Transcript Highlights:

• My calculations show it would be like one one-thousandth of a percent of the revenue it generates.
• We do need more revenue in our funds to pay for our schools.
• Representative Johnson, if you read the revenue estimate from the Department of Revenue that was included
• I have a question, and it looks like it's going to be the Department of Revenue.
• . to raise revenue to provide the services and amenities that residents depend on.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first item here is general revenue. funding for increased grants to arts organizations in Texas
• So item two is general revenue funding for grants. to cultural districts for $2 million in all funds.
• And as you can see, it's increasing general revenue to decrease reliance on asset forfeitures.
• So item four they're requesting general revenue funding FTEs.
• The agency is requesting general revenue to expand to an additional five counties.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• declining revenues, that plays into our discussion as well.
• The repayment sources generally are special assessments and revenues.
• And so the water fund would have to have net operating revenue.
• annual revenue bond principal and interest payment.
• The ratio had been higher on the revenue bonds. Shifting.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• The revenue bonds issued by the Economic Development Authority beginning July 1, 2026, effective through
• The revenue bonds are to be issued for the purpose of providing funding for paying for all or a portion
• Development Authority a list of capital improvements to be paid for by the funds received from the revenue
• It's a new special revenue sub-fund of the Economic Development Project Fund, which is overseen by the
• Senate Bill 842 is a supplemental appropriation that increases special revenue spending authority in

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• or coming from general revenue.
• General revenue is estimated to be reduced by $89 million in fiscal year 2006-2007.
• Recurring general revenue is expected to be reduced by $16 million.
• card room revenues from 8% to 5%.
• But why are we reducing to the same facility from 35% to 34% on slot machine revenue?

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this also uh JFO memo would have a de minimus effect on state revenues.
• Um, this also uh JFO memo would have a de minimus effect on state revenues.
• Um, this also uh JFO memo would have a de minimus effect on state revenues.
• Um, this also uh JFO memo would have a de minimus effect on state revenues.
• section that had any effect on revenue section that had any effect on revenue was<00:58:04.720> the

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 20% of General Fund revenues.
• Record revenues. We do not have a revenue problem.
• Record revenues. We do not have a revenue problem.
• We do not have a revenue problem. The spending problem is real.
• When you think about our revenues, we are outpacing in revenues, but we're also outpacing in expenses

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it requires reinvestment of revenues back into the utility.
• county shall reinvest utility service revenues back in utility.
• If a county, in some sense, Revenues back in utility.
• for a utility service, and then that revenue is being redirected to general revenue, which, you know
• Who is this general revenue person? There we are. I'm sorry.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills, with several focused on water safety, utilities, and local government transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was explained as clarifying water quality credits and water quality enhancement areas, and it was reported favorably after one support appearance. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland arising from injuries caused by a police shooting, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658 on water safety requirements for rental properties drew extensive testimony in support from child advocacy and drowning prevention advocates, who cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and the disproportionate impact on children with autism; the bill was amended to require front-end certification and remove local add-on authority, then passed favorably. CS/SB 18, a claim bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was reported favorably after questions about the verdict, settlement posture, and who would receive the funds. SB 934 on areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a provision viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then passed favorably. SB 1622, which creates a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, also passed favorably with support from an appearance form. SB 1264 on private schools and zoning was reported favorably after members noted ongoing concerns and planned further discussion. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to narrow the bill to storage issues and cap the fee period until inspection; it drew both support and opposition from insurers, fire officials, and vehicle industry representatives, and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014, dealing with municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, was amended to limit it to residential development and clarify capacity standards, then passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 expanded the local infrastructure surtax to include body camera programs and was reported favorably after an amendment requiring voter approval. Finally, CS/SB 1724 and SB 1566, both on local government utility and budget transparency, were amended and reported favorably despite concerns from cities and counties about implementation costs and burdens.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this shows the revenue that goes into the state road fund.
• And that's um you're just looking in a graphical format, we're kind of looking at our um Revenues.
• If you look at the gold and blue lines going forward, um, special vehicles became the Largest revenue
• How are we gonna make up those those revenues?
• who distribute the revenue from diesel purchased in New Mexico but consumed in other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue 7.4. Gambling Control Board, line 7.34.
• Racing Commission, which is a special revenue account. I believe it's on 8.4. Lottery, 8.8.
• Revenue faces increased costs each year to support technology, people, and administrative expenses.
• expected service levels, state revenues, and safeguards against fraud.
• Reductions in audit and collection activities mean less revenue.

