Transcript Highlights:

• Funds are limited.
• Funds are limited.
• Funds are limited.
• Funds are limited.
• > appreciate</c> Rural Development funding I appreciate Rural Development funding I appreciate everybody's

Bills: HF458 , HF459 , HF461 , HF449 , HF450 , HF965 , HF1280 , HF612 , HF615 , HF616 , HF622 , HF650 , HF651 , HF1045 , HF972 , HF851 , HF644 , HF1050

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• evaluating the costs to the federal government, not just in terms of dollars, but also in terms of funding
• The bill, as amended, gives SBA the flexibility to conserve funding when the disaster accounts run low
• SBA was forced to shut off disaster lending because it took so long to notify Congress about its funding
• , and I agree it's unacceptable that the funding lapsed in the past because SBA failed to notify Congress
• It provides funding in a bipartisan manner to help disaster survivors rebuild.

Bills: SB298 , SB300 , SB371

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Keywords: employee relocation, headquarters, Small Business Administration, Washington metropolitan area, telework, cost reduction, rural markets, geographic diversity, disaster loans, accountability, reporting, loan forgiveness, federal funding, SBA reforms, small business, disaster assistance, transparency, report publication, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• graduation, he plans to pursue a fellowship in hospice and palliative care before returning to practice in rural
• He aspires to provide quality and specialized care for the underserved and rural. population of Oklahoma
• This one ensures that there's more transparency and accountability on how taxpayer funds are being spent
• This will be for the rural caucus, which will take place tomorrow at noon in room T6.

Bills: HB2979 , HB3790 , HB3142 , HB3463 , HB4143 , HJR1086 , SB392 , HB3087 , HB3037 , HB3581 , HB4058 , HB2959 , HB4227 , HB2997 , HB4125 , HB1453 , HB3521 , HB3691 , HB2015 , HB2940 , HB1016 , HB3267 , HB3695 , HB3697 , HB3045 , HB3662 , HB3453 , HB3053 , HB3301 , HB3495 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3845 , HB4198 , HB4425 , HB2970 , HB3338 , HB3443 , HB3783 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB1242 , HB1752 , HB2961 , HB2967 , HB2973 , HB2988 , HB3031 , HB3240 , HB3047 , HB3052 , HB3066 , HB3086 , HB3175 , HB3177 , HB3178 , HB3429 , HB3548 , HB3638 , HB3404 , HB3704 , HB1590 , HB3759 , HB3831 , HB3904 , HB4092 , HB1979 , HB1983 , HB1250 , HB2952 , HB3671 , HB3920 , HB4118 , HB3944 , HB3969 , HB3973 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3978 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3942 , HB4203 , HB2588 , HB3024 , HB3383 , HB3279 , HB3919 , HB3883 , HB4193 , HB3431 , HB3435 , HB4352 , HB4484 , HB1245 , HB3172 , HB3306 , HB4294 , HB3880 , HB2929 , HB3128 , HB2956 , HB3015 , HB3114 , HB3567 , HB3749 , HB4229 , HB4237 , HB4253 , HJR1046 , HJR1084 , HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• graduation, he plans to pursue a fellowship in hospice and palliative care before returning to practice in rural
• Before returning to practice in rural Oklahoma.
• He aspires to provide quality and specialized care for the underserved and rural population of Oklahoma
• This will ensure that there's more transparency and accountability on how taxpayer funds are being spent
• This will be for the Rural Caucus, which will take place tomorrow at noon in Room 206.

Bills: HB2979 , HB3790 , HB3142 , HB3463 , HB4143 , HJR1086 , SB392 , HB3087 , HB3037 , HB3581 , HB4058 , HB2959 , HB4227 , HB2997 , HB4125 , HB1453 , HB3521 , HB3691 , HB2015 , HB2940 , HB1016 , HB3267 , HB3695 , HB3697 , HB3045 , HB3662 , HB3453 , HB3053 , HB3301 , HB3495 , HB3584 , HB3586 , HB3587 , HB3845 , HB4198 , HB4425 , HB2970 , HB3338 , HB3443 , HB3783 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB1242 , HB1752 , HB2961 , HB2967 , HB2973 , HB2988 , HB3031 , HB3240 , HB3047 , HB3052 , HB3066 , HB3086 , HB3175 , HB3177 , HB3178 , HB3429 , HB3548 , HB3638 , HB3404 , HB3704 , HB1590 , HB3759 , HB3831 , HB3904 , HB4092 , HB1979 , HB1983 , HB1250 , HB2952 , HB3671 , HB3920 , HB4118 , HB3944 , HB3969 , HB3973 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3978 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB3942 , HB4203 , HB2588 , HB3024 , HB3383 , HB3279 , HB3919 , HB3883 , HB4193 , HB3431 , HB3435 , HB4352 , HB4484 , HB1245 , HB3172 , HB3306 , HB4294 , HB3880 , HB2929 , HB3128 , HB2956 , HB3015 , HB3114 , HB3567 , HB3749 , HB4229 , HB4237 , HB4253 , HJR1046 , HJR1084 , HB3411

