Transcript Highlights:

• The result would be an increase in the total HEF funding level to 127%, bringing the total dollar amount
• the Higher Education Fund, or what we call HEF funds.
• The HEF funds were developed and put in place in 1986 as a way to provide funding for facilities for
• That is important to remember about HEF funds; they are not used for day-to-day expenses at any of the
• As I mentioned, HEF funds were started in 1983, and in 1983, We lived in an analog world.

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• I see $0, but it looks like we have a statutorily dedicated fund for $3 million in federal funds and
• So we utilize $3.3 million from that fund to meet that 750 additional... it's called the Cal Fund."
• monies and various Treasury funds.
• Storage Trust Fund.
• The funding is currently in there.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, TSTC does not have a reliable source for capital funding, with the HEF, the Higher Education
• Fund, capped at 2.2%.
• So the Legislature did us a giant favor when they added us to the HEF, but our HEF is capped.
• and the Texas University Fund.
• and the Texas University Fund.

Summary: The committee heard and discussed several higher education and public school bills. Senator Burwell presented SB 1242 to remove an outdated Coordinating Board approval requirement for Texas State Technical College land and facility acquisitions, and SJR 59 to create a constitutionally dedicated endowment for TSTC capital needs; both drew strong support from industry and workforce groups and were left pending. SB 757, by Senator Middleton, would create a debt-to-earnings accountability system for public college programs, with supporters saying it would protect students from low-value degrees and opponents warning it could unfairly penalize programs with long-term value, especially graduate, medical, and public service fields; it was also left pending. SB 1241, by Senator Millington, would expand acceptable college entrance exams beyond the SAT and ACT, including the Classic Learning Test, and was left pending after testimony from CLT, homeschool, and student groups in support. SB 1085, by Senator Blanco, would let Sul Ross State University offer lower-division courses at its satellite campuses in the Middle Rio Grande region; it too was left pending. The committee then took up a series of public school and higher education measures, voting several out favorably. SB 605, as substituted, limits commissioner approval of charter school expansion amendments for schools under conservatorship or a management team and was reported favorably 9-0. SB 1871 and SB 1873, both by Senator Perry, were revised to narrow teacher immunity, clarify removal and suspension procedures, require periodic review of in-school suspension placements, and align discipline rules; both substitutes were adopted and reported favorably. SB 1872, SB 1874, SB 762, SB 1962, SB 1750, SB 2252, SB 2253, SB 2365, SB 1924, and SB 37 were also considered, with most reported favorably on party-line or near-unanimous votes. SB 1750 would replace a flat charter school facilities funding cap with an attendance-based formula; SB 2252 and SB 2253 address kindergarten readiness, early literacy/numeracy, and educator preparation; SB 2365 concerns student phone use during instructional time; SB 1924 restores local citation authority for certain school offenses and adds reporting, notice, and completion requirements; and SB 37 would expand state oversight of higher education curriculum, governance, faculty senates, and compliance with state law. Other measures heard included SB 769, which would require a Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education; supporters emphasized the need for better data and accessibility, while witnesses suggested broader reporting on race, disability types, and K-12-to-college transitions. SB 2231 would designate a Free College Application Week in October and was left pending. SB 1878 would modernize the Josie School statute and provide formula funding and aid eligibility for Polytechnic College. SB 1409 would authorize universities to offer self-funded student health benefit plans, with Rice University and Texas 2036 supporting the measure as a way to lower costs and expand coverage. SB 2431 would require universities to give foreign language credit for study abroad programs, SB 2314 would require schools to inform students about opting in or out of record sharing for direct admissions through My Texas Future, and SB 2138 would extend the state’s anti-ESG contracting restrictions to public higher education endowments and governing boards; these later bills were introduced and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this was a bill we brought forward with bipartisan support to help fund and address some of those
• And so, this is money and ways that we actually get funding right out to our communities.
• Um, has this been affected by federal funds at all? Federal fund cuts at all. Representative Meyer.
• </c> been affected by federal funds at all? been affected by federal funds at all?
• </c> Federal fund cuts at all. Federal fund cuts at all. Representative<00:05:04.800><c> Meyer.