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• So 80% of their revenue goes to Okay?
• obviously facing some revenue obviously facing some revenue constraints<00:46:43.599> next
• Department of Revenue Administration. Department of Revenue Administration.
• . minor amount of revenue.
• property taxes and other tax revenue. property taxes and other tax revenue.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• expenditure growth exceeding revenue expenditure growth exceeding revenue growth.<00:40:53.359><
• growth<00:44:15.839> you gross premium tax the revenue growth you gross premium tax the revenue
• In this chart, the solid tax revenue.
• The dotted<00:51:31.680> revenue.
• they have choices uh between revenues they have choices uh between revenues and<00:52:15.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, I have several testifiers. uh revenue or L. Uh purpose of L. L was uh revenue or L.
• This revenue really, after the basic formula and operating referendum revenue, if people have it, is
• If that reduction were to revenue.
• districts to generate local revenue. districts to generate local revenue.
• We do recognize the stark revenue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• after we do the revenue forecast. after we do the revenue forecast.
• when we forecast uh revenues. when we forecast uh revenues.
• excess revenue so the rate is lowered. excess revenue so the rate is lowered.
• set to uh produce 4% statewide revenue. set to uh produce 4% statewide revenue.
• largest other uh revenue source. largest other uh revenue source.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting focused on preliminary fiscal 2026 revenue estimates and the governor’s office request for an official revision to fiscal 2026, with members reminded that any estimate adopted now would not bind the December official estimates. Staff from S&P Global walked through three forecast scenarios—control, optimistic, and pessimistic—based on recent federal tax changes, tariffs, and other policy developments, emphasizing that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Under the control scenario, the presentation projected below-trend real GDP growth of 1.8% in fiscal 2026, slowing to 1.5% by fiscal 2028, with unemployment peaking around 4.5% and the Federal Reserve cutting rates three times to a long-run range of about 2.75% to 3%. The optimistic scenario assumed lower effective tariffs, stronger growth, and better labor and housing outcomes, while the pessimistic scenario assumed a broader trade war, higher effective tariffs, faster deportations, weaker employment and consumer spending, and unemployment rising to about 6.3%. Speakers also noted that the forecast was prepared before later BLS revisions and that recent data on inventories and AI-related investment made the recent quarters look unusually volatile. Members discussed how the current fiscal 2026 outlook compared with earlier assumptions and noted that the eventual revenue revision may be smaller than the spread between the optimistic and pessimistic economic scenarios. The governor’s office and committee members also reviewed sector-specific impacts, including manufacturing, housing, light vehicle production, exports, and consumer sentiment, with particular concern about Kentucky’s auto and housing-related industries. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• much much more optimistic Revenue much much more optimistic Revenue projections<00:15:06.560>
• If you see a positive number here, that's an increase in either spending or revenues.
• If you see a positive number here, that's an increase in either spending or revenues.
• If you see a positive number here, that's an increase in either spending or revenues.
• If you see a positive number here, that's an increase in either spending or revenues.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered an amendment to add a new “Lakes” license plate to HB 2, with proceeds directed to the cyanobacteria fund for lake cleanup. Representative McGuire said the bill had already passed on consent and asked that it be included in HB 2; members discussed that it had also gone to the Senate. The motion to adopt the amendment failed on a 7-8 vote. The committee then took up an amendment imposing a 5% administrative fee on certain dedicated funds, with several exemptions for funds that could not legally or appropriately be charged, such as those involving federal money or bequests. Supporters said it would make the treatment of dedicated funds more consistent and raise roughly $31 million over the biennium for the general fund, while opponents questioned the number of carve-outs and who currently pays the administrative costs. The amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. Next, the committee reconsidered and then adopted an amendment changing the distribution of business profits tax and business enterprise tax revenue, reducing the share going to the Education Trust Fund from 41% to 30% and increasing the General Fund share. Supporters argued the Senate had overfunded the Education Trust Fund and that the change would help balance the budget without changing education spending levels; opponents said they could not support taking money from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment passed 5-3. The committee also adopted, by the same 5-3 margin, an amendment incorporating HB 741 language on open enrollment and student attendance in public schools, with supporters calling it House policy and opponents noting it had been a close, partly partisan vote in the House. Finally, the committee considered a change to the University System of New Hampshire budget that would reduce general fund appropriations by $40 million per year, offset in part by $15 million in previously approved unique dollars for a net reduction of $25 million per year. Supporters said the cut was necessary to balance the budget and that other options had been exhausted; opponents called it harmful to the university system and argued the committee should instead look to other areas, including education freedom accounts, for savings. The discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on the UNH item.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, these folks bring in a lot of the revenue for the state.