Keywords: HB2979, Talyn Bain Act, school zone, school safety, speed limit, 45 mph, state highway, Department of Transportation, ODOT, flashing beacons, traffic enforcement, speeding violation, public school, private school, K-12, drop-off, pick-up, highway safety, municipal maintenance, county commissioners

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, heard an invocation from Chaplain Ronnie Wilson, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance led by Representative Alonzo Sandoval. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Faulkner, and several guest groups in the galleries, including visitors from Ireland, ABATE, Darnaby Elementary student council members, and students from High Plains Technology. Members then considered several bills. HB 2979, directing the Department of Transportation to establish 45-mile-per-hour school zones on certain highways near schools, passed 85-0. HB 3790, a consumer protection measure allowing homeowners to cancel certain contracts within five business days, passed 82-0. HB 3142, an industry-request bill on liquefied petroleum gas that also drew questions about food truck permitting and inspection fees, passed 65-22. HB 3463, updating municipal audit procedures for small communities and codifying modern agreed-upon procedures, passed 89-0 and also received the required emergency vote. HB 4143, which raises the accident-reporting threshold from $300 to $3,000 before police involvement is required, passed by a large margin. The House also adopted a motion to suspend House Rule 4.4F to allow denim on the floor on specified dates in 2026, by a vote of 79-9. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings, caucus events, and a devotional, and one member thanked colleagues for concern after a bus accident involving Elgin Public School students. The House then adjourned until Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Formula for student-based funding.
• Appropriation out of our educational opportunity fund.
• , and it'll go into the Raise fund that is created.
• Go into the Raise fund that is created by this bill.
• We took the split and opportunity fund.

Bills: SB305 , SB109 , SB122 , SB111 , SB114 , SB113 , SB150 , SB112 , SB289 , SB303

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, Tuskegee University, Alabama Education Trust Fund, appropriation, agricultural research, Southern Preparatory Academy, fiscal responsibility, financial reporting, Education Savings Accounts, RAISE Fund, CHOOSE Act Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• this is already in law; that just adds fire departments to that, though it exempts, by the amendment, rural
• it tightens up the method of how we calculate the money that goes into the 780-781 Community Safety Fund
• Did you also include the fact that the legislature must fund these grants according to the identified
• them deal... ...to go back to counties to help them deal with the issues that they have not been funded

Bills: HB4284 , HB1250 , HB4190 , HB3086

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: animal abuse, offender registry, public safety, animal welfare, criminal justice, Oklahoma legislation, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund, grants, state funding, law enforcement technology, cyber crime, fraud prevention, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, insurance fee, digital forensics, investigative support, revolving fund, prisons, corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• For a four-year period, that is a delta of more than $100,000. is primarily paid by our state funding
• thank you for staying to give your testimony and I want to ask, do you think taking away this DACA fund
• This is a system all students and their parents pay into by way of local, state, and federal funding.
• Vote no on HB 232 and keep funding and supporting Texas students who can. continue to help Texas grow
• I'm here representing myself and Children's Defense Fund Texas, and I'm opposing the bill.

Bills: HB232

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• And say there, I do have another rural concern.
• Do we have any idea how many rural optometrists have that equipment?
• How many rural optometrists have that equipment? Mr.
• Speaker, gentlemen, is there an apprenticeship trust fund? Mr.
• I want to go back to your question related to the fund.

