Transcript Highlights:

• Our more specialized health care units generally are on the mental health side.
• So those are really the GP specialized units.
• So they might be a special activity. They might be an AA, an NA, whatever.
• We tend to Admitted and waiting for their assessment to be completed.
• So that is, you know, we're constantly assessing the needs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission approved the July 11 minutes and then received a detailed follow-up presentation from the Department of Correction on facility footprint, mission-driven housing, programming, and technology. Commissioner Jenkins and Deputy Commissioner Peterson explained recent and planned facility changes, including the closures of Walpole, MCI Cedar Junction, and MCI Concord, the transition of the Plymouth Section 35/Mass Act program to Health and Human Services, the return of Bay State to DOC control for possible future use, and the Shattuck Hospital move to East Newton Pavilion. Members asked about operational capacity, the exclusion of support beds from occupancy figures, and the status of mothballed or unused facilities. Framingham drew particular attention because of its historically low women’s population and planned renovations; members raised concerns about the cost and the need to consider the broader women’s correctional system. A major portion of the meeting focused on mission-driven units and evidence-based programming. DOC described specialized units for health services, nursing care, clinical stabilization, mental health, residential treatment, protective custody, reentry, emerging adults, education, and substance use recovery, and noted that security threat group support beds are not used. Staff explained the distinction between general population beds and support beds, and between programming and treatment. They said core recidivism-reduction programs are based on risk-need responsivity and COMPAS assessments, with Spectrum Health Systems as the current vendor, and presented recidivism data showing lower reoffending among participants who completed programs such as violence reduction, criminal thinking, and the Correctional Recovery Academy. For women, they highlighted the pathways model at MCI Framingham, which combines trauma-informed, gender-responsive services, and reported strong outcomes for those engaged for at least 26 weeks. Members asked about how needs are identified and counted, how declinations are handled, and how the department distinguishes completion from ongoing maintenance. DOC said participation is voluntary, individuals are re-recommended over time, and completion is recorded in the system when criteria are met. They also discussed educational supports for learning disabilities and trauma, including IEP/504 coordination, tutoring, and a new school psychologist for testing. Questions were raised about family reunification programming, and DOC pointed to family-focused services, mediation, Read to Me Mommy, and the Brave unit for young fathers. Sheriff Cabral and Sheriff Cochie praised the presentation and emphasized the importance of family reunification and the realities of trauma in incarcerated people’s lives. The final section highlighted the expanded use of tablets across all facilities. DOC said tablets now support free phone calls, emails, video visits, surveys, educational content, medical updates, sick-call requests, and an earned-good-time app, while also helping with communication during facility closures and with ongoing programming. Staff said the tablets are used both for learning and recreation, and that more than half of the incarcerated population uses them monthly for educational purposes. Members discussed whether user feedback or “reviews” of programs could help increase participation, and DOC said tablet-based surveys make that possible. The meeting ended with general agreement that the department has expanded programming and technology substantially and is using them to support reentry, communication, and facility operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> do an assessment is not reasonable. do an assessment is not reasonable.
• </c> special ed, are they? special ed, are they? &gt;&gt; So,<00:57:36.000><c> okay.
• </c> with our special ed plan. with our special ed plan.
• </c> special ed students? special ed students?
• </c> not a special. not a special.

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This exciting bill, SB 118, is related to special assessments for fire assessments on recreational vehicle
• This legislation clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment against an RV park
• It says, you know, the special assessment should be based on what's allowable, not actually the size
• You can't do a special assessment only that which is allowable.
• me... ...and you can only assess me $800 a year.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard three bills. First, the committee considered Senator Osgood’s home hardening products bill (CS/SB 78). The sponsor offered and the committee adopted a strike-all amendment that changed the sales tax exemption for impact-resistant doors and windows into a refund program. The refund is limited to homeowners with site-built homesteads valued at $700,000 or less, requires application to the Department of Revenue with proof of eligibility, caps the refundable tax at $500,000 per property, and runs for two years beginning July 1, 2026. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then took up Senator McLean’s land use and development regulations bill (SB 208), which would redefine compatibility, define infill residential development, allow administrative approval in certain cases, and set standards for local development-related fees. Members and stakeholders discussed concerns about the compatibility definition, the scope of administrative approval, and whether 100 acres is too large to qualify as infill. Testimony came from Audubon Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, Highland Homes, 1,000 Friends of Florida, and others, with supporters emphasizing housing supply and affordability and opponents warning about sprawl, reduced public participation, and impacts to rural lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The sponsor said he would continue working on the language, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard Senator Truenow’s bill on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks (SB 118). The bill clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment on an RV park space or campsite, the assessment may not exceed the maximum square footage allowed for an RV site. An amendment clarified that maximum as 400 square feet, resolving confusion about the cross-reference in current law. After brief discussion and one appearance form in support, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of those waivers is on assessments, on testing.
• One of those waivers is on assessments, on testing.
• Some of those costs related to special ed. Hold up.
• education, offsetting the cost of special education.
• And so as we look at special accommodations for learning.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation on the K-12 public school support budget, including how support units, career ladder funding, health insurance, discretionary funding, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund (PSIF) work. Legislative Services explained that FY 2026 support units were revised downward, creating a $22.3 million ongoing general fund reduction, and walked through the FY 2027 agency request and governor’s recommendation. The governor recommended no increase for population forecast adjustments, but did recommend some statutory and policy changes, including shifting certain interest earnings to the general fund and reducing funding for some virtual school and IDLA-related items. The agency request also included one-time proposals for a high-needs special education fund and a regional service model for related services. Members asked extensive questions about how career ladder dollars are distributed, how health insurance and discretionary funds interact, why the health insurance increase in the budget differed from current plan estimates, and how facilities money under House Bill 292 is used. There were also questions about the size and use of the Idaho Career Ready Students fund, the maintenance-of-effort implications of special education funding, and whether some special education costs are being used for student housing or other noninstructional expenses. The superintendent and budget staff emphasized that many of the budget lines are formula-driven or statutorily required, that local districts determine actual staffing and spending within those formulas, and that special education costs continue to outpace available funding. Superintendent Debbie Critchfield then framed the budget request around enrollment trends, shifting demographics, and the need for more flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted proposed categorical flexibility for some funds, changes to digital content and curriculum distribution, continued literacy gains, growth in career technical education programs funded through Idaho Career Ready Students, and the importance of endowment and Millennium Fund support. She also described the special education proposals as a temporary bridge while the state considers larger formula changes and noted a near $100 million gap between special education spending and funding. She further outlined planned federal waiver requests on assessments and flexibility, and said the department is seeking more state control over testing and reporting requirements. The committee did not take final action on the budget during this portion of the meeting. Members raised concerns about interest transfers from dedicated funds, the complexity of the funding formula, special education accountability, and whether the state should revisit the overall school funding model. Several follow-up data requests were made, including information on health insurance participation, regional special education service needs, and school contingency fund balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regarding the settle-up proposal, we have the same basic assessment as we have in January.
• So first on LCFF and special... A few of those issues that we have comments on.
• So first, on LCFF and special education, we talked about earlier.
• And thank God for that, because these special students and special educators who work with our special-needs
• We're talking about the special needs and how important it is.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Governor’s May Revision TK-12 education proposals, beginning with Proposition 98. The Department of Finance explained that the minimum guarantee rises by about $6.4 billion relative to the January budget across the three-year window, with a total of $124.9 billion in 2024-25, $125.1 billion in 2025-26, and $127.1 billion in 2026-27. Finance also described revised settle-up and reserve actions, including maintaining a $3.9 billion settle-up balance, increasing discretionary deposits into the Prop. 98 reserve, and ending with a projected reserve balance of about $10.3 billion. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the overall estimates were reasonable but urged the state to fully fund the guarantee and use other budget actions or reserves to manage volatility rather than delay settle-up payments. Members questioned the rationale for leaving the $3.9 billion unsettled, and Finance said the amount reflects revenue uncertainty and the risk of overappropriating Prop. 98 if revenues later fall. The committee then reviewed the Department of Education portion of the May Revision. Finance said the budget adds positions and state operations funding for CDE and includes trailer bill changes affecting community schools, preschool, literacy, special education, charter accountability, and other programs. The LAO highlighted concerns and recommendations on several proposals, including the size and structure of the LCFF increase, the special education base-rate increase, additional one-time community schools funding, literacy coach and math professional development augmentations, the multilingual screener, inclusive college grants, homelessness grants, and the proposed paid pregnancy disability leave mandate. CDE supported the special education increase, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, literacy and math investments, and preschool parity, while urging more support for county offices of education and clearer definitions and implementation details for some programs. Finance said the paid pregnancy leave proposal would cost an estimated $218 million annually and is intended as a recruitment and retention measure. In the Commission on Teacher Credentialing item, Finance proposed funding for legal staffing tied to SB 848 and educator misconduct cases, plus funding and fee changes to support a statewide transcript review platform for subject matter competency and additional support for the residency technical assistance center. The LAO said it had no concerns with the staffing for misconduct and SB 848, recommended the transcript review platform and related fee increase if the platform moves forward, and recommended rejecting the residency technical assistance center expansion because current funding lasts through 2029. CTC said the misconduct workload has grown over the last five to six years and that AI would be used only as a backstop to human review in the transcript system. Public commenters were split, with unions and education groups supporting special education, paid pregnancy leave, community schools, homelessness funding, and literacy investments, while opposing the $3.9 billion settle-up delay and the reduction to preschool COLA.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Fund and the Cannabis Tax Special Fund.
• Did, in your assessment and your report, did you assess the risk absent this incentive?
• Under the California Constitution to regulate county assessment practices, equalize county assessment
• ratios, and assess properties of intercompany railroads.
• However, due to the size of this project, it's subject to a special condition where a special project

