Transcript Highlights:

• In developing our fiscal year 27 and 28 schedule, we considered our current staffing levels, follow-up
• And in a bit, we'll talk about the Child Care Development Fund, and as part of the single audit, the
• And in a bit, we'll talk about the Child Care Development Fund, and as part of the single audit, the
• So, consideration of request for a special audit of the Child Care and Development Fund. Mr.
• Other items will take more time to correct as they involve developing board policies.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on Topok Elementary School District’s long-running noncompliance with Arizona’s Uniform System of Financial Records. The Auditor General’s office explained the USFR noncompliance process and reported that Topok had made substantial progress, correcting many deficiencies in areas such as open meeting law, procurement, payroll, attendance reporting, property control, and information technology. The district’s superintendent and staff described the corrective actions they had taken, the use of outside consultants, and their plan to maintain compliance through stronger leadership, training, and consistent procedures. Members praised the district’s progress and asked about the remaining deficiencies and the status of the 3% state-aid withholding, which the Auditor General said would be addressed by the State Board of Education. The committee then considered a request for a fourth school safety special audit, tied to concerns raised by Representative Martinez about Phoenix Union High School District and school violence response practices. The Auditor General said the proposed audit would be a new topic focused on policies and procedures for responding to credible threats of violence and allegations of staff misconduct affecting student safety, and could include Phoenix Union in the sample. Representative Martinez described a fatal 2024 shooting, weapons incidents, and concerns about district oversight. The committee approved the motion 10-0. Next, staff presented the fiscal years 2027-2028 school district performance audit schedule, describing 26 randomly selected school districts and career and technical education districts, plus 84 planned follow-ups. The Auditor General said the schedule is intended to shorten the average time between audits and that the school audits division is now fully staffed. Members asked about county coverage and the inclusion of ESA accountability, but the schedule was ultimately presented for review rather than approval. The committee also heard a detailed federal compliance audit presentation on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administered by DES. The Auditor General reported repeated findings involving missing provider documentation, questioned costs, and FFATA reporting errors, including a 2024 sample that led to questioning $2.88 million in costs. The office recommended stronger documentation, record retention, reporting procedures, and staff training; DES concurred and said it would correct the findings in 2026. Members discussed the limits of the single-audit scope, the possibility of a broader special audit, and the federal government’s recent actions on CCDF oversight in other states. Finally, the committee considered and discussed a special audit request for CCDF that would broaden review to provider oversight, licensing, site visits, and billing accuracy across multiple state agencies, with estimated costs of $547,000 to $625,000 and a projected report date of July 31, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• The higher education coordinating board to develop training programs to preemptively address gaps in
• And that would be the case with regard to all of the ones that would be developed as a result of this
• I think this furthers that priority as well, as we can increase the time with which we're Developing
• Who's going to lead on AI development and who's going to capture that technology?
• Bill 36 was developed in honor of a dear friend, Sharon Radebaugh.

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• President, economic development often comes down to site readiness.
• The Airport Hangar Development Project Fund, which is a subfund of the Economic Development Project Fund
• No chances for economic development.
• But let me just be clear: This is an economic development bill.
• This is a workforce development bill.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 549 relates to conservation and replacement of trees during development.
• House Bill 693 relates to the Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, workforce development
• House Bill 787 relates to zoning development agreements in certain localities.
• transfer of development rights bill that passed the House 97 to 0.
• House Bill 1234 relates to land development, solar canopies in surface parking areas.

Keywords: March 06, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we sort of developed this, yeah, so that was developed as sort of, you know, the way to address
• Something that's similar to the Chillalee development.
• Unfortunately, Madam Chair, we lost our 50,000 acres in 2006 to a New Jersey developer.
• and a satisfactory development and management plan.
• You cut off economic development initiatives when those commonalities.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would just say that CDFA will develop its grant guidance in accordance with the language that's in
• So in July 2025, CDFA plans to begin program development, which includes identifying, as I mentioned,
• They fund land acquisitions, habitat restoration, developed public access trails and recreation areas
• In consultation with stakeholders, CDFA developed the Farm to School Roadmap for Success, which takes
• The commission became responsible for Rincon Island and the associated oil and gas development about

