Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
Supplemental Appropriations Part 2
A Blog about 89th Legislative Session
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 89th Legislative Session as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of 89th Legislative Session
This subtopic contains a list of some of the "new" laws reviews. Total laws signed/voted into effect = 1,192. This will begin with an appropriations bill, and then go through a few that went into effect immediately. The following dates were when different laws took, or will take, effect: 7/1/25; 9/1/25; 9/5/25; 9/17/25; 10/1/25; 12/5/25; 1/1/26; 6/1/26; 8/1/26; 9/1/26; 1/1/27; 4/1/27; 9/1/27; 1/1/28
Blog Summary
HB 500 - Health and Human Services
Supplemental Appropriations Part 2
Published: 2026-05-29
HB 500 - 114 pages
An estimated $43,431,000 (43 Million) left from the construction of the El Paso State Hospital are appropriated to be used for construction and operation of facilities related to crisis services in El Paso for 2 years.
The Health and Human Services Commission may employ an additional 414 full time equivalent employees to provide staff for newly renovated state mental hospitals.
$2,154,376,606 (2.15 BILLION plus) is appropriated for 2 years to the Health and Human Services Commission. $33,600,000 (33 Million) for construction of behavioral health campus in Uvadle, Texas. $21,400,000 (21.4 Million) for grants for improving mental health outcomes. $101,890,000 ($101.89 Million) for additional construction funding for a 200 bed adult unit at a new state hospital in Dallas, Texas. At least 75% of the beds must be used for forensic purposes. $38,772,184 (38.7 Million plus) for electronic health record system upgrade for state hospitals. $100,870 and $48,206 from federal funds to Central Program Support for electronic health record system upgrade. $50,000,000 (50 Million) for deferred maintenance for state facilities. $14,000,000 (14 Million) to construct a 50 bed state hospital maximum security facility at the John Montford Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Lubbock. (Previously this was for a state facility not yet named.) $15,000,000 (15 Million) to rehabilitate the Alamo Unit at the San Antonio State Hospital campus. $159,000,000 (159 Million) to construct a 75 bed state hospital in Amarillo with at least 50 forensic beds. $120,000,000 (120 Million) to construct a 50 bed state hospital maximum security facility in Rio Grande Valley. %573,000,000 to construct a 275 bed (previously 250 bed) replacement campus for Terrell State Hospital, including 50 maximum security beds, 150 (previously 140) forensic beds, 50 (previously 25) adolescent beds and 25 civil beds. $452,000,000 (452 Million) to construct a 225 bed (previously a 200 bed) replacement for North Texas State Hospital - Wichita Falls, including 25 (previously 24) maximum security beds, 150 (previously 136) forensic beds, 25 (previously 24) adolescent beds, and 16 civil beds. $50,000,000 (50 Million) for pre-planning, planning, land acquisition and construction of a new (previously 50 bed) El Paso State Hospital with 50% forensic beds. $45,000,000 (45 Million) to construct a 30 additional beds at the Sunrise Canyon facility in Lubbock, Texas with at least 50% forensic. $100,000,000 (100 Million) to establish a one-time community mental health program for county-based collaboratives. There are additional terms for this. $175,000,000 (175 Million) to establish a one-time grant program to construct a mental health inpatient facility. There are additional terms for this. $4,712,356 (4 Million plus) to make necessary enhancements in Child Care Licensing Automated Support Systems. $64,000,000 (64 Million) for 72 bed facility at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont with 36 forensic beds and 36 civil beds. $15,852,990 (15 Million plus) to establish a one-time children's hospital construction program. There are additional terms for this.
Seems that we spend a great deal on hospitals. While rural areas may have a more difficult time finding private entities willing to bear the burden of doing so, I would think that more highly populated areas would not have this issue. There are so many facilities, including children's facilities. Merely making them 501(c) facilities means that the cost to the individual are reduced and a majority of this cost of funded through donations - both individual and corporate. I just wander if putting funding in so that people who financially qualify could receive care in private locations might be less costly than building, maintaining, and operating the facilities.
$7,380,403 (7 Million plus) is shifted to cover a shortfall to the Texas Civil Commitment Office.
$12,863,315 (12 Million plus) for the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston for building renovations.
$205,000,000 (205 Million) from federal money to Department of State Health Services for expansion of laboratory capacity.
$82,568,491 (82 Million plus) from Texas revenue and $14,000,000 (14 Million) from Federal funds to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for budget shortfall associated with children without placement, child protective services staffing, adult protective services staffing and day care services.
$900,000 for repairs and renovations at State Supported Living Centers, State Hospitals.
$98,000,000 (98 Million) for deferred maintenance of state facilities.
$20,000,000 (20 Million) for pregnancy support services as an alternative to abortion. I have no issue with private entities providing alternatives but not sure why tax dollars should support either side.
$100,000,000 (100 Million) for the Dallas State Hospital.
$957,502 from general fund and $12,240 from federal funds to address backlog in abuse, neglect and exploitation cases.
$750,000,000 for medical assistance program.
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