Video & Transcript Research : 'declared disaster'
Page 109 of 321
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Having received 11 ayes and zero nays, I declare Senate Bill 1632 to have passed.
- Having received 10 ayes and zero nays, I declare Senate Bill 1262 to have passed.
- Having received nine ayes and zero nays, I declare Senate Bill 1292 to have passed.
- Having received seven ayes and two nays, I declare Senate Bill 179 to have passed.
- I declare Senate Bill 1437 to have passed.
Bills:
SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778
Keywords:
career readiness, education reform, high school assessments, workplace skills, state education, credentialing, teacher certification, principal requirements, education administration, special education, Oklahoma education law, SB2045, Grow Your Own Educator Program, teacher recruitment, teacher retention, alternative certification, alternative teacher certification, teacher preparation, tuition reimbursement, course fee reimbursement
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- constitutional majority is declared constitutional majority is declared passed.<01:49:01.600>
- majority is declared passed. majority is declared passed.
- , constitutional majorities declared, constitutional majorities declared, passed.<02:06:51.679>
- constitutional majorities declared pass. constitutional majorities declared pass.
- Is declared passed. majority. Is declared passed. Let's<03:37:59.760>
see.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened with a quorum and first honored Nancy Crawford with a resolution recognizing her 46 years of state service, including 20 years as Senator Pam Beidle’s chief of staff. Senator Beidle then spoke at length about her own retirement plans and public service, reflecting on her career in the House and Senate, her work on the Finance Committee, and thanking her staff and colleagues. The chamber unanimously journalized the remarks.
The Senate then moved into business on House and Senate messages, including House Bill 139 and Senate Bill 311, and adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 1532, the Utility Relief/Reducing Energy Load for Inflation measure. The report was described as a broad energy and utility package that had already passed the Senate 38-4 and was said to address short-, medium-, and long-term issues, including rate relief, in-state generation, data center policy, consumer transparency, and low-income utility assistance.
During debate on the conference report, the majority leader explained several changes from prior versions: no legislative ban on forecast test years, instead deferring to the Public Service Commission; removal of gas programs from Empower to avoid inequities across service territories; modest opening of the retail supply market with guardrails; and rejection of some floor amendments, including a gas line extension provision and a study amendment. The minority leader argued the bill offered only limited relief, focused too much on talking points and short-term savings, and said many bipartisan amendments were not retained. The majority leader responded that the bill would save ratepayers real dollars through provisions on utility adders, executive bonuses, FERC-related returns, and new generation, and urged adoption of the conference report.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 11 (1-21-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Being 94 members indicating their presence, a quorum is declared in the House.
- <00:07:24.800>
an working group and declaring an working group and declaring an emergency. - House Bill 280, an act relating to health care and declaring an emergency.
- therefore, and declaring an emergency. therefore, and declaring an emergency.
- to individual income tax and declaring to individual income tax and declaring an<00:30:30.559>
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Senate Message 05:10
Calendar/2nd Readings 07:06
Report of Committees 07:47
Orders of the Day 08:52
HB 176 09:09
HB 178 12:19
HB 280 15:34
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 19:55
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 32:05
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 32:05
ConC and Rules Report 39:04
Adjournment 40:48, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The Senate then communicated passage of Senate Bills 10 and 28 and requested concurrence. The House also received second-reading reports for several bills, including measures on custody, human sexuality instruction in schools, tax increment financing, death benefits, postsecondary education, and disabled veterans, along with committee reports advancing bills on agriculture, criminal trespass, concealed firearms, human trafficking, sexual performance material involving minors, reading and writing in schools, and educators.
The chamber then took up and passed three health-related bills. House Bill 176, on prior authorization, was explained as a bipartisan effort to reduce insurance-related delays and bureaucracy in patient care; it passed 90-1. House Bill 178, on the psychiatric collaborative care model, was presented as a budget-neutral way to expand timely mental health access through primary care settings; it passed unanimously, 93-0. House Bill 280, a Kentucky Board of Nursing cleanup bill and school rescue-medication update, was amended by House Committee Substitute 1 to restore language allowing investigations involving abuse and to update school medication provisions; the substitute and the bill as amended both passed 94-0.
House Resolution 35, recognizing January 21, 2026 as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Day in Kentucky, was introduced, taken from committee, and adopted. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings and events, including a reception for highway contractors and related groups, and several committee cancellations. One member also spoke about a catastrophic fire in Williamsburg, asking for prayers for the community and first responders.
The Committee on Committees and Rules then reported referrals for numerous newly introduced bills to standing committees and made changes to the 2026 Committee on Impeachment, removing Representatives Marzian and Donworth and appointing Representatives Watkins and Gentry. The House then adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 19, an act relating to school district employees and declaring an emergency.
