AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas House of Representatives is currently discussing Senate Bill 1 – the 2026-27 general appropriations bill – and House Bill 500 – the supplemental appropriations bill. Combined, both measures will blueprint how the state spends its money (including its $24 billion surplus) in the next two years.
Entering the day Thursday, there were 393 pre-filed amendments to the budget , with more to be filed during the session.
Texas House preparing for long budget session
“The members will be spending a lot of these amendments and debating the merits of it through the day,” Rahul Sreenivasan, Director of Government Performance and Fiscal Policy with Texas 2036, said. “Members are prepared for a long day, historically, they’ve gone late into the night.”
Throughout the day, Nexstar’s Adam Schwager and Dylan McKim will update this article with the latest information from the State Capitol. Check back for updates.
Uvalde Behavioral Health Campus — 9:54 p.m.
Former Uvalde mayor, and current state representative, Don McLaughlin, R – Uvalde, proposed an amendment that would direct the Health and Human Services Commission to to spend $12.5 million to fund the start-up and operations of the Uvalde Behavioral Health Campus…