Bills: SB 476 , SB 664 , SB 745 , SB 826 , SB 989 , SB 1080 , SB 1171 , SB 1320 , SB 1437 , SB 1727 , SB 1809 , SB 2289 , SB 2320

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: education, funding, school infrastructure, public schools, teacher support, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, ignition interlock devices, youth offenders, vehicular homicide, criminal history, court officials, background check, bail determination, Texas judiciary, occupational license, criminal conviction, provisional license, licensing authority, educational programs

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see some taken from unclaimed property from the Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, OMA
• Would you speak to the State Department of Education or pre-K through 12 schools?
• There is land application going on in the state where they are using it for fertilizer.
• I know that constitutionally, our one job as state legislators is to pass a balanced budget.
• As state legislators, is to pass a balanced budget. Everything outside of that is just extra.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1177, the general appropriation bill. The chair and budget authors explained that the proposal was built to balance the budget using a mix of general revenue, cash sweeps, and other fund transfers, including money from unclaimed property, revenue stabilization, and other statutory funds. Members also discussed a proposed $35 million OWRB revolving loan fund tied to ARPA interest and a $200 million transfer from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Taxpayer Endowment Trust Fund as part of a long-term savings strategy. A number of agency-specific items drew questions. Members reviewed the OPEB employer contribution reduction, rent coverage for state agencies, child care and Head Start funding, Department of Corrections revenue from ICE-related agreements, sheriff grant funding, and education funding, including about $99 million in additional formula funding, a $2,000 teacher pay raise, and reading-related appropriations such as Strong Readers and Just Right Reader. The committee also discussed mental health funding, including a $30 million consent decree line, a proposed privatization of CCBHC services with an estimated $10 million savings, and related reduction-in-force costs. Other topics included Attorney General transfers and litigation funding, higher education allocations, Langston University extension funding, historical society requests that were not funded, and a biosolids pilot program. During debate, supporters argued the bill fulfilled the constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget and highlighted increases for education, health care, and water infrastructure. Opponents criticized the use of one-time cash, tax cuts, and what they described as special-project spending, while raising concerns about transparency and underfunded services such as child care and transportation. After debate, the committee voted 18-5 to pass Senate Bill 1177.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to ask about the $3 million for the state plane purchase.
• I think currently the state has approximately five aviation assets.
• I believe that the state of Oklahoma does have five aviation assets across multiple agencies.
• But essentially, it raises the floor, the state minimum for all teachers in the state of Oklahoma, by
• A small jump start to try to set up a statutory sovereign wealth fund in the state.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, House Bill 2207 appropriates $300,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027
• program and requires the department to submit a report on the program that includes the number of in-state
• and out-of-state students served by the program in the prior fiscal year by October 15, 2026, 2027,
• are transcribed in our prison Braille system account for about 75% of all Braille transcribed in the state
• at one rate for all materials for the year, usually under $5,000, so there is a huge savings to the state

Bills: HB2207

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, 1182, all

Bills: HB2487

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as context, the underlying bill is estimated to increase state revenues by approximately $73
• So the reasoning to go retroactive is so the state doesn't have to pay refunds?
• So the reasoning to go retroactive is so the state doesn't have to pay refunds?
• This is not closing a loophole, as has been stated.
• I'm deputy director of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP.

Bills: HB2487

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, 904, all

Bills: SB392 , HJR1086

Committee: House Administrative Rules

Keywords: judicial rules, public safety, state agencies, permanent rules, legislative approval

Summary: The committee, chaired in part by Vice Chair Norwood, considered two measures. H.J.R. 1086 was presented as the first resolution of the year, approving administrative rules for judicial and public safety agencies submitted by the February 1 deadline. After brief discussion, the committee moved to vote and passed the resolution 13-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 392, which would extend the Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission. Members noted the commission had expired on December 31 and that the issue had only recently come to their attention. The bill was moved for adoption, there was no further question or debate, and it also passed 13-0. After the votes, the chair thanked members for their work, noted that the education bundle had been completed and a draft was being prepared, and said rules for business and commerce had been sent out for review before the upcoming deadline week. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• countries or entities that do not have our best interests at heart or are adversarial to the United States
• I have been in discussions with OMES and with the state purchasing director.
• have some ideas on how to improve the bill, including perhaps modifying existing law regarding the state
• The state purchasing director has some discretion as to disallowing contracts.
• Five years, the company shall be ineligible to bid on a state contract for 60 months.

