Transcript Highlights:

• This would be an allocation of $10,000 to go to each apprentice.
• This would be an allocation of $10,000 to go to each apprentice.
• This would be an allocation of $10,000 to go to each apprentice.
• This would be an allocation of $10,000 to go to each apprentice.
• I'm the Director of Human Resources and Student Affairs for Oana Public Schools.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Water Resources.
• Abbey is a proud alumnus of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
• What resources, and this question is for Dr. Travnick.
• These are matters that require a great deal of detail, time, and resources.
• Resource Management Plan amendment prohibiting new coal development in eastern Montana.

Transcript Highlights:

• If not, as more positions become vacant, hold those vacant with the current personnel allocation.
• And so we have to be poised to defend those resources. That's something that we are committed to.
• And that is exactly what these resources are going to be focused on. Thank you, Chair.
• We don't have the resources like others.
• So our constitutional mandate is not consistent with our resource level. All right.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's a great resource that we have with our federal partners.
• Yes Do you think that the additional resource would result in additional prosecutions?
• We are doing the best we can with the resources that we've been provided. And we care.
• In some instances, when those resources are allocated to that particular DA's office, we bill in at least
• Where is this money allocated or appropriated for individuals' salaries?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a resource witness from Kimball County Hospital, if you wish.
• Third, it will support better resource allocation.
• We do have resource witnesses available to answer any questions. With that, I close.
• And we have a resource witness from the OAG.
• We do have a resource witness. Do you have any questions for the resource witness?

Bills: SB208, SB628, SB777, SB1042, SB2354, SB2477, SB2521, SB2523, SB2608, SB2703, SB2778, SB2835, SB2965, SB2367, SB3044

Keywords: workforce housing, capital investment fund, affordable housing, housing development, Texas housing laws, loan programs, community development, Texas housing, zero-interest loans, low-income housing, nonprofit organizations, construction, economic stability, housing affordability, capital investment, Texas housing policy, county fire code, fire marshal, local government code, interlocal agreement

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum at the start, adopted a two-minute limit for public testimony, and heard a series of housing, local government, fire code, and district-governance bills. Several measures were laid out with committee substitutes, including SB 628 on county fire code administration through interlocal agreements with emergency service districts; SB 208 creating a Workforce Housing Capital Investment Fund for zero-interest loans to nonprofit builders; SB 2835 allowing cities to opt into single-stair apartment buildings; and SB 2477 easing office-to-residential conversions in certain cities. Other bills addressed ESD spending thresholds (SB 2778), hospital district updates (SB 1042), subdivision/platting issues (SB 1708), public housing tax credit eligibility (SB 2608), groundwater district representation for Marfa and Presidio (SB 3044), park board authority in Waller County (SB 2367), ETJ removal procedures (SB 2523), and reporting death certificates to appraisal districts to help address squatting and homestead issues (SB 2521). Testimony was largely supportive on the housing bills. Supporters of SB 208, including Habitat for Humanity affiliates, a Brownsville nonprofit developer, Texans for Housing, and an educator, said the revolving fund would help nonprofit builders finance land, infrastructure, and development costs for affordable homes, especially for families earning 30% to 80% of area median income. SB 2835 drew support from architects, planners, and housing advocates who argued that single-stair buildings can be safe, more efficient, and better suited to missing-middle housing, though the Texas APA registered qualified opposition, saying the proposal bypasses the usual code-development process and may not be sufficiently studied. SB 2477 also received broad support from housing groups and policy organizations, who said office conversions could help address vacancy and housing shortages, though Corpus Christi raised a concern about fee recovery and local cost reimbursement. The committee also heard support for SB 628 from a county fire marshal and an ESD representative, who said the bill would reduce duplicate fire-code enforcement and costs. SB 2778 was backed by a Bexar County ESD fire chief, who said the current $2,000 expenditure approval threshold is outdated and slows emergency purchases and repairs. SB 2608 was supported by the El Paso housing authority, which said adding certain Section 8 projects to the at-risk LIHTC set-aside would help renovate aging subsidized housing. SB 3044 was presented as a way to give Marfa and Presidio representation on the groundwater district board while preserving permitting authority. Each bill heard public testimony was left pending subject to the call of the chair, and the committee recessed to reconvene after the Senate adjourns.

