Transcript Highlights:

• Coastal urban centers dominate policy outcomes due to their population concentration, while inland and
• Coastal urban centers diversity.
• Coastal urban centers dominate<00:21:39.120><c> policy</c><00:21:39.840><c> outcomes</c><00:21:40.880
• Their boards are run by the centers.
• Um, not long ago, there were 1,300 billing clerks that worked at the Duke Medical Center to interact

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas a mentor and champion of women throughout convention halls and at community centers and kitchen
• And whereas a mentor and champion of women throughout convention halls and at community centers and kitchen
• 21266, the Environmental Justice Act, which strengthened regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and centered
• </c><01:04:15.440><c> communities</c> gas emissions and centered communities gas emissions and centered
• We stood shoulder to shoulder on legislation that centered survivors and working families, including

Transcript Highlights:

• encompasses attractions, arts organizations, entertainment venues, accommodations, destinations, conventions
• families should have their summer to choose development opportunities for themselves, opportunities that center
• families should have their summer to choose development opportunities for themselves, opportunities that center

Bills: SB1798 , SB1835 , SB1319 , SB2942 , SB2928 , SB784 , SB1049

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• newly named 2026 Maryland Mother of the Year, she will represent our state at the 91st National Convention
• She will represent our state at the 91st National Convention, Virginia is for Mothers, a legacy of love
• > Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Refuge and Beltsville Agricultural Research<00:33:42.080><c> Center
• BARC</c><00:33:42.880><c> and</c><00:33:43.200><c> requires</c><00:33:44.160><c> the</c> Research Center
• BARC and requires the Research Center BARC and requires the District<00:33:44.640><c> Council</c><00

Summary: The House convened with 122 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber then took up two congratulatory resolutions: one honoring Layla Wishard of Hagerstown for winning gold with Team USA at the Junior Roller Derby Association World Cup in Australia, and another recognizing Delores Millhouse as the 2026 Maryland Mother of the Year. Both resolutions were read and adopted with applause. The House then considered a series of committee reports, primarily from the Committee on Economic Matters, and advanced multiple bills to third reading after adopting committee amendments and favorable reports. Measures included consumer contract protections in House Bill 103, workers’ compensation presumptions for hypertension in House Bill 347, broadband access and affordability in House Bill 382, housing and land-use changes in House Bills 548 and 894, data privacy in House Bill 711, franchise law changes in House Bill 730, a blockchain-based real property title pilot program in House Bill 810, bankruptcy exemptions in House Bill 1098, and telecommunications infrastructure protections in House Bill 1100. Several bills drew questions and were special ordered for further review. House Bill 711, the Data Privacy Act, prompted extended discussion about whether its geolocation provisions could affect stadium and venue security tracking; the sponsor said the bill was intended to close loopholes around cell phone and vehicle location data and would not change existing permission-based rules, but the bill was still special ordered until the next day. House Bill 894, the transit-oriented development bill, also drew questions about local government concerns and was special ordered, with the floor leader saying county and municipal groups were generally satisfied with the amendments. House Bill 1100 was also taken up after the amendments were adopted, and the title amendment process began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're up there with ABLE Tech, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, the Oklahoma Parents Center
• Currently, we have youth who are placed in our detention centers following the commission of an alleged
• But my question centers around, you know, expanding DEQ.
• Speaker, that's deeply concerning to me, especially now that we know that many of these data centers
• We might extend other conventions and other events that students go to an extra day because there are

Bills: HB4319 , HB4317 , HB1225 , HB3076 , HB3081 , HB4226 , SCR17 , HB4432 , HB3304 , HB3411 , HB3435 , HB4339 , HB4331 , HB4341 , HB4342 , HB1770 , HB1016 , HB4113 , HB2950 , HB4141 , HB3277 , HB2988 , HB3029 , HB3338 , HB1889 , HB3834 , HB3831 , HB2939 , HB3045 , HB3657 , HB1739 , HB3759 , HB3755 , HB4484 , HB4486 , HB4108 , HB1250 , HB2961 , HB1219 , HB3025 , HB1782 , HB1907 , HB3718 , HB4459 , HB2976 , HB3548 , HB3545 , HB2952 , HB2929 , HB2956 , HB2973 , HB3055 , HB3086 , HB3040 , HB3794 , HB4336 , HB3151 , HB1590 , HB3581 , HB3313 , HB3429 , HB3448 , HB1752 , HB2650 , HB3584 , HB4202 , HB3586 , HB4321 , HB4280 , HB3650 , HCR1020 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB4301 , HB3625 , HB3147 , HB3403 , HB3498 , HB3970 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3980 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB3638 , HB3880 , HB3930 , HB3942 , HB3944 , HB4191 , HB3242 , HB3678

