[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6236119,"mediaKeyId","3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b","parentId",3378444,"title","House adopts Border Enhancement Act after amendment; debate centers on local coordination and oversight","audioSeconds",5021,"startMs",11237000,"endMs",16258000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b&start=11237&end=16258","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b/thumbnail_11237000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236119/Texas/House-adopts-Border-Enhancement-Act-after-amendment-debate-centers-on-local-coordination-and-oversight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236119-3a5edee0c8b2aa5392f0cd89aa490dee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099027&Signature=m-gyLkPez1nxBsXC1keL0FiahClXhyZVZPyQ6jxIHXy6n5QUyvKkGKpbZC~5xLqhvHjEIhWk~KWza0-IAV2gzd9G82hV0Pul0ZlxcBi7Bc9tFbVUgNkO6LRd-GEVcZ6J4syAmQznYN6qt~T-yTACzcGQDmspx8jcABW7P3A0volP25dQnfstkoiZbcZ4WmIKe8Y5usndUwTOuafz3FWjjaH9ZBW00E-8JxCtRNutMfcXLYDJuVjTwinQvtkswRjTetI~dFithtPb5brApxsfYID6puv215TogPoJ2p0nHX7tAWJAUDw6ZBWpIlClbjqj5~X5dgEOYXsOvSjfjZx5XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-16T00:00:00Z","article","The House passed HB 55 20, titled the Border Enhancement Act, after floor debate and adoption of an amendment supporters said addressed local concerns.

Representative Cesar Guillen, presenting the bill for Representative Gomes, said the measure \"directs the Department of Public Safety to designate a liaison to coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection,\" establishes a border grant program administered by the governor’s criminal justice division, and creates an education and workforce program to support border communities. (Representative Cesar Guillen)

Why it mattered: The bill targets public-safety and economic needs in Texas border counties by authorizing grant programs, training and a court-support initiative; some members said the measure updates the approach the Legislature took in prior sessions.

Key debate points: Representative Angelica Lopez (D-Cameron) said she represents border counties directly affected and raised concerns that local cities and law enforcement had not been consulted in drafting the bill: \"Do you know if any of those state reps were contacted about this bill?... was there any coordination with DPS, the governor's office, or local law enforcement?\" (Representative Angelica Lopez)

Representative Cody Patterson offered an amendment that he and supporters said removed language that had driven opposition; Patterson told the House that the change produced support from grassroots border organizations. The amendment was accepted by the bill’s author and adopted on the floor. Representative Guillen closed by summarizing the bill’s elements — liaison, border grant court program, higher‑education grants and public-safety assistance — and urged passage.

Decision and vote: After the amendment was adopted, the bill moved to final passage and the House recorded the result. The transcript shows the measure passed following the recorded vote on the floor that concluded with the clerk announcing the outcome; the bill advanced for enrollment and further processing.

Ending: Supporters said the amendment addressed local concerns and produced a coalition of support; opponents pointed to uneven coordination with local governments and asked for clearer accountability requirements for how new grant money would be spent. The author said the bill was modeled on prior border legislation and intended to coordinate state resources with federal and local partners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","89th Legislative Session 5/16/25","oneSentenceSummary","The House passed HB 55 20, titled the Border Enhancement Act, after floor debate and adoption of an amendment supporters said addressed local concerns.","taxTitle","Legislative, Texas","taxId",16091,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236125,"Lawmakers debate letting Texans use $10 billion energy fund for home weatherization; author postpones vote",15104,1456000,16560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b&start=1456&end=16560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b/thumbnail_1456000.jpg","/articles/6236125/Texas/Lawmakers-debate-letting-Texans-use-10-billion-energy-fund-for-home-weatherization-author-postpones-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236125-cf20086deb12d223aa0149bd16318035/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099027&Signature=OaraZQUZkKvEvEBYq7B0EITNM0Gqp-n-APkDJNKR4wXnyitHNrwOHOjITHVj8t203keBOzqLkyYKsgJ5GTjHWr9IGDtjW6-TqW0vW~CSikWBQKs7Nh26HHIza4wPGNjVweajN9LmaM3iPqlPxqCwcL6sePG-r3TQsStLRJ0NjDbTNwVPctuiudrUemG2jEOc6ySukTixJAgA~7oSYTy3WpfB-Tcb7neBOg8zEnmUCINkIiRc~LjgfsJPFZoXO92rml3Z9jdvANhdzKp1HpNzVIRZUutaOz6KdGTmN0nW~v0yKVZzApx9CjrKpGUL6K23KbwTzg0DDgkH6VCcva8xpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal to let Texas residents tap a portion of the voter-approved Texas Energy Fund for home and community energy-efficiency projects drew hours of debate on the House floor Tuesday before the author postponed further consideration.

Representative Yvonne Davis, D-Dallas, introduced HJR 218, a constitutional amendment she said would allow a portion of the funds already set aside for grid reliability to be used for energy-efficiency grants and loans that directly “benefit retail electric customers.” She said the change would let Texans participate in improving grid reliability \"by helping homeowners come up with ways to, secure their homes with lower rates of weatherization, windows, all of the things that families struggle with.\" (Representative Yvonne Davis)

Why it matters: The Texas Energy Fund has been used to support generation and transmission projects; Davis said allowing a slice of that money to pay for weatherization and other household-level measures could reduce peak demand and make the grid more resilient. Opponents and some questioners pressed for detail on program design, eligibility and oversight — asking who would administer funds, how much would be reallocated, and whether the change would reduce money available for new generation.