Transcript Highlights:

• carries about 90% of our traffic, and we focus our efforts on that, and we do the best we can with the resources
• But do you have the resources you need now to address this problem? And if not, how could we help?
• And then we were allocated casino revenue to a guaranteed amount of $35 million.
• And you can see if the project is ahead of schedule, on schedule, and how much funding we've allocated
• pardon me and you can see if the project is ahead of schedule on schedule and how much funding we've allocated

Summary: The committee received a report from Director Wiley of the Arkansas Department of Transportation on a series of routine and quarterly items, including the closeout of the department’s efficiency review. Wiley said all five remaining recommendations from that review had been implemented, highlighted a new public maintenance dashboard on the agency website, and reported four surplus properties sold since the last meeting. He also noted that ARDOT had obligated $3.14 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding to date and reviewed the annual expenditure report tied to 2019 revenue changes, which funded $98.7 million in maintenance projects last year. Members asked about the balance between maintenance and new construction, with Wiley saying about 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system and that ARDOT’s overall spending is overwhelmingly focused on upkeep because of the size of the state highway network. He also discussed major projects and corridor priorities, including Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings, passing-lane improvements on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, Highway 82 widening in south Arkansas, and long-range plans to widen Interstate 40, possibly including a toll study. On the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, he said the design had been revised to reduce public impacts and would not require a long-term bridge closure. The committee also discussed safety and enforcement tools in work zones. Wiley said new work-zone cameras and cell phone detection tools were being used on projects such as I-30, I-57, and I-49, mainly to improve safety rather than issue citations. In addition, he said ARDOT spends about $8 million annually on litter control and is expanding anti-litter efforts, including a spring cleanup day involving more than 2,500 operations employees and some office staff. He also announced agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for field and office staff and the Street Smart education program for middle school students, with plans to expand it to high school content next year. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the director’s presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current Lazard sounds allocation would fund phase 3.
• So it's the allocation acquired.
• I'm the water and natural resources sector leader for my company, Moore Engineering, Inc., a consulting
• I'm the water and natural resources sector leader for my company, Moore Engineering, Inc., a consulting
• For these reasons, I respectfully urge the committee to delay, not deny it, just delay any allocation

Transcript Highlights:

• the first portion of it, which sets forth how the money, if it would have been approved, would be allocated
• . ...which sets forth how the money, if it would have been approved, would be allocated.
• resources where they are most needed, encourage efficiencies, and promote fairness among all districts
• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee concurs with the amendments from the House and asks
• The Energy and Natural Resources Committee asks for a green vote. Is there any further discussion?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright. Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage. Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• The best things we can do is impose regulations that cap resource use at a level that is sustainable
• Resources and create job opportunities that will empower our youth and care for our communities.
• Thank you. the department to propose allocations by sector and then to the EIB in its rulemaking to allocate
• Would there be an allocation for...? tractors on farms.
• We're not going to have these resources if we don't set some of these emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we worked on as as resources were released from Helene.
• We need to change is our resource mix.
• I mentioned on the resources from other utilities as far as within do we have the resources and the Carolinas
• But we try to go to our own resources prior going to see.
• So once we get the resources are stating site after the author from the storm, the big moving resources

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• importance of providing State resources importance of providing State resources to<00:13:58.800>
• We give them money for this; they should be allocating that all the time.
• <01:36:19.360> there sounds like there's no resources there sounds like there's no resources
• We don't have the resources.
• <01:40:04.719> to from the general fund is allocated to from the general fund is allocated

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all in one class, but, um, it is allocated into that, yes.
• So it is allocated in the budget in one class.
• I'm going to talk about the cost allocation sample. The way this funding...
• I appreciate the question. allocation and so idea there was a allocation and so idea there was a portion
• Okay, they can put a bill in in the middle of whenever and allocate money for whatever.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of Wellness and Nutrition presented an overview of the school meal and child nutrition programs it administers, including the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program. Staff explained which programs are federally funded through USDA, which have state matching funds, and how reimbursement rates are set for different programs and fiscal years. They also walked the committee through a packet showing reimbursement tables, state and federal funding totals, and eligibility data. Members focused much of their questioning on how state and federal reimbursements work for lunch and breakfast, why lunch is shown as a state match while breakfast has meal-based breakdowns, and how the department allocates funds in the budget. The department explained that lunch uses a set state match tied to federal requirements, while breakfast reimbursement is based on meals served. They also reviewed FY 22-24 funding trends, noting higher federal spending during COVID-era waivers and lower amounts as those waivers ended. A committee member asked for the data in Excel and the department agreed to provide it. The discussion also covered summer meal programs and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-run benefit program that provides funds to families; the two programs coordinate through data sharing but are not the same. Members also discussed CEP, with staff explaining that New Hampshire currently has three schools participating, that the qualifying threshold was reduced from 40% to 25% identified students, and that districts must cover the non-federal share with non-federal funds. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oracle for our human resources Oracle for our human resources management<00:09:35.920> system
• <00:09:57.920> information the our our human resources information the our our human resources
• five uh Kim muan uh Human Resources five uh Kim muan uh Human Resources officer<01:18:36.600>
• Resource Resource Centers<01:32:05.960> uh<01:32:06.080> to<01:32:06.280> provide
• But the budget allocation that allows us to have those dollars allocated to MQD were not included in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It really is a huge resource for the state.
• And so when somebody looks to us as a resource, we don't really have a public-facing part for us to be
• Thank you. ...on how they're going to allocate those funds. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
• I'll be curious to see how they allocate them and exactly what kind of a dent that makes. Mr.
• Diego, did you have anything on natural resources? Mr. Chair, on line 97, MNA?

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's other considerations in terms of resources and staffing.
• We do have TCEQ here as a resource. Sure. HB. We do have TCEQ here as a resource. Sure. Let's see.
• Here is a resource witness on the bill. Thank you. We got you.
• Thank you for being available as a resource witness.
• Would anybody like to hear from a resource witness?

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1904, which would classify intentionally released helium balloons as litter and create criminal penalties for balloon releases. The author and supportive witnesses argued that balloon releases harm wildlife, livestock, waterways, and infrastructure, and that the bill would close a loophole in current litter law. Several members questioned whether criminal penalties were appropriate, and the author said he was willing to work toward civil penalties and fines instead. No vote was taken, and HB 1904 was left pending. The committee then took up several pending bills and reported them favorably to the full House, including HB 3249, HB 3866, HB 4112, HB 1768, HB 1499, HB 573, and HB 464. These measures dealt with topics such as TCEQ contested-case procedures, outdoor storage containers, high-level radioactive waste, concrete plant permitting and grants, unannounced concrete batch plant inspections, and a scrap tire grant program. Most were adopted with substitutes and passed on recorded votes, generally with unanimous or near-unanimous support. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 3997, which would create expedited permitting timelines for LNG facilities and related wastewater permits. Industry witnesses said the bill would provide certainty for multibillion-dollar projects without eliminating public participation, while environmental groups opposed parts of the bill that they said could limit contested-case participation and be unrealistic for SOAH timelines. TCEQ staff described the current wastewater permitting process and said some of the bill’s timing provisions could be workable, especially with an expedited fee. The bill was left pending after the author said he would continue working on committee substitute language. The committee also heard HB 1237 on extending the renewal window for expired TCEQ occupational water licenses, and HB 4519, a TERP consolidation bill that would combine several clean transportation grant programs into fewer programs. HB 1237 was left pending without testimony, while HB 4519 drew broad support from environmental and industry witnesses who favored simplifying the program, though some asked for stronger emphasis on particulate matter and hydrogen funding. The committee withdrew the substitute on HB 4519 and left it pending. Finally, HB 5033, which would eliminate the motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program if federal authority changes, drew opposition from environmental and inspection-industry witnesses who warned it would weaken air-quality protections and could remove an important enforcement tool. The author said the bill was intended as a trigger mechanism and would be refined, and HB 5033 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1227 on municipal solid-waste franchise fees and private-provider access; the author said he would bring a substitute after hearing concerns from cities, and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• . subject matter resources on different tax topics as needed.
• So that's really what we're finding are the resources aren't there at the appraisal district.
• If we we allocate our property reduction money to. exemptions.
• It looks like all... natural resources is down, percent change 34% in general.
• I want to be a resource and help you where it makes sense, right?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first loan is a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to the Regional Water Resource Agency.
• <01:14:20.320> The regional water resource agency. The regional water resource agency.
• of four reallocations from the county allocation pool.
• of four reallocations from the county allocation pool.
• <01:24:38.239> bonds, a competitive process to allocate bonds, a competitive process to allocate

Keywords: 0:00:07 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:47 Approval of Minutes 0:01:05 Correspondence and Information Items 0:54:15 Lease Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:56:19 Project Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 1:08:46 Lease Rpt from Finance and Administration Cabinet 1:13:00 Rpt from Office of Financial Mgmt - KIA 1:20:00 Office of Financial Management 1:35:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every Texan deserves access to the knowledge and resources that empower smart money decisions.
• This bill aims to allocate additional resources to schools in need.
• It's essential that we not only focus on funding but also on the effective use of these resources.
• Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, HB 4330 by A.
• , for the Committee on Land and Resource Management.

Bills: HJR4, HJR6, HB195, HB 13, HB143, HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of how we're going to allocate this across the state...
• In the meantime, we will be continuing to work with the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department
• It might be from the sky, but we're extracting basically some of our natural resources here.
• We'll talk with the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department about appropriate practices here
• Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources does the same.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number 52 is to the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department.
• $200,000 to a special that was flagged during the PED hearing for instructional materials and a resource
• library for standards-aligned resources for bilingual, multicultural education statewide.
• library for standards-aligned resources for bilingual, multicultural education statewide.
• Yes, that's up from $12 million that they were allocating for CTE and the previous pilot. Okay.

Keywords: 996, all