Transcript Highlights:

• So we issue a birthday fund or a back-to-school fund or a Christmas fund.
• That's how we fund our roads.
• Really, funding roads is a three-part package.
• road fund.
• That's our permanent funds.

Bills: SB36 , SB88 , SB92 , SB97 , SB48 , SB55 , SB58 , SB76 , SB93 , SB89 , SB60

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: quantum technology, tax credit, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, foster care, income tax, guardianship, youth services, financial relief, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, tax credits

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also prohibit state agencies from spending funds to produce material using the term West Bank

Bills: S7020 , S0308 , S0692 , S0474 , S0572 , S1106 , S1650 , S0350 , S1442 , S7032

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Keywords: open government, sunset review, aquaculture, public records, exemption, Florida Museum of Black History, cultural heritage, education, Board of Directors, local governance, cybersecurity, data breach, data privacy, information security, local government, county, municipality, vendor contracts, third-party service provider, liability shield

Summary: The committee heard and voted on several measures. SB 308 on the Florida Museum of Black History was explained as implementing a prior task force recommendation by designating St. Johns County as the museum site, creating a board, and coordinating with a supporting nonprofit; it passed favorably. SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability was amended to bar local governments from imposing cybersecurity requirements on vendors beyond generally accepted best practices, and after testimony both for and against, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 572 updated ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; after a technical amendment and support from the Ethics Commission, it passed unanimously. SB 1442 revised the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; it also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 1106, as amended by a strike-all, to require state agencies and certain educational materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” despite opposition arguing it would impose political language and conflict with federal and international terminology. SB 7020 reenacted a public records exemption for certain aquaculture and shellfish production records and passed with support from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. SB 474 expanded military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, including members of the Coast Guard and Florida State Guard, and added three amendments before being reported favorably. SB 350, dealing with public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement victims, was heavily amended to add time-limited confidentiality for an officer’s name in some cases and then passed favorably after discussion about balancing transparency and safety. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibilities from DMS to individual agencies, while still requiring data reporting to DMS for legislative oversight. SB 1650 by Senator Gates was temporarily postponed. At the end of the meeting, members recorded votes on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last bill we will consider is House Bill 2186, supporting the acquisition of federal funds to
• It limits those requirements to be required if there's a specific appropriation of legislative funds.
• Since deployments are unbudgeted expenses, we're not only drawing out of our fund reserve, but we also
• Thus, we must have enough excess funds in our bank to fund our expenditures from October to March without
• receiving any other major funding.

Bills: HB2397 , HB2417 , HB2157 , HB2186 , HB2225 , HB2351

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: fire services, reimbursement, state agencies, local jurisdictions, mobilization plan, military justice, victims' rights, militia, Washington code, legal protections, artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We will come back to the legislature in the future with permanent funding ideas and funding sources for
• And while we understand maybe wanting to avoid the general fund for these funds, we do think that these
• , lean into some federal COVID recovery funds.
• So we have some state-based funding. It is $1.5 million. Now, so we have some state-based funding.
• SWT funding has also enabled SWT funding has also enabled professional marketing and video production

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Bills: HB139 , HB172 , HB156 , HB139 , HB172 , HB156

Committee: House Health

Keywords: HB139, Alabama discrimination, civil rights, public accommodations, employment discrimination, equal access, protected classes, race discrimination, sex discrimination, religious discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination, national origin discrimination, school board discrimination, labor organization, employment agency, retaliation, private right of action, punitive damages, attorney fees

Transcript Highlights:

• looking at a redundant system's conflicting timelines, duplicated cybersecurity mandates, and vague funding
• less than four mailings from either the state or my county clerk, which is a waste of our taxpayer funds

Bills: AB534 , AB562 , AB595 , AB597 , AB600 , SB74 , SB226 , SB422 , SB488

Committee: Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections

Keywords: election reform, voter accessibility, conditional ballots, voter registration, mechanical voting systems, election audits, voter access grants, provisional ballot, voting technology, AB562, Nevada, Secretary of State, elections, elections management system, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, automatic voter registration, AVR, election technology, state appropriations

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• Representative Ryan Guillen relates to the use of funds awarded under the Jobs and Education for Texans
• The JET grant program provides funding for equipment used in career and technical education programs.
• Many institutions, however, are prohibited from using the funds for subscription-based technology.
• House Bill 322 would authorize using JET grant funds to cover the acquisition, implementation, and ongoing
• Patient programs, and it would clarify that such funds may also support technology solutions tied to

Bills: HB322 , HB126 , HB3062 , HB1481 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB121 , HB2243 , HB3627 , HB1178 , HB367 , HB5515 , HB126 , HB121

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

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• It contributes to city, county, and state general funds from prize fee winnings.

Bills: HB46 , HB272 , HB551 , HB1661 , HB2820 , HB3181 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB46 , HB272

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare, legislation, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, election supplies, ballots

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• House Bill 120 makes JROTC courses eligible for CTE allotment funding and creates JROTC Startup grant
• committee substitute establishes fiscally responsible caps on the RPEP program, the JROTC CTE allotment funding
• House Bill 120 prioritizes development through rural pathways excellent partnership, offering funding
• Now through we, we went ahead and started without funding or or we started working with with five other
• now go from Offering one or two CTE classes to being able to offer 1012, or up to 18 classes, this funding

Bills: HB6 , HB120 , HB210

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Keywords: hemp, consumable hemp products, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, cannabidiol, CBG, cannabigerol, Texas hemp law, hemp regulation, cannabinoid products, delta-9 THC, intoxicating hemp, hemp gummies, hemp vape, retail registration, product registration, QR code labeling, child-resistant packaging, youth access, minor sales

