Transcript Highlights:

• They create 50,000 jobs in our state for over a $5 billion economic impact to our state.
• Y'all have made this job a true pleasure, for real. And Mr. Speaker, you are, where are you?
• And like many things in this job, that plan...
• I've learned a few things about beliefs in this job.
• And at the end, that is what the job requires and what the people deserve.

Bills: HCR1026 , SB1130 , SB1134 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1142 , HR1049

Summary: The House convened, called the roll, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions and presentations. Members honored Vice Admiral Jeff Trusler as Veteran of the Week, recognized the Prague Kolache Festival royalty and candidates, unveiled an artwork for the Capitol’s Hall of Heroes, and introduced the Doctor, Psychologist, and Nurse of the Day, along with the OSBI cold case team. The House also adopted HCR 1026, a resolution tied to Earth Day and “Lights Out Day” in Oklahoma, aimed at reducing light pollution and protecting migrating birds. A major portion of the meeting consisted of farewell remarks from Representatives Mike Osborne and Kevin West. Both reflected on their years of service, thanked family, staff, colleagues, and constituents, and emphasized themes of public service, hard work, conviction, and working across differences. Osborne’s remarks focused on freedom, immigration, service, and doing good in public life, while West stressed standing on principle, listening to others, and choosing courage over convenience. After the presentations and personal privilege speeches, the House moved into consideration of legislation. Chairman Caldwell presented the joint committee report on Senate Bill 1130, relating to the University Hospitals Authority, saying it would help ensure Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma have one of the world’s leading pediatric cardiology units. The transcript ends as members begin considering the bill, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is, you know, driving to a doctor's appointment, driving to your job.
• It’s important to our members’ job security. It’s important to their job safety.
• Job well done. Senators, we are now at the debate stage.
• It's the job of the federal government.
• Great job. Mr. Chair, that concludes public comment. Thank you, Vice Chairman. Great job.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to hear SB 2-C, a major immigration enforcement bill sponsored by Senator Gruters and co-introduced by Senator Fine. The sponsor described the bill as a response to federal immigration priorities and said it replaces a single immigration officer with a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, expands local-federal cooperation, increases penalties for crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants, requires detention in certain cases, broadens information sharing, funds detention-bed expansion and law-enforcement training, and ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. The bill also includes provisions related to sanctuary policies, voter fraud, transport of unauthorized aliens, and driver’s license-related offenses. The sponsor said the bill appropriates roughly $300 million overall, including $250 million for grants and $48 million for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for interdiction and border-related enforcement work. Committee members questioned the bill’s scope, costs, and implementation. Senators focused heavily on the tuition-waiver repeal, asking how many students would be affected and whether the bill would harm students who have long lived in Florida. They also pressed on whether the bill should include stronger E-Verify provisions, how sanctuary-policy enforcement would work, whether local officials could be penalized for policy choices, and how immigration status would be verified in court and jail settings. The sponsor and Senator Fine said the tuition waiver would be removed for undocumented students, that the bill does not address E-Verify, and that the measure is intended to make immigration status a factor in detention and sentencing. Questions also addressed detention-bed capacity, reimbursement rates, and whether corrections staff would receive bonuses or salary increases; sponsors said bonuses are included for participating law enforcement, while broader salary issues would be handled in the regular budget process. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters and information-only witnesses, including Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and former officials, said the bill would help Florida coordinate with federal authorities, expand bed space, and close loopholes in existing immigration enforcement. Opponents from the Southern Poverty Law Center, ACLU of Florida, Florida Policy Institute, labor groups, and immigrant advocates argued the bill is unconstitutional, likely to trigger litigation, and harmful to families, schools, and the economy. They warned that the pretrial detention provisions could lead to wrongful detentions and that the tuition changes would reduce access to higher education and cost the state tuition revenue. No final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee continued through public comment and extended the meeting to complete the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• 24.080><c> of</c><00:02:24.319><c> qualified</c> The bill also does the following: this will create jobs
• It's a proven tool to stimulate job growth and attract private investment in St.
• to</c> session it's a proven Tool uh to session it's a proven Tool uh to simulate<00:09:45.720><c> job
• growth and attract private simulate job growth and attract private investment<00:09:47.800><c> in</c
• and economic growth attracting more jobs and economic growth uh<00:18:35.720><c> the</c><00:18:36.120

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• What you're saying is that it's okay if this bill wouldn't affect the creation of a digital ID regarding
• It's okay if this bill wouldn't affect the creation of a digital ID regarding driver's license, but it

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• 546, 456, that statute has been enacted for quite some time, and it deals with the validity, the creation
• , the modification of trust and what And it deals with the validity, the creation, the modification of