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , SB104 , SB193 , HB38 , HB254 , HB256 , SB58 , SB64 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB253

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County

Transcript Highlights:

• And if it actually will, will this really reach rural New Mexico, I guess?
• So when I think of this, I think of my parents or my grandparents in very rural New Mexico, rural country
• In very rural New Mexico, rural country, they're not going to know the difference.
• I do have another rural concern.
• Speaker, kind gentleman, can you tell me how much is in that trust fund?

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , SB104 , SB193 , HB38 , HB254 , HB256 , SB58 , SB64 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB253

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County

Summary: The House opened with quorum, invocation, pledge, and several announcements recognizing guests and Early Childhood Day at the Roundhouse, including remarks supporting New Mexico’s universal child care efforts. The chamber then received and adopted a long series of committee reports, moving multiple bills forward, including HB 303, SB 96, HB 195, HB 279, HB 292 (with a Judiciary substitute), SB 30, HB 234, SB 35, SB 40, SB 43, HB 153 (with an Appropriations substitute), HB 253, HB 255, HB 287, HB 371 (with an Appropriations substitute), SB 143, HB 248 (with a Taxation and Revenue substitute), HB 309, SB 48, and enrollment/signing reports for memorials. The House also received Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 41, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for certain sexual crimes and was referred to Judiciary. The main floor debate centered on House Judiciary Committee substitute for HB 99, a medical malpractice reform bill. Supporters said it would balance patient compensation with provider stability by capping punitive damages, raising the burden of proof for punitive damages, and limiting when such claims can be pleaded. Several members described the bill as the product of months of bipartisan work and argued it would help retain doctors, especially in rural areas. The House passed HB 99 on final passage by a vote of 16-3. The House also passed HB 66, expanding the health care provider loan repayment program, by 69-0; HB 306, addressing unexpected patient-facing facility fees, by 69-0; HB 38, adding wheelchairs to insurance coverage for certain prostheses-related benefits, by 69-0; HB 20, allowing Native American applicants to request a distinguishing designation on driver’s licenses and ID cards, by 66-3; and HB 253, preserving and regulating virtual education with an emergency clause, by 69-0. The chamber then took up HB 213, which expands optometrists’ scope of practice to include certain laser eye procedures. A proposed amendment requiring patients to sign a disclosure acknowledging that optometrists are not MDs or DOs and did not attend medical school was debated at length, with supporters framing it as informed consent and opponents calling it demeaning and unnecessary. The House tabled that amendment 35-19, and the underlying bill continued in debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've secured outside funding.
• This will create a revolving fund, and for the first two years, we have private dollars to help fund
• We want to make sure that both rural and urban areas are served here.
• And so, I think this is a win to get some funding there.
• That question, the amendment removed the funding as at this time.

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Transcript Highlights:

• So that’s why we have the committee substitute to the availability of funding.
• And so I think this is a win to get some funding there. If they're not able to...
• And so I think this is a win to get some funding there.
• I think for that question, the amendment removed the funding ask at this time.
• So I think it's well worth the state providing some funding here.

Bills: SB1290 , SB1332 , SB1369 , SB1379 , SB1381 , SB1386 , SB1390 , SB1428 , SB1584 , SB1696 , SB175 , SB1778 , SB1794 , SB1806 , SB1836 , SB201

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, mental health, crisis services, 988 Lifeline, suicide prevention, behavioral health, human trafficking

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a long series of Senate bills covering criminal justice, courts, education, health, water infrastructure, economic development, and social services. Early measures included SB 1584, which shortens the timeline for submitting sexual assault evidence kits for forensic testing, and SB 1386, a courtroom transparency bill creating a pilot program for audio/video recording in certain courtrooms; SB 1386 drew the most extended debate, with concerns raised about privacy, selective editing, political use of footage, and impacts on victims, witnesses, jurors, and attorneys. The author said the bill was intended to improve the accuracy and context of the record, not to add live streaming or AI transcripts, and both bills advanced. Several education and justice-related bills also moved forward. SB 1381 would require arrested persons to be brought before a judge within 48 to 72 hours and establishes a pilot in Oklahoma County; SB 201 raises each step of the minimum teacher salary schedule by $2,500; and SB 1778 revises the Strong Readers Act by directing a single state-paid screening instrument, adding early intervention and transitional/pull-out reading support, and phasing in changes beginning in 2027. SB 1836, requiring a board-approved mental health screener in routine primary care visits, passed after debate over its costs and implementation. SB 1806, allowing some young adults to remain in or re-enter DHS care until age 21, and SB 1428, creating an Alzheimer’s and dementia coordination office at the Health Department with private funding, also advanced. The committee approved multiple public health and human services funding and coordination measures, including SB 1369 creating a revolving fund for the 988 crisis line, SB 1290 creating a 2-1-1 hotline revolving fund, SB 1794 establishing a statewide real-time behavioral health bed/capacity registry, and SB 1379 creating a two-year private grant program for certified human trafficking service providers. Members questioned fiscal impacts, administrative overhead, and service continuity, but the bills moved on. Other bills passed included SB 1696 to fund local recruitment incentives for new residents in rural and mid-sized communities, SB 1332 creating zero-interest water infrastructure loans for housing-related projects, SB 175 creating a reimbursement fund for abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles, and SB 1390 extending the gross production tax sunset to July 1, 2032.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so none of these funds are taxpayer funds. Is that correct? Thank you.
• And so none of these funds are taxpayer funds. Is that correct?
• And so none of these funds are taxpayer funds. Is that correct?
• is funded?
• It could also be funded by the legislative control of this new fund as well.