- and declaring an emergency. and declaring an emergency. Representative<00:29:00.320>
Burke. - <00:29:24.000>
Representative declaring an emergency. - Representative declaring an emergency.
- employees and declaring an emergency. employees and declaring an emergency.
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 04:28
Election and Swearing In of Constitutional Officers 04:35
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 06:51
HR 1 08:08
HR 2 08:40
HR 3 17:11
Impeachment Petitions reported 18:33
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 20:27
Stand at Ease 20:54
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 28:30
Adjournment 33:05, 958, all
Summary:
The Kentucky House convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a declared quorum of 100 members present. The House then excused absent members and suspended the rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications to be filed. It also elected House staff constitutional officers by acclamation, including the chief clerk, deputy clerk, sergeant at arms, chief doorkeeper, enrolling clerk, cloakroom keeper, and janitor, followed by the oath of office.
Members introduced and adopted House Resolutions 1, 2, and 3. House Resolution 1 established the 2026 House membership. House Resolution 2 adopted the House rules for the session, with changes reflecting the new temporary building, removal of COVID-related provisions, elimination of remote and alternative voting, shortening motions/petitions/communications time from 30 to 15 minutes, deleting guest introductions and gallery references, requiring only one signed jacketed bill copy, clarifying billbook co-sponsorship procedures, deleting consent orders and pairing rules, and updating chamber-access and lobbying restrictions. Some members objected that the changes reduced transparency and public access, and one member asked that the 15-minute limit be kept at 30 minutes, but the resolution was adopted. House Resolution 3 invited pastors of Frankfurt churches to open sessions with prayer; one member asked that it be broadened to include people of all faiths and beyond Franklin County, but it was also adopted.
The House then reported interim communications, including citizen impeachment petitions filed against Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goodwine and Ballard County Jailer Eric Cppus. Members were reminded of a mandatory ethics meeting the next day. The clerk reported the first batch of filed bills and resolutions, including House Bill 11 on independent school districts and House Bills 12 through 34 on topics such as legislative privacy, income tax, rural hospital funding, Medicaid and Medicaid expansion, school employee payments, firearms, reproductive health and privacy, employment schedules, cancer treatment coverage, workers’ compensation for first responders, savings accounts, education opportunity accounts, leave from employment, criminal procedure, home purchases, FNF devices, data privacy, and death benefits, along with House Resolutions 4 through 6. The House then adjourned until 2 p.m. on January 7, 2026.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Vitola is declared confirmed in the Senate. The nomination of Christy N.
- Vitola is declared confirmed in the Senate. Congratulations, Your Honor.
- House Bill No. 89, with House Amendment 1, is declared passed by the Senate.
- House bill 381 is declared passed to Senate. Senator Townsend. Thank you, Madam President.
- Having received its required majority vote, HCR 152 is declared passed in the Senate.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, received House communications and committee reports, and then took up several bills and a resolution. Committee reports covered measures on composting, volunteer background checks, campaign finance, the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, publication of Public Integrity Commission reports, Cheswold’s territorial limits, child support, alcohol and marijuana, salary supplements, certified registered nurse anesthetists, land use, school taxes, and a constitutional elections amendment. House Bill 344 and House Bill 444 were referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Christy N. Vitola as Commissioner of the Family Court by a 21-0 vote.
The chamber then recognized several fellows and Girls’ State delegates, with tributes to the Legislative Fellows Program and the Communications Fellowship, followed by House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the 2026 Delaware Girls’ State participants. The resolution passed unanimously. Senators and guests spoke about the civic value of the program and introduced the Girls’ State leadership team and delegates.
On legislation, the Senate passed House Bill 89, creating a dispute-resolution process for home improvement fraud and strengthening consumer protection enforcement; House Bill 381, requiring notice to the Attorney General of computer security breaches; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 407, making technical and penalty updates to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 150, limiting civil arrests at courthouses and Industrial Accident Board offices; and House Substitute 2 for House Bill 94, restricting state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools, houses of worship, and health care facilities, with emergency exceptions and reporting requirements. The Senate also began consideration of House Substitute 1 for House Bill 368, which would limit use of state and local resources for federal civil immigration enforcement while preserving exceptions for serious offenses and judicial warrants, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If a candidate violates this rule, they will be declared ineligible for the general primary election
- A military ID, a citizen certificate, or they may sign a declaration of Reasonable impediment, a DRI,
- This bill requires the registrar to note in the voter's file each time a declaration is used.
- After a voter uses a declaration.
- And then one of the valid reasons for reasonable impediment declaration is if you lost your ID.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Business and Insurance 2ND REVISED Feb 19th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Business and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- Having received seven yeses and two noes, I declare Senate Bill 1287 has passed.
- Having received nine yeses and zero noes, I declare Senate Bill 1061 to have passed.
- Having received nine ayes and zero nays, I declare Senate Bill 1916 to have passed.
