MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT: — — — — MEMBERS ABSENT: — — Senator Joan Huffman, — Chair — — — — Senator Charles Perry — — Senator Juan Hinojosa, — Vice Chair — — — — Senator Judith — Zaffirini — — Senator Carol Alvarado — — — — — — Senator Paul — Bettencourt — — — — — — Senator Donna Campbell — — — — — — Senator Pete Flores — — — — — — Senator Bob Hall — — — — — — Senator Phil King — — — — — — Senator Lois Kolkhorst — — — — — — Senator Angela Paxton — — — — — — Senator Charles — Schwertner — — — — — — Senator Royce West

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

 

Senator Charles Perry

Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator Carol Alvarado

 

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Pete Flores

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Phil King

 

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

 

Senator Angela Paxton

 

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The Chair made opening remarks.

 

The Committee heard invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:

 

Higher Education Transparency: Examine the current financial reporting and disclosure practices of public institutions of higher education. Evaluate the adequacy of existing transparency standards regarding the use of state appropriations, tuition revenue, and designated funds. Assess the frequency and scope of state audits and study the feasibility of requiring more frequent, comprehensive audits to ensure fiscal accountability. Make recommendations to strengthen reporting requirements, increase public access to institutional financial data, and provide greater oversight to ensure the efficient and transparent use of taxpayer and student funds.

 

Preventing Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: Review state agencies' strategies to detect and mitigate fraud, waste, and abuse. Quantify the fiscal impact of financial impropriety on the state budget. Identify high-risk areas such as entitlement programs, contracted services, and technology contracts. Assess prevention and recovery efforts, including data analytics, reporting mechanisms, financial recoveries, and prosecutions. Make recommendations to strengthen oversight and better protect public funds.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

There being no further business, at 3:57 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

 

 

 

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk