Transcript Highlights:

• university Eastern Kentucky University will<01:23:18.480><c> be</c><01:23:18.639><c> getting</c><01:
• along with Eastern Kentucky University are<01:23:39.600><c> directed</c><01:23:40.960><c> by</c><01:
• Kentucky in the done a lot for Eastern Kentucky in the way<01:47:58.159><c> of</c><01:47:58.320><c>
• <01:56:08.000><c> Kentucky</c><01:56:08.480><c> University</c><01:56:09.520><c> to</c> Eastern Kentucky
• University to Eastern Kentucky University to coordinate<01:56:10.560><c> a</c><01:56:10.800><c> search

Transcript Highlights:

• Health Services and the City of Medical Lake to provide community policing efforts in the vicinity of Eastern
• Health Services and the City of Medical Lake to provide community policing efforts in the vicinity of Eastern
• Community policing efforts in the vicinity of Eastern State Hospital, also recognizing the existing partnership

Summary: The committee first approved moving Senate Bills 5067 and 5758 from the X-file to the white sheet. It then advanced a long series of measures from the white sheet to the floor calendar, including SB 5067 on impaired driving (lowering the per se BAC threshold from 0.08 to 0.05), SJM 8002 opposing Medicare privatization, ESSB 5061 on annual prevailing wage adjustments for public works contracts, SB 5855 restricting unlawful face coverings by law enforcement, SB 5865 updating garnishment forms for variable pay schedules, and SB 5081 clarifying remote vehicle starting on streets. Also advanced were ESSB 5268 on 12 months of community custody for unlawful firearm possession, SB 5272 on school event safety and interference penalties, SCR 8406 on civic health, SB 5000 making “the Evergreen State” the official nickname, SB 5500 modernizing Working Connections Child Care reimbursement rates, ESSB 5105 addressing digitally altered sexually explicit depictions of minors, and SSB 5156 on elevator standards. Additional measures moved forward included SJM 8006 asking the state Supreme Court to reinstate and expand the limited licensed legal technician program, SB 5325 designating the Columbia Plateau cactus as the state cactus, SB 5286 creating a community partnership policing program for Medical Lake and Eastern State Hospital while recognizing the existing Lakewood/Western State Hospital partnership, and SB 5937 concerning smart access systems in residential properties under the Landlord-Tenant Act. Several members briefly explained their bills, with some noting bipartisan support, prior committee approval, or existing budget provisos. The only recorded substantive opposition came from Senator King, who said he had concerns that SB 5067 might not achieve its intended safety outcomes. Most other motions were adopted by voice vote with no further debate. The meeting ended after a brief clarification that one motion should have been to the second-and-third-reading calendar, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ethnic component, like cystic fibrosis in Europeans, sickle cell anemia in African Americans, and Mediterranean

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ethnic component, like cystic fibrosis in Europeans, sickle cell anemia in African Americans, and Mediterranean

Bills: S0092 , S0110 , S0192 , S0212 , S0260 , S0350 , S0394 , S0422 , S0434 , S0442 , S0484 , S0546 , S0556 , S0684 , S0696 , S0706 , S0748 , S0786 , S0820 , S0824 , S0838 , S0840 , S0848 , S0856 , S0962 , S1000 , S1014 , S1036 , S1050 , S1054 , S1080 , S1118 , S1134 , S1338 , S1480 , S1500 , S1506 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• ethnic component, like cystic fibrosis in Europeans and sickle cell anemia in African Americans and Mediterranean

Bills: S0092 , S0110 , S0192 , S0212 , S0260 , S0350 , S0394 , S0422 , S0434 , S0442 , S0484 , S0546 , S0556 , S0684 , S0696 , S0706 , S0748 , S0786 , S0820 , S0824 , S0838 , S0840 , S0848 , S0856 , S0962 , S1000 , S1014 , S1036 , S1050 , S1054 , S1080 , S1118 , S1134 , S1338 , S1480 , S1500 , S1506 , S1622 , S1724