- I declare Senate Bill 1589 to have passed. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- Having received nine ayes and zero nays, I declare Senate Bill 2178 to have passed.
Bills:
SB1969, SB1953, SB1277, SB1287, SB1061, SB1916, SB1589, SB2178, SB1444, SB1438, SB1501, SB1873, SB1364
Keywords:
massage therapy, licensing, multistate compact, regulation, healthcare, professionals, Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, health insurance, claims data, contract provisions, health care providers, auditable materials, HIPAA compliance, insurance regulation, unemployment benefits, employment security, work search, job search, reemployment, jobless benefits
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day Jun 30th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Joint Resolution No. 22 is declared passed by the Senate. Senator Townsend.
- House Bill No. 133 with House Amendment 4 is declared passed by the Senate.
- House Substitute 2 for House Bill 218 is declared passed to the Senate.
- Consent Agenda U is declared passed by the Senate. Senator Townsend. Senator Townsend.
- House Bill 75 with Senate Amendment 3 is declared passed by the Senate. Senator Townsend.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Jun 30th, 2026
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- In response to these unprecedented disasters, our public water systems have invested significant resources
- common-sense measures, such as incident-specific response procedures for wildfires as part of their disaster
- The number of industrial disasters across California in the past month alone, from the GKN aerospace
- Industrial disasters across California in the past month alone, from the GKN aerospace manufacturing
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Anytime there are any issues with disasters that might be coming our way, he updates the agency senior
- Anytime there are any issues with<00:10:15.279>
disasters <00:10:15.920>that <00:10:16.240 - >
might <00:10:16.399>be <00:10:16.560>coming <00:10:16.720>our with disasters - that might be coming our with disasters that might be coming our way,<00:10:17.279>
he <00:10:
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Mar 18, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 34
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- cans and has granted $43,000 to local students pursuing post-secondary education and $110,000 in disaster
- 47.200>
in post-secondary education and $110,000 in post-secondary education and $110,000 in disaster - 48.799>
those <00:19:49.080>affected <00:19:49.880>by <00:19:50.000>the disaster - relief to those affected by the disaster relief to those affected by the Maui<00:19:50.799>
wildfires
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of the strategies we're looking at deploying are disaster recovery.
- So we've got greening that's already weakening our trees, and then we've got disasters on top of that
- but there are very many growers who, after hurricanes, successive hurricanes, and freezes, and no disaster
- There was no disaster relief under Ian.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation.
Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry.
The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 39th Legislative Day Jun 23rd, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With House Amendment 1, House Bill 300 is declared passed in the Senate.
- The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we bring forth this bill.
- The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we bring forth this bill.
- House Bill 63 with House Amendment 1 is declared passed by the Senate.
- House Amendment 1 is declared passed. Senator Townsend: Thank you, Madam President.
Summary:
The Senate received House communications listing numerous House-passed bills, substitutes, amendments, and concurrent resolutions, and then took up committee reports and a consent calendar. Consent Calendar 65 passed unanimously with 20 yes votes and included Senate Resolution 26 recognizing Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, House Concurrent Resolution 131 on apprenticeship programs for school-based mental health professionals, House Concurrent Resolution 137 on mathematics instruction review, and House Concurrent Resolution 148 on a statewide menopause education strategy. Later, Consent Agenda N also passed with the required two-thirds vote and included a large group of bills on evidence and witnesses, Family Court jurisdiction, theft by impersonation, realty transfer tax, auto insurance practices, child services and educational services, STD prevention, agricultural and forestry matters, menstrual disorder materials, a Smyrna charter change, massage/body work, dry needling, and lead poisoning screening.
Several substantive bills were debated and passed. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 314, modernizing Delaware’s rape shield law and clarifying how courts handle evidence of prior false sexual assault allegations, passed 21-0. Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill to the Medical Debt Protection Act that expands prohibited collection actions and requires disclosure when a collector is a large health care facility, also passed 21-0. House Bill 300, creating a statewide Title IX coordinator in the Department of Education to support compliance and data collection for interscholastic athletics, passed after debate; Senate Amendment 1 to the bill, which would have required athletes to compete according to biological sex, was defeated 6-14 with one absent, and the underlying bill then passed 20-0 with one absent.
The Senate also passed House Substitute 1 for House Bill 84, which limits mandatory employee attendance at meetings where employers convey political or religious views, after questions about employer, union, and exemption coverage; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 301, which clarifies criminal penalties for violence, threats, and intimidation at polling places and election-related sites, passed after discussion of what conduct it would cover; House Bill 63, addressing fireworks disclosures and related regulation, passed 19-2 after senators discussed enforcement and impacts on veterans, children, and pets; and House Bill 348, updating the electric vehicle rebate program to give DENREC more flexibility and expand eligibility, passed 16-5. The chamber then recessed until the next day.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Retirement and Government Resources REVISED Feb 17th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Retirement and Government Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- I declare Senate Bill 1722 passed. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
- They declare Senate Bill 1639 to have passed. Mr.
