Transcript Highlights:

• For the Higher Education Department, live.
• to the Public Education Department.
• The first is the educator ecosystem.
• Those four working groups are around bilingual education, career and technical education study, and that
• Chairman, all of our ones for educator.

Transcript Highlights:

• > inform<00:20:03.520> and partners to help educate and inform and partners to help educate
• So removing overhead costs, efficient scheduling, or other efficiencies that a provider may find can
• c> removing overhead costs, efficient removing overhead costs, efficient scheduling<00:39:21.920>
• > a scheduling or other efficiencies that a scheduling or other efficiencies that a provider<00
• <01:32:18.159> uh that we have the most uh efficient uh that we have the most uh efficient

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Health and human services is the second largest portion of general revenue, only behind education, with
• It ensures operational efficiency as well as program integrity through the more than 10.5 million asset
• at their residences, embracing a community approach. $17 million to support prevention and public education
• This funding will also strengthen respite care and expand access to education, information, and long-term
• They're very efficient, and it prevents waste, actually.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard a presentation on the governor’s proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion. Agency leaders outlined major requests for AHCA, APD, DCF, DOEA, DOH, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, including behavioral health redesign, Medicaid rate changes, developmental disability services, child welfare and opioid programs, senior services, cancer research, public health initiatives, and veterans’ facility and technology needs. The committee also received an overview of the overall state budget, which was described as $117.4 billion, up 1.1% from the current year. AHCA’s presentation focused on $71.6 million for a Medicaid behavioral health redesign, including funding for residential treatment, a serious mental illness waiver, and higher inpatient psychiatric rates for youth, plus $7.1 million to raise private duty nursing reimbursement in fee-for-service Medicaid, $2.5 million for the background screening clearinghouse, and $124.4 million for the Health Care Connection System (FX). APD requested funding to continue moving people off the pre-enrollment list and to support developmental disability centers, a new forensic facility, an electronic health record system, and higher operating costs. DCF highlighted $81.9 million for eligibility and system integrity, $187.5 million for opioid prevention and treatment, $35.5 million for community-based care lead agencies, and $72.7 million to expand behavioral health bed capacity, including 474 new beds at state hospitals. DOEA sought additional funding for Alzheimer’s services, home care, and community care for the elderly. DOH emphasized $278 million for cancer research and innovation, $5 million for food and product safety testing, $5 million for the Florida FIRST blood-on-ambulance initiative, and $5.7 million for a public lab feasibility study. Veterans Affairs requested funds for facility improvements, cybersecurity, and medication management equipment. Members asked detailed questions about several items, especially the proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which would reduce eligibility and the number of people served. Senators and public witnesses criticized the lack of transparency and urged the department to pause the changes and work with stakeholders; the Surgeon General said the issue was driven by funding constraints and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and that the agency was exploring alternatives. Questions also addressed the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, the Kids Care/CHIP expansion implementation, the cancer research funding structure, and the timeline and cost of the FX system. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP, with speakers warning that thousands could lose medication access and calling for community involvement and a review of the program’s finances. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions, with no votes taken on the budget items during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 20 is new language education.
• <00:58:40.640> and to focus on improving efficiency and to focus on improving efficiency and
• ,<01:03:03.280> and residents in a timely, efficient, and residents in a timely, efficient
• , young people to pursue education, young people to pursue education, employment,<01:23:59.360>
• <01:35:48.719> and dependency counseling, education and dependency counseling, education and

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:31.079> to year we changed um special education to year we changed um special education
• from the education trust fund withdraw from the education trust fund the<00:13:49.760> shortfall<
• <00:33:38.679> tax receiving both efas and education tax receiving both efas and education
• <00:37:36.000> Freedom these discussions with education Freedom these discussions with education
• <01:00:28.440> tax leading metrics in this education tax leading metrics in this education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , workforce education.
• We have now 8 years running the number one higher education system. That's both art.
• , education, to the colleges and universities and things like that.
• You know, it's not normally part of education.
• It is to on the education and CTE pathways.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would allow CECO to move forward with adopting energy efficiency, building codes for state
• Um, just like to start off by stating El Paso Electric supports public education, public schools, and
• student misconduct, both for public schools and institutions of higher education.
• It's punishment administratively for public schools and higher education.
• I'm public school educated. I'm Jewish.