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the administration’s spending plan for Proposition 4’s climate smart agriculture and biodiversity chapters, along with related trailer bill language. CDFA outlined proposed funding for existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, Urban Agriculture, and invasive species work, plus new or phased-in programs including year-round and mobile farmers’ markets, tribal food sovereignty, and regional farm equipment sharing. The Department of Conservation described funding for the California Farmland Conservancy Program and Working Lands and Riparian Corridors Program, while the Department of Finance and LAO discussed pending allocations and generally found the overall approach reasonable, though LAO suggested the Legislature may want more statutory guidance and reporting, especially for new programs. Members focused on implementation details, equity, and accountability. Questions covered how programs would serve vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, whether new solicitations would be reopened for previously oversubscribed grants, how outcomes are tracked, and how to structure guidance for new programs such as farm equipment sharing. The chair emphasized that the Legislature wants clearer direction on program design and noted that AB 2313 should guide implementation of the regional farm equipment sharing allocation. The committee also discussed the administration’s request to directly appropriate bond funds to departments and to exempt bond program guidelines from the Administrative Procedures Act; LAO supported the APA exemption with possible legislative guardrails for public notice and comment. The committee then heard on the farm-to-school proposal, with CDFA requesting $24.9 million General Fund for incubator grants, technical assistance, and network support. CDFA said the program has reached nearly half of California schoolchildren and has shown strong demand and positive evaluation results. LAO supported the core program but recommended rejecting the $3 million technical assistance component as too broad and suggested the Legislature consider using Proposition 98 for some of the funding. Members debated that point, with some expressing concern about using General Fund dollars for a new discretionary request during a tight budget year. The biodiversity and nature-based solutions chapter included funding for the Wildlife Conservation Board, state conservancies, and tribal nature-based solutions. WCB described major recent investments and proposed projects tied to 30 by 30, habitat restoration, tribal partnerships, and public access. Members raised concerns about long-term stewardship, the size of the WCB allocation, and whether the Legislature should receive more detail on how funds will be distributed. The committee also heard requests for Bolsa Chica wetlands maintenance and Rincon Island decommissioning funding from the State Lands Commission, with members questioning long-term liability, remediation costs, and the role of private oil operators. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with public comment from stakeholders largely supporting the APA exemption, farm-to-school funding, biodiversity investments, and related conservation programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as the technology continues to develop, I think you're going to see rapid, rapid development over
• A lot of development has occurred, a lot of commercial and residential development.
• Well, you know, actually as development continues, it's not necessarily that it's Actually, as development
• , as well as economic development.
• , as well as economic development.

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Chief Operating Officer with Housing and Community Development.
• Again, Matt Schuller, Chief Operating Officer with Housing and Community Development.
• Again, Matt Schuller, Chief Operating Officer with Housing and Community Development.
• Again, Matt Schuller, Chief Operating Officer with Housing and Community Development.
• VoteCal was developed in response to a... VoteCal was developed in response to a federal mandate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget proposals and informational items, beginning with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HCD Connect system. HCD requested permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to maintain and expand the system, and also sought funding and positions to implement eight 2025 housing-related bills. Members asked about how HCD Connect will interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee and about the revised implementation cost for AB 1053, which HCD said had dropped from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared infrastructure with HDFC and CalHFA. The committee also heard Cal ICH’s request for $339,000 to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing the need for better data and training for a population disproportionately affected by homelessness and discrimination. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: funding for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and the broker-dealer/investment adviser continuing education program. Members and public commenters focused heavily on the debt collector licensing fees, the number of licensees, and whether assessments were too high compared with other states; DFPI explained that fees are set on a pro rata basis tied to net proceeds and that the workload remains substantial. Public testimony also supported DFPI’s student loan assistance work and raised a separate request for franchise broker registration funding. The committee then took up a mandate suspension item, voting to suspend a new disclosure mandate related to deferred property taxation, and heard trailer bill language from the Department of Finance on AB 91/MENA data collection, aimed at protecting federal funding, ensuring non-disclosure, and allowing more time for implementation. The Secretary of State presented Help America Vote Act funding for VoteCal and the HAVA spending plan, as well as the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS), the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project (NAP 2.0), and AB 1392 on confidential voter registration for elected officials and candidates. Members asked about project costs, timelines, user testing, and data migration; the Secretary of State said VoteCal funds would be exhausted in 2027–28, CARS is targeted for completion by November 2026, and AB 1392 would require system modifications and new confidentiality procedures. The committee also heard an informational overview from the California Arts Council, which described its 50th anniversary, the economic impact of arts funding, and the cultural districts program; public testimony strongly urged increasing Arts Council grant funding from $24 million to $50 million and adding support for cultural districts. Throughout the hearing, the committee took multiple vote-only actions approving the items before it, with votes recorded on the HCD, Cal ICH, DFPI, HAVA, CARS, NAP 2.0, and AB 1392 proposals, while some items were held open or discussed without a quorum at earlier points in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIRD, INVEST IN HIGH-QUALITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SO EDUCATORS ARE PREPARED TO USE AI EFFECTIVELY
• EDUCATOR PREPARATION AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ARE ESSENTIAL.
• THIRD, DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCE AND FUNDING PLAN, FOURTH, INVEST STRATEGICALLY AND PROFESSIONAL
• DEVELOPMENT AND FIFTH, ADOPT RIGOROUS SECUREMENT PROCESSES USING THE SREB CHECKLIST TO ENSURE TOOLS
• IT IS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND I COMPLETELY SUBSCRIBE TO WHAT MR.

Transcript Highlights:

• These early years are essential for a child's development, with 80% of brain development happening in
• I'm the Community Development Director for the City of Minnetonka. Thank you for having us today.
• I'm the Director of Economic Development at the City of St. Cloud.
• Cloud, which is our number one economic development priority.
• Developers react more favorably to carrots than they do to sticks.

Bills: HF2730, HF2257, HF2768, HF1932, HF2437

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Transcript Highlights:

• And the industry developed frameworks for chemical management.
• California has an important process for developing state drinking water standards.
• Uh, that we think was, was really well thought out and really well developed.
• So, there's a well thought out process that's already laid down in code for developing that.
• I'm the Deputy Executive Officer for Planning, Rule Development, and Implementation at South Coast.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, as we also know, oil and gas development is critical for domestic consumption, export markets, and
• Considered by the Railroad Commission if new technology were developed and so someone had an active plan
• so very successfully, and they bring revenue, hire people, become great taxpayers, and of course, develop
• development.
• Yeah, yeah, we'll let the situation develop, but yes the The Senator Alvarado has very graciously worked

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that question, Senator Harrell. >> The 3rd prong is to actually develop and promote plans
• with extensive input from the developing community.
• Almost 127,000 tortoises have been relocated off land slated for development.
• lands when lands are being developed and there's not suitable habitat remaining on site.
• So this is a chronic disease that takes a long time to develop.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is about short-line railroads, which we know are so important for economic development.
• But it's also beneficial from an economic development standpoint.
• We used $1.2 million from our economic development funds to purchase the distressed facility from Union
• We support the smart development of both freight and passenger rail in Texas, and we do support Senator
• and real estate development authority of the port.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, oh sorry, the Senate Economic Development. Committee will come to order.
• are not familiar with it, it's an educational grant that currently provides support for workforce development
• The funding is available for the purchase and installation of equipment necessary for development. ..
• These companies get over the hump to develop their product.
• SB209 is a measured step to provide support for companies in a critical phase of early development.

Bills: SB209, SB529, SB1265, SB1592, SB1728, SCR37, SCR38

Keywords: SB 529, Texas Tax Code, municipality, hotel and convention center, hotel convention center project, tourism development, economic development, tax revenue pledge, revenue commitment, qualified project, municipal finance, local government, special district, hotel occupancy tax, nearby establishments, convention center financing, city population 130000, Section 351.155, Section 351.157, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• Live Oak County's economy has been thriving and the development of new technologies has only furthered
• Tom Vilecco, and Texas State Director Lee Gibson, and Senior Development Officer John Beckmeyer.
• Refer to the committee on trade, workforce and economic development.
• Water conservation practices refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• Association for the committee on trade, workforce and economic development.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the budget is what it is. year where we can be expanding programs, developing new offices, new agencies
• AB 722, Avila Farris, reentering the office. housing and workforce development holding committee.
• AB 1296 Bonta Local Education Agency Housing development, do pass as amended to clarify HCD's technical
• AB 1448 Hart, oil and gas development do pass out on a B roll call.
• AB 1454 Revis literacy instruction professional development due pass out on an A roll call.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to lead up to a number of development to lead up to a number of development projects<01:09:55.199
• <01:10:08.640> the grow the airport and to develop the grow the airport and to develop the
• So fuels, and workforce development.
• <01:39:37.040> I to develop additional air service. I to develop additional air service.
• <01:39:48.000> um our air service development efforts. um our air service development efforts

Keywords: This meeting was recovered from a back up copy and uploaded after the original meeting took place., 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the FY 2025 road fund. Officials reported road fund revenues came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but were down about $11 million from FY 2024, largely because a motor fuels tax rate reduction took effect at the start of FY 2025. Motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and the cabinet said the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus, which the budget bill directs to state highway construction. Members also discussed how the motor fuels decline affects formula distributions to cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads, with officials saying about $122.8 million had been planned for revenue sharing but was not distributed because receipts were lower than forecast. Members asked about broader revenue trends, including fuel efficiency, electric vehicles, and the removal of a hybrid fee. Cabinet officials said improved fuel efficiency and CAFE standards reduce gasoline consumption and therefore fuel tax receipts, while EVs and plug-in hybrids are subject to a user fee. They also said toll revenues from the Louisville bridges are covering bills and commitments, though they did not have detailed figures at hand. On project delivery, officials said delays are often caused by right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the highway plan, and that much of the work happens behind the scenes before construction begins. The committee also reviewed the cabinet’s cash management approach, which was adopted after 2000 to avoid setting aside full project costs all at once and to keep the road fund cash balance above a required minimum. Officials said the balance typically rises in winter and falls in summer as project bills come due, and that the current balance was about $166 million. They also reported that project awards for the year were nearing $998 million and expected to exceed last year’s total. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next is to expand the research and development credit.
• Next is to expand the research and development credit.
• > in of developable land developable land in of developable land developable land in our<00:43
• <00:45:15.040> Minnesota's<00:45:15.640> uniquely development Minnesota's uniquely development
• investment in research and development investment in research and development exceeds<00:45:38.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move on to the next bill: Senate Bill 1300, SD1, HD1. development in development in support<00:
• Placing the geothermal development plan under the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
• <01:32:52.119> these cost was 4 billion to develop these cost was 4 billion to develop these
• emphasize that stopping this development emphasize that stopping this development is<01:34:14.600
• that we can proceed with the development that we can proceed with the development thank<01:38:32.760

Keywords: 910, house, all