Bills: HB4193

Committee: House State Powers

Keywords: procurement, foreign adversaries, national security, state contracts, compliance, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We serve those, including those 29 tribes in Washington State.
• the state average.
• Those are a big deal for salmon recovery in the state of Washington.
• Those are a big deal for salmon recovery in the state of Washington.
• Just like the state, we're also trying to replace fish passage barriers, and just like the state, this

Bills: SB6003

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our second round of grants to states, state agencies, and non-profits exceeded 100 applicants who are
• funding projects throughout the state.
• This is a win for everyone, including the state and its taxpayers.
• Facilities throughout the Twin Cities and the state need these dollars.
• Resources that were available to me in the state.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently in Texas, Texas has the highest rate of food insecurity in the United States.
• Making sure that those types of food are accessible to folks throughout the state.
• In Texas, we rank 6th in honey production in the United States.
• Bees are having a lot of trouble this year in the United States.
• The state of Texas does a great job with bees and habitat.

Bills: HB147

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones. HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district. HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.

Bills: SB 4 , SJR 2

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Father, we come before you humbly asking for your hand of protection upon those in our state who are
• We ask for your hand of protection across our state for wisdom and discernment for our members of the
• Senate and the legislature, our state leaders, that we may be wise in how we legislate this session.
• Members, as you know, some parts of the state are still experiencing hazardous travel conditions from

Bills: SJR36 , SB1 , SJR36 , SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought we did this already, but through loft instead of through the secretary of state.
• But at this point in time, this one does, as you mentioned, take it to the secretary of state.
• So that is the current state of it, and that's what we're shooting for.
• So it's not just like a state agency.
• Is this a situation that we should absolutely outlaw for the whole state.

Bills: SB2063 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1365 , SB1810

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, state treasurer, unclaimed property fund, public website, claimant, hearing, administrative procedures act, sales tax exemption, income tax subtraction, youth entrepreneurs, teen business, minor-owned business, sole proprietorship, business license exemption, entrepreneurship, youth vendor, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Title 60, Title 68

Transcript Highlights:

• That has not been my experience, and I've done that work all over the state.
• That is happening in the state of Oklahoma. You're recognized for follow-up.
• So that is the current state of it, and that's what we're shooting for. Thank you.
• So it would come from those agencies, so it's not just like a state agency.
• We are one of only two states that operate the receivership office in this way.

Bills: SB2063 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1365 , SB1810

Committee: House General Government

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, state treasurer, unclaimed property fund, public website, claimant, hearing, administrative procedures act, sales tax exemption, income tax subtraction, youth entrepreneurs, teen business, minor-owned business, sole proprietorship, business license exemption, entrepreneurship, youth vendor, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Title 60, Title 68

Summary: The committee first laid over Senate Bill 263, then took up several other measures. Senate Bill 1877, which would create a centralized reporting system for reports through the Secretary of State, was discussed as similar to House Bill 3047 and was reported due pass by a 6-0 vote. Senate Bill 1884, concerning access for statewide educator associations and individual school employees, drew questions about union access, off-campus recruitment, right-to-work law, and possible conflicting language on fees and reimbursement; it was reported due pass 6-1. The committee then advanced tourism and public safety measures. Senate Bill 1365 would update promotional fund language and allow the Tourism and Recreation Department to make certain merchandise purchases outside the central purchasing process up to $75,000; it passed 6-2. Senate Bill 2174 would change the appointment and makeup of the State Fire Marshal Commission board and was reported due pass 8-0. Senate Bill 1525, as amended by a PCS, would let the Tourism and Recreation Department contract for support of its annual tourism conference and charge registration fees to recoup costs, with emergency language added; it passed 6-2. The committee also approved House Bill 1810, which would allow expert testimony in human trafficking cases and add trafficking victims to existing victim services, by an 8-0 vote. On workforce and agency administration, Senate Bill 1771 would expand the Workforce Commission’s authority to collect funding, expenditure, and performance data and to hire outside counsel; it passed 5-2. Senate Bill 1805 would bar certain group homes and post-adjudication treatment facilities from using contract staff, due to concerns about records access and staffing; it passed 6-1. Finally, Senate Bill 1960 would move the Oklahoma Receivership Office under the Oklahoma Insurance Department to modernize and reduce duplication, and it was reported due pass 7-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're increasing some hours here within the state house and moving into the new state house as well,
• The total is $6,252,600, which is part of the 37,500 allocated in the back of the budget for the State
• Amount of interest on our state deposit is standing up a lot of the money we have in the general fund
• year 2025 state general fund appropriation.
• match, $2 million for the Medicaid State match, $2 million for the Medicaid State match, $2 million