Summary: The House began with a quorum call, then moved into a series of special presentations recognizing guests and champions, including the Talihina state football team, the Hodgson Bulldogs state basketball champions, Sooner Start families and advocates, the Edmond Republican Women’s Club, Leadership Miami, and other visitors in the galleries. Members also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, honoring the long friendship between Oklahoma and Ireland and welcoming Irish Senator Aubrey McCarthy to the Capitol. The chamber then considered and passed several bills on third reading. Among them were HB 4226, creating a formal recusal/disqualification process for judges with timelines; HB 4432, addressing itemized deductions and gambling-related tax treatment; HB 3304, requiring Service Oklahoma to check the methamphetamine user database before issuing a commercial driver’s license; HB 3411, requiring PFOS testing and related safeguards for biosolids land application; HB 3435, creating a single-subject rule for municipal bonds; HB 4339, updating probate publication requirements for rural Oklahoma; HB 4341 and HB 4342, both CASA-related measures; HB 1770, directing OSU Veterinary Medicine to study the elk population in the northwest zone; HB 1016, setting up trust protections for minors featured in monetized online content; and HB 413, clarifying that people with felony convictions may vote once they have fully completed incarceration, parole, supervision, and probation. The House also passed HB 2950, removing an ACT requirement tied to Oklahoma’s Promise for homeschool students; HB 4141, funding a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator if money becomes available; HB 3277, cleanup language for VIN inspections on salvage vehicles; HB 2988, expanding the Terry Peach Act; HB 3029, requiring a four-year planning process for the State Department of Education; HB 3338, regulating the pool industry after reports of consumer losses; HB 1889, restoring benefits for a small group of police and fire retirees; HB 3834, authorizing ibogaine clinical trials for PTSD, addiction, and related conditions; HB 3831, seeking state support for Oklahoma Task Force One urban search and rescue; HB 2939, removing fax-machine references from election law; HB 3045, extending response-fee limits to municipal fire departments; HB 3657, modernizing OESC reporting and data sharing; HB 1739, reinstating a half-pay provision for OHP members; HB 3759, setting a June 30 date for temporary school allocations; HB 3755, clarifying juvenile detention medication funding and custody language; HB 4484, allowing certain state vehicles to be used between residences and work sites; HB 4486, creating a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at the Capitol; HB 4108, adding airports to the critical infrastructure trespass list; and HB 1250, creating a revolving fund for public safety technology tied to the Blue Jay app. Most bills passed with broad support, though a few drew significant debate, especially the homeschool/Oklahoma’s Promise bill and the pool regulation bill, which passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the power, the in a data center.
• </c> visitor centers and observation decks. visitor centers and observation decks.
• </c> And if you look at the retirement center And if you look at the retirement center um<02:44:54.080
• Just enough distance for them to be centered on their needs.
• </c> for them to be centered on their needs. for them to be centered on their needs. this<03:19:04.720

Transcript Highlights:

• with digital records and being more and more common, sort of how those are retained, what naming conventions

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader Rodriguez. centers in cases of child maltreatment. centers in cases of child maltreatment
• are places on the eastern plains and on the western slope that are long ways away from the urban center
• are places on the eastern plains and on the western slope that are long ways away from the urban center
• are places on the eastern plains and on the western slope that are long ways away from the urban center
• are places on the eastern plains and on the western slope that are long ways away from the urban center

