Transcript Highlights:

• It is an actuarial requirement that the actual Language goes into one month prior to the colabean being
• The $10 million, as I read through this, is just required and must remain in the revolving fund at the
• That'll be the same thing that'll be in an outcome-based requirement that can be administered through
• training where they're doing student teaching, then this money would be there because they're being required
• I know there are several bills to that end that are amending what the eligibility requirements are.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The real issue I've got with this, which you believe, is that this removes the certification requirement
• But when you go back and you look at House Bill 2110, House Bill 2110 requires...
• House Bill 2110 requires the sitcom program pilot program to follow the same rules set by the agency
• that the film in Oklahoma Act requires, so the certification, as best I understand it, is the same qualifications
• There will be additional expenditures and revenues required? Yes. This will be ongoing, yes.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• The real issue I've got with this, which you believe, is that this removes the certification requirement
• But when you go back and you look at House Bill 2110, House Bill 2110 requires...
• House Bill 2110 requires the sitcom pilot program to follow the same rules set by the agency that the
• Film in Oklahoma Act requires, so the certification, as best I understand it, is the same qualifications
• There will be additional expenditures and revenues required? Yes. Yes. This will be ongoing, yes.

Bills: HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4033 , HB4034 , HB4035 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4039 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4044 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4049 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4071 , HB4072 , SB1144 , SB1145 , SB1146 , SB1147 , SB1148 , SB1149 , SB1156 , SB1157 , SB1158 , SB1159 , SB1161 , SB1162 , SB1163 , SB1164 , SB1165 , SB1166 , SB1167 , SB1174 , SB1175 , SB1176

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, budget appropriations, public schools, teachers' retirement, early childhood education, aeronautics, infrastructure, funding, sustainability, Oklahoma, mining, operator fees, coal production, noncoal mining, department of mines, revenue, state budget, budgetary reform, financial legislation, fiscal accountability

Summary: The Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget met to consider a long agenda of appropriations, retirement COLAs, revolving funds, and limits bills. Early actions included Senate Bill 1144 and Senate Bill 1145, which provided cost-of-living adjustments for retired teachers and OPRS retirees, respectively, and Senate Bill 1146, 1147, 1148, and 1149, which extended similar retirement benefit increases or a one-time stipend for law enforcement, firefighters, judges, and certain retired police and firefighters. The committee also advanced bills funding the Pardon and Parole Board, OSBI cybercrimes and fraud work, juvenile medication, and several agency limits bills for Health Care Authority, Health Department, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and DHS. Members also heard and passed a series of education, public safety, and economic development measures, including funding for school security at the School for Science and Math and the Schools for the Blind and Deaf, support for National Board certified teachers, and appropriations for the Rural Health Transformation Program, the Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Task Force One, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation forensic center. Several bills created or expanded revolving funds and financing tools, including military readiness and aviation funds, a taxpayer endowment trust fund, water infrastructure loan and REAP-related measures, and a revised non-coal mining fee structure. The committee also approved a bill increasing court reporter pay and another reducing employer contributions to the retirement system after it reached over 100% funding. There was notable discussion on a $5 million film-related pilot program for sitcom production, with questions about the amount and certification requirements, and on a rural economic development package that included money for the state fairgrounds and a university energy plant, which drew objections over whether those projects fit the intended purpose of rural prep funds. Other debated items included a bill directing funds to the Oklahoma Dream Act/Trump accounts, a bill rejecting judicial pay increases recommended by the Board of Judicial Compensation, and a proposal to move $200 million from the stabilization fund into a new Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund. Most measures were reported out with due pass votes, though several drew dissenting votes, including the film bill, the fairgrounds/economic development bill, the water projects bill, and the trust fund and judicial pay measures. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• records such as network configuration passwords and incident response plans from public disclosure requirements
• contingent upon if somebody's way behind on their child support and other obligations that they have a requirement
• You can see that there's requirements for the disclosure of evidence by the state and how that will work

Bills: HB2650 , HB2696 , HB3177 , HB3264 , HB3298 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3497 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Transcript Highlights:

• records such as network configuration, passwords, and incident response plans from public disclosure requirements
• Response plans from public disclosure requirements. With that, I ask for a due pass.
• contingent upon, if somebody's way behind on their child support and other obligations, that they have a requirement
• Way behind on their child support and other obligations, that they have a requirement for the revocation
• You can see that there's requirements for the disclosure of evidence by the state and how that will work

