Transcript Highlights:

• These investments in our students and educators will make this a landmark session. ...for public education
• In higher education, it was important for us to make higher education more affordable and accessible
• TRTA supports paying our education... Professionals more.
• I'm the... special education director there.
• I have been in public education for 30 years and a special education director for 26.

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:

• I want to focus on two main areas today: contested cases and strengthening infrastructure resiliency
• On the infrastructure side, we expect resiliency and reliability to play an increasingly large role in
• businesses in a very, well, a big-money area with utilities, and as we move forward with building out infrastructure
• member in the agency performs an important function for licensing... skilled professionals who meet educational

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Bills: SJR36, SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate convened briefly with an opening prayer by Senator Birdwell, who asked for protection and wisdom for Texans affected by severe weather, as well as for state and national leaders. The chair noted hazardous travel conditions from the winter storm and advised that attendance was not essential for affected members and staff; the journal was to reflect the weather event. The chair announced the signing of Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 in the presence of the Senate. On first reading and referral, the secretary read Senate Joint Resolution 36 by Hall, proposing a constitutional amendment related to appropriations for preserving certain items of historical moment, and Senate Bill 1 by Huffman, the General Appropriations Act. A motion in writing was then offered by Senator Zaffirini to recess the Senate until 10 a.m. Friday, January 24. With no objection, the motion carried and the Senate recessed until that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a lot of people here asking for infrastructure, and the needs are great, but we believe you
• That way, every year we know we're going to spend money on public water and public infrastructure, and
• To address the need for infrastructure, I'm late because of traffic and a couple of accidents and reduced
• You know, you kind of want to get updates on what things are at, or even like college infrastructure.
• It just shows exactly how great the need is in the state of Minnesota for these kinds of infrastructure

Bills: HF719, HF2484, HF2486

Keywords: safety, school transportation, infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, library construction, education funding, early childhood, child protection, funding, bonds, education facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has a long history of supporting public education.
• And then the education.
• My name is Caitlin Snyder, and I'm here today representing Education Minnesota, a union of 84,000 educators
• Educators frequently say that student learning conditions are educator working conditions.
• We can't help educators by harming our students. Educators enter the field...

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Bills: SJR36, SB1, SJR36, SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I sometimes think that's a better name, uh, because infrastructure works for the public.
• And I sometimes think that's a better name, uh, because infrastructure works for the public.
• And I sometimes think that's a better name, uh, because infrastructure works for the public.
• that's important. ...to spend money on public water, public infrastructure, and that's important.
• And, um, this is a good segment for the need for infrastructure.

Bills: HF719, HF2484, HF2486

Keywords: safety, school transportation, infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, library construction, education funding, early childhood, child protection, funding, bonds, education facilities, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:45.240> and interest and support of education and interest and support of education
• <00:20:54.480> outcomes support you know educational outcomes support you know educational
• educators.
• Educators frequently say student learning conditions are educator working conditions.
• educational communicate this educ educational neglect<01:35:53.400> to<01:35:53.520> the

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Assistant Director of Special Education for the Area Special Education Cooperative in northwest
• Our existing infrastructure is worn out.
• Our city has not stood in the face of infrastructure challenges.
• But this is part of our infrastructure, roughly 100 years old.
• And get started on updating our infrastructure as soon as possible.

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:26.720> in Light Special Education Cooperative in Light Special Education Cooperative
• The area Special education needs.
• I am the assistant director of special education for Area Special Education Cooperative in Northwest
• the face of infrastructure challenges. the face of infrastructure challenges.
• . infrastructure. infrastructure.

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• owned housing is housing infrastructure owned housing is housing infrastructure in<00:31:09.840>
• Not all states invest in their publicly owned housing infrastructure.
• order to preserve this infrastructure order to preserve this infrastructure all<00:38:38.200>
• Our residents, businesses, and visitors rely on our city infrastructure.
• Our residents, businesses, and visitors rely on our city infrastructure.

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes to establish an Oklahoma education infrastructure linked deposit program, making it
• Let's see, eligible lending institution, education service, linked deposit.
• only be for education infrastructure.
• So, therefore, I would conclude that only a nonprofit providing education services that had infrastructure
• But the intent of the bill is to make the loans available to nonprofit education entities providing education

Bills: HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty

Transcript Highlights:

• We train the pipe fitters, we teach the welders, and we educate the nurses.
• Our commitment to education goes far beyond classroom walls. St.
• We're not just educating students; we're building the economic backbone of our state.
• Across our infrastructure as well.
• About 10% of that area is hydrated, and our infrastructure, our water main infrastructure in Loretto,

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:14.959> the teach the welders, and we educate the teach the welders, and we educate
• that creates a foundation for education that creates a foundation for further<00:03:03.920> education
• We're not just educating students.
• the reason for this uh infrastructure the reason for this uh infrastructure upgrade<01:02:10.240
• our water main uh infrastructure our water main uh infrastructure<01:02:30.559> in<01:02:30.720

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• Alabama educator to win the the first Alabama educator to win the the first Alabama educator to win
• in their advancing public education in their advancing public education in their communities.
• And we offer this resolution Education. And we offer this resolution Education.
• leadership. educational leadership. educational leadership.
• Thank education. Y'all have a great one. Thank education. Y'all have a great one. Thank you.

Bills: SB 1, HB 500, SB 1, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• It was not putting in a lot of infrastructure, and it was going down.
• Schools, students and teachers in public education.
• You said that $16 billion is being appropriated for education.
• , no money for infrastructure, it threatens everything we do.
• Texas Education Agency Rider 41 requires the Education Commissioner to issue a request for proposed.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• chair and and members of the education chair and and members of the education finance<00:04:54.520
• their recommendation for the education their recommendation for the education committee's<00:19:
• To close, we need the education profession to be retaining our educators.
• To close, we need the education profession to be retaining our educators.
• The best training from educators was from other educators, and that is what educators are asking for:

Bills: HF6, HF52, HF53

Keywords: education, literacy, science of reading, school performance, funding flexibility, innovation zones, equity and inclusion, HF52, New Germany, wastewater treatment, wastewater facility, sewer infrastructure, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, municipal infrastructure, water quality, sanitation, sewage treatment

Bills: SB205, SB242, SB205, SB242

Keywords: appropriation, education funding, priority schools, Alabama education, State Department of Education, codification, state law, legal revisions, Alabama code, legislative updates, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, infrastructure, commercial driver license, English proficiency, work authorization, impoundment, false documentation, 1136

Transcript Highlights:

• physical impact of 253,000, there will not be additional appropriations because the Department of Education
• that the off-the-formula schools will continue to receive dollars and allow the state Department of Education
• Senate Bill 1360 directs the State Department of Education to establish a three-year pilot program putting
• Are there any specific aspects of water infrastructure that you're Hoping this goes to.
• Hopefully, when we see this moving forward, so as far as any infrastructure water programs through the

Bills: SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• It's part of a global education agreement with the Senate of increasing teacher pay by $2,000 by increasing

Bills: SB169, SB201, SB1290, SB1377, SB1991, SB2060

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, minimum salary, education funding, teacher compensation, Oklahoma education, salary schedule, 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, foster care, duffel bags, personal belongings, children's welfare