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill is because our current rules that mandate large and costly elevators are preventing the creation
• interpretation and it would lead to requests for variances based on the intent of the bill, leading to the creation

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• this bill is because our current rules that mandate large and costly elevators are preventing the creation
• interpretation and it would lead to requests for variances based on the intent of the bill, leading to the creation

Summary: The committee heard three housing-related bills. SB 5937 would regulate smart access systems in rental housing by requiring landlords, on tenant request, to provide non-biometric and non-app-based alternatives such as physical keys, key fobs, or key cards, and by adding privacy-policy and data-minimization requirements for smart access systems. The bill’s sponsor and a tenant testified in support, describing concerns about app-based entry systems tracking movement and collecting personal data. The Washington Multifamily Housing Association testified neutral, saying the bill had been improved through stakeholder work and amendments that allowed privacy-policy links and delayed implementation until January 1, 2027. The hearing on the bill was closed with no vote taken. The committee then heard ESSB 5156, which directs the State Building Code Council to allow smaller elevators in apartment buildings up to six stories and 24 units and creates a technical advisory group to review certain elevator safety requirements. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill would reduce elevator costs, improve feasibility for small multifamily and middle-housing projects, and increase accessibility and age-friendly housing. The National Elevator Industry opposed the bill’s harmonization language in Section 2, paragraph 2, warning it could create ambiguity, multiple standards, and litigation, but said it would be neutral if that language were removed. Other industry and housing advocates supported the measure as a way to lower costs and expand housing supply. No action was taken during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 6237, which would require landlords to disclose flood risk information to tenants for leases entered into after December 31, 2026. The disclosure would note whether a property may be in a flood hazard area, where tenants can find county flood information, and that the landlord’s insurance does not cover tenants’ belongings. The Washington Multifamily Housing Association testified neutral, saying the bill had been narrowed to a more manageable disclosure and that removing a requirement to recommend flood insurance addressed concerns about landlords acting as insurance advisers. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the chair announced the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want members to know that these low-potency hemp beverages are a real Minnesota creation and something
• And I want members to know that these low-potency hemp beverages are a real Minnesota creation and something

Summary: The House considered a Senate message announcing that the Senate had concurred in and adopted the conference committee report on Senate File 2370, the cannabis bill. Representative Stevenson moved adoption of the report and explained that the conference committee had largely retained House provisions while making additional changes, including directing the Office of Cannabis Management to return with a medical-market streamlining proposal, expanding testing capacity, and adding an expungement provision. Representative West also urged adoption, saying the bill improved the measure and moved Minnesota closer to a safe, tested, legal cannabis market. During debate on the bill, West argued that the legislation was still too restrictive but would help create a functioning market, support hemp businesses, ease burdens on medical cannabis operators, and improve public safety and expungement outcomes. Stevenson emphasized the bill’s low-potency hemp beverage wholesaler licensing provisions, saying they would support Minnesota breweries and create a needed wholesaling segment in the cannabis supply chain. He also noted that the bill would generate some licensing revenue and help the state’s cannabis market develop more efficiently. Members also discussed the importance of preserving the medical cannabis program for patients, including children with seizure disorders, and the need for clearer local control as cities and counties work with preliminary licensees before market launch. Hansen said local governments have key responsibilities under the legalization framework and warned that delays could affect the expected early 2025 launch. After debate, the House adopted the conference report, and the bill passed as amended by conference on an 80-50 vote, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's also the risk of laying off jobs, of just police and firefighters losing their jobs.
• So there's also the risk of laying off jobs, of just police and firefighters losing their jobs.
• And translating that into humanity, that's people's jobs.
• The top jobs are gone. They're eliminated.
• Let them do their job. Let’s get a fiscal on this.

Transcript Highlights:

• of new jobs and investment.
• for those seeking jobs, as well as those seeking to hire within the industries.
• one in 11 jobs here in Texas.
• creation, and we want to be able to.
• And so I think we all we all know that we've got to got to be big job to do there.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it will further delay jobs.
• </c><00:16:18.320><c> by</c> has long had poor access to jobs by has long had poor access to jobs by
• </c><00:34:21.679><c> Plus,</c> schools, jobs, and healthcare. Plus, schools, jobs, and healthcare.
• Uh but we is a a difficult job.
• It means jobs for in the country.