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you quantify that in a 125-acre hay field on a center pivot?
• How do you quantify that in a 125-acre hay field on a center pivot?
• How do you quantify that in a 125-acre hay field on a center pivot?
• district, came to a area meeting, went through that process, and then ultimately went up to our state convention

Bills: SF0025 , SF0027 , SF0043 , SF0066

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So, a great example of that is an instructor at a fitness center.
• the issue with his committee and with logging contractors who use both mechanized operations and conventional
• well</c><05:00:42.400><c> as</c> operations which is as well as operations which is as well as conventional
• :44.400><c> Um</c><05:00:44.878><c> so</c><05:00:45.120><c> those</c><05:00:45.280><c> are</c> conventional
• Um so those are conventional cutting.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1150, which would require disclosure of complaints to public employees within five business days. Members said the sponsor was still working on an amendment, so the bill was held for another week with the understanding it would be executed next week if no amendment was ready. The chair also outlined the committee’s schedule, including upcoming floor reports and the goal of finishing the remaining committee bills on time. The committee then took up House Bill 1168, concerning employer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the bill would give employers more time to gather payroll records, especially when claims arise years later, and said the current system should be adjusted for fairness to businesses. Opponents, including several members, said payroll records are usually electronic and should be produced quickly so workers waiting on wages are not delayed. The Department of Labor deputy commissioner testified that employers can already request extensions and that further extensions could still be requested under the current process. The committee voted 11-9 to ought to pass HB 1168. Next, House Bill 1250, dealing with notice, documentation, and job reinstatement requirements for leave related to childbirth, postpartum care, and pediatric appointments, was considered. Members said the statute was newly enacted, had been carefully negotiated, and should be allowed to work before being revised. The committee voted 20-0 to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1043, which would allow private employers to adopt their own minimum pay policies for report-to-work situations instead of being bound by the current two-hour minimum, so long as the policy is established in advance. The sponsor said the bill would modernize an outdated law and preserve the current default if no policy is adopted. Members raised questions about collective bargaining agreements and whether the bill could weaken existing worker protections, while the sponsor and supporters said it was intended to provide flexibility rather than a mandate. The hearing continued with questions and discussion, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• those 16 offices, the Storm Prediction Center, and the National Hurricane Center.
• Emergency Operations Center at TranSTAR.
• Center exists, Representative.
• I was down in your command center, your JOY command center, and your guys are still very active and very
• We have one group of emergency operations center staff.

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• We can set up a volunteer reception center to coordinate efforts.
• That's the group that sets up the Volunteer Reception Center.
• Volunteer Reception Center, VRC.
• We set up a reunification center.
• Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and it's kind of like a service center and it's kind of like a service center approach<01:23:58.040
• </c><01:25:56.520><c> Eric</c> registration information center Eric registration information center Eric
• centers.
• up more centers.
• It was mainly the areas around the voter service centers, an approximation of the voter service center

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know that the conventional mantra is that abortion is safe, legal, and rare.
• I know that the conventional mantra is that abortion is safe, legal, and rare.

Summary: The committee first recessed for a subcommittee meeting on HB 313, which concerned an open-meetings-related issue. In the subcommittee, members discussed concerns that the bill might be unnecessary because current law already allows a person to request an open meeting in advance; the subcommittee then voted ITL on HB 313 by voice vote and closed its work session. The full Judiciary Committee then reconvened and took up CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” with members debating whether the language was too broad and could create unintended consequences. Supporters framed it as a forward-looking protection for computation resources and strong encryption, while opponents said it was too open-ended and better addressed by future legislation. The committee voted ITL on CACR 6 by a 17-0 roll call. The committee next turned to HB 232, as amended, concerning the rights of conscience for medical professionals. The amendment narrowed the bill to abortion-related objections, removed sterilization and artificial contraception, aligned the abortion definition with existing state law, and reduced damages from treble damages to actual damages. Supporters said the bill would protect conscience rights, give physicians and patients more choice, and could help attract providers to New Hampshire. Opponents argued it was overly broad, unclear in key definitions, and could interfere with employers’ ability to assign staff, especially in rural health settings. Members also raised concerns about the bill’s scope and enforcement, including the broad definition of “participate,” the lack of clarity around exceptions for providers whose services include abortion as a “major part,” emergency determinations, and the inclusion of nursing homes in the definition of health care institution. Some members argued the bill singled out abortion while other controversial medical procedures were not treated similarly, and others criticized the minimum-damages provision as potentially punitive and designed to deter participation. The discussion continued without a final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the pastor of Metropolitan UMC, and I lead the Beacon Center here in Montgomery County, where
• They can have a convention, they can have an executive committee meeting.