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: employee protections, whistleblower, retaliation, public trust, ethics complaint, Commission on Ethics, Public Employees Relations Commission, public employee, local government attorney, public officer, adverse personnel action, protected disclosure, whistleblower retaliation, state agency, independent contractor, public employment, civil service, reinstatement, back pay, front pay

Transcript Highlights:

• Two deployments, I guess you would call it, in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Yemen, all those areas
• Two deployments, I guess you would call it, in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Yemen, all those areas
• Two deployments, I guess you would call it, in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, Yemen, all those areas
• 07.960><c> what</c> So the National Guard Bureau started after the fall of the Cold War, after the Eastern
• State Department, a partnership program, and it started as a military-to-military engagement with Eastern

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We as an eastern district in the state of Missouri, and I'm not even speaking for the Illinois side,
• Like, because you're a little bit on the eastern part of St. Charles County.
• Like, because you're a little bit on the eastern part of St. Charles County.
• A little bit on the eastern part of St. Charles County.
• This would never touch my district, but up on the eastern part of St. Charles County.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The House Transportation Committee first announced that House Bill 1873 had been pulled at the sponsors’ request and would not be heard. The committee then took up House Bill 2759, which would require MoDOT to publish engineer’s estimates after a project is awarded or rejected, with the sponsor and supporters framing it as a transparency and accountability measure that would help taxpayers and contractors understand why bids are accepted or rejected. Supporters, including the Missouri Asphalt Paving Association and a state public advocate, said the bill would not affect bidding because the estimate would be released only after award, and argued that other states already do this without higher costs. MoDOT opposed the bill, saying its estimates are meant to reflect fair market value at the time of letting and that releasing them could let contractors pattern bids around MoDOT’s numbers, potentially setting an artificial floor or otherwise distorting competition. Committee members questioned both sides closely about whether publishing the estimate after award would still influence future bids, whether rejected bids are already explained, and whether the bill would help identify problems with project scope or estimating. The sponsor said the bill had been refined and referenced an amendment to make clear the disclosure would occur at award or rejection, not before bidding. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2837, which would change how vacancies on the Bi-State Development Agency board are filled by returning to a system where the governor appoints from within the district rather than from lists submitted by the St. Louis city mayor and county executive. The sponsor argued the current process gives too much control to St. Louis City and County and does not adequately represent growing areas such as St. Charles County. Opponents from the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Citizens for Modern Transit, and a state public advocate argued the change would weaken local control for the jurisdictions that actually fund and use the transit system, noting that St. Charles, Jefferson, and Monroe counties do not pay the same transit taxes and in some cases do not receive service. The hearing ended after testimony in opposition, with no vote taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• what's nice about using the National Weather Service designation is it's flexible, and extreme heat in eastern
• I, as a small landlord myself, can appreciate what you're trying to do here because often in eastern
• 27 extreme heat days on average for Western Washington and between 20 and 30 extreme heat days for Eastern
• to 27 extreme heat days on average for Western Washington, between 20 and 30 extreme heat days for Eastern
• But it is kind of expected in eastern Washington that, I mean, I've never, growing up, I never lived

Bills: HB1974 , HB2265 , HB2452

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Transcript Highlights:

• And she also is a volunteer on a canine search and rescue mission in Eastern Kentucky.
• </c> Eastern Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky.
• When those storms ravaged western and eastern Kentucky, our agents were there.
• When those storms ravaged western<00:26:38.400><c> and</c><00:26:38.720><c> eastern</c><00:26:39.120>
• our agents western and eastern Kentucky, our agents were<00:26:40.640><c> there.

