Transcript Highlights:

• DEED, by statute, is required to spend 70% of their time on insurance fraud.
• DEED, by statute, is required to spend 70% of their time on insurance fraud.
• has statute by Insurance dollars and has statute required<00:17:33.280><c> to</c><00:17:33.400><c> spend
• 70% of their time on required to spend 70% of their time on insurance<00:17:35.960><c> fraud</c><00:
• He said they have been pointing out that maybe state government does not spend your money the wisest,

Bills: HF1, HF1384

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Bills: HB1329

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The division first discussed Senate Bill 1540 and related amendments involving implementation mechanics, procurement exemptions, and an emergency clause. Bank of North Dakota representatives explained that, based on a timeline review with DPI, the project would be very difficult to implement for the 2026-27 school year without exemptions from state purchasing and IT oversight rules and without an emergency clause; they said the normal procurement process could take about 240 days and that a 15-month implementation window would likely push the start to 2027-28 if those changes were not adopted. Members also raised a separate policy question about a criminal penalty placeholder in the bill, and the committee agreed that the sentence was unnecessary and should be removed. The committee deferred means-testing questions and fiscal-note issues to the next morning, with the understanding that the bill would be drafted in a way that made it workable if it advanced. The committee then turned to the water budget bill and reviewed the latest amended version, which included changes to the Water Topics process, Southwest Pipeline line of credit provisions, Red River supply funding, Mouse River project amounts, general water funding, studies on Missouri River intakes and water governance/finance, and a carryover/transfer adjustment. Chris Cattermas of the Department of Water Resources said most of the carryover funds were already obligated, with the largest unobligated amount in flood control. After review, Senator Thomas moved a do-pass recommendation on the bill as amended, the motion was seconded, and the committee approved it unanimously. The chair noted that other bills would be taken up the next morning, including 1013, 1014, and 1540.

Transcript Highlights:

• to create a, I guess you'd call it a transparency database of information of, you know, how schools spend
• We're spending too much. Well, tell me why. And I think And they cannot tell you.
• We're spending too much. Well, tell me why. And I think the same thing could be said there.
• Then you have to put it in a data point system that they have a way to account for, and then you have
• So we contract with the state auditor for the annual auditing of accounts.

Bills: HB1329

Keywords: government spending database, public expenditure transparency, open data, government transparency, school district spending, state spending, local government finance, education finance, budget database, expenditure reporting, salary transparency, benefits data, public records, Legislative Management study, North Dakota, school board training, superintendent, principal, business manager, higher education spending

Summary: The Education Division met with all members present and first took up House Bill 1329, which would create a transparency database and website for school spending information. Senator Schaible offered Amendment 0204 to turn the bill into a study, citing concerns that the proposal would impose major data-collection burdens on 168 school districts, require new data standards and privacy protections, and likely cost far more than the $500,000 in the bill. Several members supported transparency but agreed the implementation costs and technical feasibility were unclear. The committee adopted the amendment 4-1, then passed HB 1329 as amended on a 5-0 vote, with Senator Shively to carry the bill. The committee then discussed House Bill 1540, the education savings account/voucher bill. Representatives from the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Public Instruction explained that they had not been consulted on the original drafting and outlined needed administrative changes, including clarifying the Bank as administrator, using a third-party program manager, involving DPI in rulemaking, adding audit and appeal procedures, and adjusting language on eligible purchases and school disqualification. They also said the current timeline was likely too aggressive to launch by the 2026-27 school year and estimated the program would require about 15 months to implement, with a fiscal note now around $5.1 million. Members also discussed policy-related amendments on means testing and application timing. Senator Shively proposed a 300% of poverty-level means test and a sign-up period to reduce costs and limit open-ended enrollment, while Senator Axman proposed a tiered approach that would keep all students technically eligible but phase in funding levels by income, preserving access for students who qualify for other federal supports. DPI said it could not currently disaggregate some data by family income and that the appeal process and procurement timeline still needed work. The committee did not move HB 1540 out that morning and instead recessed to continue discussion later after members had time to review the administrative and fiscal issues separately from the means-testing proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• So some of the impacts of what you're talking about with morbidities aren't necessarily taken into account
• disproportionately impacting the black and Hispanic communities, as detailed in the report by US Government Accountability

