Transcript Highlights:

• And so, there are some offsets there.
• So, I'm a retired school teacher. How do you work with those kids in the actual schools, Mr. Chair?
• I know they're not employees; they're not getting state benefits, they're not getting retirement, they're

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• utilized with no additional buildings being built and no capital improvements being done, but instead offsetting
• Also, I am a retired Marine and had the privilege of being an officer candidate at school, serving as
• school bond proceeds are dedicated solely to the specific projects approved by the voters or used to retire

Bills: SB604, SB843, SB1636, SB2395, SB571, SB1224, SB1832, SB2392, SB747, SB2623, SB2624, SB2185

Keywords: bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• And what would you would do to a rating agency and say offset by the revenue that's coming in through
• In Texas, 23% of individuals 65 plus live in households that rely on Social Security retirement benefits
• large percentage of older adults must continue to work past what would traditionally be viewed as retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• And we’ve also had quite a few retirements in the last couple years, so we’re playing catch-up, but we
• The reduction was partially offset by funding from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, so now the CBCI
• I'm a regular citizen, retired schoolteacher, here for the first time in any sort of proceedings like

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations on the administration’s Proposition 4 spending plans for extreme heat mitigation and outdoor access, then took up SB 54 implementation, SB 707 textile producer responsibility, and recovery needs related to the Los Angeles fires at state parks. For the extreme heat chapter, agencies described funding for the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program, urban greening, urban forestry, fairground upgrades, and technical assistance for community-based climate programs. Witnesses emphasized that these are existing programs with strong demand, that technical assistance is important for reaching disadvantaged and tribal communities, and that the proposed funding would expand outreach and implementation capacity. Members asked for more detail on where funds have gone geographically, examples of successful projects, tree-planting totals, and how fairgrounds could better support fire staging and emergency preparedness. The LAO said the timing of the administration’s proposed funding generally made sense because the programs are already established, and no votes were taken. For outdoor access, State Parks, Fish and Wildlife, and Natural Resources described funding for new parks in underserved communities, deferred maintenance, state lands access, and several new or pending programs. State Parks said the park development program would fund roughly 48 projects and that deferred maintenance funding would address high-priority health, safety, and access needs. Fish and Wildlife said its lands program would improve visitor amenities and access on properties that often lack basic facilities. The Natural Resources Agency also outlined three newer outdoor-access proposals: expanding recreation in disadvantaged communities, enhancing natural resource values and trail access, and a nature/climate/education facilities grant program. The LAO distinguished between existing programs, which are ready to move forward, and the newer proposals, where the Legislature may want more input before funds are allocated. Members also raised concerns about park police vacancies, the need to track outcomes for accessibility investments, and whether Prop. 4 could help with wildfire-related recovery at state parks. CalRecycle then presented on SB 54, the plastics and packaging producer responsibility law, and members pressed hard on the delay in regulations. CalRecycle said it has held workshops, formed an advisory committee, selected the producer responsibility organization, and completed required baseline and covered-material reports, but needs more time to address complex comments and novel features such as source reduction and eco-modulated fees. Members expressed frustration that a statutory deadline was missed and asked for a concrete timeline; CalRecycle said it expects regulations in place by 2026, ahead of the PRO’s January 1, 2027 plan deadline. Finance said the Beverage Container Recycling Fund is currently healthy enough to support short-term loans for implementation. The committee also reviewed SB 707, the textile EPR law, which would create the nation’s first textile producer responsibility program; staff said the proposal would add positions and loan authority, and members noted the statutory deadlines for PRO approval, needs assessment, and later regulations. The hearing ended with discussion of the January Los Angeles fires’ damage to Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Historic Park, where State Parks described extensive losses, emergency response work, and ongoing damage assessment. Members asked about FEMA eligibility, state funding sources, and community engagement in rebuilding, and the department said it is still assessing costs and will work with the public on reimagining the parks.

Transcript Highlights:

• cost in managed care, fee-for-service, pharmacy, and other program areas, and lower General Fund offsets
• Costs since the January budget also reflect lower General Fund offsets from available drug rebates, as
• If the MCO tax is smaller than it is currently, that would provide less funding to offset General Fund
• If the MCO tax is smaller than it is currently, that would provide less funding to offset General Fund
• That more public funding has to go for augmentations, less for General Fund offset.