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• the master agreement that was done with the cigarette taxes and things that were going on and the funds
• that come in from... going on and the funds that come in from that, so that there's no disruption involved
• This is a meeting in general fund that I do not like missing, but we had a public hearing in banking
• Um, are we going to have a bill dealing with the opioid settlements fund out of this committee this year

Bills: SB282 , SB300 , HB72 , HB396 , SB282 , SB300 , HB72 , HB396

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, tax exemption, state tax law, digital assets, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact, firefighter, license plate, fees, funds distribution, support programs, memorial, disabled veterans, property tax exemption, debt-to-income ratio, homestead, veterans affairs

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• here with this—and it's really important—is when we passed HB547, I don't recall there being any funding
• this matter, which is pretty regular, by the way, when it comes to, you know, questions about the funding

Bills: SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

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• If a school district's recapture payment exceeds the amount of their premiums, the excess funds would
• So, instead, this funding is going toward inflated insurance premiums for minimal coverage—resources
• Bill 1635 would allow high-wealth coastal districts to reinvest funds currently lost to recapture and
• These funds are then distributed to support equity across the system to equalize funding across districts
• By allowing a credit against recapture, these bills would help. keep more funds local, reinvesting in

Bills: SB2920 , SB2929 , SB2398 , SB865 , SB401 , SB2619 , SB2927 , SB1395 , SB1972 , SB2540 , SB1635 , SB1581 , SB2008

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: steroids, student athletes, athletic competition, University Interscholastic League, medical purpose, gender transition, school athletics, spectator conduct, referees, ejection policy, extracurricular activities, concussion, brain injury, school policy, academic accommodations, student welfare, cardiac arrest, emergency response, CPR training, automated external defibrillators

Transcript Highlights:

• That means it's going fund side as well. That means it's going fund side as well.
• Uh, this updates funding opportunities to better serve funding opportunities to better serve funding
• Roughly 20% of these funds remains with the state of these funds remains with the state of these funds
• The cost recovery fund recovery fund. The cost recovery fund recovery fund.
• can be how those funds can be how those funds can be utilized.

Bills: HB 10 , HB 12 , HB 147 , HB 1522 , HB 422 , HB 675 , HB 204 , HB 748 , HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

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• Current law allows counties to supplement the pay of state prosecutors using county funds.
• to increase their district attorney's salary, but if they do so, they would sacrifice some state funding
• This means the county funds would replace the state funds without actually increasing.
• Members, this bill does not increase state funding towards the salary of state prosecutors.
• State funding. Move passage. Does any member wish to speak for, against, or on the bill?

Bills: HB10 , HB 12 , HB147 , HB1522 , HB422 , HB675 , HB204 , HB748 , HB912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

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• When we've talked about this, there are some tolling authorities that have charitable funds that cover
• They don't have state funds going through them, so they're self-sustaining through the tolls.
• of developing surplus property into housing units for homeless veterans, and identifying existing funding
• This will allow the program to serve as many veterans as available funding permits.

Bills: HCR7 , HB1557 , HB1608 , HB2061 , HB2201 , HB2210 , HB2426 , HB2754 , HJR165 , HB2513 , HCR7

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• received may not in possible that funds received may not in fact<00:18:31.679><c> be</c><00:18:31.840
• She said having a place to collect data that includes bringing to light predatory business practices
• from the general fund, and hopefully this committee can get to support.
• asking funding from the general<00:52:32.280><c> fund</c><00:52:32.799><c> and</c><00:52:33.040><c>
• hopefully</c><00:52:33.480><c> this</c> general fund and hopefully this general fund and hopefully this

Bills: HF2228 , HF46 , HF856 , HF2149 , HF2215

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• the non-federal share of this work. over 3.9 billion in federal funding and the GCPD.
• E is asking again this session for additional funds to continue to advance these projects forward.
• The GCPD projects are not business as usual and will will require new and creative funding tools.
• The Gulf Coast Protection Trust Fund would provide. a mechanism to collect and grow the funds needed
• Secondly, extend the financial reach and reduce future funding requirements.

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• per year from state sales tax revenue and depositing those funds directly into the the Texas water fund
• stream for water and flood funding.
• That is something that is funded by the Texas Water Fund.
• funding is needed.
• So as you know, the new water supply for Texas fund and currently allows funding of certain number of

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, was had worked hard for our community for quite a long time, and, uh, she had fought for funding
• And so the pilot utilizes existing child welfare funding more efficiently.
• It's, it's the same funding as if we had a program, but we just don't have one because no one bid on
• There's not funding, there's not uh contracts, there's not grants related to that.
• I think there's another 4 that the department is proposing rolling out, uh, or asking for funding for

Bills: HB 451 , HB 645 , HB 1041 , HB 1151 , HB 1155 , HB 1536 , HCR 12

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit

Transcript Highlights:

• As such, we are funded accordingly.
• I had you said funding would be removed.
• Funding, as far as like the intricacies. of funding.
• Got you, so it would cause an allocation... or reallocation of funding so more funding into our Texas
• state funding, state revenue for non-OLS funding that the Texas Military Department has received.

Bills: HB39 , HB227 , HB930 , HB 1078 , HB39 , HB227

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: highway designation, veteran recognition, commemorative, transportation, Brazoria County, Texas National Guard, combat duty, military activation, state requirements, emergency response, active combat duty, military service, Congressional action, Governor responsibilities, Congressional declaration, state law, conflict, armed forces, congressional approval, war declaration