- They declare Senate Bill 1639 to have passed. Mr.
- I declare the same to have passed.
- I declare the same to have Passed. Senator Paxton, thank you. Thank you, Mr.
Bills:
SB134, SB1356, SB1407, SB1611, SB1639, SB169, SB1722, SB182, SB1870, SB2039, SB432, SB609, SB715, SB716
Keywords:
retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Business REVISED: SB1873 - Link added Mar 31st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Business
Transcript Highlights:
- I close the queue and declare the vote with 11 yes, zero nays.
- The queues declare the vote. The 11 eyes zero nay. I declare your bill to a passer. Thank you.
- Let us close the queue, declare the vote. With 9 in favor, I declare your bill to have passed.
- I declare your bill to have passed.
- With 10-1-8, I declare your bill to be passed.
Keywords:
roofing, contractor registration, continuing education, endorsement, construction industry, fireworks, consumer safety, local governance, emergency declaration, public safety, Occupational Therapy, licensure, interstate compact, telehealth, SB1061, Oklahoma Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act, SAFE Act, mortgage licensing, mortgage broker, mortgage lender
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I declare the bill to be advanced.
- I declare the bill to be advanced.
- I declare the bill to have passed. Mr. Leader, Thank you, Mr. President.
- I declare the bill to have been advanced.
- I declare the bill to be advanced.
Bills:
SB2065, SB1641, SB1642, SB1589, SB1597, SB1216, SB2173, SB2028, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB2014, SB1805, SB2044, SB1836, SB1380, SB2179, SB1436, SB1558, SB933, SB1651, SB1328, SB1572, SB1966, SB175, SB1475, SB1950, SB2049, SB2052
Keywords:
pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, business entities, limited liability company, LLC, foreign LLC, domestic LLC, limited partnership, foreign limited partnership, registered agent, Secretary of State, annual certificate, good standing, certificate of authority, designated office, email address, electronic mail
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 5 (1-12-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- There being 95 members present, quorum is declared.
- House Joint Resolution 25, a joint resolution declaring Kentucky a food as medicine state and directing
- House Joint Resolution 25, a joint resolution declaring Kentucky a food as medicine state and directing
- an emergency. declaring an emergency.
- Kentucky a food as resolution declaring Kentucky a food as medicine<00:15:21.440>
state <00:15
Keywords:
Convene 00:00
Motions, Petitions, and Communications 05:54
Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 12:03
Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 16:14
CoC and Rules Report 18:21
Adjournment 18:57, 958, all
Summary:
The House convened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 95 members present. The journal from Friday, January 9, 2026 was approved, absent members were excused, and House Resolution 21 was taken from the Committee on Committees and brought to the floor without objection. Several committee and meeting announcements were made, including cancellations for various standing committees and notices that the Government Contract Review Committee and Oversight Investigation Committee would meet upon adjournment.
The House also adopted House Citation 4, a citation of adjournment honoring Bill Nickel, with remarks describing him as a respected community member and friend. After the citation, members continued making committee announcements, including that the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance would meet at noon the next day.
The clerk then reported the introduction of numerous new bills and resolutions, covering topics such as grand jury service, criminal trespass, postsecondary admission and funding, sex crimes, cultured meat products, railroad crossings, firearms and concealed weapons, property tax exemptions, name/image/likeness rights, landlords and tenants, child care, child welfare investigations, government social media accounts, peace officer training, economic development incentives, residential safety, pre-trial release, and several resolutions on highways, property taxation, Medicaid waiver withdrawal, and food-as-medicine initiatives. The Committee on Committees and Rules met and referred House Bills 164, 176, 184, and 265 to Banking and Insurance, and the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Having received 9 ay's and 2 nays, I declare House Bill 3312 to have passed.
- Having received nine ayes and two nays, I declare House Bill 3700 to have passed.
- Having received seven ayes and two nays, I declare House Bill 4478 to have passed.
- Having received nine ayes and zero nays, I declare House Bill 3025 to have passed.
- Having received nine ayes and zero nays, I declare House Bill 3710 to have passed.
Keywords:
firearm safety, public schools, education policy, student safety, gun control, opt-out option, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB2961, TSgt Marshal Dakota Roberts Gold Star Survivor Act, Gold Star family, Gold Star recipient
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 30th, 2026
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Having received 12 ayes and zero nays, I declare the nominee to have passed.
- Having received 12 ayes and zero nays, I declare the nominee to have passed.
- Having received 12 ayes and zero nays, I declare the nomination to have passed.
- Having received 12 ayes and zero nays, I declare the nominee to have passed.
- I declare the nominee to have passed and will proceed to the Senate.
Summary:
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.
The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate.
Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.