Notice of Public Hearing on 2026-2027 Biennium LAR

Date/Time:

Wednesday, May 1, 2024
2:00 p.m.

Location:

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Robert D. Moreton Building
Public Hearing Room M-100, First Floor
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, Texas 78756

This public hearing will be webcast. Members of the public may attend the public hearing in person at the address above or access a live stream of the public hearing at https://texashhsmeetings.org/HHSWebcast. Select the tab for Moreton M-100 Live on the date and time for this public hearing. Please e-mail Webcasting@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have any problems with the webcasting function.

Agenda

1. Welcome and call to order
2. Agency overview
3. Budget overview: 2026-2027 Biennium
4. Public comment
5. Closing remarks
6. Adjourn

DSHS will conduct a public hearing to receive input on public health program funding for the 2026-2027 biennium Legislative Appropriations Request. DSHS is seeking your ideas and recommendations for funding public health programs such as disease and injury prevention, public health data, maternal and child wellness, emergency preparedness and response, vital statistics, and health-related consumer protection.

Public Comment

Stakeholder input is a critical element of this process. DSHS will accept public comments at the Austin location in person and virtually. To provide time to all persons wishing to speak, DSHS will observe a three-minute time limit per speaker. Please include the following in your comments:

• Your name or the name of your organization and a contact person.
• A clear, concise description of the recommendation.
• What need would be addressed by this recommendation and the expected impact or benefit to the state or the people we serve.

Members of the public who would like to provide public comments may register at this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8W7NF7 and choose from the following options:

1. Oral comments provided virtually: Members of the public must pre-register to provide oral comments virtually during the public hearing by completing a Public Comment Registration form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8W7NF7 no later than 5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 28, 2024. Please mark the correct box on the Public Comment Registration form and provide your name, either the organization you are representing or that you are speaking as a private citizen, and your direct phone number. If you have completed the Public Comment Registration form, you will receive an email the day before the public hearing with instructions for providing virtual public comment. Oral comments are limited to three minutes. Each speaker providing oral public comments virtually must ensure their face is visible and their voice audible to the other participants while they are speaking. Each speaker must state their name and on whose behalf they are speaking (if anyone). If you pre-register to speak and wish to provide a handout before the public hearing, please submit an electronic copy in accessible PDF format that will be distributed to the appropriate DSHS staff. Handouts are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Handouts must be emailed to DSHSPublicHearings@dshs.texas.gov immediately after pre-registering, but no later than 5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 28, 2024, and include the name of the person who will be commenting. Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments or handouts. Staff will not read handouts aloud during the public hearing, but handouts will be provided to the appropriate DSHS staff.
    
2. Oral comments provided in-person at the public hearing location: Members of the public may provide oral public comments during the public hearing in person at the public hearing location by pre-registering online using the Public Comment Registration form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8W7NF7. Do not include health information or other confidential information in your comments or handouts.

3. Written comments: A member of the public who wishes to provide written public comments only must email the comments to DSHSPublicHearings@dshs.texas.gov no later than 5:00 p.m., Sunday, April 28, 2024. Please include your name and the organization you are representing or that you are commenting as a private citizen. Written comments are limited to two pages (paper size: 8.5” by 11”, one side only). Do not include health or other confidential information in your comments. Staff will not read written comments aloud during the public hearing, but comments will be provided to the appropriate DSHS staff. 

Note: These procedures may be revised at the discretion of DSHS.

Contact: Questions regarding agenda items, content, or public hearing arrangements should be directed to:

Mail: Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
Center for System Coordination and Innovation (CSCI)
P. O. Box 149347, Mail Code 1911, Austin, Texas 78714-9347

Or street address:

1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756

Fax: Attention: DSHS Public Hearing at 512-776-7671

E-mail:  DSHSPublicHearings@dshs.texas.gov             

Phone: 512-776-6206

This forum is open to the public. No reservations are required, and there is no cost to attend. People with disabilities who wish to attend the public hearing and require auxiliary aids or services should call 512-776-6206 at least 72 hours before the public hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.