Bills: HB3327 , HB3711 , HB4104 , HJR1077 , HB3329

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3711, which was described as a work in progress aimed at increasing transparency for taxpayers about instructional expenditures in school bond communications. Members questioned whether the bill changed what districts may bond for, and the author said it did not alter the bond process, only added communications. After title was struck, the bill passed committee 13-5. House Bill 4104, dealing with repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, was presented with an amendment adding conduct involving three or more separate victims as a basis for felony treatment. The amendment was adopted after questions about its legal basis and a recent court decision. The bill as amended then passed committee unanimously, 18-0. The committee also took up House Joint Resolution 1077, which would send to voters a proposal to move $1 billion from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust corpus into a new Oklahoma’s Futures Trust Fund. The proponent said the T-SET board would remain in place, the corpus would stay protected, and annual earnings from the new fund would be split between reinvestment and legislative appropriations for health and education. Opponents argued the measure would shift money from an independent endowment to a politically controlled process and could weaken existing T-SET programs. After debate, the resolution passed committee 14-4. Finally, House Bill 3327 proposed expanding the State Board of Education from seven to nine members, with appointments divided among the governor, speaker, and president pro tem, and allowing removal only for cause. Members raised questions about geographic representation and vacancy appointments, but the bill passed as amended 15-2. House Bill 3329, a trailer bill related to sunset legislation, added a July 1, 2027 sunset for the Board of Psychological Examiners after concerns about its handling of a complaint and a recent court ruling; it passed as amended 14-2, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Training Fund.
• Fund.
• Fund.
• fund.
• fund.

Bills: HB2063 , HB2271 , HB2416 , HB2478 , HB2593 , HB2692 , HB2813 , HB2992 , HB2993 , HB4044

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, firefighters, insurance rates, workers' compensation, firefighter cancer reimbursement, rate deviations, cost analysis, premiums, border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, immigration, education reform, K-12

Transcript Highlights:

• Finchem's bill will get funded in full, but if it were to get funded in full... Mr.
• fund monies exceeding $10 million to the rip and replace fund, and repeals the office and fraud fund
• fund monies exceeding $10 million to the rip and replace fund and repeals the office and fraud fund
• Replace Fund on January 1st, 2032.
• But we really need to quit funding our roads with general fund money because we're taking money away

Bills: SB1072 , SB1111 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1122 , SB1179 , SB1250 , SB1308 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1487 , SB1547 , SB1549 , SB1551 , SB1552

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:27.360><c> as</c> direct aortionment of uh funds as direct aortionment of uh funds as opposed
• So by being able to fund robotics, we're funding future opportunities, not just for the high school students
• 02:58.079><c> we're</c><01:02:58.319><c> funding</c> able to fund robotics, we're funding able to fund
• </c><01:04:43.920><c> for</c> more recognization and funding for more recognization and funding for mentors
• When you have a discretionary funds.

