Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, well, if along with the 80% of the... if the valuation is lower, then the tax structure would be
• The valuation... if you would. Sure. Say that if you if you would. Sure.
• is lower, then the tax if the valuation is lower, then the tax structure<00:50:07.920> would<
• <00:50:09.240> The<00:50:09.480> valuation, The valuation would be lower.
• Valuation is constitutionally set in Alabama as fair market value.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s adjusted for equalized valuation.
• So in the case of Charles valuation.
• It's just simply based on the changes in valuation.
• Um, I think equalized valuation has to be an element of a swept whatever it is, and uh I just want to
• does mean that our equalized valuation does mean that our equalized valuation is<02:06:36.239>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, basically it raises the valuation to 750,000 and it makes it a two-tier system: $500,000 for shoreline
• Uh, basically it raises the the<00:09:28.880> valuation<00:09:29.440> to the valuation
• to the valuation to 750,000<00:09:31.680> and<00:09:31.920> it<00:09:32.160> it<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• end up evaluating these properties will be through an appraisal, and it will be pre-flood disaster valuation
• . ...evaluating these properties will be through an appraisal, and it will be pre-flood disaster valuation
• So if we're requiring a property and it's pre-flood valuation, and there's no house on that property,
• percent is coming from the federal government, that portion is what's being used for the pre-disaster valuation
• And the state matching dollars would comply then with only the amount of the valuation after disaster

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Austin, I want to recognize you for your past support of the 1D1 Ag tax valuation.
• This arguably penalizes the very people the 1D1 Ag valuation was supposed to support.
• Austin, I want to recognize you for your past support of the 1D1 Ag tax valuation.
• This arguably penalizes the very people the 1D1 Ag valuation was supposed to support.
• This arguably penalizes the very people the 1D1 Ag valuation was supposed to support.

Bills: HB43, HB519, HB 1275, HB1592, HB2842, HB3088, HB3479, HB4163, SB823, HB609

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• the committee probably knows, There's about 7 million acres in Texas under the 1D1 wildlife tax valuation
• run cattle, or it's not economically productive for them to transition into a wildlife management valuation
• their land, and it's meant to penalize a change of use coming out of agricultural or wildlife tax valuation
• According to the latest Texas A&M land trends report, there are now 7 million acres in wildlife tax valuation
• , which is the only land use valuation that is increasing.

Bills: HB485, HB1367, HB1370, HB1827, HB1879, HB2032, HB2133, HB2357, HB3581, HB3830, HB4060, HB4085, HB4270, HB4979, HB5217, HB5268, HB5478, HJR96, HJR97, HJR119, HJR195, HJR209, SB4, SB23, SJR2, SJR85, SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, access, affordability, public health, emergency services district, sales tax, gas and electricity, residential use, tax exemption, emergency services, gas, electricity, HB 485, ESD, use tax, residential utilities, utility tax, local option tax, Texas Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• 3,500 square feet in floor area and not part of a larger development, regardless of development valuation
• It increases the valuation of development that determines the necessity of a special management area
• development regardless<00:04:09.200> of<00:04:09.519> development<00:04:10.000> valuation
• <00:04:10.560> to regardless of development valuation to regardless of development valuation

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first deferred HB 239, which would have narrowed the definition of child abuse or neglect by excluding cases where a caregiver is unable to provide certain needs solely because of poverty or lack of resources. The chair said other similar bills were still alive and expressed concern that carving out a specific category of abuse could hinder monitoring of children being harmed for other reasons. The committee then took up several decision-making items. HB 420, dealing with the contractor repair act and construction defect claims, was recommended for passage with extensive amendments that would clarify statutes of repose and limitations, define substantial completion, remove homeowner expert-report requirements, delete class-action limits, set timelines for inspections, mediation, and settlement procedures, and add non-retroactivity language; it passed unanimously. HB 732, concerning special management area minor permits for certain single-family residences, was also passed with amendments after the committee removed the provision that would have expanded minor-permit eligibility for homes under 3,500 square feet. HB 1017, repealing the greenhouse gas sequestration task force, passed with amendments to make it effective upon approval. HB 958, which restricts children under 15 from riding class 3 electric bicycles and raises the helmet age requirement, passed with technical amendments only. The committee also considered Governor’s Message 689, the nomination of Melissa Sautello to the Commission on the Status of Women. After testimony in support and questions from members about financial disclosure and her views on women’s sports and transgender participation, the committee voted to advise and consent to the nomination. The nomination passed, and the committee adjourned after noting that a full Senate vote would follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• It ripples through the valuations of homes.
• I'm trying to understand how this bill addresses the 2024-2025 property tax valuation issue.
• The property tax years and timelines are a little confusing, but the tax year 2025 valuations are the
• The tax year 2024 valuations are those that were sent by April 1st, 2024.
• Is it based on market valuation or CPI? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• state financial aid for schools and develop recommendations on alternative methods for verifying valuations
• way back to at least the early 90s, with a common view that the PBS punishes school districts for valuations
• PBS punishes school districts for valuations they have no control over.
• And alternatives: efficiencies must be gained while maintaining the goal of equitable valuations.

