Transcript Highlights:

• I've met with most of you about the rate increases and the rate study.
• So back in 2003, we came for a rate increase.
• Our rates were restored back to 2008 levels in 2020.
• But at the end of the day, these services were set for these rates to be able to cover what our expenses
• The rate study says to bring it to $11.48, which is fantastic.

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think condemnation rate is super low.
• And then, obviously, the rates have increased significantly over time.
• Bush set for public servants.
• Now he's, you know, whatever his tax rate is, he's now having to pay it on $315,000.
• Now he's, you know, whatever his tax rate is, he's now having to pay it on $3.15.

Bills: HB5489, HB5695, HB5699, SB291, SB292

Keywords: impact fee, moratorium, local government, Texas legislation, infrastructure funding, municipal utility district, eminent domain, bonds, assessments, infrastructure, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Harris County, Municipal Utility District, territory exclusion, debt service taxes, property taxation, condemnation, property acquisition, real property, appraisal reports

Transcript Highlights:

• The result is over $200 million earning a lower rate of We're going to.
• And we typically get rates very close to the existing CD rates that we have.
• Our statewide unemployment rate is currently 2.5%, and our labor force participation rate is nearly 70%
• for the unemployment rate here in the state of North Dakota.
• or recidivism rate is about 40%.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Leadership Division of the Budget Section approved the prior meeting minutes and then received an update from Senator Jonathan Sickler on the Cash Management Board’s interim work under House Bill 1278. He said the board has reviewed state cash, investments, and liquidity across agencies and concluded the state’s overall mix of long-term and short-term assets is appropriate, with about $35 billion in total liquid assets and investments and roughly 89% in longer-term investments. He highlighted process improvements already underway, including replacing more than 500 six-month CDs with a special-rate savings account to reduce administrative work, and said the board sees opportunities to improve forecasting, automation, and statewide coordination. Members asked about whether the CD change would increase returns, how the Legacy Fund transfer for the homestead tax relief bill affected earnings, and whether more state cash could be consolidated or better managed through BND; Sickler and BND staff said those issues are being studied and may lead to legislation for the 2027 session. Representative Nathan Toman then updated the committee on the Task Force on Government Efficiency. He said the group has focused less on cutting dollars and more on defining metrics and asking how the legislature knows whether programs are working. The task force is pushing a standard set of questions for new or expanding programs—who is affected, expected outcomes, alternatives, how success will be measured, and full funding—and OMB has agreed to require those answers in future budget requests. Members discussed possible use of dashboards, program evaluators, AI tools, and possible rule or statutory changes to require performance measurement. Toman said the task force will continue meeting with agencies such as the courts, university system, auditor, HHS, Commerce, and ITD to identify workflow bottlenecks and potential efficiencies. Phil Davis of Job Service North Dakota gave a workforce update, reporting that North Dakota’s unemployment rate is 2.5% and labor force participation is about 68.7%, both well above national performance. He described Job Service’s 15 workforce programs, including H-2A housing inspections for foreign agricultural workers, the job placement partnership program with DOCR, WOTC, and other federal and state workforce efforts. Davis said the agency served more than 11,000 individuals in 2025, operates nine workforce centers, and tracks outcomes through quarterly and annual reporting. In response to questions, he said job openings data reflect only positions in the system and may understate actual hiring needs, that child care and other assistance programs could be better tied to employment outcomes, and that the DOCR partnership has shown strong results with lower recidivism and higher earnings. He also said the H-2A inspection workload is growing quickly and additional staffing or less frequent federal inspection requirements could help. Allen Knutson then presented S&P Global’s updated revenue forecast. He said oil prices have risen sharply since the prior month’s outlook, improving the state’s near-term revenue picture, though the economy remains volatile and agriculture is facing weaker commodity prices. Based on the updated forecast, total major tax revenues for the current biennium are projected to be about $89 million above the legislative forecast, and the next biennium could be about $500 million higher, though that estimate is preliminary and may change. He also walked through an alternate oil-price scenario showing significantly higher oil and gas collections and a larger Strategic Investment Fund balance if prices remain elevated. Members asked whether another forecast should be requested once oil markets stabilize and about tribal allocation changes in the alternative scenario; Knutson said additional updates are possible through OMB and future forecast cycles.