Bills: HB 346, HB 1360, HB 1510, HB 1606, HB 1804, HB 1805, HB 2156, HB 2391, HB 2767, HB 3022, HB 3044, HB 3272, HB 3293, HB 3493, HB 3809, HB 3824, HJR 110, HB 2463

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:46.640> and involved in their kids' education and involved in their kids' education
• Could the could the education.
• <00:34:20.560> We education committee chairman. We education committee chairman.
• We support our College of Education and training of the next generation of educators.
• We support our College of Education and training of the next generation of educators.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met with a quorum, approved the August 20, 2025 minutes, and then heard a discussion tied to Constitution Day and Kentucky’s constitutional duty to provide an efficient system of common schools. Chairman James Tipton reviewed the history of Kentucky’s model laboratory schools, postsecondary academy programs such as Gatton and Craft, magnet schools, virtual learning, and computer science opportunities, arguing that Kentucky has long expanded educational opportunity through different school models. He described model schools and academy programs as hybrid or innovative approaches that serve specialized student needs and noted that some of these programs receive state appropriations and, in some cases, tuition. Senator Steve West then gave a retrospective on school choice in Kentucky, beginning with the 2017 charter school law and explaining that Kentucky’s charter framework was designed as public-only to comply with the state constitution. He said charter schools have remained largely dormant in Kentucky and used that as context for Senate Bill 207, the School Innovation Act, which he said was modeled on a South Carolina approach. Under SB 207, a local school board can contract with a third-party entity to manage an existing school, receive SEEK funding, and seek waivers from certain state regulations in order to innovate, while retaining limits on items such as school safety and attendance rules. Members asked about how the new model differs from charter schools, whether schools could cherry-pick students, and whether teachers would remain district employees. West and Tipton said the bill is intended to keep the school within the public system, with the local district initiating the process and maintaining accountability through a time-limited contract that can be ended if the school fails to perform. They emphasized that the school would serve the existing student population rather than select students, and that teachers would remain district employees with their pensions and related contributions unchanged. Representative Brown raised concerns that exceptions and charters could leave lower-income children behind, while West responded that the bill is meant to expand choice for families who otherwise lack access and cited examples from other states where outside management and parental involvement helped turn around low-performing schools. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• effect 180 days after enactment so that there's time for the department to develop the notice and to educate
• They have devoted to working with stakeholders to develop legislation to propose public safety, educates
• The firearms responsibilities notice effectively and efficiently ensures that all individuals purchasing
• Educating people on firearm security is always going to help make our community safe.
• While I am a public school educator, I am also a parent.

Bills: HB372, HB414

Keywords: HB372, Justice of the Peace Court, Delaware courts, Title 10, court administration, judicial staffing, county courts, Kent County, New Castle County, Sussex County, Wilmington, 24-hour hearings, court locations, court hours, magistrate court, access to justice, court consolidation, Delaware General Assembly, destructive weapon, possessing a destructive weapon

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, courts, and family law. House Bill 141, with House Amendment 1, would require the Department of Safety and Homeland Security to create a firearm responsibilities notice for firearm purchasers through licensed dealers, covering Delaware gun laws, safe storage, lost/stolen reporting, straw purchases, suicide prevention, and other safety responsibilities. Testimony from the NRA, Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association, Moms Demand Action, the Coalition for Safer Delaware, and Delaware State Police was uniformly supportive, emphasizing education, standardized dealer practices, and potential evidence for straw-purchase prosecutions. No committee questions were raised, and the bill was moved forward after public comment. House Bill 326 would create a new offense for theft by impersonating a family member, aimed at scams involving spoofed calls, texts, or online messages that pressure victims to send money. The sponsor described the bill as a response to increasingly sophisticated fraud enabled by artificial intelligence, and noted that a House amendment removed an original mandatory minimum jail term, leaving sentencing to the courts. No public testimony was offered on the bill. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150 would prohibit civil arrests inside courthouses and certain Department of Labor proceedings, with the sponsor arguing that such arrests deter people from coming to court or seeking protection; the bill would allow criminal arrests and civil arrests only with advance written notice. No testimony was taken on that measure. Senate Bill 284, the First State Emergency Responders Act, would create a narrowly tailored offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of first responders at emergency scenes after crossing a barrier or ignoring warnings, if done to interfere, threaten, or harass. Supporters, including police, fire service, and sportsmen’s groups, said it would protect responders and preserve emergency operations, while the Office of Defense Services opposed it on First Amendment and overbreadth grounds, arguing existing laws already cover much of the conduct. Senate Bill 304 would amend Delaware’s safe school zone law to allow private schools to use trained, vetted sentries or similar security arrangements; supporters said it would give smaller private schools an affordable safety option, while the sponsor said the bill needed more work and should not move forward yet. The committee also heard Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, which would clarify how courts handle evidence that a sexual assault complainant previously made a false allegation; DOJ and ODS said the substitute reflects a consensus approach, and YWCA Delaware supported it as a survivor-protective reform. Finally, Senate Bill 343 would expand methods for serving child support respondents in Family Court by authorizing service through certified mail and carriers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, addressing cases where people avoid in-person service using doorbell cameras and other technology. The Division of Child Support Services supported the bill as a practical update that would improve timeliness while preserving proof-of-delivery safeguards. At the end of the meeting, a motion was made and seconded, and the chair adjourned the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass to Higher Education Committee. Ortega? Aye. Flora? Aye. Chen? Aye.
• Educational programs that benefit individual employees, not just training, but educational opportunities
• Educational programs that benefit individual employees, not just training, but educational opportunities
• We must have a sense of urgency in making the system more efficient and more responsive.
• Thank you for making this process truly efficient by supporting AB 1234.

Summary: The committee heard a series of labor-related bills, with most measures focused on worker training, privacy, wages, and safety. AB 296 would require schools or districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once a year, with flexibility on how they are run and whether programs outside the county can participate. Supporters said it would help connect students to skilled trades and address workforce shortages; school administrators opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate that could be impractical for elementary schools. The bill was later moved on call, with the committee noting it could not vote until quorum was established. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both addressed workplace surveillance. AB 1221 would restrict invasive monitoring tools, require notice to workers, limit the use and sharing of worker data, and require human review before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor groups supported the bill as a response to AI-driven monitoring, while business groups raised concerns about broad definitions, security cameras, investigations, and data-access provisions. AB 1331 focused more narrowly on privacy in off-duty and private spaces, limiting surveillance in places like restrooms, break areas, vehicles, and homes; hospitals and business groups opposed it as too broad and potentially disruptive to safety, cybersecurity, and facility monitoring. Both bills were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard AB 1181, which would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals such as PFAS by 2027, and AB 1198, which would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when the work is performed rather than when the project was first advertised. Firefighter representatives strongly supported AB 1181, while the chemical industry asked to continue working on scope and timelines. AB 1198 drew support from labor and contractor groups but opposition from local governments and housing groups concerned about mid-project cost increases; it was passed to Appropriations after a roll-call vote. Other measures approved included AB 1235 on skilled-and-trained workers for CSU construction, AB 1251 on ghost job postings, AB 552 on locating the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office outside Sacramento, AB 1110 on updating Cal/OSHA workplace posters, AB 1136 on expanding high road training partnerships, and AB 1234 on wage claim enforcement. AB 692, which would ban employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave a job, drew strong support from nurses and labor advocates and opposition from business and health care groups; it was also passed on a roll-call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• utilize fertilizer more efficiently utilize fertilizer more efficiently improve<00:03:09.000>
• They're compacted to provide more efficient hauling and spreading of the products in the field.
• <01:06:12.319> and both make our farm more efficient and both make our farm more efficient
• <01:07:28.880> and drill allowed us to efficiently and drill allowed us to efficiently and
• Um, thanks for a very productive and educational hearing today, folks.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So promise me you will educate your constituents.
• Promise me you will educate your constituents on the pluses and the minuses of this proposal. educate
• For the amendment on education, I've been very involved in education policy for many, many years.
• to educate our children, then we have no future.
• One of them, I was concerned about education, protecting our schools, because if we can't afford to educate

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I will be presenting a capital outlay policy brief on containing construction costs in higher education
• First, I would like to thank and acknowledge the leadership of the state's higher education department
• New Mexico Junior College, you're efficient in your job and what you did.
• It would have created a new major projects fund for higher education capital.
• She mentioned education, and some others. But we're going to make that happen.