Bills: HF2438

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So I just happen to look up job listings. These are all non-union jobs.
• So I just happen to look up job listings.
• So I just happen to look up job listings.
• It connects people to jobs, to education, and health care.
• It connects people to jobs, to education, and health care.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• They just do an amazing job for us. I know you all appreciated that...
• That job, a one-like piece, they included our company in that suit as well.
• In Louisiana, oil and natural gas are not abstract concepts; they are jobs—306,000 plus.
• It's going to bring more jobs here.
• One in five jobs in Louisiana is port-related. One in five jobs.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s been primarily what funds the American Job Center system.
• Do we want to have fewer brick-and-mortar job centers?
• And in-demand jobs. They look at your credentials of value criteria.
• We want people to know what's your pathway to overcome benefit cliffs and what job or jobs should you
• can get a better job and then get a career.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, on efforts to better align workforce, education, and human services programs. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA were designed to function as an integrated talent system, but that federal and state bureaucracy has kept them siloed. He said the Department of Labor and OCTAE are working on more integrated state plan guidance, including a 2026 plan modification timeline, combined Perkins/WIOA plans, and greater use of labor market information to align training with in-demand jobs and Workforce Pell. Moore emphasized reducing overhead, cross-training staff, using common intake and integrated case management, and focusing on the “shadow labor force” of people facing benefit cliffs, child care barriers, or other obstacles to work. He repeatedly urged states to use waivers and flexibility where possible, to consolidate or streamline local workforce structures, and to hold programs accountable through measures such as labor force participation, training-related employment, retention, and cost per successful outcome. Members asked about the balance between flexibility and accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data systems such as Mississippi Spark and Arkansas Launch. Moore said states should use technology and integrated intake to co-enroll eligible participants in multiple programs and better match people to jobs. In response to questions, Moore said some federal rules cannot be waived, but many reporting and administrative requirements can be streamlined, and he encouraged Arkansas to propose ideas for waivers or state-level integration. He also discussed the need for enhanced wage records and state longitudinal data systems to improve workforce planning and economic development. After Moore’s presentation, DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill gave a brief update on reimbursement rates, saying the department had compiled more than 100 public comments, recommended holding the current rate, and was awaiting executive review; they estimated the process could take 30 to 60 days. The committee then adjourned, noting a later audit presentation scheduled for the afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not the typical job that you go to 8 to 5 Monday through Friday and then go home to your family.
• They know what their job is.
• They've done an incredible job there to really be available to families to provide services and, you
• We've also done job fairs.
• and are working, have their own families, and the team, I think does a good job.

Transcript Highlights:

• And caregivers who love what they do, but too many are being forced to consider leaving the job that
• I personally have side jobs, which equal nine jobs on the side, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• making sure that providers receive adequate and fair pay that means somebody doesn't have to work nine jobs
• We need revenue creations.
• On behalf of Ochen, we really appreciate the perspective on the health tax job proposal.

Summary: The committee first heard May Revision child care and human services items. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the analyst supported. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a reduction in federal and Proposition 64 funding absorbed through a shift from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment program, a 2.01% child care COLA, disaster-related infrastructure grants, a new administrative support cost structure for Alternative Payment agencies, the removal of prospective pay funding after a federal rule change, a reappropriation for existing infrastructure grants, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended asking for more justification for shifting reductions to CAP, supported the COLA reduction but wanted consistency across programs, recommended removing prospective pay funding, opposed the administrative cost shift, and suggested further review of disaster grant alignment. Members pressed the administration on why more slots would be cut for the same savings, why the COLA was reduced, and whether the administrative percentage would grow over time. The administration said the changes were intended to avoid disrupting currently enrolled families, reflect point-in-time relinquishments and unspent funds, and stabilize contractor operations. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, and county representatives, urged full COLA funding, rejection of child care slot reductions, preservation of prospective pay, and continued investment in child care infrastructure and access. The subcommittee then recessed before moving to health items. In Part B, the Department of State Hospitals presented its May Revision proposals, including a central utility plant replacement project at Metropolitan State Hospital, funding for a continuum electronic health record system, reduced county bed billing authority to reflect phase-in of additional LPS beds, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscription services, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal to use Behavioral Health Services Act funds instead of General Fund for training programs. The department said the EHR would modernize records and improve continuity of care, and that the contract exemption would prevent delays in essential clinical information services. No votes were taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• because direct supervision in many other places within the licensing boards is a common rulemaking job
• 01:42:47.920><c> a</c><01:42:48.080><c> common</c><01:42:48.320><c> rulemaking</c><01:42:48.880><c> job
• </c><01:42:50.159><c> To</c> is a common rulemaking job. Yeah. To is a common rulemaking job. Yeah.
• of a substantial and creation of a substantial and unjustifiable<01:44:55.119><c> risk</c><01:44:55.360
• </c> Since reckless conduct is characterized by the creation of a substantial and unjustifiable risk

Summary: The committee of conference first took up House Bill 421FN, concerning notice of tax-exempt status filing procedures by town officials. Members reviewed the Senate changes and focused on whether the amended language would require multiple mailings to charitable organizations. House conferees said the Senate wording appeared to create more than one mailing and asked for clarification; Senate members explained the intent was to reduce clerk workload by posting forms and sending a follow-up notice only to organizations that failed to file after the deadline. After a brief caucus, the House concluded there were too many unresolved changes to work out in conference and moved to non-concur with the Senate amendment. The House motion to non-concur passed unanimously, 4-0, and the committee agreed to place the conference report on the House consent calendar. The chair then closed the committee of conference on House Bill 421FN. The transcript then shifted to a separate committee of conference on another bill, where members discussed revisions involving direct supervision at an eligible facility, federalwide assurance requirements, and immunity language. Testimony focused on whether the bill should require supervision at a specific facility or allow broader supervision arrangements, whether rulemaking should define direct supervision, and whether the immunity provision should cover reckless as well as willful misconduct. No final vote or action on that second bill was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can go out and get a job, and a lot of them start businesses and stay where they are, especially
• </c> know, the job market and and so on. know, the job market and and so on.
• I think that'd be more nimble for the job force.
• </c><01:52:03.640><c> and</c><01:52:03.720><c> duty</c> that their job and duty that their job and duty
• </c><02:00:02.120><c> in</c> they've been doing a tremendous job in they've been doing a tremendous job

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• look at economic outcomes, like how do those shalls and musts affect things like the number of new jobs
• ...affect things like the number of new jobs created in Louisiana or the economic growth rate.
• For example, a regulatory management office or something similarly titled, that has the job of...
• Employment growth, the number of jobs that are being created or lost per year, those track very much
• Instead, it's more of an approach of let's change the way that they think about doing their jobs and

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met to hear from Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation about regulatory accumulation and reform. Chair Mark Wright explained the meeting was a study hearing only, with no votes planned or quorum for action. McLaughlin described his research measuring regulation by counting binding words such as “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and growth in regulatory stock outpacing the national average. He argued that excessive regulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform examples in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, where centralized oversight, periodic review, one-in-one-out or similar rules, and simplified benefit-cost analysis were used to reduce regulations without harming safety. He said Virginia’s regulatory modernization effort, including use of AI and a regulatory management office, helped cut requirements and lower homebuilding costs. Committee members asked about how the data were measured, how regulation affects housing, licensing, and population growth, and whether Louisiana could use similar tools. McLaughlin emphasized that AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, by identifying outdated, duplicative, or overly burdensome rules. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior bills to create public hearings and legislative review of regulations. Wright and others asked about federal mandates, “gold plating” of state rules, and how to identify unnecessary state-level additions. McLaughlin said some state rules are required by federal law, but many others are not, and AI can help distinguish required language from added burdens. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after members expressed interest in following up on McLaughlin’s report and examples from other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the concerns that we have is some of our job creation here is through H-1B work visas, where we'll
• pull in talent from outside the United States and end up creating jobs that are actually taking jobs
• away from... ...up creating jobs that are actually taking jobs away from U.S. citizens.
• We know that there are good jobs, and they brought in a lot of good jobs.
• new jobs credit and limits the carry forward of credits earned to seven years.

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee took up a mix of tax policy, incentive, and administrative measures, beginning with an annual motion authorizing the chair to request OSBI background checks for any Horse Racing Commission nominees. The committee then passed Senate Bill 1839, as amended, to create a de minimis ad valorem tax exception for personal property valued at $5,000 or less per account. The committee also confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 12-0 vote, with LaFortune emphasizing his IRS background and commitment to customer service and fairness. Several other bills were approved, including Senate Bill 1280 to align the plugging fund sunset date in the tax code with another statute; Senate Bill 1832 to reauthorize income tax refund checkoffs for veterans programs; Senate Bill 2001 to freeze property taxes for three years for homeowners displaced by a turnpike or eminent domain, though members raised concerns about downsizing and future valuation; and Senate Bill 1405 to renew the wildlife diversity checkoff, with testimony clarifying it would fund non-game species rather than predator reintroduction. Senate Bill 1989 also passed, expanding the Oklahoma College Savings Plan to accept digital payment platforms such as Venmo and PayPal, with members discussing how deposits would be tracked. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2143, which would allow counties to use aerial or satellite imagery and fixed-wing aircraft for property assessment while excluding drones; supporters cited efficiency, safety, and accuracy, while opponents raised privacy, foreign-company, and taxpayer-frustration concerns. The bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1393, a housing redevelopment tax credit for vacant and abandoned properties, passed 8-3 after discussion about affordable housing requirements and project ranking. The committee also approved three Incentive Evaluation Commission recommendations: Senate Bill 1392 to increase the aerospace engineer employee tax credit, Senate Bill 1395 to limit carryforward of the new jobs tax credit to seven years, and Senate Bill 1400 to consolidate aircraft-related sales tax exemptions. The meeting adjourned after the chairman noted more bills would be heard at a later meeting.