Bills: HB1813 , HB2429 , HB2423 , HB1996 , HB1851 , HB2546 , HB2028 , HB2583 , HB2490 , HB2545 , HB2114 , HB1859 , HB2534 , HB2474 , HB1863 , HB2475

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: taxation, general excise tax, use tax, exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, tax expenditure, tax expenditure evaluation, tax credit review, tax incentive, tax exemption, use tax exemption, income tax credit, DBEDT, Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Taxation, fiscal oversight, budget accountability, tax policy, revenue loss, public spending

Summary: The committee opened with HB 1813 on taxation and HB 2429 on tax expenditure evaluation, taking mostly written testimony and limited oral discussion. On HB 2429, the Tax Foundation and Department of Taxation raised privacy and federal-law concerns, warning that the bill could require taxpayers to file duplicative returns and could risk disclosure of federal tax information if released publicly. Members and witnesses discussed using anonymized or summary reporting instead of individual public release, with the department saying summarized data would be preferable and that the state can ask for the information as a policy matter, but individual public release could create problems. The committee then heard HB 2423 HD1 on biodiesel, where Pacific Biodiesel said it can supply all biodiesel needed for B5 in Hawaii without imports and asked to move the implementation date earlier to November 2027 to allow rollout planning. HB 1996 HB1 on hearing aids drew broad support; a disability access representative said earlier insurance-based efforts had run into administrative problems and that this bill would immediately lower costs for consumers. HB 1851 HD1, also related to hearing aids, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while the Tax Foundation argued the program would be better funded directly rather than through the tax system, citing overhead costs and blank provisions that should be filled in before passage. On HB 2546, the research activities tax credit, HCDC said the credit supports long-term R&D and should be converted from a first-come, first-served system to proration so more applicants receive some benefit; the agency described the credit as helping companies move from idea to commercialization and noted the state is leaving potential jobs and federal dollars on the table. HB 2028 HD1, relating to Labor Day for construction workers, drew support from labor representatives who said it recognizes construction workers and helps offset cost-of-living pressures, while the Tax Foundation opposed it as an industry-specific subsidy and flagged technical issues with undefined terms and blank credit amounts. The committee also heard HB 2583, HB 2490, HB 2545, HB 2114, and HB 1859 HD1. HB 2490, concerning coastal erosion at Mokuhiki Bay, received strong support from a temple representative who described severe shoreline loss, years of temporary emergency work, and the need for a long-term, nature-based solution in coordination with state agencies. HB 2545, involving HCDC and SBIR commercialization, was supported as a way to turn R&D into economic development; HCDC said it had more applications than it could fund and that the bill could help create high-wage jobs. HB 2114, the Hawaii Benefits Hub, received comments from ETS and DHS emphasizing support for the concept but cautioning that operational, policy, cybersecurity, and data-sharing standards must be carefully aligned. HB 1859 HD1 on workforce development drew strong support from workforce and philanthropic groups, who said Hawaii faces a long-term gap between projected living-wage jobs and the number of young people entering the workforce, and argued the bill would create durable infrastructure for coordination and long-term planning. No formal votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 1% of the funding and 4% of the funding 1% of the funding and 4% of the funding would<00:02:59.120
• This, again, is not cutting any funding. This is not cutting funding any schools.'
• </c><01:02:59.279><c> any</c> funding this is not cutting funding any funding this is not cutting funding
• funds emergency operations?
• funds emergency operations?

Bills: HF25 , HF4

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief

Bills: HB259 , SB247 , HB259 , SB247

Committee: House Financial Services

Keywords: income tax credit, tax incentive, recruitment, remote work, remote worker, recruited worker, rural counties, small counties, county population tiers, opportunity zone, teacher recruitment, nurse recruitment, law enforcement recruitment, workforce development, economic development, relocation incentive, Alabama Department of Revenue, nonrefundable tax credit, tax carryforward, state income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the bill updates outdated language dealing with rural water districts.

Bills: HB2976 , HB4459 , HB3142 , HB4316 , HB4338 , HB4230

Committee: House Energy

Keywords: environmental protection, water quality, aluminum, Department of Environmental Quality, EPA standards, groundwater conservation, water rights, permit allocation, metering, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulation, LP-Gas Board, inspections, accident investigations, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management