Bills: SF2077, HF2439, HF841

Keywords: environmental protection, natural resources, wildlife management, public funding, community grants, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, food support, emergency funding, shelf programs, Minnesota statutes, appropriation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• One percent of the tax goes to the state general fund, with the remaining 4% being distributed to the
• Following receipt, the county must distribute funds to taxing districts within the county according to
• First, the funds go to districts that have debt service from excess levies used for capital purposes.
• , and any remaining funds are distributed to each taxing district in the county in proportion to the
• bill will not affect state revenues and has an indeterminate effect on individual school district funding

Bills: SB5994

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• such as the Site Improvement Fund, and there is funding for research parks and economic development
• Deposits $56 million of excess funds in the various funds, mainly in the State Emergency Response Fund
• revitalization fund, LED initiative funds, and creating the Strategic Investments Across Louisiana Fund
• Fund.
• Fund.

Bills: HB1, HB2, HB3, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill fully funds the Foundation School Program, appropriating $75.6 billion in all funds.
• It funds contracts that are awarded on the basis of race.
• These funds are to be distributed to school districts.
• Additional funding. All right. Members, any questions? Thank you.
• But it not only speeds the fund toward solvency, but it also... So as Mr.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> levies down with their uh general fund levies down with their uh general fund state<00:10:13.360
• funding the uh or organizing the funding the uh or organizing the government.<00:30:17.760><c> Over</
• in the general fund.
• </c> operating capital in the general fund. operating capital in the general fund.
• </c> education funds to cover the gap. education funds to cover the gap.

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• representative laery representative Truitt<00:01:16.680><c> Vice</c><00:01:16.920><c> share</c><00:01:17.240><c> Hef
• ><00:01:18.040><c> here</c><00:01:18.400><c> chair</c><00:01:18.680><c> binin</c> Truitt Vice share Hef
• here chair binin Truitt Vice share Hef here chair binin we<00:01:19.759><c> I'm</c><00:01:20.280><c>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 HB 808 Discussion 01:31 HB 808 Vote 03:44 HB 775 Discussion 05:11 HB 775 Vote 10:05, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 808, sponsored by Rep. Ken Upchurch. The bill, as explained by the sponsor and his guests, would support a public-private partnership process for developing Burnside Island State Park in Pulaski County into a tourism destination with possible lodging and restaurants. Members asked questions about the proposal, and one lighthearted objection was raised during questioning. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed HB 808 with favorable expression. The committee then considered House Bill 775, sponsored by Rep. Jason Nemes, which would allow a new TIF within the existing Yum Center TIF in Louisville. Nemes said the measure was requested by Louisville officials, would not cost the state money, and was intended to spur development and strengthen the broader TIF area. Members asked about the purpose and scope of the bill, including whether it would apply elsewhere in the state and how a nested TIF would help; Nemes said it was narrowly tailored and designed to encourage growth through added activity and tourism. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed HB 775 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> how vital these funds are. how vital these funds are.
• . funding. funding.
• </c> reduction in funding. reduction in funding.
• </c> was flat funding for us. was flat funding for us.
• for</c><01:15:22.240><c> those</c> those funds that funding um for those those funds that funding um

Bills: HF1660, HF1824, HF1926, HF1002, HF994, HF1915, HF1336

Keywords: children, youth programming, needs assessment, community engagement, state funding, education, funding, school districts, state budget, rural schools, food support, Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, food shelves, grant funding, Minnesota FoodShare, early childhood, Head Start, education funding, developmental programs, literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> propose a targeted investment to fund propose a targeted investment to fund free<00:29:25.840><c
• </c> because of universal meals your fund because of universal meals your fund balances<00:52:53.200>
• Funding is my biggest challenge.
• Funding is my biggest challenge.
• Funding is my biggest challenge.