• Performing Arts Center, a decrease in projected revenues from donations and license plate revenue. revenue
• , license revenue.
• Revenue Dedicated Accounts, which equates to 84% of the agency's baseline requests with general revenue
• . and $21.3 million in general revenue.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, again, we looked at the revenues Um, again, we looked at the revenues coming<00:09:31.920>
• It totally is dependent on revenues. Um, and that way revenues have to come in strong.
• Um, so I think that again, while I think we've seen some good revenue increases and revenue recovery
• When you're planning revenues year.
• <00:21:08.960> The regarding revenue um increases. The regarding revenue um increases.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted amendment 2026-2021S to correct a drafting issue in the budget language so that the $2.5 million appropriation for Medicaid per diem rate stabilization at county nursing homes can be spent during the biennium rather than lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. Senator Lang explained that the funds are matched with federal dollars for a total of $5 million and are intended to prevent rate reductions that could shift costs to county property taxpayers. The amendment was adopted unanimously by both chambers, and the committee proceeded on the bill as amended by the Senate. The main discussion then focused on HB 155 and a proposed amendment to the business enterprise tax. The House proposal would lower the BET rate in stages when combined business tax revenues exceed certain thresholds, while the Senate opposed an immediate rate reduction and argued that tax changes should be handled in a budget year. Senators emphasized that raising the filing threshold to $375,000 had already removed about 3,500 small businesses from filing requirements, and they preferred further relief through threshold changes rather than rate cuts. House members argued that the trigger-based reduction was a reasonable, tested mechanism and would provide future tax relief without taking effect unless revenues rose enough. Members debated whether the trigger could be distorted by one-time revenue spikes, such as the recent tax amnesty receipts and prior federal repatriation-related revenue, and Representative Sweeney said he was willing to adjust the effective date or carve out amnesty revenue. The committee did not reach agreement on the BET reduction, and the chair called a break and then continued the meeting later with a new proposal to delay the trigger’s effective date to January 1, 2028. Senator Lang rejected that version but offered a counterproposal to raise the filing threshold to $400,000, and the parties ultimately agreed to continue discussions and reconvene later. The meeting also took up HB 1102, concerning the research and development tax credit and state park fees. The House position was to support the R&D tax credit but remove the park-fee provisions, citing testimony from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that it did not need the increase and concerns about discouraging tourism, especially at border parks. Supporters of the park-fee language argued that the department had not raised rates in years, could set its own rates, and should be able to charge nonresidents more while keeping New Hampshire residents’ fees lower. The discussion remained unresolved, with members debating the likely effect on tourism and fairness to residents versus the need for additional revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 521 jobs and $5.3 million in tax revenue.
• revenue sharing that's been reinstated. revenue sharing that's been reinstated.
• I see that these revenues collected are Okay?
• >> Thank you all. the department of revenue the department of revenue administration.<01:36:16.480>
• It's a loss revenue. for a loss? It's a loss revenue.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:54.960> even that count as municipal tax revenue even that count as municipal tax revenue
• income on tax revenue? income on tax revenue?
• <00:10:31.360> between include all the revenues between include all the revenues between February
• Thanks. reinvest uh, community power revenues reinvest uh, community power revenues locally<00:20:38.159
• that want to reinvest non- tax revenues that want to reinvest non- tax revenues back<00:22:18.559

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of the funding for this agency comes from general revenue.
• Those are total dollars since the first revenue sharing, in thousands.
• It's in statute that we have to have a revenue-sharing agreement.
• It's in statute that we have to have a revenue sharing agreement.
• dedicated and $21.3 million in general revenue.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.