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be to the future assessed values of properties and the taxes that those assessed-value increases
• This won't impact seniors who have their assessment values frozen, will it?
• I think you could probably assess that over time.
• So we had those very special categories for the neediest families.
• So we had those very special categories for the neediest families.

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR39 , SB1290 , HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , HB1250 , HB2951 , HB2961 , HB3151 , HB3581 , HB3705 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3980 , HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and several floor recognitions, including the Doctor of the Day, Psychologist of the Day, and Nurse of the Day. Members also honored the OSBI Cold Case Team for its work on unsolved cases, recognized the 75th anniversary of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and welcomed guests for the Prague-Kolache Festival. The chamber then moved into floor action on multiple measures and conference motions. The most significant item was Senate Joint Resolution 39, a property tax constitutional amendment. After extensive debate over the impact on homeowners, seniors, farmers, schools, local governments, and future revenue, the Senate adopted House amendments by a 27-19 roll call and then passed the resolution 40-8. However, the motion to order a special election failed 26-20, so the measure did not advance to a special election call. Senators also rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 2 and Senate Bill 215 and requested conference on both. The Senate passed Senate Bill 1290 unanimously as an emergency measure, and advanced or passed several House bills dealing with ARPA and funding reallocations: HB 4028, HB 4029, HB 4073, HB 4074, HB 4075, HB 4076, HB 4077, and HB 4078. Other approved measures included HB 1250 creating a Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund for local law enforcement grants, HB 2951 renaming Red Rock Prison as the Chief James Smith Correctional Center, HB 2961 creating a Gold Star Survivor tuition benefit, HB 3151 extending the school year to 173 days, and HB 3581 increasing penalties for riot-related offenses. The Senate also took up HB 3705, which would raise the Parental Choice tax credit cap from $250 million to $275 million, but the transcript cuts off during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• , but we made the assessments clear.
• It's not a surprise if a student's ready to pass that assessment or not.
• Would that be if you’re needing special, for a critical shortage area?”
• Well, when the students take the assessments, they're getting their results.
• That's going to bring us to our special education high-cost occurrences fund.

Summary: The committee approved the March 9 and 10 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Arkansas Department of Education on the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship, featuring three third-grade teachers from Cabot, Poyen, and Drew Central who are also teacher merit pay recipients. The teachers described the fellowship as a year-long Zoom-based collaboration with about 23 educators statewide, focused on sharing classroom strategies, data use, and professional support. Members asked about the teachers’ experience, how they share what they learn with their districts, the range of grades represented in the fellowship, and the relationship between the fellowship and merit pay. The teachers emphasized building relationships with students, using data to drive instruction, early intervention, and collaboration across grade levels, while the secretary said the program is intended to identify and elevate high-performing teachers and spread their practices. A major portion of the discussion focused on third-grade reading, retention, and the new ATLAS testing system. Teachers and the secretary said students are screened and progress monitored throughout the year, families are notified early if students are at risk, and schools are using interventions, tutoring, and individualized reading plans. They said ATLAS results are now available much faster than in the past, often within 24 hours or a few days, allowing teachers and parents to respond quickly. Members asked about the impact of poverty, trauma, foster care, DHS involvement, IEPs, and critical shortage areas; teachers said relationship-building, small-group instruction, and coordination with counselors and special education staff are key. The secretary said the fellowship is a small subset of a broader merit pay program, that participation was voluntary, and that the state is trying to build a coherent system with literacy coaches, high-impact tutoring, and clearer standards rather than teaching to the test. Members also discussed broader policy issues, including the need for more positive public messaging about public education, teacher input in decision-making, and support for early childhood education. Several legislators asked whether the state should expand funding for early learning and whether more literacy or academic coaches are needed in districts that improve and then lose eligibility for state support. The secretary said the state has committed literacy coaches to D and F schools and is still working through how to sustain support as schools improve. He also said the administration would look at data and return on investment before supporting additional funding, and he encouraged legislators to help recruit eligible teachers into future fellowship cohorts. After the teacher panel concluded, the committee moved on to the adequacy resource allocation study, where Bureau of Legislative Research staff began a presentation on state and local education funding sources, categorical funds, and district spending patterns.

Transcript Highlights:

• for special education.
• The special education funding stream...
• At this level, special education rates across the state will be fully equalized, meaning every special
• To cover special education costs.
• we agree that special education.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, House File 238 clarifies how interest is calculated on municipal special assessments and requires
• So uh that is my bill, Mr. have experienced assessments as a result have experienced assessments as a
• The homeowner opts to let the assessment The homeowner opts to let the assessment certify<00:03:59.360
• The property owner makes no other principal reductions in 2026. assessment by $5,000. assessment by $5,000
• </c> The municipality re-certifies the remaining assessment balance of $5,600 to the county and assesses

Bills: HF238 , HF3381 , HF3754 , HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food

Transcript Highlights:

• Special Agent Francisrancia Thompson, I may have misunderstood. I apologize.
• That would be to the future assessed values of properties and the taxes that those assessed value increases
• I think you could probably assess that over time.
• More revenue ultimately because of the assessed values, artificial or not.
• So we had those very special categories for the neediest families.

Bills: SJR50 , SJR51 , SJR52 , SJR53 , SJR54 , SJR39 , SB1290 , HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , HB1250 , HB2951 , HB2961 , HB3151 , HB3581 , HB3705 , HB3970 , HB3972 , HB3980 , HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• The endangered species request special is recommended by the LFC for 2,000,000, while the executive did
• And five lines from that, you just touched on the number of tobacco cessation or special...
• session, just this last special session.
• As a self-funded agency, we do have the revenue coming in from the increase in the assessment fee.
• In addition, we also have a special guest, Alexandria Taylor.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services, the recommended services the student needs to benefit from special education, and the date
• We had a son who was in special education.
• I'm on the preschool assessment team, and I'm also the parent of a student with an IEP.
• For example, I have a family who was not able to attend their original assessment appointment.
• As a preschooler who is not yet enrolled in school, they bring the student for assessment.