Bills: HF827, HF1258, HF2387, HF2388, HF2534, HF2016

Keywords: education, school funding, consolidation aid, financial support, Minnesota Statutes, education finance, ice arena, school districts, cooperation agreement, equal sports opportunities, school milk program, nutrition, food waste, kindergarten, public schools, supplemental revenue, charter schools, funding, state appropriations, general education funding

Transcript Highlights:

• This supplemental funding is necessary to prevent a lapse in funding and to ensure continued statewide
• Why not go to a private funder and get those supplemental funds they may need?
• I don't know that it could be simply privately funded.
• Why not go to a private funder and get those supplemental funds they may need?
• I don't know that it could be simply privately funded.

Bills: HB2786, HB2787

Keywords: mental health, substance abuse, appropriation, state funding, emergency declaration, healthcare, State Department of Health, childbirth program, emergency funding

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 2786, with Representative Stinson presenting a PCS as the working draft. He explained the bill as supplemental funding for the Department of Mental Health to close out its 2025 budget and pay obligations the department had fallen short on. The committee moved quickly to a do pass vote, and the bill was reported out 31-0 with no nays. The committee then took up House Bill 2787, with Representative West presenting a PCS as the working draft. She described the bill as a one-time $2 million supplemental for previously established costs tied to the Choosing Childbirth Program, saying the funding was needed to avoid a lapse in services for nearly 4,000 mothers and babies until the Oklahoma Pregnancy Care Network can re-enter bidding in 2028. She emphasized oversight and transparency measures, including provider vetting, invoice review, annual evaluations, and a reported 97% of expenses going to client services. Members raised concerns about accountability, transparency, and why the funding should come from state general revenue rather than private sources, noting prior audits and news reports. Representative West said the network is a 501(c)(3), uses private dollars as well, and that the program is a public-private partnership already established by law. She also said she would share the 2025 tax return information with the committee. The committee then voted to report HB 2787 out do pass by a vote of 26-5, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding was made possible in a large part by the IIJA funding and also using a design-build finance contracting
• So we need that really funding certainty.
• the funding would mean for your city?
• Many of our products are funded through federal funds. They aren't all.
• We count on the federal funding reimbursement on a weekly basis to move... our funds forward so that,

Keywords: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, IIJA, bipartisan infrastructure, funding flexibility, NEPA, environmental reviews, bureaucratic delays, federal funding, infrastructure investment

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, discussing the ongoing implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Chairman Capito highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the necessity of refining existing provisions to ensure effective delivery of transportation projects. Notable emphasis was placed on the need for flexibility in funding to address inflation impacts and delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles, especially relating to environmental reviews under NEPA. Witnesses from state transportation agencies provided valuable insights into real-world challenges faced in project execution, ultimately underscoring the importance of continuous federal support for infrastructure development. The discussion also touched on the broader implications of federal funding freezes by the previous administration, which have reportedly hindered several ongoing and planned projects. This issue raised significant concern among committee members, who urged the need for reliable funding and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that could cause delays in project implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the members to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth path forward for critical infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• or really no funding at all.
• for external funds to come in.
• It's funding those devices and funding that training.
• We see lack of funds.
• Maybe we can triple the funds.

Bills: HB506, HB590, HB647, HB685, HB692, HB839, HB860, HB873, HB887, HB965, HB972, HB982, HB1072, HB1157

Keywords: license plates, prestige plates, Fraternal Order of Police, charitable donations, high school representation, waterway projects, application timeline, government funding, semi-annual submissions, Louisiana waterways, public procurement, motor vehicles, rolling stock, FAST Act, Louisiana bid law, hospital service district, construction management, public works, contract limit, bidding process

