Transcript Highlights:

• So now what we've done is we've limited So now what we've done is we've limited our<00:36:16.000
• We spend another 144 kids to school.
• plan. they would be the one who spends plan. they would be the one who spends the<03:39:44.720><
• If you don't spend more money on the If you don't spend more money on the people<04:28:01.359> who
• don't need to spend more money." don't need to spend more money."

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increased spending... Spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and local businesses.
• Time, expertise, and resources are all limited, and because of these limitations and pressing needs that
• Time, expertise, and resources are all limited, and because of these limitations and pressing needs that
• As a reminder, testimony will be limited to two minutes.
• As a reminder, testimony will be limited to two minutes. The chair calls Justin Braggle.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• each bill, with a two-minute time limit on each individual speaker.
• rights limitation for parental rights limitation for parental rights violations<00:04:47.440>
• and spending and spending on<01:02:47.599> political<01:02:48.559> activities.
• <01:18:02.159> I transparency on how I spend my money?
• I transparency on how I spend my money?

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• They could actually get the program up and running and then spend it in the first year.
• There's a tremendous number of really important things in here, including **Prop 4** spending that's
• Over 14 and adults 55 to 64 who will now be subject to the strict three-month time limit on CalFresh
• And we're also just in support of the Prop 4 spending plan. Thank you. Chair and members, J.
• I'm very appreciative of the Prop 4 spending plan. It's really important.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now what that means is we could end up with impoundment by default because we didn't spend the money.
• Well, the Gates Foundation, when they make grants, they limit overhead to 10 percent, don't they?
• And the Roberts Woods Johnson Foundation limits overhead to 12 percent, don't they? They do.
• them to 10%. and the Johnson Foundation limits them to 12%.
• This isn't wasteful government spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to facilitate the goal of the hearing as much as possible from the public within the limits
• SB 762 is a thoughtful, balanced measure that provides limited statutory flexibility for certain cities
• balanced measure that provides limited statutory flexibility for certain cities, including Hercules,
• We froze positions, we reduced spending, and preserved operational efficiencies.
• It doesn't limit infrastructure requirements in any way.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of local government, housing, transportation, and public safety bills. Early items included SB 762, which would give certain local governments a voter-approved path to seek additional local sales tax authority to address fiscal pressures; SB 1400, which would modernize Alameda Health System governance and give Alameda County more flexibility and oversight; and SB 1408, which would authorize Contra Costa County to place a renewal of its transportation sales tax on the ballot. Supporters for those bills included local officials, county representatives, labor groups, fire and police organizations, and transit advocates, while no organized opposition was presented on those measures in committee. The committee also heard SB 1272, which would give homeowners more time to correct certain inherited code violations and allow an affidavit process for buyers who did not know about the violation at purchase. The bill drew support from the California Apartment Association and opposition from code enforcement and county groups, who argued it would reduce local enforcement discretion and create health and safety risks. After questions about disclosure and enforcement, the committee approved SB 1272 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1055, dealing with procurement flexibility for Pajaro flood control and levee repairs, also passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. Later, the committee approved SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner system. The author and supporters argued the change was needed for transparency and independence in in-custody death investigations, while opponents raised labor, cost, and governance concerns; some opposition was softened after the author agreed to employee-protection amendments. The committee also passed SB 1172, limiting consultant compensation and adding transparency rules for local tax-sharing agreements, and several housing bills from Senator Grayson: SB 1003 on pro-housing infrastructure financing districts, SB 1014 on early disclosure of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, and SB 1169 on extending tentative vesting map validity. The committee took votes on consent items and later add-ons, with most measures passing on bipartisan or unanimous votes and several being re-referred to Appropriations or Housing and Community Development as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• In evaluating past spending, current spending plans, or... ...best program.
• In evaluating past spending, current spending plans, or ideas for innovative ways to spend future revenues
• And, you know, we have significant flexibility in terms of how we spend the GGRF...
• You know, we have significant flexibility in terms of how we spend the GGRF funds.
• You talked about potentially some GGRF spending going to technology.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the 90-day limit that they can store this information.
• the process is uniform, objective, time-limited, and documented.
• <00:31:22.040> safety-based authorize limited safety-based authorize limited safety-based
• time-limited, and documented. time-limited, and documented.
• c> my always enjoyed spending time with my always enjoyed spending time with my elders<01:09:47.880