Summary: The committee first took executive action on House Bill 1662, which would require the State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and the Washington State Charter School Commission to make separate administrative arrangements and operate independently. Staff explained a proposed third substitute that delays implementation to July 1, 2027, clarifies independent agency status, and directs OFM and OSPI to support the transition. The prime sponsor and another member spoke in favor, emphasizing agency independence and better use of funds. The committee approved the bill 19-0 and reported the proposed third substitute out with a due pass recommendation. The committee then acted on House Bill 1683, which sets minimum numbers of school directors elected by director district for certain school districts. The substitute changed the enrollment thresholds, clarified the effective date, and removed intent language. Supporters argued it would improve parent and student representation; opponents said it would create an unfunded mandate and micromanage local districts. The committee passed the substitute 11-8 and reported it out with a due pass recommendation. In public hearing, House Bill 2534 was heard first. The bill would expand enrollment flexibility and record-transfer protections for military-connected students, including allowing enrollment before arrival, extending proof-of-residence timelines, and adding protections for students with IEPs or 504 plans. District, military, and advocacy witnesses generally supported the bill as promoting stability, though some asked for changes to a proposed 30-day reevaluation timeline and noted possible compact-related issues. The hearing then moved to House Bill 2557, which would require school districts to provide special education evaluation reports to parents at least five school days before eligibility meetings. Supporters said this would help families prepare and participate meaningfully; district and special education staff warned it could shorten already tight evaluation timelines and create implementation challenges. The committee suspended and later closed the hearing on that bill after time ran out, with the chair noting it could be eligible for executive action the following week. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2594, which would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections into state law, assign related duties to OSPI and school districts, and require periodic state reporting. The sponsor and numerous advocates, school district staff, PTA representatives, and individuals with lived experience testified in support, saying it would improve stability, accountability, and access to education for homeless students. One witness asked that grant funding explicitly include community-based organizations. The hearing closed after a large number of pro and some con sign-ins, and the chair also closed the hearing on House Bill 2557, noting amendment deadlines and that the bills could be eligible for executive action the next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT THE UNITS THAT HAVE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, YES, I'M LOOKING AT THE DATA AND ON
• ASSESSMENT OR AN ASSESSMENT BEING ISSUED- WE ARE DOING KEYWORD SEARCHES TO SEE IF SOMETHING POPS UP?
• IT WAS MORE OF THE IS THE ASSOCIATION READY TO DO A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT OR DO I NEED TO LET MY BUYER KNOW
• THAT THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT COMING?
• IN ASSOCIATIONS THAT USE THEM HAVE FEWER SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, MORE PREDICTABILITY, ALL OF THAT.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> satisfied with these most specialized satisfied with these most specialized products<00:15:35.839
• </c> feeding accessory sets, and specialized feeding accessory sets, and specialized pediatric<00:16:
• a min choice assessment.
• a min choice assessment.
• Um, as comprehensive assessments.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• At this level, special education rates across the state will be fully equalized, meaning every special
• As a state director of special education, a former SELPA director, and a district director of special
• Special education costs, we’ve had a panel on it already.
• Special education services are mandated, and as such, every dollar that's not funded for special education
• In all of my districts, between 25% of their budget goes to special education to offset the cost of special

Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform will now come to order.
• In the assessment world, January 1st is the assessment date.
• You get a full year, and it's before you even assess it the next year.
• He assessed those 10 cows on January 1st.
• You have to have an assessment date.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• May Revise hearings so we can continue to take part in the budget process, evaluate the proposals, assess
• The initial assessments, along with a subsequent assessment performed by CHP in late 2021, have identified
• Readiness activities include readiness surveys and assessments, CSPS awareness activities and campaigns
• As you've heard, the Bureau has already received a special fund loan that addresses its costs through
• What was your analysis, assessment of why you're requesting this without this kind of analysis?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we are moving on to House Bill 1065, HD1, relating to Early Childhood educator special special
• special fund.
• Repeals a Hawaii early childhood education educator special fund.
• fund, repeals a Hawaii early childhood education educator special fund. special fund repeals a Hawaii
• educator</c><00:02:56.360><c> special</c> childhood education educator special childhood education educator

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have become more adversarial in posture, and our relationship with the Taiwanese government, our special
• Also, we have a special guest in the galley and this is a guest of Also, we have a special guest in the
• Special order is adopted. Secretary, please call the first bill on the calendar.
• Before we move into the next bill, I'd like to recognize a special guest that's in the gallery.
• events under existing special event licenses.

Bills: SJR 39 , SB 22 , SB 30 , SB 33 , SB 34 , SB 37 , SB 75 , SB 209 , SB 310 , SB 505 , SB 552 , SB 618 , SB 626 , SB 636 , SB 732 , SB 747 , SB 762 , SB 769 , SB 819 , SB 825 , SB 870 , SB 926 , SB 964 , SB 1030 , SB 1080 , SB 1099 , SB 1124 , SB 1177 , SB 1208 , SB 1233 , SB 1314 , SB 1325 , SB 1333 , SB 1405 , SB 1455 , SB 1506 , SB 1524 , SB 1541 , SB 1577 , SB 1579 , SB 1596 , SB 1646 , SB 1667 , SB 1727 , SB 1750 , SB 1758 , SB 1760 , SB 1791 , SB 1804 , SB 1806 , SB 1869 , SB 1923 , SB 1927 , SB 1951 , SB 1960 , SB 1962 , SB 2023 , SB 2024 , SB 2056 , SB 2078 , SB 2122 , SB 2129 , SB 2180 , SB 2183 , SB 2185 , SB 2207 , SB 2252 , SB 2361 , SB 2365 , SB 2368 , SB 2405 , SB 2411 , SB 2420 , SB 2425 , SB 2569 , SB 2717 , SJR 36 , SJR 50 , SJR 39 , SJR 63 , SJR 68 , SCR 12 , SCR 39 , SCR 38 , SCR 37 , SCR 42 , SCR 29 , SB 762 , SB 1596 , SB 62 , SB 666 , SB 847 , SB 284 , SB 854 , SB 1073 , SB 810 , SB 1539 , SB 1505 , SB 583 , SB 957 , SB 1502 , SB 507 , SB 1026 , SB 1349 , SB 1433 , SB 1434 , SB 310 , SB 505 , SB 264 , SB 1364 , SB 1376 , SB 1585 , SB 1772 , SB 2016 , SB 