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1157, which would create a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank to provide a new funding mechanism for transportation projects, including roads, bridges, rail, ports, and airports. The chairman and DOTD Secretary Glenn LaDoux said the bank would help leverage state, federal, local, and private dollars, modelled in part on programs in Florida and other states, and would be used for gap funding and faster project delivery. Members asked extensive questions about board makeup, oversight, seed funding, application priorities, and how the program would differ from capital outlay and other existing funding tools. Support testimony came from Greater New Orleans, Inc. and other groups, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved several mostly technical or local bills, including HB 860 allowing fillable electronic public bid forms; HB 972 naming a portion of Highway 93 in Lafayette Parish the Desert Shield Desert Storm Memorial Highway; HB 965 naming a portion of Highway 163 for Sergeant William Billy Earl Collins Jr.; HB 692 allowing local governments to use group purchasing organizations, as amended; HB 685 allowing cooperative procurement for public motor vehicles and rolling stock under FAST Act procedures, which passed after a roll call vote with one no vote; HB 982 designating portions of highways in Morehouse Parish, as amended; HB 506 creating specialty license plates, as amended; HB 839 lowering the CMAR threshold for hospital service districts from $2 million to $1 million via substitute bill; HB 647 revising the waterway assistance program and application timelines via substitute bill; and HB 887 revising construction management-at-risk procedures, as amended. Most of these measures were reported favorably or favorably as amended, with little or no opposition. The committee also received an update on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction from Representative Chesson, who said the office will assume control of about 4,000 miles of roadway and 2,000 bridges and has been moving projects quickly using internal procurement procedures. HB 1072, which reforms the office’s powers and emergency authority, was amended to narrow emergency provisions and clarify funding and reporting language, then reported favorably as amended. The final major item was HB 873, which would fund pursuit-intervention technology and training for law enforcement through a $2 fee on driver’s licenses; the bill was presented alongside emotional testimony from the widow and daughter of Sergeant Grant Candies and from a St. John the Baptist Parish captain, who argued the fee would help agencies buy safer equipment and obtain grant support. The transcript ends during questioning on HB 873, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Bills: HJ0002, SF0118, SF0016

Keywords: mineral royalties, federal lands, Wyoming, revenue, education funding, transportation funding, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eminent domain, water projects, legislative approval, state funding, land acquisition, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management, 916

Bills: HJ0002, SF0118, SF0016

Keywords: mineral royalties, federal lands, Wyoming, revenue, education funding, transportation funding, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eminent domain, water projects, legislative approval, state funding, land acquisition, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management, 916

Transcript Highlights:

• With the legacy funds, they've been good partners of the funds and recipients.
• But also that they help tell the story of other funds that are receiving our Legacy funds all across
• Legacy funding.
• by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. funded by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
• Made possible by funding from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Online.

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in their interest field this funding in their interest field this funding would<00:05:20.199><c>
• of the Workforce Development Fund.
• </c> house file 1907 a bill to provide funds house file 1907 a bill to provide funds for<01:03:47.760
• or other funds that DEED offers.
• funds or other funds deed youth at work funds or other funds that<01:14:23.040><c> um</c><01:14:23.199

Bills: HF1936, HF849, HF989, HF1130, HF1223, HF1907, HF1847, HF1957

Keywords: workforce development, youth employment, career guidance, education, job skills, Duluth Promise, education funding, career training, employment support, youth apprenticeship, economic development, minority support, internship program, Bloomington, funding, youth mentorship, job training, disadvantaged youth, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youthprise

Transcript Highlights:

• With the Legacy funds, they’ve been good partners of the funds and recipients, and the efforts that they
• </c><00:10:24.640><c> mpta</c> last year with Legacy funding mpta last year with Legacy funding mpta
• </c> Journalism increased funding Journalism increased funding in<00:32:59.159><c> FY</c><00:32:59.600
• </c> reiterate that none of the the funding reiterate that none of the the funding that<00:43:34.280>
• </c> give you an idea of where the funding give you an idea of where the funding comes<00:48:53.520><

Bills: HF1679, HF1019, HF2321, HF1740, HF2278

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• give them also the flexibility of being able to include rehabilitation of existing housing with these funds
• that they collect, because over time there are going to be times where the funds will be used for new
• I know that in my district we have collected these funds since that allowance was provided, or this tool
• that they collect, because over time, there are going to be times where the funds will be used for new
• I know that in my district we have collected these funds since that allowance was provided or this tool

Bills: SB5994, SB6244

Keywords: timber tax, school funding, levy failure, tax distribution, education funding, tax exemption, agriculture, hazardous substances, crop protection, warehousing, 904, all