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• number of byennia, to have a smaller impact on the lost revenue that the state is currently using to offset
• number of byennia, to have a smaller impact on the lost revenue that the state is currently using to offset
• We want to leave it so the department can sweep 25% of those benefits to help offset some of the costs
• <00:29:32.040> benefits<00:29:32.640> to<00:29:32.760> help<00:29:33.120> offset
• to help offset some of the<00:29:33.920> costs<00:29:34.280> of<00:29:34.360> the

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But to be very clear, I’m trying to understand sincerely, is there any offset spending anywhere to pay
• Where’s the offset? What’s it being offset from?
• If you’re saying again, the offset is that it’s already inside the budget and it’s below the spending
• limit, yeah, there’s no offset as your answer elucidates.
• And technology grants specifically designed for educational equity can offset many of these expenses.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledges, and several ceremonial recognitions, including Wilson County Day, San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day, and Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, along with acknowledgments of visiting groups and a birthday greeting. The chamber also announced committee meetings and then moved into floor business, including conference committee action on Senate Bill 1, the state budget. A series of motions to instruct House conferees on SB 1 were debated and voted on. One motion sought to restore salary for Attorney General Ken Paxton after his impeachment-related suspension; it passed 88-56. Another, from Rep. Olcott, directed conferees to support amendments requiring data collection on the costs of undocumented immigrants in hospitals and prisons; after extended debate and a failed amendment from Rep. Martinez Fischer to also study immigrants’ economic contributions, the motion passed 86-61. The House also adopted instructions to eliminate Texas Lottery Commission funding, to support amendments restricting public education institutions from affirming gender identities inconsistent with biological sex, and to seek an additional $4 billion in property tax relief, with each motion passing on recorded votes. The House then took up a supplemental calendar and passed several bills, including HB 39 on veteran death data, HB 102 on priority registration for certain students entering military service, HB 126 on student-athlete compensation and representation, HB 290 on tuition and fee assistance for members of the Texas military forces, HB 300 on Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program updates, and HB 2143 naming a highway in honor of Army Specialist Joey Lins. The chamber also postponed consideration of HJR 2 and HJR 6. Later, the House considered HB 120 on career and technology education pathways and HB 20 on applied science pathway programs for high school students. HB 120 received a perfecting amendment and was advanced after discussion about workforce preparation. HB 20 prompted extensive questioning about transportation, costs, and how students would access partner campuses such as community colleges and TSTC sites; debate continued as the transcript ended, with members examining how the program would operate and whether approval authority would rest with TEA.

Transcript Highlights:

• But to be very clear, I'm trying to understand sincerely, is there any offset?
• offset spending anywhere to pay for this $130 million new state agency?
• What's it being offset from?
• you're saying again the the the offset is that it's already inside the budget and there's it's below
• Third, federal funding and technology grants specifically designed for educational equity can offset

Bills: HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB2143, HJR2, HB147, HJR6, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• in managed care, fee-for-service, pharmacy, and other program areas, as well as lower general fund offsets
• Costs since the January budget also reflect lower general fund offsets from available drug rates, as
• I would note that over that multi-year period, there's less MCO tax money available to offset general
• The administration is interpreting that to require more MCO tax money for augmentations than to offset
• If the MCO tax is smaller than it is currently, that would provide less funding to offset general fund

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That amount is a tracked offset, but not necessarily appropriated; it's just a negative.
• That's largely attributed to lower than expected MA basic care enrollment, offset by an increase in MA
• :06.199> into<00:15:06.519> 523 I'm going to set aside the MA basic care enrollment offset
• set aside the ma basic care I'm going to set aside the ma basic care enrollment<00:15:31.639> offset
• > talk<00:15:32.720> a<00:15:32.839> little<00:15:33.040> bit enrollment offset

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to addressing ongoing cost pressures for schools, these funds will also offset costs for
• At least one option must include an employer-paid program to offset the state cost for their employees
• state-funded housing programs by directing state dollars toward building affordable housing rather than offsetting
• At least one option must include an employer-paid program to offset the state cost for their employees
• state-funded housing programs by directing state dollars towards building affordable housing rather than offsetting

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Given these considerations, policymakers should, in MMB's opinion, at a minimum strongly consider offsetting
• look like, I recall the commissioner warned us that any new spending we do must be accompanied by offsetting
• new spending we do must be accompanied new spending we do must be accompanied by<00:48:24.840> offsetting
• 25.760> I<00:48:25.840> just<00:48:26.040> want<00:48:26.160> to by offsetting
• cuts and I just want to by offsetting cuts and I just want to make<00:48:26.320> sure<00:48:26.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, moving to page 11, the top bullet point, line 31, this is just for us to offset the funds, so we've
• we start receiving applications and awarding the funding, we just wanted to make sure that it was offset
• money that we will be receiving, so the $60 million appropriation going into our sources, but it is offset
• We knew the offsets were going away. We’ve never really secured offsets as a school district.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you have to remember, a utility has to offset that, putting that in with cost recovery.
• it provides incentives to produce clean industrial materials, and number two, it creates grants to offset
• The bill rewards measurable, verifiable reductions in carbon intensity and helps offset the significant
• The bill rewards measurable, verifiable reductions in carbon intensity and helps offset the significant

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What people were able to kind of offset in the 1980s is not able to happen now because reimbursement
• What people were able to kind of offset<00:10:37.760> in<00:10:38.000> the<00:10:38.160
• 00:10:39.279> is<00:10:39.600> not<00:10:39.760> able<00:10:40.000> to offset
• in the 1980s is not able to offset in the 1980s is not able to happen<00:10:40.480> now<00:10