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They had a chart in there that showed the total program spending.
• that showed the total program spending that showed the total program spending and<00:26:08.600><
• excuses either do process or limitations excuses either do process or limitations in<00:37:44.920
• that we all agree we should spend that we all agree we should spend taxpayer<01:09:27.839> money
• <01:10:31.480> uh agencies know about it um limiting uh agencies know about it um limiting

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Parents can spend these funds on an example of a different set of menu items.
• In terms of funding, spending in Texas per TEA is about $92 billion a year.
• Spending in Texas per TEA is about $92 billion a year.
• What we know in the state of Texas is this: that limited regulation and limited government provides maximum
• We want you leading in real liberty, limited government, and reduced spending.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• limited time uh of property tax revenue. limited time uh of property tax revenue.
• money, but shockingly enough, we spend money, but shockingly enough, we spend our<01:20:30.719><
• <02:40:39.600> their trust and how people are spending their trust and how people are spending
• Sigma could increase costs and limit Sigma could increase costs and limit healthc<02:49:43.840><
• that it would be ineffective um spending that it would be ineffective um spending as<02:55:03.520

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, we're sort of limited to motion practice, right?
• I'm not aware and and that those very limited conditions? I'm not aware.
• They feel that it isn't just limited to child abuse. It's financial abuse.
• And once you spend enough time with them and you spend enough time in the courtroom, you can provide
• May or June so that we're not limiting our time to get the work completed.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• How much are they spending now, Mr. Chairman, on what they are allowed to do? Mr.
• You haven't started going through any of the spending.
• Our spending increased.
• to spend in 2027 from taking that $300 million in money.
• All she's got to do is spend it without any other—I mean, just write a check.

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• That instability affects staffing, limits access to care, and ultimately impacts patients.
• Current law provides up to five days of bereavement leave for a limited list of close family members.
• I know you won't, but that is probably, but don't complain about the money we spend in court while we
• SB 1392 creates a limited, optional, phased-in smog-check exemption pathway for qualifying collector
• SB 1392 creates a limited, optional, phased-in smog-check exemption pathway for qualifying collector

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a roll call, a moment of silence for the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The body then handled routine matters and confirmations, including Julia Montgomery as General Counsel for the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Dr. Cynthia Glover Woods, Dr. Brenda Lewis, and Gabriela Orozco Gonzalez to the State Board of Education, and George Cardona as Chief Trial Counsel for the State Bar. All of those appointments were confirmed, with some no votes from a few members on the education and legal confirmations. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 111 on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia; SCR 129 naming part of Highway 152 the Rusty Arraes Highway; SCR 169 proclaiming October 2026 as Women’s Small Business Month; and SCR 173 designating May 2026 as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month. Senators spoke in support of fairgrounds as community, agricultural, and emergency-response assets. The Senate also welcomed Cal Lutheran University students, faculty, and staff to the gallery. A large number of policy bills were then taken up and mostly passed, covering procurement, elections, education, privacy, housing, transportation, labor, and health care. Among the measures approved were SB 1154 on best-value procurement for community college projects, SB 1369 on judicial recall safeguards, SB 1048 creating a climate literacy seal, SB 1106 shortening data broker deletion timelines, SB 1408 authorizing a Contra Costa transportation tax measure, SB 1172 on local tax-sharing transparency, SB 1383 protecting local labor standards in density bonus projects, SB 1223 on competitive bidding at fairs, SB 1344 extending anti-SLAPP protections to certain housing-related projects, SB 1371 limiting solid waste contract force majeure clauses during labor disputes, SB 908 on residential window replacement permits, SB 1272 on remedies for preexisting home code violations, SB 1406 targeting the “Montana tax loophole,” SB 1238 on HOA transparency, SB 868 on plug-in balcony solar, SB 903 restricting unlicensed AI psychotherapy advertising, SB 950 on early-onset Alzheimer’s coverage, SB 874 on Medi-Cal behavioral health oversight, SB 1049 on corrected health care claims, SB 1067 on early math screening, SB 1202 on Medi-Cal outreach, SB 944 on acupuncture coverage, SB 957 on notice for federal subpoenas to social media companies, SB 959 on wildfire-related school closures, SB 988 on auto glass insurance practices, and SB 1000 on AI content transparency. Most passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few dissenting votes from members who objected to procurement, labor, privacy, or tax-related provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• not spend $4 million? not spend $4 million?
• > our<00:21:50.559> time So, we're really spending our time So, we're really spending our
• But we are spending a lot of time on that.
• We're just really limited on some of our resources to be able to do that.
• <01:13:02.320> uh The other area where we have limited uh The other area where we have limited