Bills: HB2650 , HB2696 , HB3177 , HB3264 , HB3298 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3497 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3742 , HB3845 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, open records, educational records, cybersecurity, student privacy, confidential information, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and advanced a large slate of House bills, with most measures receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support and little debate. Early in the meeting, House Bill 2696 passed to exempt sensitive cybersecurity records—such as network configurations, passwords, and incident response plans—from public disclosure. House Bill 3941, which modifies the salary structure for bailiffs to help district courts recruit and retain them, also advanced. House Bill 3970, authorizing court reporters to use speech-to-text technology, was amended to add an effective date and emergency clause before passing. The committee also approved several criminal justice and court administration measures. House Bill 3264 makes domestic violence by strangulation an 85% crime. House Bill 3321 directs the cost administration implementation committee to gather county data and produce an annual report. House Bill 3497 clarifies when the state may appeal pretrial decisions to the Court of Criminal Appeals. House Bill 3499 expands special judges’ authority to include certain vehicle and personal property title matters, and House Bill 3500 passed from a committee substitute. House Bill 3845 was described as bringing Oklahoma into compliance with federal requirements tied to child support enforcement and driver’s license revocation processes. Several bills focused on district attorney recruitment and criminal procedure. House Bill 3980 creates a loan repayment assistance program for assistant district attorneys serving in high-need areas, and House Bill 3981 creates a related locality incentive program; both advanced after questions about title status and later appropriations handling. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” aimed at protecting children from fentanyl poisoning, also passed. House Bill 3742, described as a due process protection act, would require timely disclosure of charges and evidence to defendants and their counsel. The committee also advanced House Bill 3177, extending parity to Corporation Commission reporters, and House Bill 3322, which addresses how courts interpret duplicate statutory sections. No bills were rejected, and the meeting adjourned with notice that more controversial measures would be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:16.040><c> that</c> by mail or fax and the requirement that by mail or fax and the requirement
• </c> compliance with federal requirements. compliance with federal requirements.
• So, we have labeling requirement?
• . requirement. requirement.
• </c> requirement. Members, any comments? requirement. Members, any comments?

Bills: HB2323 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2367 , HB2619 , HB1765 , HB2187 , HB1864 , HB1452 , HB2314 , HB1898 , HB2558 , HB2319 , HB1643 , HB2121

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment. The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date. Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• this statute to Allow for them to be registered and providing services, including telecare, but not require
• So, but for this one thing, they met the requirements of the RFP to provide services.
• We do still require them to be registered as a nonprofit with the Secretary of State, so they at least
• And with the amendments, this will make it due to or with requiring parental consent to ensure that if
• I believe it would be an opt-in because it requires informed consent.

Bills: SB1421 , SB1427 , SB1484 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1591 , SB1642 , SB1794 , SB1837 , SB2044

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• Including telecare, but not require that they be a brick-and-mortar nonprofit within the borders of the
• So, but for this one thing, they met the requirements of the RFP to provide services.
• I believe it would be an opt-in because it requires informed consent. Further questions.
• The problem we Develop the required person-centered plan.
• Senate Bill 1484 requires investigation by a medical examiner.

Bills: SB1421 , SB1427 , SB1484 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1591 , SB1642 , SB1794 , SB1837 , SB2044