1163 , SB 619 , SB 1122 , SB 1877 , SB 732 , SB 731 , SB 397 , SB 508 , SB 1333 , SB 1436 , SB 964 , SB 287 , SB 2143 , SB 261 , SB 1247 , SB 1882 , SB 618 , SB 393 , SB 2243 , SB 2226 , SB 1919 , SB 1791 , SB 22 , SB 651 , SB 1080 , SB 826 , SB 1079 , SB 1243 , SB 1504 , SB 1851 , SB 1879 , SB 2237 , SB 1257 , SB 2034 , SB 1522 , SB 1151 , SB 596 , SB 1191 , SB 226 , SB 570 , SB 870 , SB 991 , SB 60 , SB 1401 , SB 1728 , SB 586 , SB 529 , SB 217 , SB 209 , SB 1923 , SB 1839 , SB 387 , SB 1874 , SB 1872 , SB 1873 , SB 1921 , SB 1883 , SB 1620 , SB 1838 , SB 2024 , SB 2429 , SB 1999 , SB 511 , SB 2309 , SB 2166 , SB 510 , SB 33 , SB 2420 , SB 1860 , SB 1541 , SB 1314 , SB 1398 , SB 1869 , SB 1750 , SB 855 , SB 1233 , SB 2425 , SB 2037 , SB 1758 , SB 1759 , SB 2365 , SB 1924 , SB 1818 , SB 1405 , SB 1762 , SB 1968 , SB 1977 , SB 2077 , SB 2321 , SB 1662 , SB 1663 , SB 2124 , SB 2204 , SB 1855 , SB 863 , SB 37 , SB 819 , SB 2078 , SB 2252 , SB 1962 , SB 2253 , SB 825 , SB 1577 , SB 1184 , SB 2018 , SB 2206 , SB 1901 , SB 1030 , SB 2368 , SB 1963 , SB 1960 , SB 1643 , SB 1625 , SB 1299 , SB 841 , SB 668 , SB 584 , SB 231 , SB 2411 , SB 1085 , SB 2431 , SB 2231 , SB 1490 , SB 530 , SB 34 , SB 1261 , SB 552 , SB 1099 , SB 1646 , SB 2180 , SB 1804 , SB 1937 , SB 1936 , SB 2569 , SB 1372 , SB 1208 , SB 1124 , SB 1506 , SB 1806 , SB 1868 , SB 2361 , SB 2314 , SB 769 , SB 1409 , SB 2122 , SB 434 , SB 1214 , SB 1951 , SB 2183 , SB 2046 , SB 1667 , SB 1870 , SB 1727 , SB 2405 , SB 2127 , SB 1975 , SB 1760 , SB 1734 , SB 1335 , SB 2066 , SB 2129 , SB 2246 , SB 2439 , SB 1624 , SB 1244 , SB 1468 , SB 2717 , SB 1612 , SB 1262 , SB 604 , SB 2395 , SB 2185 , SB 1832 , SB 1745 , SB 1746 , SB 2207 , SB 2023 , SB 1784 , SB 1524 , SB 626 , SB 528 , SB 437 , SB 269 , SB 1137 , SB 968 , SB 636 , SB 747 , SB 1325 , SB 1789 , SB 1455 , SB 2056 , SB 75 , SB 1940 , SB 2052 , SB 1927 , SB 2010 , SB 1579 , SB 2068 , SB 3034 , SB 844 , SB 1920 , SB 1177 , SB 1558 , SB 1236 , SB 1044 , SB 926 , SB 884 , SB 463 , SB 331 , SB 227 , SB 240 , SB 517 , SB 1200 , SB 1410 , SB 1626 , SB 1845 , SB 1863 , SB 2216 , SB 2681 , SB 1717 , SB 2053 , SB 546 , SB 2141 , SB 2949 , SB 2323 , SB 2200 , SB 2332 , SB 2199 , SB 1642 , SB 1150 , SB 1757 , SB 2050 , SB 1138 , SB 2051 , SB 2626 , SB 2458 , SB 1864 , SB 30 , SB 2201 , SB 1862 , SB 1583 , SB 1583 , SB 1055 , SB 2660 , SB 1898 , SB 2662 , SB 2662 , SB 2161 , SB 2161 , SB 2964 , SB 2881 , SB 1065 , SB 1065 , SB 801 , SB 2743 , SB 2533 , SB 2533 , SB 1413 , SB 1413 , SB 1 , SB 34 , SB 310 , SB 819 , SB 1030 , SB 1124 , SB 1208 , SB 1233 , SB 1333 , SB 1405 , SB 1541 , SB 1750 , SB 1758 , SB 1869 , SB 2078 , SB 2365 , SB 2411 , SB 762 , SB 33 , SB 37 , SB 505 , SR 402 , SR 409 , SB 2695 , SB 2695

Keywords: constitutional amendment, veto override, legislature power, governor, Texas Constitution, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading