Transcript Highlights:

• Apologies, I know that costs funding, but...
• So the money in HB 2 is equivalent to what it would cost to erase the disability penalty.
• Because if we eliminate the disability penalty with the money that they're allocating towards HB 2, we
• Allocated right now, or they're trying to allocate it for getting rid of or increasing the basic allotment

Keywords: special education, funding gap, dyslexia, House Bill 2, Senate Bill 568, House Bill 3928, disability penalty

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on special education funding, with significant discussions around House Bill 2 (HB2), Senate Bill 568 (SB568), and House Bill 3928 (HB3928). Key speakers advocated for increased funding to close the estimated $1.7 billion annual gap that affects special education in Texas public schools. Several witnesses, including educators and students affected by dyslexia, provided personal testimonies about the impact of insufficient funding and the disability penalty, which penalizes schools financially for identifying students needing special education services. The committee demonstrated a strong commitment to advocate for changes that would improve special education resources and training for teachers, thereby ensuring that all Texas children receive the educational support they need to thrive.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1034 by Morales. two and two and three are allocations of building improvements to residents.
• improvementkaha » and that an arterial development for this to reflect businesses attention and the security cost
• Students refer to the committee on public education, HB 1086 by Currie relating to the cost of living
• HB 1119 by Gamma is relating to the manual report of the Regional Allocation of Mental Health Beds.
• component institutions of the Texas State University System and repealing the limitation on the allocations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:04.600> and um cost and um cost and it<00:23:07.159> does<00:23:07.360> it
• <03:09:23.880> of funds that would increase our cost of funds that would increase our cost
• <03:27:04.080> and<03:27:04.239> improves it saves costs and improves it saves costs
• If you had any further questions on any of that... it cost for us to create a plate and the it cost for
• <04:26:17.960> to to at least make um what it costs to to at least make um what it costs to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language. The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process. Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I do trust that they will allocate funds and prioritize funds correctly because...
• cost us much more money in the long run. cost us much more money in the long run.
• good error rate and not increase costs good error rate and not increase costs down<01:16:38.640>
• The actual costs, which are first allocated towards the software and administrative costs, are approximately
• Where are the costs going to be for the management at DOE?

Keywords: 10:00am HB 1260 11:00am HB 1574 12:00pm HB 1816 2:30pm HB 1499 2:45pm HB 1709, 928, house, all

Summary: The conference committee first met on HB 1260, a bill requested by municipal clerks to allow certain divorce-related records to be kept confidential. House members argued the Senate amendment would reverse the presumption of openness established in the Keene Sentinel case and raise constitutional issues under the state constitution’s privacy and open-government provisions. Senate members responded that the 2018 privacy amendment, the limited scope of the proposal, and modern internet risks justified the change, but the House maintained the issue needed a full hearing in a separate bill. The committee ultimately voted unanimously for the Senate to recede and adopt the House version, preserving the underlying bill without the Senate amendment, and both sides said they would revisit the topic in a future session. The committee then took up HB 1574, which extends free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch programs and provides funding for SNAP administrative costs. The main dispute was the Senate’s addition of $4.4 million for SNAP administration, which DHHS said was needed because federal law would shift more administrative costs to the state and could increase the state’s SNAP error rate, potentially triggering much larger future penalties. DHHS officials reported the current error rate was 7.57% for federal fiscal year 2024, below the national average, and estimated that if the rate rose above 8%, the state could owe about 10% of SNAP benefits, or roughly $12 million for a partial year and nearly $16 million for a full year. Some House members supported the added funding as a preventive measure, while others objected that the underlying bill was modest and the amendment resembled a previously rejected proposal. The discussion ended with the committee moving toward the House position and the bill’s future depending on the chamber’s vote on the Senate amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of cost, if this bill is passed and high school surfing is funded, that won't be an issue.
• In terms of cost, if this bill is passed and high school surfing is funded, that won't be an issue.
• In terms of cost, if this bill is passed and high school surfing is funded, that won't be an issue.
• They said we just have to lay out what our plans would be, and they would give us a cost for that.
• The member then asked about the cost.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For reference, the Muddy Committee's approved funding 11 positions in total to be funded with cost allocation
• offset the cost of these IDs then?
• needs and the highest costs.
• costs that they had available.
• This pilot allocated an additional $5 billion to dampen the cost of the MFP and prevent Medicare premiums

Bills: AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6

Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district

Transcript Highlights:

• So if there's a cost savings for a project, I know within that bundle you have some of the projects that's
• Who determines if you have a cost savings on one to where that cost savings can be allocated toward If
• you have a cost savings on one, to where that cost savings can be allocated toward a project, I guess
• you did review the timeline as far as how you got to this point to where you presented You with the cost
• we can, I guess, the House member can have opportunity to kind of get a bite of that apple of the cost

Bills: SB406

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Homes, with total development costs of nearly $1.9 billion.
• Because of the timing of our funding process, we would be able to allocate these resources within this
• It's often out the door within days of its quarterly allocation.
• I'll also mention that one of our community action partners has calculated that it costs them roughly
• Manufactured housing continues to be one of the most cost-effective forms of unsubsidized housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• mandates; there are only location choices to have these signs if you have an AED, and there are no costs
• It will include request requirements and removal procedures for the signage, payment of signage costs
• So again, no mandates, no cost to the state.
• There is an allocation for four new employees at the Office of the Legislature.
• $10 will now cost $25 this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• As far as the net cost, where do I go to see what that net cost is?
• that net cost, or are you reporting that net cost?
• members' costs low.
• to me the parties you would want to negotiate to allocate that cost would be, I guess, with the plans
• And if they do, are there restrictions on negotiating to allocate the costs between the parties that

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's largely driven by cost-allocated funds.
• It's largely driven by cost-allocated funds.
• It's largely driven by cost-allocated funds.
• You know, overall costs for there. It's largely driven by cost-allocated funds.
• it's not a match it's likely cost it's not a match it's likely cost allocation<03:10:31.319>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• cost savings effort.
• And so the costs are on the technology and of updating that, and the work of just updating it.
• cost savings effort.
• other times there are not there's a cost other times there are not there's a cost Associated<00:
• Senator Nelson asked how much it costs to hold an academy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, pavement costs money, sealant costs money, all the things. Mr. Chair.
• So yes, pavement costs money, sealant costs money, all the things.
• at other costs.
• So, yes, pavement costs at other costs.
• Cost-effectiveness ratio or life cycle cost analysis.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the cost?
• What is the cost?
• <00:26:05.200> for some of these subscription costs for some of these subscription costs for
• Oh, um, because they're split funded with a cost allocation. I see. Funds next, right after that.
• because they're split funded with a cost because they're split funded with a cost allocation<03:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• given the number of dollars allocate given the number of dollars that<00:15:14.800> are<00:15
• What is the cost of those facilities for the renovations or redesign? Do you know?
• <01:02:24.559> of much is is the cost?
• What is the cost of much is is the cost?
• But the big barrier is simply the cost. The longer we wait, the more expensive it's going to get.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:03 Roll Call: 00:00:09 Agency Updates: 00:01:44 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board Update: 00:03:36 Department of Juvenile Justice Update: 00:23:10, 958, all