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• This statute, however, lacks the same venue and intent flexibility as the card abuse statute, complicating
• The bill seeks to raise the amount that charities are able to maintain in their reserve account, also
• known as a capital account.
• As an accountant for the two units and many of the member charities, I can assure you that this update
• You're going to spend a lot of money, but you may not get the result that you want because the judge

Bills: HB46, HB272

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills and took no final votes, leaving each bill pending after testimony. HB 272 would align venue and evidentiary rules for fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information with existing credit card abuse law; the sponsor said it would improve prosecutions, and the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center supported it. HB 1661 would increase penalties for certain election-related offenses, including failure to distribute election supplies and early release of election results; no substantive opposition was heard. HB 551 would protect the residential addresses of people who receive campaign expenditures on public Texas Ethics Commission reports, similar to donor privacy protections, and a witness from Texas Eagle Forum later indicated support for the privacy change. The committee also heard HB 2820, which would raise the amount charitable bingo organizations may keep in operating capital from $50,000 to $100,000. The sponsor and a Texans for Charitable Bingo representative said inflation and operating costs have made the current cap too low and that the bill would help charities maintain stable operations without expanding gaming. HB 3181 would impose stronger consequences for repeated denial of court-ordered child possession and access, including limiting probation and requiring attorney’s fees after multiple contempt findings; a family court judge and a parent testified in support, while another witness argued the bill should be paired with stronger criminal enforcement and that parents already face high costs. HB 4157 would update Texas law for commercial spaceflight by recognizing liability waivers and preserving workers’ compensation rights; no one testified against it. The committee also heard HB 4145, which would let health care providers satisfy a timely billing requirement by sending bills to a patient’s legal representative in a personal injury case, closing what supporters described as a loophole in letter-of-protection situations. Finally, HB 46, relating to the Texas Compassionate Use Program, drew the most extensive discussion: supporters said it should expand access for legitimate medical cannabis patients and add more delivery methods and conditions, while opponents warned against broader marijuana expansion and questioned adding chronic pain and other conditions. The sponsor said he still supports the program and wants a balanced, regulated expansion, but noted the bill is still being worked on. All bills were left pending at the close of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also concerning, the bill doesn't account... for the fact that the state itself requires new spending
• And what can we do to rein in local spending, or even spending in general?
• Spending.
• Cities increased spending by 72%, counties increased spending by 74%.
• Accountability.

Bills: HB26, HB73, SB 14, HB46

Keywords: HB26, law enforcement contracts, sheriff, constable, county commissioners court, commissioners court, private security, special law enforcement district, property owners association, POA, municipal utility district, school district, junior college district, local government, contract policing, supplemental police services, large counties, population over 3.3 million, Texas Local Government Code, Harris County

Transcript Highlights:

• interviews to take place in other appropriate locations within the courthouse, giving courts more flexibility
• much about reunifying families and trying to keep everybody together, but also holding the parents accountable
• also does not align with the intent of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which aims to ensure accountability
• a problem, uh, for, um, for attorneys representing children because it's just impractical, uh, to spend
• , uh, I mean, if you're literally spending an entire day to, to, to drive across, you know, to see the

Bills: HCR 10

Keywords: balanced budget amendment, federal budget, deficit reduction, deficit spending, fiscal restraint, constitutional amendment, U.S. Constitution, Congress, PAYGO, Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, national debt, budget deficit, taxpayer dollars, balanced budget resolution, memorial resolution, Texas Legislature, federal spending, budget reform, fiscal conservatism

Transcript Highlights:

• eliminating this blanket exemption for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 223 promotes much greater accountability
• eliminating this blanket exemption for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 223 promotes much greater accountability
• awarding of these contracts based on who you know, as well as cut down on favoritism and wasteful spending
• Thank you, everyone, for being flexible with us as we've changed venues and all properly with proper
• And with that, thanking everyone for being flexible with us as we, as we've changed venues and all properly

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information. The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4281 will hold criminals accountable by allowing an individual or the state to pursue the
• They could provide some flexibility, and you would have input on that.
• You're accountable to that family. We're here to support you. We cannot make one mistake.
• I think all of us want that balance of making sure people are held accountable. Accountable, Mr.
• This maintains state-level regulatory oversight and accountability at shared brewing sites.

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• eliminating this blanket exemption for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 223 promotes much greater accountability
• awarding of these contracts based on who you know, as well as cut down on favoritism. ...and wasteful spending
• In this case, if 409 was part of the manufacturing process and account, you would have gone, well, they
• maximum amount of operating capital retained in a licensed authorized organization's charitable bingo account
• And with that, thanking everyone for being flexible with us as we've changed venues.

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We agree that it definitely moves forward with efficiency and flexibility in our procurement process.
• So we'd like that Rick Thompson: Flexibility at the local level.
• have been held accountable in certain situations in the past.
• This bill acts as a flexible source of assistance to ensure a successful relationship between voucher
• And again, this is one of the most important things we can do in government is ensure accountability

Bills: HB158

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Ensuring that social media platforms are held accountable for their content management.
• It addresses the flexibility.
• So it's more flexible. You remember, that was a major interim charge.
• It has to be innovative, flexible, and absolutely not a mandate.
• HB3458 opens the door to a black market where no one is held accountable.

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we're not the only country in the world that spends more than we collect every year, so we have
• Government borrows to finance its spending beyond its revenue.

Bills: HB74, HB175, HB460, HB576, HB2271, HB2294, HB2874, HB3016, HB3133, HB3191, HB3458, HB3929, HB4063, HB4115, HB4394, HB74, HB175

Keywords: Puerto Verde, Port Authority, eminent domain, bonds, tax assessments, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, public welfare, child care, certifications, Texas Rising Star Program, grant program, disability inclusion, family income, affordability, economic impact, state study, cost analysis, government support

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Washington Opportunity Pathways account, the Workforce Education Investment account, and the Fair
• Start for Kids account.
• Education Investment account and the Fair Start for Kids account, and together these accounts are commonly
• referred to as the NGFO accounts.
• capital account.

Bills: HB2747

Keywords: budget sustainability, state finance, fiscal policy, economic growth, government spending, 904, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee held public hearings on several bills and took executive action on House Bill 2747. HB 2747 would change how state budget outlooks estimate revenues for the next two biennia by using the official revenue forecast instead of the current 4.5% growth assumption. Staff said the change is tied to Washington’s four-year balanced budget requirement and would have an indeterminate fiscal effect on available resources. Testimony was mixed: the Washington Roundtable and OFM supported the bill as a more measured budgeting approach, while one public commenter criticized it as a blank check for spending. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then voted 26-3 to report the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, which would create an abortion savings program funded by a new annual assessment on health carriers offering exchange plans. Staff explained the bill would direct most of the new revenue to grants for abortion care providers, with administrative costs for the Department of Health and Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood-affiliated and clinic representatives, said the bill would stabilize access to abortion care and help patients facing travel and cost barriers. Opponents argued the bill would force taxpayers and premium payers to subsidize abortion, raised moral objections, and questioned the program’s safeguards; an insurance industry representative also raised concerns about the assessment’s interaction with actuarial rate-setting rules. Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would create a Washington Electric Transmission Authority, was also heard. Staff said the authority would support expansion of transmission capacity, partner with public and private entities, identify high-priority corridors, and create related accounts and a tribal clean energy work group. Supporters from industry, labor, clean energy, and business groups said the bill would help address grid congestion, improve reliability, and speed construction of needed transmission. County and forest landowner representatives supported the goal but warned about local tax losses, eminent domain, and the need for county and landowner input; they asked for payment-in-lieu-of-taxes provisions and board representation from rural counties. The committee then heard Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, which would reduce funding or eligibility in several K-12 programs: extending bus depreciation schedules, reducing Running Start’s combined enrollment cap from 1.4 to 1.2 FTE, and changing transition-to-kindergarten funding to a budgeted amount. School districts, community and technical college representatives, students, and education groups opposed the cuts, saying they would reduce opportunities for low-income and rural students and strain district budgets; the hearing ended before any action on this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Estimated ending balance does not account for any revenue-related spending that may be authorized through
• It continues to stay in general revenue. carries forward you end up spending that we spend it yeah but
• Are there various spending caps or is there just one spending cap? that you're referring to?
• We have several spending limits.
• We don't spend all the dollars.

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:27.760><c> in</c> corporations have a right to spend in corporations have a right to spend
• </c><00:48:13.280><c> on</c> campaign and ballot issue spending on campaign and ballot issue spending
• And what we're talking about is the definition of political spending: spending to support or oppose a
• </c> nonprofits that spend on elections. nonprofits that spend on elections.
• There's a lot of conversation about accountability, and I support that accountability.

Bills: HF4133, HF3419

Keywords: homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative

Transcript Highlights:

• implement the scholarships and they're the same ones that are already being used for Alabama accountability

Bills: HB342, HB342, HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, tax credit, scholarship, education funding, financial aid, federal participation, HB168, Alabama, emergency management, local emergency management organization, mutual aid, mutual aid agreement, disaster response, public safety, public health, state emergency management plan

Transcript Highlights:

• I did set up accounts for them, and not once did it ask me for an ID to prove... not once did it ask
• me for an ID to prove the account I set up with them because the parent is involved in identifying the
• a parent gets their teen a smartphone or device, the parent can go into their own Apple or Google account
• Thank you for the flexibility. Williamson, thank you for the flexibility.

Bills: SB186, SB187

Keywords: internet filtering, child protection, obscene content, civil liability, manufacturers, app store, app store provider, app developer, mobile app, age verification, parental consent, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, age gating, digital privacy, data protection, in-app purchases, online consumer protection, deceptive trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning in FY 2028, any school district that spends less than 60% of its operational spending on teacher
• Arizona supports transparency and accountability with our tax dollars, including in education spending
• So while the spending is up, the share reaching the classroom, especially teachers, is down.
• Classroom site funding is where it comes from, and this ensures real accountability.
• reasonable flexibility.

Bills: HB2035, HB2041, HB2611, HB2860, HB4004, HB4049, SCR1032

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• In total, the net spending change is $611,000 in additional bonds and an additional $3 million in spending
• from the waste tire removal account.
• In total, the net spending change is $611,000 in additional bonds and an additional $3 million in spending
• from the waste tire removal account.

Bills: HB2295

Keywords: Washington capital budget, supplemental capital budget, capital appropriations, state building construction account, taxable building construction account, climate commitment account, natural climate solutions, housing trust fund, affordable housing, supportive housing, homelessness, manufactured home communities, mobile home parks, school construction, school modernization, school seismic safety, healthy schools, school electrification, SCAP, behavioral health facilities

Summary: The Capital Committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program formula by excluding school facilities on military bases from a district’s available instructional space inventory and increasing the state funding assistance percentage by 15% for projects located on a military base. Senator Leonard Christian said the bill was intended to help districts such as Medical Lake and Clover Park, where base schools can reduce eligibility for off-base school construction funding. OSPI, Clover Park, and Medical Lake testified in support, while one citizen raised broader concerns about school funding and federal lands. No vote was taken on the bill during this hearing. The committee also heard Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, which would require annual adjustments to prevailing wage rates in public works contracts, with exemptions for small works rosters and residential construction and a delayed effective date of July 1, 2028. Senator Steve Conway described it as a technical fix to align contract wages with regularly updated prevailing wage rates and said the bill would not affect the general fund, though it could increase project costs. Supporters from labor groups said the bill would prevent wage stagnation on long projects and improve workforce retention; contractors and AGC opposed it or sought a change-order safeguard if wage increases exceed 5%, citing unpredictability and potential cost impacts. L&I said its fiscal note reflected significant IT and administrative changes needed to implement the new system. The committee then moved to House Bill 2295, heard a staff briefing on a proposed substitute that would add funding for several new projects and make technical and language changes, with a net increase of $611,000 in bonds and $3 million from the waste tire removal account. In executive session, the committee adopted the proposed substitute and voted 18-0, with one excused, to report Substitute House Bill 2295 out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The chair also announced plans for future executive sessions, including consideration of Substitute Senate Bill 5901, and noted the committee would wait for the Senate capital budget before final action on the capital budget bill.