Discussion highlights: Davis repeated that the fund was voter‑approved and largely unspent, and said she proposed “taking a billion dollars” as a citizen-focused component of the larger pot (she referenced roughly $10 billion already in the fund). Representative Goodwin and others supported the idea of including citizens in the solution; Representative Weiner and others asked technical questions about whether existing constitutional language already authorized grants and loans and whether the amendment’s wording would accomplish the intended result.

Davis acknowledged the politically charged atmosphere and said she would withdraw the pending motion and bring the measure back later: “I will bring this back. And hopefully, we’ll become more mature and more committed to a greater Texas and get more people involved…” (Representative Yvonne Davis). She then moved — and the House adopted without objection — a postponement of HJR 218 and companion enabling legislation, HB 56-23, until June 3, 2025.

Decision and next steps: Both the constitutional resolution (HJR 218) and the related enabling bill (HB 56-23) were postponed without recorded opposition; the author said she would return with the measure for further consideration. The transcript leaves unresolved details about program administration, precise dollar amounts to be reallocated and the mechanics for ensuring accountability.

What lawmakers and staff pressed for: Multiple members asked for clarity about whether the constitutional text would allow awards to individual households versus only to entities, which office would oversee grants, and how the measure would interact with existing PUC (Public Utility Commission) programs and the voter‑approved fund structure.

Ending: The author framed the proposal as an effort to reconnect Texans with public policy decisions and to give households tools to reduce both bills and stress on the grid; lawmakers deferred judgment pending further drafting and review.","Rep. Yvonne Davis proposed a constitutional amendment to let retail electric customers access part of the Texas Energy Fund for energy-efficiency projects; prolonged debate produced questions about scope and oversight and the author postponed both the resolution and enabling legislation until June 3, 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6236114,"House approves Medicaid coverage for multisystemic therapy after supporters call it an ‘off ramp’ for juveniles",412,9304000,9716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b&start=9304&end=9716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3378444-64cc72c1dd19690770a7408d9b80213b/thumbnail_9304000.jpg","/articles/6236114/Texas/House-approves-Medicaid-coverage-for-multisystemic-therapy-after-supporters-call-it-an-off-ramp-for-juveniles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236114-30db554611aa56e48093a558ca0a3adc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099027&Signature=aQLRsGmSPPjjdrd0juFGsRdc1f3gOkmfIyJBl07xwx1UouGMu7kMMBof58XbmIuuI01zBDSQOfE~Nrk4TL0iUF0dblUdn6Ng~ukPNf5Bk~CMyRxZZL1MBE7IOzCvQDb3PcyrxWckIkEKdRsYuwzy5dtdtS2Gexw7JhAaxtvLql70ctAxWE4MPT92KphoXn7UUO~eWxhn-62wIfbF1~C1g2mQ-sxvMrutq~43SB8TK8kZGjNUpM3r~iQq4oJQrl-c50xYhlQeeoNfId8ov-oCBLEjKV6yV7k9QZnXnOeLPhycv9sDEsgyXDTSe02Vv5HTvdA99aCE-JQI2JrDQ6Ea4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House voted to expand Medicaid coverage for multisystemic therapy services, a family-based treatment often used with high-risk youth, saying the program offers a short-term, intensive intervention that can keep children out of juvenile detention.

Representative Johnson, the bill sponsor, said the measure would allow children on Medicaid access to MST services statewide: \"All this does is say that kids that are currently get Medicaid get an option to have this available to them statewide.\" (Representative Johnson)

Representative Phelan, speaking at length in support, described MST as an \"off ramp\" from the juvenile system: \"This is the off ramp that we all talk about...This therapy is how children get out of the system. This is the off ramp we talk about. Republicans, you talk about keeping the family unit together. That's what this program does.\" He described MST as a 3-to-5-month, family-centered therapy that brings therapists into the home and coordinates with teachers and community providers to change child behavior and reduce recidivism.

Why it matters: Supporters said MST is short-term, family-focused and cost-effective compared with long-term placement in juvenile facilities. Lawmakers who spoke in favor highlighted the program's potential to reduce future prison commitments, improve educational outcomes and lower long-term public costs.

Decision: The House recorded final passage; the clerk announced the result, and the bill advanced. The transcript shows the tally announced after the vote: \"There being 99 ayes, 23 nays, House Bill 4 75 finally passes.\" (Clerk)

Implementation notes: Sponsors and supporters said Medicaid coverage and reimbursement would expand access for the target population — children and families on Medicaid who meet clinical criteria for MST — and would require administrative work by HHSC and Medicaid to set billing and program rules.

Ending: Proponents described MST as an evidence-based, high-impact intervention that connects families, schools and community providers; the bill passed with a recorded vote and will proceed to the next steps for implementation under state Medicaid rules.","House passed HB 475 to authorize Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for multisystemic therapy (MST) services; backers said MST provides a family-based, short-term intervention that reduces juvenile recidivism and connects families to treatment and supports.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House adopts Border Enhancement Act after amendment; debate centers on local coordination and oversight

Lawmakers debate letting Texans use $10 billion energy fund for home weatherization; author postpones vote

House approves Medicaid coverage for multisystemic therapy after supporters call it an ‘off ramp’ for juveniles