Transcript Highlights:

• Further, Chapters 380 and 381 of the Local Government Code, which authorize economic development agreements
• This program provides competitive economic incentives to attract large capital-intensive economic development
• That is not economic development.
• certainly an acknowledged economic development aspect of it.
• are used for young adults so that we can improve; requiring local workforce development boards to develop

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Economic Development Committee will come to order. Clerk, please call the roll.
• Further, Chapters 380 and 381 of the Local Government Code, which authorized economic development agreements
• That is not economic development.
• You got a lot of different funds and economic development programs. Yes, sir. Ms.
• And there is certainly an acknowledged economic development aspect of it.

Bills: SB913, SB1086, SB1087, SB1143, SB1534, SB1553, SB1718, SB1754, SB2004, SB2322, SB2448

Keywords: hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax code, local government funding, Texas legislation, county taxation, economic development, hotel industry, local government, counties, taxation, tourism, workforce development, youth programs, employment, education, technical training, health physics, higher education, nuclear energy

Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, to say as now the chair of economic workforce development that I am beyond frustrated with 7 years
• </c><00:05:07.040><c> workforce</c> as now the chair of economic workforce as now the chair of economic
• :09.800><c> beyond</c><00:05:10.360><c> frustrated</c> development that I am beyond frustrated development
• Have you got your statement of economic interest?
• Have you got your statement of economic interest?

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 31 March, 2026; 9:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad this issue was found now instead of next week or the next week so we could help in our economic
• development. >> Thank you very much, Mr.
• /c><00:03:26.040><c> our</c> next week so we could help in our next week so we could help in our economic
• <00:03:26.520><c> development.
• </c> economic development. economic development.

Bills: SB370

Keywords: tax increment districts, manufacturing zone, economic development, tax revenues, state funding, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allow our K-12s and community colleges to make application to the Mississippi Office of Workforce Development

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 409, 3 March, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are jobs that we hire that we are not at market, and those particularly deal with economic development
• development standpoint.
• </c> particularly deal with economic particularly deal with economic development<00:04:06.480><c> which
• </c> uh particularly from the economic uh particularly from the economic development<00:05:28.880><c>
• investment</c> record-breaking uh economic investment record-breaking uh economic investment in<00:05

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 9:45 AM, 925, all

Bills: SF1832

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB22

Keywords: Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance met, established a quorum, and took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 22. Senator Huffman moved that the committee report the original Senate Bill 22 as not passed, adopt the committee substitute in its place, and recommend the substitute for passage and printing. The motion was approved on a roll call vote of 11 ayes and no nays. No substantive testimony or debate was included in the transcript excerpt. The committee concluded its business and recessed subject to the call of the chair, with the substitute bill to be reported back to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation.

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 210; 4 March, 2025: 2:45 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 210; 27 February, 2025: 1:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Economic and Workforce Development - Room 210; 4 February, 2025: 2:30 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development.
• development.
• justice, tax fairness, and economic development.
• Development and Tourism.
• As of now, statute requires the local workforce development boards to set the minimum requirements.

Bills: SB317, SB1250, SB1520, SB1950, SB2298, SB2532, SB2539, SB2747, SB2925, SB2993

Keywords: monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, project financing zone, municipal tax revenue, convention centers, multipurpose arenas, infrastructure development, hike and bike trails, outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, Bicentennial Trail, Texas history, cultural heritage, unemployment benefits, eligibility, Texas Workforce Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• The work of this administration over the past seven years has proven that record economic development
• We do not have to choose between economic development and clean air. We can get both.
• Jason Espinosa is speaking on behalf of the New Mexico IDEA, the statewide economic development professional
• Economic developers support clean air, clean water, and responsible stewardship of our natural resources
• Tom Clifford, an economic researcher, says he prepares reports on oil and gas revenues to state and local

Bills: SB12, SB36, SB92, SB120, SB133, SB151, SB18, SB96

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a local bill that has been properly advertised.
• Basically, what this bill does is a local bill for the city of Alexandria.
• In practical terms, this bill is about local enforcement flexibility.
• , there's a lot of developers in our parish, is that they utilize this.
• It was a local bill properly advertised. I'm not, that's not my question.