Bills: SB1

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• That followed was held at the Wilmer Civic Center, where Greg and I spent many weekends sitting in the
• I was watching Josh play hockey on center ice, and all of a sudden we found ourselves sitting on center
• I was watching Josh play hockey on center ice, and all of a sudden we found ourselves sitting on center
• want to tell you just how special and that the way the community came together to fill that civic center
• work happening on the research end, one example is at MinRoad and a partnership with the National Center

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:43.760><c> I</c> Transportation Center of Excellence.
• I Transportation Center of Excellence.
• ,</c> mind was back in the 911 center, mind was back in the 911 center, remembering<00:50:25.280><c>
• Sean Heg with Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence.
• Sean Heg with Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence.

Bills: HF3553 , HF3513 , HF3576

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is actually to pay for a reflector at the rest area in the welcome center... ...in the welcome center
• And under the name of this Keyway Center? Yes.
• They maybe used to be called the Keyway Center as well.
• And so maybe we have the center for... that's what the Keyway Center, which is what they're called now
• , used to be called the Center for Women in Transition.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Zach Espino for the East-West Center.
• You know, the center injects nearly $30 million into our local economy.
• , she was able to touch the world in Hawaii through the East-West Center.
• State Center for Nursing State Council State Center for Nursing State Council and<01:55:51.599><c> mental
• </c><02:31:53.640><c> the</c> risks they are always centering the risks they are always centering the

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• records with digital records being more and more common, sort of how those are retained, what naming conventions

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The committee met to review MassDOT’s failed service plaza procurement and the Inspector General’s findings. Chair Montigny opened with a broad critique of procurement culture, conflict-of-interest risks, and the need for stronger oversight, saying the committee’s role is bipartisan and investigative and that subpoenas would be used if necessary. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro then summarized his investigatory letter, saying MassDOT had created procedures that could have supported a fair process but did not follow them. He identified eight major problems, including inadequate conflict-of-interest disclosures, undisclosed relationships and communications with Applegreen and Suffolk Construction, violations of contact rules, inconsistent weighting of evaluation subfactors, weak documentation of scoring, unclear information-sharing with subject matter experts, live roll-call scoring that increased perceived bias, and insufficient board/committee review before approval. He recommended clearer disclosure forms, stronger training, better documentation, sealed scoring, clearer rules for internal communications, and more public board involvement. Committee members pressed the Inspector General on whether the conduct violated law, how to define and police “appearance” of conflicts, whether employees should be held accountable, and whether prior evaluators should be excluded from the new process. Shapiro said his report did not conclude that laws were violated, but that the process was seriously flawed and that accountability should be handled within agencies. He also said he would provide additional written recommendations on broader procurement standards and noted that some oversight functions may need clearer definitions and better recordkeeping across agencies and quasi-public entities. The chair and members emphasized that the problems appeared systemic rather than limited to one administration or one contract. MassDOT Interim Secretary Phil Ting and Undersecretary Jonathan Gulliver then described the new procurement approach. They said the prior process had been a failure, but that the new effort is a complete reset with no one from the prior evaluation participating. MassDOT plans to split the plazas into three geographic packages, use a design-build/public-private partnership framework, and create a P3 Commission with appointments from the governor, legislative leaders, and treasurer, plus review by the Inspector General and Attorney General. They said the new scoring will be more objective, with financial scoring set at 60% and based on a guaranteed maximum price and other mathematical measures rather than projected revenues, and that technical and financial evaluations will be separated in a double-blind process. Members signaled cautious support for the changes but continued to question whether the new structure and oversight will be enough to prevent a repeat of the earlier procurement failures.