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) 00:00:53 Approval of Minutes 00:23:37, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Board of EMS presented an additional budget request focused on grant funding for local EMS agencies, not agency operations. Officials said the board has 13 full-time staff after losing employees in the 2022 transition back to state government, and that the request would be a 100% pass-through to providers. They initially described two requests totaling $12.91 million: $10.8 million for the EMS block grant and $2.1 million for workforce education tied to House Bill 484, but later said they would withdraw the $2.1 million request because rural health transformation funding appears likely to cover those education needs. Most of the testimony explained why the EMS block grant should be increased. The board said the grant began in 1980 at about $1.2 million and has remained largely unchanged while EMS costs have risen sharply. They cited higher prices for ambulances, stretchers, and cardiac monitors, along with increased labor and reimbursement pressures. Board members emphasized that modern EMS now provides much more advanced care in the field, especially in rural areas, and argued that equipment such as 12-lead cardiac monitors can significantly improve patient outcomes. They said the current grant provides about $10,000 per county, while the request would raise funding to about $100,000 per county and increase the per-capita amount from roughly 26 cents to $2.60. Members also discussed whether the block grant statute should be reformed to target need more directly. Board officials said they had considered making the grant more competitive, but decided against it for now because many counties rely on the annual funding and shifting money away from some areas would create hardship. In response to questions, they said Kentucky has about 160 class one EMS agencies providing 911 response across 120 counties, and that grant awards in recent years reached 91 counties, then 108, then 110 counties. They also highlighted the cost and safety benefits of power loading systems for stretchers, saying they can reduce back injuries and help retain EMS workers, but are often unaffordable for smaller departments. No votes were taken on the budget request during the hearing. After the testimony and questions, the committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting by motion and second, with no opposition, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a rural health transformation fund that will provide $50 billion over five years to partially offset
• Clinicals in Health funding program, which essentially appropriated $25 million in recurring GR funds to offset
• So this funding has really offset some of that and will help us improve and keep the capacity in the
• medical professionals to practice in health care provider shortage areas by offering annual payments to offset

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials. AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap. Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just not up enough to offset the retail sales.
• licensed market, which increases costs there and has an effect on the illicit market, but there's that offsetting
• licensed market, which increases costs there and has an effect on the illicit market, but there's that offsetting
• On the illicit market, but there's that offsetting effect because you've increased costs for the licensed

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the Department of Cannabis Control’s report on the condition and health of California’s cannabis industry. Department staff reviewed the evolution of state cannabis law, the creation of the current regulatory framework, licensing and compliance efforts, and enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids. The department said the licensed market has grown in production and retail units sold, while active licenses and retail sales value have declined, and that the illicit market remains a major competitive factor. The department also highlighted consumer education efforts, product testing and recalls, and coordination through the state enforcement task force and other agencies. The department’s economist said the data show continued growth in licensed production and a rising share of consumption through the licensed market, but falling wholesale and retail prices have reduced overall industry value. He identified major headwinds as taxes and fees, illicit-market competition, local prohibitions that limit retail access, regulatory costs, and broader business pressures, while noting opportunities in product innovation and possible hemp-market changes. Committee members pressed the department on enforcement, public health concerns, equity ownership and employment, delays in grant administration, pesticide testing, and whether the legal market is truly viable for small businesses and farmers. Several members argued that stronger enforcement and lower costs are needed, while one member raised concerns about cannabis-related health harms and said the hearing focused too narrowly on supply-side issues. Public commenters from industry groups and advocacy organizations largely echoed concerns about high taxes, regulatory burdens, limited retail access, and the size of the illicit market. Many urged the Legislature not to let the excise tax rise from 15% to 19% and called for tax relief, compliance reform, more enforcement, and broader retail access. Some speakers said the report was too optimistic and did not reflect business failures, debt, and closures, while others emphasized the need to protect small farmers, address wildfire insurance, and support equity businesses. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• that's a factor sure and so that you know potentially any savings here could just help alleviate an offset
• However, the that levy loss could be potentially offset by through the calculations of the tax rates
• So there would be somewhat of an offset there For the fiscal year 26.
• And so I think that the suggestions that are made of ways to make this better, ways to offset what might

Bills: HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22, HB8, HB9, HJR1, HB22

Keywords: HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property

Transcript Highlights:

• something called PECO, where we're supposed to, as a federal government, Be paying for anything with offsetting
• , you need to pay for your deficit increase spending through additional revenue or other budget offsetting
• A lot of that is in-kind trades to help with that offset, but what I'm getting at is if we know about

Transcript Highlights:

• That number was about $121 million, so growth would have had to have been plus 5% in order to offset
• As I indicated earlier, everything else in the general fund could not offset the negative growth, even
• revenues decline to the point that it is impacting your budget, you can use some of the money here to offset

Keywords: 924, joint, all