Transcript Highlights:

• Your inclusion of this funding does more than rebuild a building. It restores confidence.
• Your inclusion of this funding does more than rebuild a building. It restores confidence.
• Now we need a modernized building to better serve this diverse community.
• And it also supports compliance with the CCA and clean building performance standard.
• So this is a great. allow for the future connection of 16 additional buildings.

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on proposed substitute HB 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff briefed the committee that the proposal totals nearly $911 million in spending, including about $400 million in bonds and significant new Climate Commitment Act funding, with major investments in housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and clean energy/decarbonization projects. The chair noted the hearing would be run at one minute per testifier due to the large number of speakers. Testimony was broadly supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Speakers highlighted funding for affordable housing and homeownership, weatherization, manufactured housing preservation, early learning facilities, behavioral health and substance use treatment, school modernization and seismic safety, community health hubs, and tribal and local infrastructure projects. Several tribal, local government, and nonprofit representatives thanked the committee for projects such as the Quinault tribal courthouse replacement, Thurston County’s justice center request, the Skokomish land return, community forests, and floodplain restoration, while urging continued support in conference with the Senate. Other testimony focused on project-specific requests, including Cascadia College’s next building, Eastern Washington University’s solar array and maintenance needs, WSU deferred maintenance and health education space, the Port of Tacoma’s cleanup grant language, and the City of Kent’s request for rooftop solar funding. Environmental and climate advocates supported investments in flood resilience, clean energy, and CCA-funded programs, while some cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. At the close of the hearing, the chair said the committee would not take amendments, would work on a technical fix striker, and planned to vote the bipartisan capital budget out on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> municipality or county's uh building municipality or county's uh building department<00:32:21.519
• </c> the municipality where they're building. the municipality where they're building.
• Any building departments or planning... Any building departments or planning departments...
• That's on that building inspector.
• That's on that building inspector.

Bills: SF0082

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Bills: SF0082

Keywords: registered agents, corporate governance, entity ownership, business regulations, transparency, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, committee members, my legislation, House Bill 468, establishes new regulations for wholesaling
• I understand the need to buy a house for a lesser price and build in my fix-up margins and all that.
• Or lesser price and building my fix-up margins and all that. But ultimately, I'm buying the house.

Bills: HB387, HB388, HB468, HB548, HB827, HB848, HB921, HB924, HB953

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, contracting services, unsolicited contact, homeowners, penalties, regulations, wholesaling, real estate, earnest money, cancellation rights, residential properties, Louisiana Real Estate Commission, certified public accountant, CPA, accounting board, Louisiana State Board of Certified Public Accountants

Transcript Highlights:

• regulations require Uh federal regulations require behind-the-wheel<00:29:44.880><c> training</c><00
• HF 4216 does not regulate autonomous vehicles; it bans them.
• </c> not doesn't regulate autonomous not doesn't regulate autonomous vehicles,<01:07:15.320><c> it</c
• Government regulates it.
• Just solid state regulations in place.

Bills: HF4062, HF4063, HF4065, HF3926, HF4216, HF3176, HF3728, HF3988, HF3865

Keywords: vehicle registration, title transfer, rental vehicles, state regulations, motor vehicle laws, school buses, USDOT number, first aid kits, transportation safety, vehicle regulations, transit safety, assault penalties, public transportation, criminal justice, transit workers, transportation, railroad, safety, economic development, public roads

Transcript Highlights:

• So we could get into the building without having to use equipment and other things, and you have to build
• We have old buildings, and we are learning that old buildings only create new problems.
• So, a lot of people think we're talking about buildings, but it's actually more than buildings when we're
• ability to work in this building.
• the, we have to update the buildings, we have to provide for the buildings.