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met on January 23, 2026, to approve prior minutes and receive an update from the Department of Health and Human Services. The main presentation focused on “Project Compass,” an internal cross-department effort to prepare for changes to Medicaid and SNAP eligibility. Department staff said the goal is to maintain continuous coverage for eligible people, align policy, operations, communications, legal, finance, and eligibility work, and use the new integrated New HEIGHTS system to streamline implementation. They emphasized outreach to beneficiaries, providers, managed care organizations, and other partners, and said temporary manual workarounds had already been used to stay in compliance with fast-moving SNAP changes. Members questioned how the department would avoid repeating the costly outreach effort used in a prior Medicaid work-requirement rollout. Department officials said they are focusing on ex parte processes, sharing eligibility information across programs, and using community partners to reduce duplicate contacts and paperwork. They also said the department is monitoring the SNAP error rate closely, expects automation and a planned system contract amendment to help reduce it, and noted that current error rates are trending downward and remain below the national average. Questions were also raised about possible future SNAP restrictions on certain foods; the department said it can implement whatever the legislature directs, but that defining and administering such restrictions would be complex. The commissioner and CFO then outlined the department’s budget reduction plan. They said the department has begun implementing required “back of the budget” reductions for fiscal year 2026, using contract savings and not cutting existing services where possible. Examples included dental and home-visitation contracts, where spending was adjusted based on utilization and projected need. Officials said they had already written down a little over $15 million in prior-year encumbrances, but that this one-time source will not be available next year, making fiscal year 2027 more difficult. They also explained the difference between legally required back-of-budget cuts and lapse, and said staffing remains a major challenge because vacancies have increased and customer-facing service levels are strained. Dr. Jonathan Ballard then began an update on opioid overdose fatalities, presenting the latest medical examiner data and describing the long-term rise in deaths after fentanyl entered the illicit drug supply, with a peak in 2017 and a later increase in 2022. The transcript cuts off before his full presentation and any further committee action beyond discussion of the minutes and receipt of the department updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:35.839> or put in place uh policies to limit or put in place uh policies to limit or
• <00:45:12.560> to 118.11 is uh a 60-day limit to 118.11 is uh a 60-day limit to behavioral
• <01:04:59.520> down reallocate other resources, spend down reallocate other resources, spend
• be subject to a limit or a cap.
• rid of that wide openen but not limited rid of that wide openen but not limited to<02:13:18.639>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• environment with limited resources. environment with limited resources.
• <00:35:32.360> what how the hospital is going to spend what how the hospital is going to spend
• spending this money. spending this money.
• <00:36:42.520> And you're going to spend the money. And you're going to spend the money.
• You guys all love to come to Hennepin County and spend dollars in our entertainment districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't want to spend a lot of time on it.
• <00:32:09.519> its 1976 to modify the law to limit its 1976 to modify the law to limit its
• and in other cases drastically limiting and in other cases drastically limiting the<00:32:17.200
• to how much time she could spend with him before he died.
• <01:41:20.560> communication be honest um about limited communication be honest um about limited

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:22.039> more little bit less now but they spend more little bit less now but they spend
• <01:07:59.799> to work and keep this bill um limited to work and keep this bill um limited
• discretion to set the income eligibility limit and other eligibility standards.
• including some liabil ility limitation including some liabil ility limitation even<01:52:23.679>
• So I guess I'll say this first: what we're looking at with this first liability limitation is limiting

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:11.000> um still have two rounds left to spend um still have two rounds left to spend
• spent this money how much did you spend spent this money how much did you spend in<00:39:06.800>
• well let's sa that we we have limited well let's sa that we we have limited time<01:21:56.159>
• And 40... and that's why you hear their age limits and that's why you hear their age limits and<01:44
• Representative, now the other point, just to—so the state spend as opposed to the MetLife spend, it's

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.