contractor regulated under Chapter 48.44 RCW.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities to access health care and access providers.
• providers that are out of the network for L&I claims, so they weren't preferred providers.
• They sent him to an L&I medical provider, and the medical provider told him that by guidelines from L
• an attending physician, or a provider with a specialty.
• They're trying to provide an industry that not only will provide economic growth for that area, but jobs

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1046 would require that by January 1st of each year, each telecommunication provider will
• Senate Bill 1046 would require that by January 1st of each year, each telecommunication provider will
• I have not provided direct input into the bill with the sponsor, no.
• I thought it was our regulation, honestly our federal regulation, but I was proven wrong.
• That the university has already provided us space for.

Bills: SB1046

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> self-imposed regulations in place. self-imposed regulations in place.
• </c><00:33:34.720><c> The</c> where returns are not regulated. The where returns are not regulated.
• 00:33:36.559><c> one</c> state providing reimbursement for one state providing reimbursement for one
• /c><00:37:59.359><c> that</c><00:37:59.680><c> the</c> provides that predictability that the provides
• </c> Um one member speaking to that, provide Um one member speaking to that, provide an<01:02:45.040>

Bills: SB222, HB560, HB475, HB484, HB583, HB542, HB566

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Who, how would we determine what entity would provide this?
• Um, and so, uh, I feel confident based on track record we could get a good group of folks to provide
• </c> folks to to provide and do the analysis. folks to to provide and do the analysis.
• </c><01:21:16.560><c> technical</c> focused on providing technical focused on providing technical assistance
• </c><01:21:50.800><c> technical</c> so uh we've we provide technical so uh we've we provide technical

Bills: HF3477, HF3480, HF3781, HF3357, HF3737, HF3664, HF3621

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• outside the medical provider network may serve as an attending provider to claims where the non-network
• network, and it empowers L&I to try to get those new providers into the medical provider network, which
• So this amendment simply clarifies that those non-network providers are only the attending providers.
• This is about protecting safety net providers in our state, and who are these safety net providers?
• This is about protecting safety net providers in our state, and who are these safety net providers?

Bills: HB2689, SB5420, SB5868, SB5877

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Transcript Highlights:

• It's important to understand that this is going to provide some municipal providers the ability to utilize
• Now this is important because the applicant has to provide...
• Becoming designated providers. That's the gold standard, right?
• I do not have a copy of the study available to provide to you, but I do have—I can provide you a link
• Are we providing any funding for them to be able to do these reports?

Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Last line: providing an expiration date. Senator Robinson. Thank you, Mr. President.
• market that we can't foresee, that we have a little bit more padding, a little more cushion, and we provide
• market that we can't foresee, that we have a little bit more padding, a little more cushion, and we provide
• I think it would be prudent to provide the members at this point.
• You have a contractual right to provide health care completely to the generation that served us.

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, SB5808, SB5949, HB1347, HB1759, HB1983, HB2120, HB2264, HB2338, HB2385, HB2495, HB2521, HB2604, HB2610, HB2675, HB2426

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, a measure to terminate and restate the LEOFF 1 pension plan and use surplus funds for other state purposes if federal approval is obtained. During debate, senators discussed whether the plan should remain funded at 110% or 120% of actuarial value, whether surplus dollars should instead go to transportation or the budget stabilization account, whether members should receive an additional distribution, and whether local governments should be reimbursed for retiree health care costs. Several amendments were offered: a Gildon amendment to raise the funding target to 120% failed; a technical Robinson amendment adding a date passed; Holy, King, Harris, Schessler, and Conway amendments addressing member distributions, transportation, budget stabilization, local government health care costs, and a reconstituted board distribution all failed; and Robinson’s amendment removing Climate Commitment Act repayment language passed. The Ways and Means striking amendment, as amended, was then adopted. On final passage, supporters argued the bill was actuarially sound, had been reviewed by attorneys, actuaries, the State Investment Board, and the Department of Retirement Systems, and would allow use of excess funding for other state needs. Opponents warned it left too little in the pension fund, should dedicate surplus dollars only to one-time uses, and did not adequately reimburse cities and counties for retiree medical obligations. After debate, the Senate passed E2SHB 2034 by a vote of 25 yeas, 22 nays, with one absent and one excused. Afterward, the Senate returned to Substitute House Bill 2178, which was also passed on final passage by a vote of 39 yeas and 9 nays, with one excused. The chamber then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• participating agency shall immediately cease enforcement of the regulation, withdraw that regulation
• In my role, I educate health care providers about adoption.
• The current law provides options, safeguards, and autonomy.
• Again, testifying in favor of HB 216, which would require health care providers to provide an itemized
• It is not a health insurance provider.

Bills: HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534

Keywords: epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provided comments on this measure. provided comments on this measure.
• </c> regulate the amateur combat sports? regulate the amateur combat sports?
• We do provide the calls a year.
• You provide free of my question.
• Uh offering testimony as provided.

Bills: SB2045, SB2354

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's to fill various positions and provide salary increases. On page 14.
• There's one work group revision to provide three hundred thousand all funds to provide a six percent
• This provides additional funding for the Texas Correctional Office on offenders with medical medical
• Part A was adopted at 47. $7.1 million to provide 399 FTEs for remote driver license issuance.
• It's to provide the standard. performance measures in the new bill pattern for that new campus.

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeting will be held on Showtime Wednesday April 1st at the start of open general concept meeting provided
• Senator West and answer your question the last session the agency was provided funding one time 71 72

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Providing legal representation to the state, its officials, and agencies, 2.
• Providing legal representation to the State, its officials, and agencies. 2.
• **Michelle Price**: ...we're providing grants. We can, we can get that for you. Absolutely.
• **Senator Kolkhorst**: Right now, providing $5 billion in fraud just in the state of Texas.
• **Chair**: I want to provide full support from my office in order to do so.

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Reducing high turnover rates by providing merit and providing funding for more full-time...
• Provide funding for additional megacenters and FTEs. Provide a blanket exemption from DIR.
• This committee's past efforts in providing our agency with the funding has allowed us to provide employees
• This committee's past efforts in providing our agency with the funding has allowed us to provide employees
• Chair: Challenge after challenge, we provide more funding, provide additional reforms, more tools.

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides $4.85 billion to increase teacher compensation, providing the passage of less. providing
• And in addition, this reflects $51 billion provided to maintain tax relief that was provided since [House
• Finally, exceptional item number five would provide funding to replace the legacy system that provides
• Finally, exceptional item number five would provide funding to replace the legacy system that provides
• In addition to the 10% increase provided during the 24-25 biennium, the legislature provided an additional

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill right now provides for reports as the process goes along. They want a little more detail.
• The bill right now provides for reports as the process goes along. They want a little more detail.
• The bill right now provides for reports as the process goes along. They want a little more detail.

Bills: HB59, SB15, SB96, SB104, SB137

Keywords: public accountancy, CPA licensing, board regulations, educational prerequisites, electronic notifications, firm registration, assignment, creditors, insolvency, liquidation, assignee, secured transaction, bankruptcy, state law, voluntary process, distribution of assets, emergency rules, governor certification, state regulations, public safety