Transcript Highlights:

• Being on appropriations is just the efficiency of MFA, and I'm going to say MFA.
• So we need to ask ourselves how we're going to do that really efficiently and effectively, because if
• And so then that takes me to the Hispanic Education Act.
• The Black Education Act also received funding.
• There's a lot of educational provider work, possibly some funding collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:10.079> and use we utilize an efficient and use we utilize an efficient and effective
• Obviously, it's an important educational asset, and we want people to utilize it.
• Obviously, it's an important educational asset, and we want people to utilize it.
• Obviously, it's an important educational asset, and we want people to utilize it.
• Obviously, it's an important educational asset, and we want people to utilize it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These subcommittees will allow us to operate more efficiently.
• I think there is uncertainty regarding the Department of Education, but that is exactly you know, Wes
• And counties are always looking to find ways to expend their funds. as efficiently as possible.
• What are the most efficient and effective means to create that infrastructure?
• Education and communication is the key. to any sound decision that we make throughout here.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to me, that's really where when we're talking about looking at effectiveness and efficiencies with
• taxpayers' monies, I think that's where you have to and efficiencies with taxpayers' monies.
• And that's, again, to your Think that are proven efficiency- and effectiveness-wise.
• How can we better educate and show that we're actually doing those things?
• Do we support more efficient practices, more streamlined practices?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission opened an informal discussion focused on developing recommendations for its September report on correctional consolidation and cooperation. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasized that the group is still in an information-gathering phase, but should begin putting ideas on the table, including possible written recommendations, further hearings, and additional facility tours. Members discussed whether the commission should seek more input from frontline stakeholders such as sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, unions, and the judiciary, and whether recommendations should be organized around specific issue areas like medical costs, programming, reentry, and facility operations. A major theme was the need for a more integrated and consistent correctional system. Participants raised concerns about fragmentation across DOC, county sheriffs, probation, and parole, and suggested exploring step-down pathways, minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and regional reentry hubs to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Several speakers stressed the importance of uniform standards, evidence-based programming, better data on outcomes and spending, and clearer alignment between custody conditions and rehabilitation goals. There was also discussion of looking to other states and international models, as well as revisiting older reports and plans, including the 2009 commission report and the 2010 corrections master plan. Facility-specific issues were also raised, including the need to examine women’s facilities such as Framingham, Bridgewater, and restrictive housing practices in light of suicide concerns and mental health needs. Members discussed the relationship between correctional custody and behavioral health, the role of the judiciary in sentencing and reentry planning, and whether judges should be better informed about available programming and step-down options. There was broad agreement that collaboration, transparency, and accountability should be strengthened, with some members urging that recommendations be based on firsthand facts and data rather than opinion alone. The meeting also included presentation of a written set of eight high-level recommendations compiled by advocacy and legal organizations, which focused on clearer and more consistent programming, equitable application of rules, and reducing punitive conditions that function like solitary confinement. The chairs said the document would be shared with members and posted online. No formal votes were taken during the discussion, and the meeting ended with plans to continue the conversation at a future session, including possible follow-up on reentry centers, restrictive housing, and other systemwide reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is secondary in education.
• <03:38:11.680> who I am grateful that I had educators who I am grateful that I had educators
• The most efficient way possible.
• opportunities, but also educational opportunities, but also educational outcomes,<04:02:03.600><
• towns and dead last in state education towns and dead last in state education funding<04:21:17.600

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• painstakingly careful to get right are in jeopardy if we don't have well-equipped, experienced, educated
• , ...are in jeopardy if we don't have well-equipped, experienced, educated, and well-compensated judges
• Finally, the bill has several provisions relating to judicial efficiency.
• In short, it encourages Finally, the bill has several provisions relating to judicial efficiency.
• I think what you're going to see over the next couple of reports is that the efficiency level in the

Bills: HB40

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriffs, constables, contracts, county authority

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence met to hear House Bill 1761, a broad judicial package focused on increasing judicial compensation and adding accountability and efficiency measures. The chair explained that HB 1707 and HB 2100 were withdrawn from the agenda, and that HB 1761 would be taken up first because many judges and stakeholders were present. The committee substitute for HB 1761 proposed a 30% increase in base judicial pay to $182,000, changes to judicial retirement linkage, stronger judicial conduct provisions, and efficiency measures such as targeted reporting for judges not meeting benchmarks, appellate in-person meeting encouragement, and time limits on certain motions. The chair and several supporters said judicial pay had reached “emergency status,” citing Texas’s low national ranking and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified judges. Witnesses in support included presiding and district judges, the State Bar’s judicial section, business and trial lawyer groups, and prosecutors. They emphasized that many judges work long hours off the bench, handle warrants at night and on weekends, manage heavy dockets, and face recruitment problems in both urban and rural counties. Supporters also said higher pay would help attract experienced lawyers, retain judges, and improve court efficiency. Several witnesses and members discussed judicial accountability, including public reporting of court performance and the role of the Texas Supreme Court and presiding judges in setting benchmarks. Some members raised concerns that raw statistics can be misleading because judges also do substantial off-the-bench work and often help cover other courts’ dockets. There was also testimony and discussion about the bill’s conduct and discipline provisions. A representative of the Texas Civil Rights Project opposed parts of the bill that would tie pay raises to changes affecting judicial independence, warning about subjective bail-related discipline standards and possible chilling effects. The executive director of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct cautioned against civil penalties for complainants, saying it could discourage good-faith complaints and create litigation risks. Other witnesses supported accountability reforms but urged caution about unintended consequences, especially for family and emergency cases and for judges handling warrants and other time-sensitive matters. After testimony, the committee withdrew the committee substitute and left HB 1761 pending, then recessed the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through education and research, the center will address the public health and economic problem that Valley
• President, your Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, having had under consideration
• , more efficient processing, job placement support, and fair access to benefits?
• Efficiency in government, we all want that.
• The governor's budget is looking out for these efficiencies, and that's the way to do it.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 29 present, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guests, including Scouting America Cub Scout troops and Dr. Sarah Lee Davidson as Doctor of the Day, and Senator Kavanaugh presented a proclamation recognizing Valley Fever Awareness and the work of the University of Arizona’s Valley Fever Center for Excellence. The chamber then considered several bills in Committee of the Whole. SB 1036, dealing with unemployment insurance requirements, disqualifications, and determinations, drew the most debate; supporters said it was aimed at preventing fraud and improving compliance, while opponents argued it would add red tape and harm struggling workers. The committee adopted a Government Committee amendment and recommended the bill do pass. SB 1056, on reporting vacant budget positions, also received a do-pass recommendation, and SB 1236, concerning AHCCCS enrollment verification and presumptive eligibility, was amended with a Kavanaugh floor amendment and recommended do pass despite concerns from some members that it would restrict access for vulnerable populations. SB 1238, relating to the physician assistant licensure compact, was amended with a conforming Shamp amendment and recommended do pass. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1036 by 17-12, SB 1056 by 17-12, SB 1126 unanimously, SB 1189 by 27-2, and SB 1211 unanimously. The chamber also substituted and passed House bills identical to earlier Senate measures, including HB 2206 and HB 2396, both on SNAP-related issues, with debate focused on food access, administrative burdens, and federal error-rate penalties. HB 2190, the physician assistant compact bill, and HB 2796, the AHCCCS-related bill, were also substituted and passed. The Senate adopted HCR 255, a death resolution for Victor E. Hardy, observed a moment of silence, and then adjourned until February 17, 2026.