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• property valuations, with the denominator being the number of free and reduced students, will remain
• we are also wanting property valuations we are also wanting to<00:38:46.520> look<00:38:46.720
• And it will help about 40 target towns whose equalized valuation per population is at the lowest end
• <00:47:36.119> per when you looking at your valuations per when you looking at your valuations
• today in terms of equalized valuation today in terms of equalized valuation per<02:15:06.280>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on HB 563, which revises the adequacy education grant formula, including differentiated aid for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and special education, and also restores fiscal capacity disparity aid. Members explained that for FY 26 the formula largely stays the same with the usual 2% increases, while FY 27 would raise the base cost and several aid categories, including a substantial increase in special education differentiated aid. Supporters said the bill recognizes higher special education costs and separates fiscal capacity disparity from the extraordinary needs grant, which they argued better targets property-poor communities. A major point of discussion was the fiscal capacity disparity aid component. Some members asked for more detail on how the formula affected individual towns and how much money was being allocated. The sponsors said the spreadsheet showed the impacts and estimated the fiscal capacity disparity portion at about $13.3 million, benefiting roughly 40 communities, with Manchester the only municipality expected to receive less under the new approach. They also said the change partially rebalances money that had shifted heavily toward larger cities under the extraordinary needs grant and that the special education increase is new money, not taken from the hold harmless or extraordinary needs funds. Several members supported the amendment as a good-faith step and a bipartisan compromise, while others expressed frustration that they did not have enough time or information to review the spreadsheets in detail before voting. After extended debate, the committee recessed for lunch to allow the spreadsheet to be distributed and reviewed, with the understanding that the bill would continue later in the day and then move on to the other bills on the docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, HB 2289, Truth and Taxation Bonds Notices, adds an increased property valuation
• property used in informational pamphlets for override and Class B bond elections to include a new valuation
• Madam Chair Members, HB 2289, Truth and Taxation Bonds Notices, adds an increased property valuation
• property used in informational pamphlets for override and Class B bond elections to include a new valuation

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Farmers and compliance are taxed each year on buffer acres at valuations that assume those acres are
• Now, the problem that creates is that we will, of course, create a shift within the valuation of county
• ><00:32:31.360> within<00:32:31.799> the<00:32:32.120> the<00:32:32.320> valuation
• <00:32:33.080> of a shift within the the valuation of a shift within the the valuation of
• <00:58:11.200> of eroded uh and therefore the valuation of eroded uh and therefore the valuation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The actuary reviews the work of the pension fund actuaries, performs valuations, advises the commission
• valuations valuations there<00:28:28.880> are<00:28:29.000> a<00:28:29.120> lot
• We had $29.1 billion in asset valuation, leaving an unfunded liability of $6.4 billion, which resulted
• leaving an unfunded liability valuation leaving an unfunded liability of<00:54:40.920> 6.4<00
• We have 35.4 billion of actuarial accrued liability, asset valuation of 28.3 billion, unfunded liability

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation.
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation.
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation. >> So, you're seeing more increases
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation. >> So, you're seeing more increases
• So, we're seeing an increase in that and an increase in the valuation. >> So, you're seeing more increases

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• care of by that time, on line 34, changing the previous assessed evaluation to previous assessed valuation
• care of by that time, on line 34, changing the previous assessed evaluation to previous assessed valuation
• So we know that the way the bill is written, this is for appeals that have an increased valuation over
• Appeals that have an increased valuation over 15%. We heard from around the state.
• states that new construction and improvements should not be excluded from the aggregate assessed valuation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So is it fair to say that the loss in... in real property valuation, sort of, because of the change in
• mentioned by the previous witness from the comptroller's office, when the tax rate comes back, that your valuation
• and we have talked to the chairman's staff about it, is that we assess the tax rate on last year's valuation
• And those protests can drag on if we did it in a one-year lag. set the valuations so that the protests
• would be one suggestion that we would continue to offer is to do it one year, look back, set the valuation

