Bills: HB97, HB455, HB97, HB455

Keywords: absentee ballot, voting, elections, voter registration, electoral process, defective affidavit, voting rights, HB455, Clarke County, coroner, coroner's office, county commission, local act, local legislation, mileage reimbursement, county vehicle, office expenses, operating expenses, retroactive ratification, remedial and curative

Transcript Highlights:

• apprenticeship programs to grow the pipeline of new teachers, creating a three-year, multi-year instructional

Bills: S0290, S0320

Keywords: agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, educational efficiency, public schools, district school boards, budget transparency, school accountability, instructional personnel

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first took up CS for SB 290, a broad Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that, among other things, set density requirements for certain small municipalities, delayed biosolids-related changes from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, required higher insurance coverage for fumigation businesses, increased fines for fumigation violations, extended the time contractors have to pay subcontractors and suppliers from 15 to 30 business days, preempted certain county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renamed the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about local government preemption, the biosolids timeline, and especially the new felony penalty for nonpayment of subcontractors and suppliers. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids provisions, while several agricultural and industry groups waived in support. The bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senator Bracy Davis voting no and Senator Jones expressing concern about the contractor penalty. The committee then heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, budgeting, and early learning administration; expand teacher apprenticeship pathways; create longer instructional contracts and renewable professional certificates; simplify testing and evaluation rules; increase flexibility for Title I and discretionary capital funding; and streamline facility planning and architectural requirements. School district and education association representatives waived in support. Senators Osgood and others praised the deregulation and flexibility, while Senator Bracy Davis asked about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education expenditure questions. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce administrative burden while preserving accountability. SB 320 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• students in private schools do shy away from these dual enrollment classes because... ...of the extra expense
• And after talking with the Coordinating Board, we were instructed that there was a rule in the administrative

Bills: SB 49

Keywords: Galveston County, legal expenses, appropriation, litigation, state funding

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard several higher education bills and took public testimony on each. Senate Bill 60 would let public junior college libraries donate outdated, duplicative, or valueless materials instead of treating them as surplus property; no public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 49 would expand performance-tier funding incentives so community colleges are also rewarded for student transfers to private four-year universities; it also received no public testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 365 would allow higher education institutions to choose a transcript lookback period between 5 and 10 years for adult undergraduates seeking to waive older transcripts. Senator Eckhardt and witness Daniel Arrevalo described how old academic records can block adults from returning to college; the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 895 would expand the FAST dual-credit program beyond public school students to include eligible private school and homeschool students, with support from the Texas Private Schools Association, the Texas Homeschool Coalition, and a coordinating board witness explaining the funding structure; it too was left pending. Senate Bill 1400 would clarify what counts as a transfer for performance-tier funding by allowing students with 30 or fewer prior university credit hours to still be counted as transfer students when moving from a public junior college to a general academic institution. Former Representative Leighton Schubert testified that the change would address funding losses and better reflect modern student pathways; after testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instruction in general is most everything you think about running an institution of higher education
• On line 17, you can see the executive added $1.7 million for instruction in general at Health Sciences
• On line 17, you can see the executive added $1.7 million for instruction in general at Health Sciences
• He already mentioned the differences for instruction in general.
• It can be instruction in general. So it gives them a lot of freedom.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• Are expensive.
• conditions, but these drugs are also expensive.
• It's expensive.
• But it's just going to be too expensive if they don't have some co-pays.
• It's expensive to have temp labor.

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is the High-Quality Literacy Instruction Act.
• It includes literacy instruction for English learners, such as bilingual and dual-language instructional
• This bill focuses on what works: evidence-based literacy instruction, high-quality instructional materials
• instruction.
• Chair, and Senator Pope, the high-quality instructional materials is for core instructional materials

Bills: SB29, SB37

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Bills: SB 302, SB 1335, SB 1734, SB 1760, SB 1975, SB 2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, guardianship, incapacitated persons, guardianship fees

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we're awaiting a study currently in progress from the Department of Commerce that will instruct
• If you compare the two, it is more expensive to keep them in the NICU unit during the withdrawal versus
• I realize this is an expensive amendment, but the summer Running Start program is vital to students completing
• I know it's expensive, but the return on investment, I think, is real. Senator Trudeau. Thank you.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, these are mandatory expenses, which came in net at $3.7 billion.
• committee, for the record, Misha Terniske, on behalf of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Thank you. superintendent of public instruction testifying con on this proposed budget.
• I rely on the support for tuition, transportation, and basic expenses.
• It shifts costs to emergency systems, hospitals, and long-term care at a far greater expense.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 383 provides for the ancillary expenses of state government.
• It appropriates funds for the expenses of the judiciary for fiscal year 2026-2027.
• These funds are authorized to cover expenses of that office.
• These funds are authorized to cover expenses of that office. There are no amendments.
• No, no, it was just additional expenses, ordinary operating expenses, but not salaries.

