Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to have some discussions with the folks that requested it and the people who have supported
• House Bill 4275 would allow case managers and peer support specialists to be employed by counties and
• This would be specifically to support county sheriffs, first responders, police and fire, those types

Bills: HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940, HB4117, HB3428, HB4275, HB3257, HB3901, HB4298

Keywords: HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee opened with prayer and then heard a series of bills, most of them request bills from state agencies or related to veterans and military matters. House Bill 3043 would let the Oklahoma Dental Board Association hire temporary or PRN workers during peak periods; it passed 11-1. House Bill 3044 would continue an existing tax-return checkoff for donations and passed 12-0. House Bill 3078 would create an online donation option for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs during license and tax transactions and passed 12-0. House Bill 3940 made a number of cleanup and policy changes to a prior Oklahoma National Guard measure, including retention, benefits, discipline, museum operations, and state active duty pay issues; it passed 11-0. House Bill 4117 would define family resource centers in statute and emphasize faith-based partnerships, workforce development, and braided funding; it passed 12-0. The committee also advanced House Bill 3428, which would require certain businesses to post information about veterans’ benefits in a conspicuous place to help more eligible veterans enroll in benefits; members discussed raising the employee threshold from 50 to 100, but no amendment was adopted during the meeting, and the bill passed 10-2. House Bill 4275 would allow counties and cities to employ case managers and peer support specialists while maintaining certification, to support sheriffs and first responders, and it passed 12-0. House Bill 3257 would treat 100% disabilities caused by VA medical malpractice as service-connected for state benefit purposes, aligning state law with federal treatment, and it passed 12-0. Two public health bills also advanced. House Bill 3901 would authorize psychological autopsies in suicide and overdose cases to better understand causes and improve prevention; members discussed whether the process should include notifying prescribing physicians when patients die from opioid overdoses, and the bill passed 12-0. House Bill 4298 would allow DHS child care rule changes to be distributed by mail and electronically, reflecting current practice, and it passed 12-0. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1204 allows for three days of paid bereavement leave for our educators and support personnel

Bills: SB1360, SB1204, SB1989, SB1189, SB1481

Keywords: mathematics, student assessment, dyscalculia, intervention services, educational funding, professional development, state department of education, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools, school districts, bereavement leave, paid leave, grief leave, family leave, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, maternity leave

Transcript Highlights:

• I respectfully urge you to support HF60.
• Dyslexia is often support they need.
• </c><00:08:04.639><c> Right</c> better support these students. Right better support these students.
• Thank you for urge you to support HF60.
• So I certain areas, support others.

Bills: HF60, HF3067, HF3730, HF3638, HF3401

Keywords: interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• And I thank you for your support and your testimony and support of this concept.
• The law doesn't support that.
• The law doesn't support that.
• It supports mothers.
• It supports mothers.

Bills: HB2041, HB2144, HB2239, HB2321, HB2371, HB2594, HB2661, HB2662, HB2793, HB2968, HB2995

Keywords: child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, child support, preborn children, retroactive support, medical expenses, child welfare, child care, grant program, low-income, early learning, infrastructure, economic growth, security freeze, credit reporting, dependent children, parental notification

Transcript Highlights:

• would include some form of cash, loan, guarantee, or other financial instrument or services that support

Bills: SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• would include some form of cash or a loan or guarantee or other financial instrument or services that support
• Or services that support the eligible entity in the completion of a qualified project.

Bills: SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Senate Bill 169 would increase the annual longevity payment award for state employees by 50% across all service years and passed 17-1. Senate Bill 1991, described as a cleanup bill for the Ocamp Fund, passed 19-0. Senate Bill 1992, which defines “strategic financing partner” under the SIDE Act for Department of Commerce projects, passed 20-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 1204, as amended, to provide Oklahoma teachers and school employees three days of bereavement leave after the death of a spouse or child, including a miscarriage; the amendment specified funding from the public school paid maternity leave revolving fund. Senate Bill 1339 passed to codify continued funding for off-the-formula schools and allow the State Department of Education to access funds to cover the 2023 teacher pay raise for those schools. Senate Bill 182 passed to allow certain CLEET-certified law enforcement officers and resident care specialists to join the OPERS hazardous duty retirement plan. Additional measures approved included Senate Bill 1847, allowing certain Advantage Waiver Medicaid recipients diagnosed with cognitive impairment to remain in assisted living and age in place; Senate Bill 1360, creating a three-year pilot program placing math instructional teams in the lowest-performing districts; and Senate Bill 1346, as amended, directing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to establish a water and wastewater infrastructure investment program after removing an appropriation section. Several questions focused on funding sources, eligibility, and population-based allocation formulas, but no bills were rejected. Senate Bills 1427 and 1566 were laid over to go directly to the floor with no fiscal impact, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that I can get there to help support this. I'm going to be a champion in the future.
• this legislation. ...concern and have overwhelmingly asked me to not support this legislation.
• So I urge your support of these initial changes. Thank you. We have the amendment before us.
• So I will be supporting this bill, and we will have Continue the conversation.
• So I will be supporting this bill. And we will have a roll call vote, please.

Bills: HB1591, HB2146, HB2220, HB2430, HB2526, HB2641, HB2648

Keywords: domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, survivor protections, legal remedies, defendants, sexual exploitation, minors, child safety, law enforcement, victim support, criminal justice training commission, CJTC, law enforcement training, peace officer certification, decertification, corrections officer certification, tribal police certification, police accountability, police oversight

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met in executive session to act on several bills previously heard. On House Bill 1591, the committee considered a substitute that would provide sentencing alternatives, resentencing, and record vacation relief for defendants who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, with tighter eligibility standards and reporting requirements. Members discussed concerns about the scope of the relief and whether the abuse must be closely connected to the offense, but the substitute was approved and reported out 7-2 with a do pass recommendation. The committee also adopted Amendment 348 to House Bill 2146, which clarifies the offense of sexual exploitation of a minor to cover situations where a person causes a minor to view sexually explicit conduct knowing the minor’s viewing will be photographed or part of a live performance. The bill was then reported out unanimously. House Bill 2220, dealing with Criminal Justice Training Commission oversight and certification hearings, advanced on a substitute that removed a higher burden of proof, adjusted hearing panel membership, and directed rulemaking; it passed 7-2 after debate over whether the changes were a rollback of prior reforms. House Bill 2430, concerning the crime victim penalty assessment, was amended to increase assessment amounts, add a possible surcharge for defendants with substantial financial resources, tighten indigency exemptions, and preserve an indigent exception removed in the underlying bill. Supporters said the bill was needed to restore funding for victim services after prior budget cuts, and it passed unanimously. House Bill 2526, on prostitution, advanced on a substitute that renamed the offense, increased penalties for repeat buyers, directed most fee revenue to survivor-led organizations, and added an emergency clause; Amendment 275 was adopted to require law enforcement referrals to services before arrest in the first two investigative detentions and to add protections for people reporting other crimes. The bill passed 5-4 after substantial disagreement over whether the measure would help survivors or effectively decriminalize prostitution. Finally, House Bill 2648, addressing state and local law enforcement interactions with federal immigration enforcement, was amended to require body camera and dash camera activation during certain encounters, reporting to agencies, and indemnification protections for officers. Supporters framed the bill as clarifying duties and protecting civil rights, while opponents argued it could interfere with law enforcement and federal cooperation. The committee reported the bill out 6-3. House Bill 2641 was deferred, and the committee adjourned after completing action on the listed House bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• PCS&M supports HB 47.
• So I'm urging you to please support this.
• We wholeheartedly support it.
• Anybody else on Zoom in support of House Bill 48? Anybody else on Zoom in support of House Bill 48?
• I totally support what it’s doing.

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got to ensure that we support them.
• urges your support.
• Thank you very much for your support.
• Thank you very much for your support. Thank you. Thank you very much for your support. Thank you.
• So a support plan that provides parents also the support and strategies in how to help is the way we

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• And foreign terrorist organizations, often with minimal federal support.
• That's why we are in support of SB 36. We have 100% backing of SB 36.
• No one is questioning your support of law enforcement, ever.
• We are in strong support of this bill and hope that you see it the same way.
• Recognition and support that they deserve. Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Bills: HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023, SB 36

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Please support House Bill 2929.
• I support this bill. My name is C.J. Grisham. I'm here to support HB2929 on my own behalf.
• Thank you, Representative De Ayala, for supporting us on this bill.
• A comprehensive wellness support program will be created.
• I respectfully ask for your support. Members, any questions?

Bills: SB 36, HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax, employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been long-standing supporters of enhanced funding and staffing for the certification unit.
• AARP supports policies related to supportive housing, including assisted living residences, which ensure
• Based on the findings, we do not support MAP as the preferred option for the following reasons.
• Is there widespread support throughout the industry for the responsible... I'm sorry.
• Is there widespread support throughout the industry for the responsible...