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced a series of health-related bills. Senate Bill 1503 would allow a digital abortion-related service provider to participate in the Choosing Childbirth grant program without requiring a brick-and-mortar Oklahoma presence; it passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1553, dealing with appeals reviewed by psychologists, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1427, as amended, would add antibody screening for type 1 diabetes with parental consent and Medicaid reimbursement for the Medicaid population; it passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1642, allowing physicians to prescribe opioids in divided quantities during the initial seven-day period, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1421, requiring non-physical intervention training for direct-care staff and volunteers in certain mental health facilities, also passed unanimously. The committee also approved several behavioral health and rural care measures. Senate Bill 1837 would ask the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek a federal exemption so rural providers of home- and community-based services can also provide case management and person-centered planning; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1566, aimed at expanding access to autism diagnosis and ABA therapy by broadening who may diagnose ASD and allowing telemedical supervision of behavioral techs, passed 9-3 with title off due to fiscal concerns. Senate Bill 1567, a cleanup bill for APRN prescriptive authority and medical board fee language, passed 9-3. Senate Bill 1794 would create a statewide behavioral health vacancy registry to help place people in crisis more quickly; it passed 11-1 with title off after fiscal concerns were raised. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1484, requiring medical examiner investigations of SIDS and sudden unexpected infant deaths to include review of immunization and medical records and adding parental notification/consent provisions unless a crime is suspected; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 1557, transferring ABA therapist licensing duties from DHS to a licensing board, passed after an amendment shifting the board involved. Senate Bill 1564, requiring a standardized billing code and reimbursement rate for certain dental surgeries under general anesthesia, passed 11-1 with title off because of a $1.9 million fiscal note. Finally, Senate Bill 1591, as amended, would cap THC in medical marijuana edibles at 10 mg per edible and 100 mg per package to reduce child poisonings; it passed 10-2. Several bills were amended during discussion, and multiple members noted fiscal concerns, parental consent, and access-to-care issues throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, what it does is require a minimum damage of $3,000 for traffic accidents, as opposed to the
• information, showing the advanced date and time, general location, officer, and brief summary will now be required
• It removes that nine-month requirement. Have a motion in a second.
• two as an example, take a dance major, somebody in the fine arts who ends up as part of a class requirement

Bills: HB3790 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB3087 , HB3974 , HB3500 , HB3697 , HB3262 , HB3582 , HB4226 , HB3037 , HB4139 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB2936 , HB3322 , HB4296 , HB3278 , HB4202 , HB4176 , HB3303 , HB3648 , HB4119

Committee: House Civil Judiciary

Keywords: home repairs, consumer protection, contracts, homeowner rights, rescission, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, school abuse reporting, child abuse, neglect, mandatory reporting, student safety, school employee misconduct, administrator reporting, superintendent

Transcript Highlights:

• does is it, before they're This is a request bill, and basically what it does is, before they're required
• information, showing the date and time, general allocation, officer, and brief summary, will now be required
• The brief summary will now be required to be released. I stand for questions and move for passage.
• It removes that nine-month requirement. I have a motion and a second.
• helping... ...arts who ends up as part of a class requirement helping with dance lessons, say, right

Bills: HB3790 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB3087 , HB3974 , HB3500 , HB3697 , HB3262 , HB3582 , HB4226 , HB3037 , HB4139 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB2936 , HB3322 , HB4296 , HB3278 , HB4202 , HB4176 , HB3303 , HB3648 , HB4119

Committee: House Civil Judiciary

Keywords: home repairs, consumer protection, contracts, homeowner rights, rescission, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, school abuse reporting, child abuse, neglect, mandatory reporting, student safety, school employee misconduct, administrator reporting, superintendent

Summary: The committee considered a series of House bills, mostly on civil procedure, public records, insurance, local government, and liability issues. Early measures included HB 4139, creating the Oklahoma Home Warranty Transparency Act to improve disclosures in home service contracts; HB 4143, raising the property-damage threshold for Oklahoma City officers to work traffic collisions from $300 to $3,000; HB 4144, clarifying that arrest and incident reports must include a brief summary; and HB 3974, allowing counties in multi-county jails to limit lawsuits to the county that placed the inmate in the facility. Each of these bills received a motion, no debate, and a unanimous due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 3303, which was presented as a response to an insurance claim dispute involving fault allocation after a red-light crash. The author said the bill would align with Oklahoma Insurance Department processes and could be revised further before oversight; members raised concerns about jury verdicts and whether the bill could affect premiums. HB 3790, giving homeowners a five-day cooling-off period after door-to-door home repair sales, and HB 3697, a procedural fix codifying extra time defendants can already obtain by reservation, also advanced unanimously. HB 3262, a request bill from the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office to update warrant fees, was amended to say “up to” and then passed 7-2. Additional bills approved included HB 4226 on timelines for judicial recusals, HB 2936 barring people convicted of pedophilia from adopting, HB 3322 on interpreting statutes when multiple versions exist, HB 4296 protecting a notary’s home address from publication, HB 3278 creating a process to resolve Open Meetings Act violations without court, HB 4202 moving radiology reimbursement rates in workers’ compensation to the fee schedule, HB 3648 extending Governmental Tort Claims Act coverage to OU Health entities, HB 3500 removing a nine-month delay for filing a transfer-on-death deed confirmation, and HB 3037 adding certain students working under professors to the employee definition for tort-claim purposes. The committee also laid over HB 2941, HB 2959, HB 387, HB 4176, and HB 419, and adjourned after reporting the remaining bills due pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Law that might be required and might require disclosure of the departmental personnel file for a meet
• And co-eds, and only requires those spontaneous individuals to be registered.
• they fail to meet those requirements in any kind of liability action.
• It will require youth camp operators to comply with the standards set forth.
• This error required that retroactively, so we changed that one.