Summary: The Juvenile Justice Oversight Council approved the minutes from its November 8, 2024 meeting and welcomed new member Representative Nick Wilson. The council also heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on a school attendance awareness campaign aimed at reducing truancy referrals to court, and a member requested a future, more detailed presentation on truancy trends. The council then received an update from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board from Dr. David Frink and Elsie Berger. They described the board’s membership, meeting schedule, public access, annual report and three-year plan, and its role in helping Kentucky remain compliant with federal juvenile justice requirements so the state can receive Title II funding. They said the board reviews grant applications for community-based services, substance use, and early intervention programs, with about $584,000 in federal funds this year and a little over $600,000 expected next year. Members asked about participation, board vacancies, and how to engage with the board, and the presenters emphasized the importance of statewide representation and community input. The Department of Juvenile Justice then provided a broader update through Commissioner Randy White and Deputy Secretary Mona Wamik. White said DJJ is under an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation focused on conditions in detention facilities, including use of force, isolation, abuse, mental health care, and special education, and said the department has cooperated with repeated information requests and site visits. He also reviewed recent legislative and administrative changes, including 2023 Senate Bill 162, regional detention planning, facility segregation requirements, staffing and salary investments, improved staffing levels, reduced mental health vacancies, and training efforts related to security threat groups. He said DJJ has made progress but continues to work on staffing, safety, and facility improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• help us make decisions on how we fund things and what our funding formulas look like, and how we allocate
• We know that this is costing the college money.
• However, there are some lab fees, a very small portion, that would actually decrease in cost for the
• Along with that, you know, there are hard costs in the college system that we can't control.
• And of course, those costs are continually going up.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not all of the tax revenue from severance taxes that normally is allocable to the Economic Stabilization
• Increase in monetary demand for goods and services financed by the extra savings. combined with cost
• , as well as housing and rental. costs.
• The property owner may also provide the historical cost.
• If we we allocate our property reduction money to. exemptions.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That comes at a cost, and it comes at a cost if we don't do it.
• But that solution comes at a cost.
• The state's financial costs for these delays is enormous, with each incarcerated person costing the state
• cost pressures that are coming.
• Costs in this area seem to be increasing, and you have some pending cost pressures that are coming down

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will cost less if I voluntarily come forward. So there's information on that.
• That is no cost to us as an agency; we just passed that along but it is a huge cost to the taxpayer.
• We didn't do anything to reduce our cost.
• Fiber is the gold standard; it will cost more.
• Now, where that money goes with all the cost savings. I don't know.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The invasion curve helps us show the typical trajectory of increasing costs of control with increasing
• Preventing the introduction, release, and establishment of invasive wildlife is key to cost-effective
• Once an invasion has occurred, the ecological and economic cost to the state is high.
• It comes down to how many snakes can we remove and what's cost effective.
• Technologies that are cost-prohibitive. And the... Senator Sharief, may I have got one hotline?

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government convened with a quorum present and excused Senators Arrington and Pizzo. The committee first took up confirmation hearings for appointments on tabs 1 through 4, and Senator DiCeglie moved to recommend confirmation of all appointees together. The motion passed unanimously, and the appointees were favorably recommended. The main presentation was from FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Wharton on invasive species management in Florida. He described the scale of the problem, including more than 500 non-native species reported in the state, and outlined FWC’s prevention, containment, removal, outreach, and research efforts. He highlighted risk screenings, the conditional/prohibited species framework, enforcement actions against illegal wildlife trafficking, and public programs such as the Florida Python Challenge, lionfish outreach, the Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and the “I’ve Got One” reporting app. He also noted ongoing removal efforts for pythons, tegus, lionfish, and iguanas, and discussed new technologies and partnerships aimed at improving control efforts. Members asked follow-up questions about FWC issues beyond invasive species, including the status of special activity licenses for threatened species and giant manta rays, the upcoming bear hunt, and whether the committee could help reduce barriers to invasive species removal on federal lands. Wharton said all SAL permits for threatened species are currently suspended pending Commission review, that Florida is on track for a bear hunt this December with 172 permits issued across four subpopulations, and that bear management is based on scientific data while urban bear conflicts still require separate management. He also said federal partners are increasingly cooperative on python control, including commercialization of hides, and that drones, sentinel snakes, robotic lures, and AI-based traps may improve future invasive species removal. Senator Sharief and Senator Burton later requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on tabs 1 through 4, and the committee then adjourned.