Bills: H5243, H5376, S3056, S3057

Keywords: rest home, rest homes, medication administration, medication management, assisted living, long-term care, elder care, older adults, senior care, nursing home, resident care, self-administration, licensed facility, Chapter 111, section 71, Responsible Person, caregiver, direct care staff, care facilities, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:30.280><c> learners</c> education programs that support learners education programs that support
• </c> support it. Um but I'll introduce Dr. support it. Um but I'll introduce Dr.
• </c><01:12:04.040><c> the</c> relevant not only that we support the relevant not only that we support
• So, we'll look forward support for that.
• </c> So thank you for your continued support So thank you for your continued support and<01:38:59.720

Bills: HF4698, HF4608

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Bills: SB1049, SB1053, SB1058, SB1093, SB1160, SB1211

Keywords: spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, concealed carry, gun permits, firearms training, public safety, criminal history checks, local recognition, firearms, merchant codes, financial privacy, Second Amendment, data protection, riot, planning, racketeering, criminal conspiracy

Transcript Highlights:

• Civil Air Patrol to be engaged in the missions that they do well, which is search and rescue and supporting
• And so I ask for your support. Representative Penner. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I urge your support to help make sure that we've got a comprehensive plan for our state coming in through

Bills: SB6046

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Transcript Highlights:

• So thank you for supporting it today and ask for your support.
• is supported.
• is supported.
• support, and Daniel Martinez, Americans for Prosperity, waives in support.
• in support, and Daniel Martinez, Americans for Prosperity Waves in Support.

Bills: S0162, S0254, S0688, S0794, S1110, S1574

Keywords: surgical smoke, health standards, hospital safety, patient protection, medical regulations, nursing education, licensure, remedial courses, temporary license, graduate nursing preceptorship, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, background screening, support coordination services, developmental disabilities, Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome, public hearings, orthotics, prosthetics, healthcare, Medicaid

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support this bill.
• My name is Emma Chow, and I support this bill.
• Our office strongly supports 5984.
• I support Senate Bill 6046.
• Our national leadership is in support.

Bills: SB6046

Keywords: SB 6046, Civil Air Patrol, Washington Military Department, Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol, volunteer air patrol, search and rescue, disaster relief, cadet training, communications support, cyber security, emergency response, governor call-up, active state service, federally chartered Civil Air Patrol, Washington Wing, Title 38 RCW, military department, tribal cooperation, public safety aviation, aerospace cadets

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're here for questions and support, moral support. Very good.
• And we stand in strong support.
• I'm here today to support SB 48.
• I respectfully urge you to support SB 17.
• I will never support a gun control bill.

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• They raise pheasants for release to support hunting programs. I support maintaining a game farm.
• I support the programs that the game farm supports. That's why the bill is not to shut it down.
• I support the relocation of the farm.
• compelling bill to us in support of his community.
• Please support this bill today. who showed up to share their story. Please support this bill today.

Bills: HB2668, HB1735, HB2131, HB2199, HB2463, HB2598, HB2619

Keywords: relocation, wildlife, game farm, agriculture, environmental impact, animal welfare, force-feeding, birds, humane treatment, sea lion, predation control, salmon preservation, fishing industry, voluntary donations, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, farmers

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee met on February 4, policy cutoff day, and held a public hearing on House Bill 2668, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify and pursue relocation of the Bob Oak Game Farm in Lewis County and also seek funding to remediate the current site. Staff explained the proposed substitute would require alternate site identification, reporting to the Legislature, future capital budget requests for pre-design, relocation, and remediation, and continued monitoring to address nitrate leaching. Representative Orcutt said the bill is intended to protect nearby wells and Centralia’s drinking water without shutting the game farm down, and he thanked DFW for working to reduce fiscal impacts. City of Centralia officials, Lewis County public health staff, a tribal member, and the county health officer testified in support, describing nitrate contamination in a sole-source aquifer, health risks, and the need for a long-term relocation solution; the committee also noted 52 people signed in pro and one opposed. The committee then moved into executive session on several bills. House Bill 2598, creating a Salmon Advisory Commission, was debated with concerns raised about the size of the commission, cost, and overlap with existing salmon recovery efforts, but it was reported out 6-5 with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2619, creating a legislative task force to reduce regulatory stress in agriculture, drew bipartisan support focused on farm mental health and suicide prevention and passed unanimously. House Bill 2199, dealing with derelict vessels, was amended with a Department of Natural Resources proposal and then passed unanimously as amended. House Bill 2463, which revises the Washington commodities donation and farm-to-food pantry programs, was also reported out unanimously as a substitute bill. The committee next took up House Bill 1735, which prohibits force-feeding birds and related sale/distribution of products made using that practice. An amendment by Representative Dent to narrow the bill to ducks and geese for commercial purposes and remove product-sale prohibitions failed, and the substitute bill then passed 6-5. Finally, the committee added House Bill 2668 to the executive agenda despite its late arrival, citing the urgency and bipartisan support, and then reported the substitute bill out unanimously. The chair emphasized that moving HB 2668 on the same day was highly unusual and not standard practice, but was done because of the public health concerns and broad support from affected local and tribal communities.