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:

• low and result in thousands of shareholder proposals each year that fail adoption, but are very expensive
• shareholder proposal can cost a company anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million in legal and administrative expenses
• At the expense of local populations.

Bills: HB74, HB175

Keywords: environmental project, public money, political subdivision, greenhouse gas emissions, federal law compliance, renewable energy, water conservation, retroactive child support, child conception, paternity, family law, health care expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• Policy should not redirect public resources to private tuition at the expense of the public education
• </c><00:35:23.440><c> Motans</c> instruction that same year. Motans instruction that same year.
• </c><00:56:15.280><c> necessary</c><00:56:15.680><c> for</c> regular instruction necessary for regular
• And it cannot provide scholarships for any expense other than the Coverdale list that was described.
• And it cannot provide scholarships for any expense other than the Coverdale list that was described.

Bills: HF3490, HF4040

Keywords: education finance, scholarship-granting organizations, charitable purposes, student scholarships, nonpublic schools, K-12 education, tax credit, advance payment, Minnesota tax law, child education expenses, taxpayer assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The reductions in revenue estimates require reductions in recurring expenses in the budget proposal.
• to DCFS, $8 million for offender medical expenses incurred by DOC, $3.5 million for various disaster
• This bill appropriates $94.5 million in State General Fund for the expenses of the legislative branch
• The legislative expenses bill provides for the expenses of the House of Representatives, the Senate,
• , including employees' salaries and expenses.

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:

• Mentors grow in leadership and instruction.
• However, while the quality of instruction, high... instructional materials and the development of staff
• It's the NES model where we We combine direct instruction with differentiated instruction, just like
• instruction and material. drills are also not effective.
• It was usually just instructional.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• It can also help districts make decision about instruction like adoption of high-quality instructional
• This is more expensive in the short-term and in the long-term it is is less expensive and the reason
• However, while the quality of instruction, high quality instructional materials and the development of
• It's the NES model where we combine direct instruction with differentiated instruction just like you
• The phonics instructions is not done well.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• possibly by individuals accessing lower-cost behavioral health crisis services in lieu of possibly more expensive
• the ED to have a tooth pulled there by someone who is not trained for that, and it is much more expensive
• That's provided for payment of extraordinary medical and dental expenses of firemen and law enforcement
• That's provided for payment of extraordinary medical and dental expenses of firemen and law enforcement

Bills: HB12, HB145, HB222, HB291, HB430, HB821, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB979, HB1193

Keywords: survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• The training that does exist does not always include instruction on how how to evaluate the quality of
• This bill ensures that a father receives credit for any expenses that have been previously paid.
• Excuse me, postnatal expenses are approximately $20,000 per mother.
• It may not be appropriate for the father to have to pay, for example, out-of-network expenses if the
• House Bill 5642 seeks to ease the burden on realtors by instructing the Texas Real Estate Commission

Bills: SB387, SB1335, HB1671, SB1760, SB1839, SB1923, HB1928, HB4942, HB5628, HB5642, HB1980

Keywords: judicial bond, guardianship, probate law, county judge, statutory county court, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, retroactive child support, parentage, genetic testing, family code, child's conception, incapacitated persons, court proceedings, guardianship fees, estate management, probate

Bills: SB302, SB1335, SB1734, SB1760, SB1975, SB2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• That should help our courts with expense and the burden of providing personal service alone and allow
• Property owners can often face expensive legal fees just to clear these fraudulent claims.
• So, again, the idea behind this was to avoid the expense of that defrauded individual.
• process to clear up title, either through a trespass, a title law suit, or a quiet title lawsuit, is expensive
• The process can be challenging and expensive for handling title, and so we had an excellent A solution

Bills: SB302, SB1335, SB1734, SB1760, SB1975, SB2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, that should help our courts, um, with expense and the burden of providing personal service alone
• Property owners can often face expensive legal fees just to clear these fraudulent claims.
• So, again, the idea behind this was to avoid the expense of that defrauded individual and even the grantee
• process to clear up title either through a trespass to try title lawsuit or a quiet title lawsuit is expensive
• Uh, the process can be, can be challenging and expensive for handling title, and so we had an excellent

Bills: SB 302, SB 1335, SB 1734, SB 1760, SB 1975, SB 2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud