Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, with local government entities, it's kind of a tricky thing.
• Um obviously with local government entities<00:25:30.240> it's<00:25:30.480> kind<00:25
• There are various entities<00:32:48.159> that entities that entities that um um um are<00:32:52.240
• government entity. government entity.
• Or not local control?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rest are state jurisdictional dams, and within that, the local government entities own about 41 percent
• It to take that burden off the local entities.
• We can go into when the money is distributed from the state to these local entities.
• What they decide to do there and after is up to that local entity.
• entity, that local entity, such as Mora County or the city of Las Vegas, can then go and Have a commission

Transcript Highlights:

• , including our smaller tribal entities.
• Do the local tribal entities have to report to the local school districts, and then the local school
• Madam Chair and Representative, no, the awards to the tribal entities are between the tribal entities
• My second question is regarding local control.
• Who holds the local control?

Transcript Highlights:

• local control, local issues.
• local control, local issues.
• And when something is regulated by the state, local issues, local control, local issues, and when something
• It's local city governments, local county governments, and school districts.
• So you're talking about local governmental entities, including counties, being only a $100,000 limit,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're doing here is essentially taking away local decisions, local control, not.
• or an association at any access or multiple entities access into their building.
• Would you agree it's not a local issue? It's not a state issue.
• handled at a local level.
• If we've said it once, we probably don't need to say it again if it's a local issue.

Bills: SB1090, SJR49, SB633, HR1059, SB650, SB2063, SB122, SB1614, SB1884, SJR52, SJR53, HJR1101, SJR50, HB3021, HR1058, SB514, SB382, HB3320, SB740, SB833, SB2143, SB1209, SB244

Keywords: wildlife, conservation, Oklahoma, regulations, permanent rules, Leo's Law, child endangerment, fentanyl testing, drug screening, child welfare, Oklahoma Children's Code, substance abuse, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, AAPI, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Oklahoma House resolution, commemorative resolution, heritage month, cultural recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• We need more of that, not only on the local level, the county level, the state level, the national level
• I don't Miss a vote in my local area or in here because it is an absolute right and a privilege, but
• that individual if they're here legally in the United States on a green card to represent me at the local
• the national level, absolutely, we need to have citizenship very clearly defined there, but at... a local
• If you are in that position, as we are here, even at local levels and municipalities and counties, I

Bills: HB4104, HB3722, HB3787, HB3700, HB3701, HB3310, HB3404, HB2964, HB2398, HB3024, HB3499, HB3278, HB3279, HB3645, HB3649, HB2293, HB3260, HB3176, HB3177, HB3114, HB3172, HB3322, HB3323, HB4248, HB3720, HB2210, HB1322, HB1937, HB3301, HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• By adding this entity into the approval for professional development, are they the ones that tend to
• Needs are needed for professional development than the other two entities.
• And people that have businesses here have been debunked by those entities.
• increased options for consumers to purchase healthy, locally produced food in our state.
• Acknowledge that we lose a lot when we regulate out local food production.

Bills: HB4104, HB3722, HB3787, HB3700, HB3701, HB3310, HB3404, HB2964, HB2398, HB3024, HB3499, HB3278, HB3279, HB3645, HB3649, HB2293, HB3260, HB3176, HB3177, HB3114, HB3172, HB3322, HB3323, HB4248, HB3720, HB2210, HB1322, HB1937, HB3301, HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• A $33 million biennial gain to the local taxing entities.
• Is there a requirement that the local taxing entities Reduce, reduce their property taxes in an equivalent
• But that caused havoc within our local community.
• uh, Tolosa Midway ISD were unable to create accurate budgets for our local entities because the truth
• Is and will continue to be inextricably tied to the local economy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The beauty of 491 will allow for the local, as you heard, the local DAs to keep that money.
• The beauty of 491 will allow for the local, as you heard, the local DAs to keep that money.
• So it can be a for-profit entity despite its title.
• Do you want local or floor? It's favorably reported. Do you want it local or floor also?
• Local or floor?

Bills: HB111

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• They exceed the entire budget of that small local public body.
• However, from DFA's perspective, as written, it would not include local public bodies or local entities
• Or local entities.
• However, from DFA's perspective as written, it would not include local public bodies or local entities
• It was merely in pointing out in the FIR that that may be something the legislation or local entities

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that litigation is actually continuing, where local and state entities have failed to address
• entities that would be responsible.
• So it's providing the guidance to the local governments and local entities charged with overseeing these
• Every single government entity is at risk.
• entities, including elected school boards and local governments.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current tax rate for entities classified as retail or wholesale entities is $0.99.
• local rate of 2% for a maximum combined state and local rate of 8.25%.
• funded at that local share.
• entities are providing.
• entities.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• president of the New Hampshire Local president of the New Hampshire Local Welfare<00:27:35.440><
• :32:34.960> Welfare the New Hampshire Local Welfare the New Hampshire Local Welfare Association
• <01:04:37.920> So So, um this is a local option. So So, um this is a local option.
• op optional locally controlled op optional locally controlled opportunity.<01:05:03.280> And<
• We have licensed entities and then we have chartered entities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from imposing local sales taxes and local income taxes.
• > um<00:54:05.319> local local localities from imposing um local local localities from
• So when I use the term general local sales tax, it really just means local sales tax.
• When I use the term general local sales tax, it really just means local sales tax.
• local local taxes um include state and local local taxes um our<01:18:55.840> state<01:18:56.040

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met for an organizational and orientation session. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several lawmakers noting their districts, business backgrounds, and interest in tax policy. Chair Greg Davids then opened the committee’s first substantive item: a presentation from House Research and House Fiscal staff on how the committee works and on basic tax concepts. House Research staff Sean Williams and Chris Clayman explained their roles in drafting bills and amendments, writing bill summaries, answering legal and policy questions, and modeling tax proposals. They also described the committee’s key documents, including partisan and nonpartisan bill summaries, revenue estimates, fiscal notes, and supporting materials. Their presentation covered core tax concepts such as tax bases, rates, deductions, exemptions, credits, tax revenues, and tax expenditures, emphasizing that tax expenditures function like spending through the tax code and are reviewed by a legislative commission. The staff then reviewed Minnesota’s major taxes, focusing on the individual income tax and business taxation. They explained that Minnesota’s individual income tax starts with federal adjusted gross income, then applies state additions, deductions, subtractions, and credits, and that the state’s income tax brackets and rates are set separately from federal law. They also outlined the difference between corporate franchise taxes for C corporations and individual income tax treatment for pass-through entities, and discussed how the federal SALT cap led Minnesota and other states to adopt pass-through entity taxes so businesses could preserve federal deductibility of state taxes. Members asked questions about a duplicate “marriage penalty” entry on a slide, the purpose of Minnesota’s marriage penalty credit, comparisons with other states, and the timing and effect of the pass-through entity tax; staff answered that the duplicate was a mistake, the credit offsets bracket-related marriage penalties, and the pass-through entity tax was adopted in response to the federal SALT cap.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4060 gives local taxing entities a powerful optional tool.
• It allows, doesn't mandate a taxing entity or governmental entity to adopt a sliding scale homestead
• It does so by empowering local taxing entities, counties, school districts, and special districts along
• Importantly, HB 4270 is local option and targeted. It is a local option and targeted.
• However, they come at a significant cost to local communities.

Bills: SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: redistricting, election, Texas legislature, district composition, political representation, congressional redistricting, Texas House of Representatives, U.S. House, Congressional districts, district map, district boundaries, gerrymandering, voting rights, election law, apportionment, representation, special committee, PLANC2308, redistricting plan, elections

Transcript Highlights:

• audits covering all state entities.
• audits covering all state entities.
• It assesses entities.
• such as cities and local governments.
• entities.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Cybersecurity and the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management held a joint informational hearing focused on maximizing the value of state cybersecurity investments, especially by fully using security features already included in existing vendor contracts. The first panel included representatives from Microsoft, Zscaler, and Palo Alto Networks, who described the products and services they provide to California and generally agreed that agencies often have strong adoption in some areas but still face challenges from tool overlap, limited staff, lack of awareness of available features, and the need for ongoing training and configuration support. They also discussed major threats such as ransomware, data loss, attack-surface exposure, IoT/OT vulnerabilities, and the growing role of AI in both attacks and defenses. Members pressed the vendors on whether state departments underuse purchased cybersecurity tools, how to improve utilization, and how to address the cybersecurity workforce shortage. The vendors said utilization is often constrained by staffing, procurement complexity, and the need to align tools with agency missions and maturity levels, but emphasized that training, leadership buy-in, and regular vendor-agency collaboration can improve results. They also discussed how AI can help with phishing triage, data-loss prevention, and security operations, while warning that agencies must manage AI safely and with human oversight. The second panel featured officials from the Department of Technology, Cal OES/CalSIC, and the California Military Department. They described statewide oversight efforts including audits, independent security assessments, continuous monitoring, advisory services, vulnerability disclosure programs, and workforce development initiatives such as the Information Security Leadership Academy and Cybersecurity Education Summit. Officials said some underutilization is real, but it is often tied to differing agency maturity, overlapping tools, and deliberate feature restrictions to reduce attack surface and complexity; they emphasized a balanced approach using people, process, and technology, with plans of action and milestones to hold departments accountable. They also noted federal uncertainty around MS-ISAC and the state and local cybersecurity grant program, saying California is advocating through federal partners and monitoring the impact. The hearing ended after public comment and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• entity is not considered a public entity entity is not considered a public entity according<00:36
• Yeah, I mean, I think the whole point of this is like the local entity is coming back in.
• The local entity is stepping up and providing that type of housing that the community members are saying
• The local entity is stepping up and providing that type of housing that the community members are saying
• in a direction to allow our local in a direction to allow our local entities<00:59:01.960> to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the entities that are out there will be...
• We had a couple of entities that we found because they happened to show up.
• If I'm not mistaken, there are over 3,000 entities in the state of New Mexico.
• There was not much communication between state and local entities or special districts because there
• So those entities, those almost 200, they're different entities. multiple conversations with them because

Transcript Highlights:

• So property tax is locally assessed and locally administered.
• at the local level in terms of values or taxes that are paid by local property owners.
• local values are correct.
• locally.
• And by virtue of that position, it has the responsibility to make sure that its local governmental entities

Transcript Highlights:

• Because these governmental entities had a... ...passed because these governmental entities had a smaller
• entities, and their taxpayers?
• entity.
• Senator Johnson says, “We defer to the local prosecutor.
• HB 42 to Finance, HB 198 to Local Government, HB 247 to Local Government, HB 367 to Education K-16, HB

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.