Transcript Highlights:

• How are we going to close that gap and be able to manage the rate exceptions within DHS?
• around the rate around the rate exceptions<01:33:57.840> representative<01:33:58.480>
• we're not at full cost yet when it comes to the rate formula.
• we're not at full cost yet when it comes to the rate formula.
• <01:46:11.800> I 20% reduction to the inflation rate I 20% reduction to the inflation rate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The county has a recycling rate of 45%, which exceeds both the MPCA target recycling rate of 35% and
• <00:14:57.839> of<00:14:58.040> 45% recycling rate of 45% recycling rate of 45% which
• <00:15:03.759> of recycling rate of recycling rate of 35%<00:15:05.560> and<00:15:05.880
• As property owners, it is a burden that we are assessed at a different rate.
• Swanson looked it up for me, so their city tax rate is, uh, 96%.

Bills: HF1359, HF1829, HF290, HF1933, HF926

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• and as rates get compressed.
• Subject to interest rates set by the Federal Reserve, these interest-bearing accounts are projected to
• Subject to interest rates set by the Federal Reserve, these interest-bearing accounts are projected to
• rates that could be increased.
• So right now our disposition rate... So right now our disposition rate is about 80 percent.

Bills: SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• and the national. rate.
• The rate for, the base rate for an attendant is 1060. It's $10.60 an hour.
• Well, it is based on an hourly rate.
• We set a rate for each of the hospitals. our partner hospitals.
• rate.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tuition rates.
• tuition rate.
• We calculate that average and then set that as kind of the base rate.
• tuition rate varies.
• You set the trend.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, all-cause mortality, cancer death rates, and cardiovascular death rates dropped to all-time
• California currently has one of the lowest all-cause mortality rates, infant mortality rates, and highest
• Earlier, I mentioned decreasing death rates in many areas, yet we're seeing increasing death rates in
• We see similar decreasing usage rates within VMS.
• Those utilization rates going down.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ON THE POSTSECONDARY AUDIT METRICS THE FIRST IS ARE WE RETENTION RATE OR SUCCESS RATE?
• SUCCESS RATE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ALSO THE EMPLOYED RATE.
• OR SUCCESS RATE METRIC AND 98.97% ARE MEETING THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OR EMPLOYMENT RATE METRICS AS
• WE MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF OUR PROGRAMS THROUGH GRADUATION RATES, JOB PLACEMENT RATES, AND EMPLOYER SATISFACTION
• A JOB PLACEMENT RATE OF 91 PERCENT AND A LICENSURE PASS RATE OF 98 PERCENT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just not clear if that is a fixed rate or if a variable rate does it reset every month, every quarter
• But it is a fixed rate. I do know that much. Okay, perfect.
• pay the Wall Street Journal prime rate pay the Wall Street Journal prime rate is<00:31:44.240>
• rate does it reset rate or if a variable rate does it reset every<00:31:54.600> month<00:31:54.919
• move on to something better. coaches to set and pursue their visions coaches to set and pursue their

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before in the bill, it was 150% of the workers' comp rate. Medicine.
• It was 150 percent of the workers' comp rate.
• And so 300% I thought was a very fair rate to treat.
• But it seems to me that if we're going to set a standard of 300% of Medicare rate, we should look at
• Thank you. 300% of Medicare rate, we should look at actual examples.

Bills: SB1540, SB2225, SB2284, SB2382, SB2487, SB2514, SB2595, SB2876, SB2877, SB3031, SB2753

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• settings settings uh<00:09:59.920> and<00:10:00.040> then<00:10:00.120> our<00:
• Was an example of improving graduation rates in Roselle Community Education.
• outside of the school district setting outside of the school district setting um<00:54:03.599>
• Having taught in both settings, I only want to work within the full-service model.
• teaching having taught in both settings teaching having taught in both settings I<01:24:20.360><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rate?
• rate?
• rate?
• the money at a reduced rate. the money at a reduced rate.
• These are the lowest-rated lower.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• set forth with you. set forth with you.
• rate cases, you know, for for one mile. rate cases, you know, for for one mile.
• it comes to rate increases.
• rate payers. rate payers.
• the rate payers and respond. the rate payers and respond.

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is set to enter clinical trials in humans.
• So the 2425 session is unique in that the authority to set the rates was delegated to the Coordinating
• For fiscal 25, the Coordinating Board increased the dual credit outcome rate from the fiscal 24 rate.
• The legislation code set by HPA gives formula rate-setting authority to the legislature.
• While recommendations are based on those rates, they also establish the rates in a rider that serves

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . rate. rate.
• Is the 125 an hour set in statute? Is that set in regulation?
• Um, and not been adjusted in some time, but it remains the statutory rate that sets for all of state
• statutory rate. statutory rate.
• <00:20:28.480> all the statutory rate uh that sets for all the statutory rate uh that sets

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the August 12 minutes and then handled a large agenda of 355 contracts totaling about $278.7 million. It agreed to defer three Office of Energy Policy items to the October 2025 meeting and reviewed a deferred Kentucky Educational Television contract without objection. The main substantive discussion centered on two University of Louisville legal services PSC amendments and a Seven Counties Services MOA item. For the University of Louisville items, members questioned a large increase in hourly rates and the scope of the legal services, especially complex litigation work and a Colorado estate matter. University officials said the contracts followed an RFP, involved specialized litigation, included local counsel where required, and were expected to be offset by savings in other PSCs and by a potential financial recovery in the Colorado matter. The committee also discussed whether the $125 hourly rate was a statutory requirement or committee policy; the chair later said staff would verify whether it was an executive-branch regulation or statutory rate. Both University of Louisville items were ultimately approved, though Senator Meredith voted no on one and Senator Douglas explained his support while urging future adjustments and more information sharing. The Seven Counties Services contract drew questions about how the $18.7 million would be used and whether federal changes could affect future funding. Cabinet officials described 988 crisis response, outpatient mental health and substance use treatment, prevention, recovery, and harm-reduction services, and said they were monitoring federal developments daily. Representative Petrie and Senator Thomas pressed the cabinet on the long-running Seven Counties bankruptcy and the need to push for resolution; officials said the matter was pending on a motion for reconsideration and that they would try to help move it along. The contract was approved. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the remaining agenda items as reviewed without objection, but Senator Meredith voted no on the blanket approval motion because of numerous retroactive contract requests and what she said were insufficient explanations such as administrative error or staff being on conference. She said retroactive approvals should be rare and supported stronger internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• of a consumer price index for all urban consumers, and I guess I'm trying to figure out why usually rate-setting
• :12:16.239> out<03:12:16.720> you<03:12:16.800> know<03:12:17.000> why Rate-setting
• Mann: are you aware of any other state in the country that has implemented, you know, basically a rate-setting
• Mann: are you aware of any other state in the country that has implemented, you know, basically a rate-setting
• Mann: are you aware of any other state in the country that has implemented, you know, basically a rate-setting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what what were those interest rate what what were those interest rate increases?
• nation with the submitt rate that high. nation with the submitt rate that high.
• would um require a lower interest rate would um require a lower interest rate than<00:38:53.760>
• events, provided a world-class setting events, provided a world-class setting for<01:05:05.359><
• <01:05:42.720> for memorable and unique setting for memorable and unique setting for hundreds

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rates.
• <01:04:12.000> of out this very narrow specific set of out this very narrow specific set of
• We are all familiar with for rates.
• those into a lower rate than they're those into a lower rate than they're currently<01:25:01.280>
• jurisdictions where property tax rates jurisdictions where property tax rates were<01:35:48.600>

Bills: HF4906, HF3971, HF4777, HF2109, HF2988

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Summary: The committee first approved the April 9 minutes, then took up House File 2988, which would extend for eight more years a sales tax exemption tied to Minnesota State High School League tournament ticket revenue that is funneled into the league’s foundation and returned to schools as grants. Chair Youakim and Executive Director Eric Martins said the program sends more than $1.1 million annually back to schools for activity fee reductions, scholarships, coaching and training, AEDs, late buses, and other school needs, with over 98% of funds going directly to schools. Representative Huot and others spoke in support, while Representative Robinson questioned the structure and suggested the state could instead simply reduce ticket prices and not tax the tickets. The committee laid HF 2988 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The committee then heard House File 4906, as amended, which would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for owners of residential homesteads and the homestead portion of agricultural property, funded by a $4 billion appropriation in fiscal year 2027. The bill includes a clawback for delinquent taxpayers and offsets to ensure no one receives more in property tax refunds than they paid. A House Research staffer said the Department of Revenue viewed the refund as potentially taxable, while House Research said it likely should be treated as a recovery of prior taxes, and the two would follow up. The bill was introduced with testimony from Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, both of whom opposed it, arguing it would create a large budget hole, force future cuts, and disproportionately benefit homeowners while excluding renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Several members also raised concerns. Representative Hewitt said the state should prioritize public safety, rural EMS, and safety-net hospitals rather than a large rebate, and Representative Youakim argued the money would be better spent on longer-term property tax relief and education funding. Representative Hollins said the proposal would worsen racial and wealth inequities because homeownership is lower among communities of color and renters would get nothing. In response, the author and supporters said the bill is meant to put money back into people’s budgets and that individuals should be able to decide how to use their own money. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s size and fiscal impact, but no final action on HF 4906 was taken in the portion provided.