Summary: The House Energy Committee met for its second scheduled meeting and announced it would need to meet again the following week because of bill reassignments and new agenda items. The committee first considered House Bill 2976, which requires the Department of Environmental Quality to promulgate water quality criteria rules for aluminum. An amendment was adopted to extend the rulemaking deadline to December 31, 2027, to allow time for an OU study on aluminum in water to be completed. The bill then passed 9-0. The committee next heard House Bill 4459, which would create a five-year averaging option for certain water users, mainly irrigators, allowing flexibility in annual use while requiring measurement and reporting over the five-year period. Members questioned whether the bill could encourage excessive use during drought years and whether it would improve reporting accuracy; the author said he was open to discussing a possible reduction from 200% to 150% and emphasized long-term aquifer conservation. HB 4459 was reported out due pass. House Bill 3142, described as a revised version of a bill vetoed last year, also passed unanimously after the author said it addressed the governor’s veto concerns. The committee then advanced House Bill 4316, which updates outdated language related to rural water districts and passed 11-0. House Bill 4338, the so-called Brine Act, was adopted with a PCS and would allow wastewater or produced water to be used in ways that could expand Oklahoma’s iodine production industry; the author said it would create value from material now disposed of and would not change disposal rules. Members asked about treatment and environmental safeguards, and the author said the bill only recognizes the activity as legal and does not mandate it. HB 4338 passed 11-0. Finally, House Bill 4230, which expands the ability to use qualified outside suppliers for training and technical assistance, passed 11-0 after brief questioning about who those suppliers might be.

Transcript Highlights:

• fund balance accounts.
• fund fund one budget district's general fund fund one budget is<00:20:47.960><c> more</c><00:20:48.159
• </c> funding is calculated how that funding funding is calculated how that funding has<00:59:01.440><
• This talk about record funding—small rural districts around me, several have been in and out of or approaching
• fund or that fund transfers out of this fund or that fund I<01:24:35.560><c> get</c><01:24:35.840><c

Bills: HF957 , HF877

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Question about funding. Where is the funding coming from for this requirement?
• If you'll notice in the bill, the funding for this testing would be required.
• Question about funding. Where is the funding coming from for this requirement?
• The fund right now stands at $1.4 billion. And why I say that?
• How will we be able to review any outcomes or improvements made by these funds?

Bills: SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles

Summary: The Revenue and Taxation Committee considered a long series of bills, many dealing with tax credits, property taxes, and tax administration. Early action included Senate Bill 1579, which creates a taxpayer bill of rights for ad valorem tax assessments by sending taxpayers a plain-language notice of existing rights; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 683, as amended, expanded the parental choice tax credit to cover certain supplemental educational services for private-school students, including tutoring and summer learning programs, but drew concerns about broad language and unequal treatment of public-school students; it passed 8-3 with one member not voting. Senate Bill 1389 proposed a $25 million increase in the parental choice tax credit cap; supporters said the program is nearing its limit and should grow gradually, while opponents cited lack of outcomes data and benefits flowing disproportionately to higher-income families and metro counties. It passed 10-2. The committee also advanced several tax and property-related measures. Senate Bill 1387 would allow a sales tax refund when a vehicle is sold within six months of a purchase, even without a trade-in, and passed 10-2. Senate Bill 1390 extended and removed a cap on funding for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and related agencies, passing unanimously. Senate Bill 2063 would require the State Treasurer to publish more information about unclaimed property online; the Treasurer’s office opposed it over privacy and burden concerns, but the bill passed 7-3. Senate Bill 1829 reduced the motor vehicle excise tax on manufactured homes to align more closely with the tax burden on traditional homes, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1842 would let county treasurers offer a 12-month installment prepayment plan for ad valorem taxes; it passed 9-1. Several other bills were debated on policy and accountability grounds. Senate Bill 1391 would require private schools participating in the parental choice tax credit to administer state tests and report results; supporters framed it as accountability for public tax dollars, while opponents argued it would undermine private-school autonomy and school-choice goals. It failed 5-7. Senate Bill 1398 created a capped tax credit for donations to certain nonprofits serving foster care, pregnancy resource centers, therapeutic care, and anti-trafficking efforts; members asked for clearer outcome measures, but it passed 8-2. Senate Bill 1212, addressing selective property appraisals in some counties, passed 9-1. Senate Bill 2158 would extend favorable tax treatment to health care sharing ministry contributions, and passed 8-2. Senate Bill 102 clarified when remote workers and certain short-term workers owe Oklahoma income tax, with discussion focused on athletes, entertainers, public figures, and contract workers; it passed 10-0. Finally, Senate Bill 2060, a governor-requested housing infrastructure bill creating master development districts, was still being refined but passed 6-4 to keep it moving forward.