Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a real opportunity to really make a difference for our constituents.
• So there's all kinds of opportunities for people.
• There will be a lot of things that we don't anticipate right now, but the bill sets up the opportunity
• We are the ones who have the better opportunity to learn more comprehensively about the issues facing
• A compact is an occupational licensing opportunity.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's very fortunate that we had this opportunity.
• But increasingly in our digital age, we know that folks with disabilities seek to access government services

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call establishing a quorum of 45 members present and two absent. The chamber received certification from the Secretary of State and the governor’s executive order calling the special session to address funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program and to act quickly to accept and appropriate federal funds. The main action was adoption of the procedural rules for the extraordinary session. Senator Klein explained the proposed rule changes, which were designed to speed up consideration of bills during the short session, including limits on bill introduction, same-day second reading and final passage, elimination of standing committees for the session, creation of a Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee, and authorization for remote testimony and limited remote participation. The procedural committee’s report on these rules was adopted without opposition. The Senate also adopted reports naming members to the Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee. Announcements noted that the Senate Employment Committee, Joint Policy Committee, and Joint Appropriations Committee would meet later that morning, that the Senate would not reconvene at 4 p.m., and that a Highway Patrol presentation on legislator safety would be held. The Senate then moved through the listed orders of business and recessed, planning to meet in joint session with the House before adjourning until Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was downright offended by this, and I explained to her this is not an opportunity.
• And digital technology is available in the marketplace.
• It used to be that when a digital...
• It's when the digital technology comes in that there's a gap.
• I've had an opportunity to be before this committee the last several sessions.

Bills: SB1538, SB2883, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3376

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you. Members, questions for this witness?
• I appreciate the opportunity. come before you today.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Thank you. Mr. Lally?
• Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today regarding SB 1705.
• Senators, thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to voice my support.
• Chairman, I've appreciated the opportunity to work with you very closely on this.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Thank you. Mr. Lally.
• I'm happy to answer any questions, but thank you for the opportunity.
• Senators, thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to testify. My name is Chris Meredith.
• Thanks to the chair and committee for this opportunity to speak.
• Chair Vo, thank you for giving me the opportunity to lay out House Bill 2213.
• Members, thank you for the opportunity to present House Bill 3508.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to testify in support of this bill, and thank you for the opportunity.
• Thank you for the opportunity to testify today, and we urge swift passage of House Bill 3680.
• The bill gives us the opportunity to... to borrow up to $500 million pre-event, before a storm.
• I appreciate the opportunity and your consideration of this bill.
• reductions or low double-digit reductions.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Empower School is a digital platform that all of our schools in the state are using. Yes, sir.

Bills: HB315, HB152, HB205, SB184, SB209, HB309, SB280, SB267

Keywords: sales tax, local exemption, Consumer Price Index, tax holiday, clothing tax exemption, school supplies, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment that the judge may mandate at that Point after the first-time DUI, is there discretion or opportunity
• create an internal OSBI division focused on cyber-enabled crime, financial fraud, identity theft, and digital
• It would also go to acquiring digital forensic technology and investigative tools specific to this area
• So, if someone living with the addiction that they're offered. the opportunity for treatment or perhaps

Bills: SB1936, SB1612, SB1543, SB1260, SB1988, SB1859, SB2041, SB1257, HB4272, HB3277, HB3148, HB3651, HB3323, HB4287, HB4105, HB3304, HB3345

Keywords: forfeiture, criminal offenses, law enforcement, Class D1 offenses, property seizure, SB1612, mandatory reporting, violent injury reporting, gunshot wound, stab wound, poisoning, burn injury, explosive injury, medical reporting, healthcare providers, law enforcement notification, evidence preservation, patient video records, confidentiality waiver, misdemeanor penalty

Bills: HB4274, HB3076, HB4358, HB3312, HB3288, HB3885, HB3147, HB4299, HB4265, HB4266, HB3011, HB3143, HB3144, HB3881, HB3519, HB3522, HB3530, HB2976, HB4459, HB3142, HB4316, HB4338, HB4230, HB3985, HB3883, HB4335, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3619, HB3624, HB3463, HB4423, HB3342, HB3645, HB3647, HB3887, HB4430, HB4431, HB2964, HB3834, HB4193, HB4272, HB3277, HB3148, HB3651, HB3323, HB4287, HB4105, HB3304, HB3345

Keywords: HB4274, Oklahoma schools, interdistrict transfer, open transfer, school enrollment, military families, active duty, National Guard, Reserve orders, military installation, residency requirements, district of choice, public school transfer, student transfer, special education, IEP, Section 504, military housing, base housing, electronic enrollment

Bills: HB4274, HB3076, HB4358, HB3312, HB3288, HB3885, HB3147, HB4299, HB4265, HB4266, HB3011, HB3143, HB3144, HB3881, HB3519, HB3522, HB3530, HB2976, HB4459, HB3142, HB4316, HB4338, HB4230, HB3985, HB3883, HB4335, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3619, HB3624, HB3463, HB4423, HB3342, HB3645, HB3647, HB3887, HB4430, HB4431, HB2964, HB3834, HB4193, HB4272, HB3277, HB3148, HB3651, HB3323, HB4287, HB4105, HB3304, HB3345

Keywords: HB4274, Oklahoma schools, interdistrict transfer, open transfer, school enrollment, military families, active duty, National Guard, Reserve orders, military installation, residency requirements, district of choice, public school transfer, student transfer, special education, IEP, Section 504, military housing, base housing, electronic enrollment

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was present. The chamber adopted the day’s order of business, heard an invocation from Chaplain Ronnie Wilson, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The House also noted a list of bill and resolution reassignments from the majority floor leader’s office and briefly stood at ease before returning to order. Representative Timmons introduced Angie Kammermeyer as the nurse of the day, recognizing her long career in nursing and health care leadership, including her retirement as chief nursing officer from Integris Health after 40 years of service. The Speaker also welcomed guests in the galleries, including Sarah Stevens and her newborn baby, Kelby, and a group of leadership students from Great Plains who traveled from Lawton. No legislation was debated or voted on during the portion of the session provided. At the end of the meeting, Representative Pugh moved to adjourn, and the House agreed without objection. The chamber adjourned until Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• "This really should be an opportunity for someone who either doesn't have an interest in completing the
• And I know that our board is also in support of that, but we haven't had the opportunity to do so.
• So that would be my next question: if... ...the opportunity to do so.
• It's just not here because, again, no one really gives us the opportunity.
• I appreciate the opportunity to present today. Let me first just say this right off the bat.