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill modifies that requirement slightly by requiring that the video of the incident, only the video
• And so with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. that requirement slightly by requiring that requirement
• The statute requires that landlords must keep this information strictly confidential.
• </c><00:55:43.440><c> in</c> clear that that the requirement in clear that that the requirement in section
• </c><01:07:01.079><c> the</c> the execution Levy thus requiring the the execution Levy thus requiring

Bills: HF1855 , HF102 , HF1082 , HF1354 , HF2184 , HF1792 , HF2296 , HF2429 , HF2543 , HF2566

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: veterans, benefit services, accreditation, consumer protection, civil penalties, disclosure requirements, HF102, Sibley County Road 166, Freedom Drive, Arlington, Sibley County, Minnesota transportation bonds, bonding bill, capital investment, road extension, highway access, intersection improvements, right-of-way acquisition, water main, sewer improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to seriously consider what's happening here: spending the $18.5 billion surplus, raising $10
• It requires us to spend 100% of our time investigating and prosecuting Medicaid provider fraud and the
• With those federal requirements come certain prohibitions too.
• For example, federal regulations require us to be entirely separate from the agency. that administers
• Are you able to speak about work requirements in Medicare? No. Mr. Wonka: No.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what leadership requires. Now, lowering insurance costs protects... ...requires.
• He missed more than 400 required check-ins, 400 required check-ins before he killed Jacob.
• subject matter requirements, 415.
• subject matter requirements, 431.
• House Bill by Representative Bamberg: captive insurers; captive insurance surplus requirements; deposits

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session. The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files. The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Democrats took an $18 billion budget surplus.
• You're hearing 20 to 50% more cost to build a road now given these new greenhouse gas requirements.
• 50% more to build a road in the future than it did before because of greenhouse gas emissions requirements
• </c><00:10:28.280><c> that</c><00:10:28.400><c> Minnesota's</c> emissions requirements that Minnesota's
• emissions requirements that Minnesota's the<00:10:29.240><c> only</c><00:10:29.720><c> one</c><00:10

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures. Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers. In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• comfortable, but let us be clear We had a golden opportunity in 2023 with some $18 to $20 billion surplus
• complying with Minnesota laws and policies regarding management, including but not limited to the requirement
• legislatively named nonprofits, but this language I worked on reduces the potential for fraud by requiring
• Our schools are sinking under all the mandates that are required of them.
• million in cuts will fall to special education, which will fall to the cross-subsidy, and it will require

Transcript Highlights:

• conservation</c> RSA 36A has required conservation RSA 36A has required conservation commissions<00:35
• > interconnection requirements because interconnection requirements because it's<01:02:38.640><c> just
• Part four requires a ground fault.
• </c> in 1.0 to 2.0 whether they're required in 1.0 to 2.0 whether they're required to<01:53:39.679><c
• approximately</c><02:20:18.720><c> $20</c> surplus statement had approximately $20 surplus statement

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California law leaves suppliers serving the semiconductor industry subject to significant regulatory requirements
• are classified as closed, CIUs face significant obstacles, including limited access to materials, requiring
• SB 881 ensures that surplus agricultural products aren't wasted and instead help feed Californians in

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's to provide for court reporters as statutorily required, according to the letter.
• K1 is a surplus income and distribution report.
• commissioner or something looked at that to make sure that everybody's paying correctly, that they weren't required

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers are required to pay a percentage of the eligible wages into the unemployment program.
• The only other thing is, would you entertain an amendment that would not require prior employers to pay
• When there's a surplus, I believe it's responsible to pay that back to where we came from.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Keywords: 959, house, all