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met without a quorum and postponed approval of the minutes. The committee first heard from Northern Kentucky University President Katie Short Thompson, who highlighted NKU’s enrollment growth, student success metrics, national recognition for value, lower student debt, and new programs tied to regional workforce needs, including AI, cybersecurity, supply chain analytics, cardiovascular perfusion, and the Norse Network Hub for employer access. She asked for a $5 million recurring base funding adjustment to align NKU’s general fund support with peer institutions, along with support for tuition waivers with FAFSA requirements, continued debt collection authority through the Department of Revenue, inclusion of fire and tornado insurance premiums in base funding, inflation and performance-funding support, and increased asset preservation funding. She also outlined capital priorities for the Hail College of Business building, Nunn Hall, and the MEP building, and requested $5.4 million to match private support for the Young Scholars Academy, a dual-credit program serving first-generation and low-income students. Representative Tipton questioned NKU about the number of older students using tuition waivers and whether the university could continue the program without a statutory age-based mandate. Thompson said the number of students over 65 using the waiver was small, that some students pursue degrees while others audit classes, and that external fundraising could potentially support the program if state funding changed. Tipton also confirmed NKU’s requested priorities and the $5.4 million match for the Young Scholars Academy. The committee then heard from University of Kentucky representative Dr. Cavallo, who framed UK’s request around accountability, workforce development, research, and health care impact. He described a patient story to illustrate UK’s medical mission, cited growth in enrollment, degrees awarded, hospital patients treated, and research grant revenue, and emphasized UK’s role in extension services and disaster response. He said UK is consolidating services for efficiency and is focusing on future workforce needs, especially artificial intelligence, noting the launch of the state’s first AI bachelor’s degree and a partnership with Microsoft to expand AI tools and training across campus and the Advancing Kentucky Together network. He also discussed demographic challenges, the need to retain graduates in Kentucky, and the importance of aligning programs and funding with long-term state needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Heather Sanders, the director of the Department of Nursing for Eastern Oklahoma State College, along
• And I might add that while OU may have the biggest nursing program, Eastern Oklahoma State College has
• Eastern Oklahoma State College has the best.

Bills: SB1534 , SB1473 , SB1379 , SB1743 , SB1769 , SB1195 , SB1245 , SB1420 , SB1945 , SB514 , SB346 , SB1593 , SB1782 , SB1366 , SB1497 , SB366 , SB1895 , SB2048 , SB2005 , SB2006 , SB710 , SB1480 , SB2135 , SB2130 , SCR16 , SB1457 , SB1732 , SB1317 , SB1533

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the day’s invocation, introduced the Doctor of the Day and a group of pages, and recognized several visitors in the gallery, including nursing students and Talakawa Day participants. The chamber then took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 16, which honors Oklahoma women and recognizes March as National Women’s History Month. The resolution highlighted figures such as Kate Barnard, Angie Debo, Clara Luper, and Shannon Lucid. It was moved directly to the calendar, read, adopted by voice vote, and the author offered brief closing remarks. The Senate then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1457, extending the sunset of the Construction Industries Board to 2031, passed 40-3 and was also approved as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1732, which updates fees and licensing fees for the Construction Industries Board to support expanded responsibilities and staffing, passed 35-9. Senate Bill 1317, allowing local school boards to decide whether to recognize a teacher’s earned career status when moving districts, passed 43-0 and was likewise approved as an emergency measure after questions about safeguards for potential bad actors. Senate Bill 1533, a cleanup measure for the Dignity and Burial Act requiring the veteran to have been an Oklahoma resident, passed 43-0. At the end of the session, leaders announced upcoming committee meetings and a weekly devotional. The Senate then adjourned until Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• A shining example of the proud tradition of service that defines Eastern Washington.
• They're Eastern North Carolina issues. It's always good to be back home.
• And to be clear, I come to Washington, D.C., to fight for Eastern North Carolina. I yield back.
• ><c> is</c> They're Eastern North Carolina is They're Eastern North Carolina is issues.<02:15:15.360>
• </c><02:15:24.159><c> North</c> Washington DC to fight for Eastern North Washington DC to fight for Eastern

Bills: HR1115 , SB3971 , HB4294

Keywords: rules resolution, special rule, House procedure, floor consideration, lead ammunition, lead tackle, fishing tackle, hunting, wildlife management, federal lands, federal waters, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, immigration and nationality act, inadmissible, deportable, public benefits fraud, fraud against the United States, alien deportation, law enforcement animals

Transcript Highlights:

• Kentucky and southern West Eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia.<00:09:33.760><c> We</c><00:09
• </c><00:31:22.399><c> Kentucky</c><00:31:22.720><c> where</c> up, especially in Eastern Kentucky where
• up, especially in Eastern Kentucky where there's<00:31:23.120><c> high</c><00:31:23.279><c> tunnels<
• And we really feel like this is a model that we can replicate across Eastern Kentucky and across the
• This is a model that we can replicate across Eastern Kentucky and across the Commonwealth as well.

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association. Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals. The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans. Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to KAS 45A180 sub 2, Eastern Kentucky University reported its intent to use the construction
• Pursuant to KAS 45A180 sub 2, Eastern Kentucky University reported its intent to use the construction
• Eastern Kentucky? >> Western Kentucky. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Interesting.
• </c> state are is Webster in Eastern state are is Webster in Eastern Kentucky?
• talking</c><00:32:52.559><c> about</c> Eastern, but we're talking about Eastern, but we're talking about

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I did eight ag tours this summer, and have met with multiple farmers across Eastern Washington
• And they actually took all the equipment for canning asparagus in eastern Washington and... ...actually
• took all the equipment for canning asparagus in eastern Washington, dismantled it, shipped it down to
• I would like to host a couple of meetings, Representative Reeves, over in eastern Washington at some
• I would like to host a couple of meetings, Representative Reeves, over in eastern Washington at some

Bills: HB2721 , HB2616

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: commercial interior designer, interior design licensure, registered interior designer, NCIDQ, Washington State Board for Architects, professional regulation, title protection, firm registration, seal and signature, continuing education, building code, nonstructural interior design, space planning, interior architecture, design profession, public safety, occupational licensing, architects, engineering scope, permit review

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes the city of Belen and most of the eastern part of Valencia County.
• I raised that because this portion of the state, the eastern communities, land-based, traditional, especially
• All these communities along the eastern Sangre de Cristal, from Mora all the way to Tonchico, came from
• From my hometown is Eastern New Mexico University.
• been teaching business courses at the University of the Southwest and also at my other alma mater, Eastern

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing the delegate from the Eastern Shore. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I saw you this time.
• Recognizing the gentleman from the Eastern Shore. >> Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• </c><02:32:18.640><c> shore</c> from the eastern shore from the eastern shore &gt;&gt; thank<02:32:19.600
• Recognizing the delegate from the Eastern Shore. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• I'm the first African-American female to serve out of nine counties on the Eastern Shore.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as executive chair and chair of the board of directors of Eastern Bank.
• 125 offices across Eastern Massachusetts, Southern and Coastal New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
• I serve as executive chair and chair of the board of directors of Eastern Bank.
• Eastern Bank has put up $250,000 against that particular ballot initiative.
• You just heard from the president of Eastern Bank that would be a 20% budget cut.

Bills: H5006 , H5007

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: tax revenue, state surplus, taxpayer refunds, budget growth, Massachusetts General Laws, income tax, tax reduction, state law, personal income tax, tax rates

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the main issues, especially for eastern Nebraska, is flood control.
• And so flood control is an important component of what we're doing in eastern Nebraska.
• This is a multi-generational water supply project for central and eastern North Dakota.
• This is a multi-generational water supply project for central and eastern North Dakota.
• The eastern 32 miles of that is the end-daws section of it.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and heard updates from Department of Water Resources Director Reese Haas and Lieutenant Governor/State Water Commission Chair Michelle Strinden on statewide water funding, major projects, and two legislative studies requested in House Bill 1020. Haas reviewed the status of the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, noting NAWS construction is expected to move water by fall and Southwest’s Hebron-Rugby expansion phase one is in final design with bids expected next month. He also summarized the department’s budget outlook, including Resources Trust Fund and Water Project Stabilization Fund balances, the effect of oil price volatility and stripper well exemptions on revenues, and the status of project buckets, carryover, lines of credit, regionalization, bid trends, and administrative/process updates. Committee members asked about project prioritization, municipal funding demand, maintenance expectations, replacement versus deferred maintenance, and whether the 2025 session may have underfunded municipal water supply needs. Haas said the commission uses the same high/medium/low prioritization process across all buckets, reviews maintenance plans as part of policy, and is seeing strong demand in the municipal bucket. He also explained that the department’s 14-year projection is based on the next seven legislative sessions and that the state faces a projected $1.3 billion shortfall over that period if all planned projects are funded under current assumptions. Deloitte then presented draft findings from the cost-share policy study and the governance/finance study. For cost share, Deloitte said the model shows a roughly $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years and about $1.8 billion through 2031 under current policy, and offered seven options including tighter eligibility for replacement projects, state funding caps for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, a priority-based cost-share scale, timing shifts, use of existing lines of credit, and delayed reimbursement timing. For governance, Deloitte outlined draft options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River ranging from maintaining current structures with stronger planning to transferring ownership or adding formal oversight, and recommended broader use of performance metrics, long-term financial planning, and clearer decision trees. No votes or formal actions were taken; the commission discussed the scenarios and the studies will return in revised form later in the spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is one in Eastern Mass, Western Mass, and Central Mass: Neighborhood Birth Center, Seven Sisters
• There is one in Eastern Mass, Western Mass, and Central Mass: Neighborhood Birth Center, Seven Sisters
• There is one in Eastern Mass, Western Mass, and Central Mass, neighborhood birth center, seven sisters

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants. On the Senate side, three amendments were adopted: funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a large earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and funding for an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot. Other Senate proposals, including a midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center request, were not adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is the Catholic home educators of eastern Oklahoma.
• They serve across a good portion of the eastern part of Oklahoma, and they use a lot of different methods
• They serve across a good portion of the eastern part of Oklahoma, and they use a lot of different methods

Bills: SB843 , SB1733 , SB1476 , SB1237 , SB1410 , SB1894 , SB1272 , SB1204 , SB1721 , SB1725 , SB1735 , SB1337 , SB1339 , SB1461 , SB1975 , SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182 , SB392 , SB985 , SB1265 , SB1283 , SB1441 , SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696 , SB1870 , SB1722 , SB1639 , SB715 , SB716 , SB182 , SB609 , SB169 , SB134 , SB1611 , SB432 , SB1407 , SB2039 , SB1356 , SB1288 , SB2019 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2118

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Rachel Franklin, along with several student pages and visiting groups in the galleries, including Catholic home educators, Leadership Moore, and ALS advocates. The ALS introduction highlighted the disease’s effects and the need for awareness and support. The chamber then took up several bills. Senate Bill 392 reestablished the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission through 2030 to support military installations and related planning, and it passed 47-0 with emergency status. Senate Bill 985 codified the local food for schools program and gave the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry more flexibility to administer it; members discussed its benefits for school nutrition and local producers, and it also passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1265 extended the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 to 30 days due to the decline of daily and weekly newspapers, and it passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1283 updated probate law so out-of-state executors, administrators, or guardians must appoint an agent in Oklahoma rather than in the county where the case is heard, and it passed 47-0. Senate Bill 1441 made it unlawful to knowingly fly a drone over critical infrastructure below 400 feet or into the structure, with penalties aligned to physical trespass, and it also passed 47-0. The Senate then made several committee and devotional announcements before adjourning until Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.