Bills: HB744, HR197, SB54, SB79, SB163, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB398, SB469, SCR5

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm offering you an opportunity to be able to balance that and keep stability in the market.
• I'm offering you an opportunity to be able to balance that and keep stability in the market.
• I'm offering you an opportunity to be able to balance that and keep stability in the market.
• </c><01:04:02.720><c> literacy</c> on comprehensive digital literacy on comprehensive digital literacy
• Trying to uh protect our children, protect their data in this digital world.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:49.000><c> to</c> ensuring everyone the opportunity to ensuring everyone the opportunity to
• My name is opportunity to testify. My name is Charlotte<01:01:54.800><c> Young.
• So, someone opportunity to participate.
• The computer urged him to commit suicide so they could be together digitally.
• </c> so they could be together digitally. so they could be together digitally.

Bills: HF3951, HF4005, HF962, HF4585, HF3870, HF4542, HF3893, HF4293, HF4075, HF4057, HF3809

Keywords: submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, biometric data, consent, data protection, civil penalties, privacy laws, HF4585, Minnesota, harassment restraining order, HRO, restraining order, temporary restraining order, petitioner notice, service of process, law enforcement notification, sheriff

Bills: SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, probation, credits, educational advancement, Oklahoma Statutes, criminal justice reform, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, labor organization, incentives, employer practices, union neutrality, worker rights

Bills: SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, probation, credits, educational advancement, Oklahoma Statutes, criminal justice reform, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, labor organization, incentives, employer practices, union neutrality, worker rights

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of bills affecting tourism, workforce, economic incentives, labor policy, and housing. Senate Bill 1327 would restore the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission’s authority by removing language that made it only advisory and returning hiring/firing power over the executive director to the commission; it passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1403, an Incentive Evaluation Commission recommendation, would require rebate claims to be filed within one year and eliminate a statewide wage threshold for certain job-creation rebates; it also passed 10-0. Senate Bill 1937, the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act, would make employers in certain incentive programs preserve secret-ballot union elections, protect employee privacy, and bar neutrality agreements tied to incentives; after debate over labor rights and free-market concerns, it passed 8-2. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 277, a committee-substituted version of the Oklahoma State Paid Family Medical Leave Act. The author said the bill was still a work in progress, but the sub removed exigency and safe leave, narrowed family definitions to legal relationships, and reduced employer notice/signage requirements; it advanced 8-0 with title off. Senate Bill 2131 would require tourism facilities and reservation confirmations to provide information on made-in-Oklahoma products via QR code or printed card, and it passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1749 would let local propane dealers and LP gas installers perform certain food truck inspections, and it passed 8-0. Additional measures included Senate Bill 1348, which would give the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission enhanced anti-fraud and appeal authority; members raised concerns about broad discretion, but it passed 8-0. Senate Bill 1469 would regulate earned wage access products, including employer-based and consumer-based services, with fee caps and licensing; it passed 7-1. Senate Bill 2018 would require new multifamily residential rental construction of 20 units or more to be assessed at cost for the first two tax years, beginning with 2027 assessments, and it passed 7-1 after debate over tax impacts. Senate Bill 1931 would add three members to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1530 would refine the research and development rebate program and add a 2% bump for projects involving higher education institutions, passing 8-0. Senate Bill 2155 would let the Route 66 Commission enter MOUs with other agencies to carry out its work, and it passed 8-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
• The day I can create a digital replica of an artist's voice or image is a really scary proposition.
• It establishes a mechanism... ...to get the unauthorized digital replicas taken down without the need
• Eddie, I appreciate the opportunity to be here.
• I appreciate the opportunity to lay out SB 766.

Bills: SB1960, SB1730, SB766, SB2342, SB2501, SB2903

Keywords: digital rights, replication, Voice likeness, visual likeness, private causes of action, fee structure, online service providers, postmortem rights, self-defense, stand your ground, castle doctrine, use of force, deadly force, civil immunity, civil liability, tort claims, attorney fees, court costs, lost income, Chapter 9 Penal Code

Bills: SB 18, SB 34, SB82, SB1807, SB2254, HB119, HB130, HB581, HJR98, SB1988

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2254 will enhance fundraising opportunities for our members and supporters who are unable
• for the former Texas Lottery Executive Director Gary Grief and IGT in 2014 to explore potential opportunities
• They wrote rules under one pretense and they... ...didn't use that opportunity otherwise.
• And what I mean by that is, we... ...promote Texas as a land of economic opportunity.

Bills: SB82, SB1807, SB2254, HB119, HB130, HB581, HJR98, SB1988, SB 18, SB 34

Keywords: business liability, concealed carry, handgun policy, premises liability, criminal acts, civil liability, business premises, concealed handgun, property liability, property rights, gun regulations, criminal liability, protective order, confidentiality, personal information, court records, victim protection, charitable raffle, nonprofit, wildlife conservation