Bills: HF3220

Keywords: school safety, school security, emergency access, law enforcement access, master key box, secure key box, entry device, school grants, education finance, Department of Education, charter schools, school districts, cooperative units, appropriation cancellation, one-time appropriation, school safety plan, emergency preparedness, public safety, school building security

Bills: SB365

Keywords: cash transactions, rounding, legal tender, state regulations, consumer transactions, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of great work was done before this bill was introduced and throughout this session to really build

Bills: HB1526

Keywords: liquor license, snack bar, state regulations, alcohol sales, business licensing, 904, all

Summary: The Labor and Commerce committee held an executive session on several House bills, with staff presenting bill reports and the committee considering striking amendments and referral recommendations. Topics included non-competition and non-solicitation agreements (HB 1155), collective bargaining rights for non-academic student employees at Western Washington University (HB 1570), prohibiting employer microchipping of employees (HB 2303), a workers’ compensation PTSD treatment pilot program (HB 2405), unpaid wage recovery and a new wage recovery account (HB 2479), cannabis producer cooperatives (HB 1941), a snack bar liquor license change allowing wine by the glass (HB 1526), and expanding theater liquor license seating limits (HB 2476). Staff also noted fiscal impacts and whether bills had Senate companions. The committee adopted the striking amendment to HB 1155 after the sponsor withdrew two proposed amendments, then advanced the bill with a two-pass recommendation to Rules. It also adopted striking amendments or advanced the other bills, including sending HB 1570 and HB 2405 to Ways and Means, and HB 2479 to Ways and Means because it creates a new account. HB 1941, HB 1526, and HB 2476 were advanced to Rules after adoption of their respective striking amendments where applicable. Most actions were unanimous voice votes, and the bills were reported out as passed subject to signatures. At the end of the meeting, members thanked committee staff for their work and recognized Vice Chair Senator Steve Conway, who reflected on his 34 years of service on the committee and praised the bipartisan work of labor and business, including past accomplishments such as paid family leave. The committee then adjourned, with the chair noting an informal work session would follow and that the committee would reconvene after session.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are taxed at the agricultural rate for the land and the buildings are taxed as any other building
• They are taxed at the agricultural rate for the land and the buildings are taxed as any other building
• They are taxed at the agricultural rate for the land and the buildings are taxed as any other building
• They are taxed at the agricultural rate for the land and the buildings are taxed as any other building
• c><00:16:00.639><c> building.

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Bills: SB 1

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

Bills: SB1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I have been encouraged by President Trump's executive orders to freeze and roll back. regulations.
• Once, the farm had to prove that the regulators don't know how to measure nitrogen.
• Do you agree agencies have failed to properly consider the indirect costs of their regulations?
• I have not been in the building. They have a, I think we call it a Sherpa, who's helped you...
• Relief from those regulations, relief from the things that get in their way.

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Bills: SB1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to page 26, the Department of Licensing and Regulation, the one a technical adjustment associated
• So always keep in mind that, um, 3.2. billion dollars of a build out in our mental health system.
• At the bottom of the same page, item C lab building maintenance of critical infrastructure and systems
• Development Center to allow HHSC to utilize up to $20 million in certain Medicaid program income to build
• a childcare development center at the Winters Building parking lot in Austin.

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Rudder Building.
• Thompson Building, the Elias Ramirez Building, and the Waco State Office Building.
• You maintain, you build buildings, you maintain buildings. Yes, sir. You build walls now. Yes.
• You maintain, you build buildings, you maintain buildings. Yes, sir. You build walls now. Yes.
• We're not a regulator.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rudder Building.
• Thompson Building, the Elias Ramirez Building, and the Waco State Office Building.
• You maintain, you build buildings. Yes, sir. You build walls now. Yes.
• You maintain, you build buildings, you maintain buildings. Yes, sir. You build walls now. Yes.
• We're not a regulator.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• These buildings continue to be important for heritage tourism in the state.
• It was pretty important to use the same firm that is world-renowned in building museums...
• That are world-renowned in building museums and visitor centers. It was critical.
• I like to borrow for building buildings or a store or whatever.
• For product development, we build the panel around the application itself.

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we are building that team.
• Why build more?
• Why build more?
• Building hearts, building leaders, and strengthening families. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Budwine?
• Building hearts, building leaders, and strengthening families. Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Budwine?

Bills: SB1

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

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not building infrastructure.
• Okay, I've been around the building for a while, and we can... ...I've been around the building for a
• a building, something we can do quickly because Blinn is a temporary fix.
• And so we're continuing to build that team.
• Why don't we just build our own hospital? Why don't we want to build a UT hospital for them?

Bills: SB 1

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

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.