Bills: HR217, HB66, HB204, HB208, HB326, HB472, HB483, HB484, HB793, HB1051, HB1080, HB1087, HB1111, HB1215, SB78, SB148

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House 3979 with second is increasing the financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development

Bills: HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB3834, HB3940, HB3944, HB3979, HB4003, HB4118, HB4326, HB4346, HB4421

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes, Oklahoma statutes, HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs

Transcript Highlights:

• It would generate an opportunity for development, personal development, and not opportunity for development
• If we start looking at a transit-oriented development, we start looking at a transit-oriented development
• , and we'll be able to manage that development.
• development perspective to be able to commute Texas.
• Not only from a friendly state to get from one place to another, but also from an economic development

Keywords: House Bill 483, high-speed rail, transportation network, Texas, public testimony, rail connectivity, economic development

Summary: The meeting was a press event in support of House Bill 483 and its Senate companion, SB 424, which would repeal the current state ban on high-speed rail investment and direct TxDOT to partner with a private entity to develop a Dallas-Austin-San Antonio rail line along the I-35 corridor. Rep. John Bucy, County Judge Andy Brown, Rep. Rafael Anchia, Rep. Ray Lopez, and Sen. Sarah Eckhardt all argued that Texas’ population growth and highway congestion make passenger rail a necessary transportation alternative and a long-term economic development tool. They emphasized benefits such as reduced commute times, improved mobility, lower congestion and emissions, stronger workforce access, and better connections between major metro areas. Testimony focused on the Texas Triangle as a strong candidate for high-speed rail because of its population density, flat geography, and existing growth patterns. Speakers cited examples from other places, including Florida’s Brightline and rail systems in other countries, to argue that Texas is behind and could catch up through public-private partnerships. They also discussed transit-oriented development, last-mile connections through local systems like DART and Austin’s Project Connect, and the possibility of future expansion beyond the initial corridor. In response to questions, Bucy said the bill would allow TxDOT to seek bids and keep costs flexible, that the line would likely require dedicated high-speed track, and that express service could reduce Austin-San Antonio travel time to roughly 30 minutes and Austin-Dallas to under an hour and a half, though no launch date was set. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the transcript. The event ended with Bucy saying the bill was a positive step and could become a bipartisan effort to build a more connected Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> most effective approach to to develop most effective approach to to develop fisheries<00:21:11.120
• As a strengthening local food systems.
• </c> waiting to see how these bills develop. waiting to see how these bills develop.
• </c> Drive Community Development District. Drive Community Development District.
• </c> name of this Banyan Drive development name of this Banyan Drive development area.<00:56:57.280><

Bills: HB1817, HB2056, HB2616, HB1718, HB1842, HB1740, HB1919, HB1616, HB1774, HB1984, HB1603, HB2171

Keywords: fishing regulation, ʻamaʻama, striped mullet, bag limit, overfishing, Hawaii fisheries, funding, appropriations, Honolulu, housing, construction, grant-in-aid, community development, Banyan Drive, Hawaii community development authority, cultural revitalization, special fund, public safety, economic development, affordable housing

Summary: The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations. Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year. The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and audience, thank you for coming in to the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development
• Development.
• Development.
• Development.
• </c><00:01:44.119><c> finance</c> labor and Workforce Development finance labor and Workforce Development

Bills: HF1439, HF1004, HF498, HF1326

Keywords: HF1439, Minnesota Grocers Association Foundation, Carts to Careers, workforce development fund, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, grocery industry, food industry, food retail, retail workforce, job training, career pathways, scholarships, certifications, workforce pipeline, one-time appropriation, industry training, labor shortage, youth employment, apprenticeship

Transcript Highlights:

• development.
• Second, it requires each local...
• Those dollars are distributed to the 28 local workforce development boards to help opportunity youth
• Requiring local workforce development boards to develop strategies with clear goals, objectives, and
• And requiring that local workforce development boards... boards are notified of large-scale, subsidized

Bills: HB669, HB 1306, HB3173, HB3807

Keywords: healthcare, Medicare, insurance, financial assistance, families, wage theft, employers, penalties, Texas Workforce Commission, employee rights, employer database, worker rights, death investigation, emergency services, medical benefits, exposure claims, public safety, workforce development, TWC, youth workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts while recognizing... ...more money for operational expenses for the local school districts
• to aid in their additional... ...give those additional dollars to the local school districts to aid
• Appropriated to implement statewide, regional, and local initiatives to correct revenue allocations based
• initiatives; $50 million to LED for pragmatic expenses and economic development initiatives..." "$36.4
• the community and technical college system for targeted instructional programs to support major economic

Bills: HB1, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, budget, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year, economic development, state treasury, emergency response, education, voting technology, sustainability, revenue sharing, fund distribution