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:

• Uh, when this occurs, this supposed change, does the valuation of the town property go down?
• The building has a value; that's the assessed valuation.
• The building has a value; that's the assessed valuation.
• probably 95% of the time that valuation probably 95% of the time that valuation is<01:22:05.600>
• but the manufacturing assessed valuation but the manufacturing process<01:22:28.560> does<01:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on HB 302, which would add precious metals and digital assets as potential investment options. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli said she took no position on the bill and did not see an immediate fiscal impact or operational problem, but explained that the state’s operating funds and rainy day fund require liquidity and stability, so they would not be suitable for volatile assets like precious metals or digital assets. She said the only funds that might potentially use such investments would be certain trust funds held in perpetuity, which are managed by an outside investment advisor under a contract and investment policy. Members asked about the treasurer’s current investment practices, including the types of funds managed, the role and discretion of the investment advisor, the state’s risk profile, and whether the bill would affect existing authority. Misipelli said the office follows RSA 11 and related statutes, with different objectives ranging from conservative to aggressive depending on the fund, and that the advisor meets with the office regularly, with formal performance reviews on a quarterly basis. She also said the office recently centralized management of about 40 trust accounts totaling roughly $60 million into five combined portfolios under a five-year contract with an RFP-selected vendor. When asked whether precious metals or digital assets are already indirectly available through mutual funds, she said that was possible for some mutual funds, but she was not certain about digital assets. Representative Ammon, the bill’s sponsor, said similar legislation had passed the Oklahoma House, the Texas House and Senate, and had advanced in Arizona. He argued the bill was intended to give the treasurer more tools to help balance portfolios and hedge inflation, noting concerns about federal debt and inflation. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair ended the questioning after thanking the treasurer and asking her to remain available in case further questions arose.

Transcript Highlights:

• The valuation exclusions have not changed since its creation in 2008.
• veteran with a 70% disability<00:01:54.439> rating<00:01:55.439> the<00:01:55.640> valuation
• disability rating the valuation disability rating the valuation exclusions<00:01:57.280> have

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill sets a rate of $5 per $1,000 of equalized property valuation.
• This bill sets a rate of $5 per $1,000 of equalized property valuation.
• This bill sets a rate of $5 per $1,000 of equalized property valuation.
• , not on sort of nominal valuation, and I'm not sure that's correct in the bill as is.
• not on sort of nominal valuation not on sort of nominal valuation<03:44:10.279> and<03:44:10.439

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 402, a bill to repeal a provision in RSA 194-F:2 stating that Education Freedom Account (EFA) funds “shall not constitute taxable income” to the parent or student. The bill sponsor argued the current language is misleading because the state cannot determine federal tax liability, and said the bill would simply remove inaccurate tax advice from state law. He cited IRS guidance and prior federal legislation, including a Ted Cruz proposal, to suggest some EFA uses may be taxable under federal law, while others may not, and said the bill could be amended if needed to avoid confusion. Testimony was sharply divided. Py Campbell opposed the bill, arguing it would unfairly single out EFA students and could amount to a tax on education funds, including for self-employed families, and recommended it be voted inexpedient to legislate. Stephen Matthew French, a tax preparer, also opposed the bill, saying IRS Publication 970 already makes clear that scholarship-type payments used for tuition and related expenses are not taxable, and that the bill addresses a problem that does not exist. He warned that adding tax reporting requirements could create administrative costs for families and the program administrator. Bill Ardinger, a tax attorney, supported the repeal of the statutory language, saying the state should not place potentially incorrect tax advice into law. He explained that under federal tax law, only certain scholarship-like uses are exempt, while many EFA-eligible expenses may not be, especially for families using the program for homeschooling or other nontraditional expenses. He said the current statute could mislead families into thinking all EFA payments are tax-free and could expose the state to future legal problems. The hearing ended after questions from committee members; no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:09:22.000> those<00:09:22.240> those<00:09:22.560> two<00:09:22.800> valuations
• <00:09:23.200> in<00:09:23.440> more cover those those two valuations in more cover
• those those two valuations in more detail.<00:09:24.080> So<00:09:24.320> just<00:09:24.640
• And then as I look at slide 13, I see on the first bullet there, um, the valuation determines that both
• determines that both sales and valuation determines that both sales and use<01:10:35.840> tax

Keywords: 1187, senate, all