Bills: HB186 , HB185 , HB184 , HB183 , HB181 , HB312 , HB405 , HB182 , HB460

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: Alabama budget, general fund appropriations, fiscal year 2026, state budget, appropriations act, HB186, executive branch funding, legislative branch funding, judicial branch funding, debt service, capital outlay, corrections, Medicaid, public health, mental health, transportation, education, law enforcement, tourism, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is brought on behalf of the state board of chiropractic examiners.
• This bill also modernizes state law...
• That's what it's looked like from other states.
• We were sent some information from other states that have had trial and error finding out a...
• This is just saying the state law does not supersede the local law.

Bills: SB191 , HB84 , HB79 , SB132 , HB108 , HB109 , HB110 , HB114 , HB118 , HB120 , HB122 , HB124 , HB126 , HB128 , HB129 , HB131

Committee: Senate Healthcare

Keywords: postpartum depression, mental health, Medicaid, screening, education, maternal health, Chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, license renewal, continuing education, election procedures, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, SB132, Alabama, controlled substances, Schedule I

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are also high educators that each of us know are in the top 100 jobs needed in the state.
• believe that under the current language, if a parent simply calls the principal or the superintendent stating

Bills: HB1937 , HB2210 , HB2398 , HB3021 , HB3129 , HB3312 , HB3557 , HB4358

Committee: House Education Oversight

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are also high indicators that each of us know are in the top 100 jobs needed in the state of Oklahoma
• that under the current language, if a parent simply calling the principal or the superintendent and stating

Bills: HB1937 , HB2210 , HB2398 , HB3021 , HB3129 , HB3312 , HB3557 , HB4358

Committee: House Education Oversight

Keywords: HB1937, Oklahoma schools, student communications, electronic communication, digital communication, parent notification, legal guardian, school personnel, teachers, coaches, administrators, charter schools, public schools, administrative leave, corroborated report, investigation, employee file, discipline, termination, school board

Summary: The Education Oversight committee heard and advanced several House bills, mostly with policy recommendations or amendments accepted and then due-pass votes. HB 4358, by Pro Tem Moore, would limit screen time for pre-K through fifth grade and shift online testing/remediation provisions to shorter, per-class-period limits; it was sent out due pass. HB 2398, by Rep. Hill, would recognize “credentials of value” for students in career tech and higher education based on workforce demand and other indicators, and it also passed due pass. HB 3557, by Rep. Williams, would keep 4-H fundraising money in the county where it was raised and prevent commingling with other funds; the committee agreed to strike the title and send it out due pass. The committee also advanced HB 3129, which would prevent colleges from charging security fees to students or student organizations based on public expression, and HB 3312, which would create K-12 firearms education curriculum developed with OSDE and CLEET, focused on safety, storage, and response, with no live firearms or ammunition. HB 2210 modernizes the youth apprenticeship program by allowing earlier entry into career pathways, expanding eligibility, and assigning CareerTech oversight and ROI reporting; it passed due pass. HB 1937, in a committee substitute, was discussed at length and would require corroborating evidence before school personnel are suspended over alleged improper communications with students, while still requiring action and reporting; it was also sent out due pass. Finally, HB 3021, a lengthy graduation-related cleanup bill, was explained as reconciling conflicting statutes and making several technical changes, including allowing tribal language to count as a non-English language for graduation purposes. After extensive stakeholder work and a late-filed committee substitute, the committee accepted the PCS and sent the bill out due pass. The meeting concluded after all House bills on the agenda were advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• The FAST Act stated that the I-11 corridor will generally follow State Route 189, Interstate 19... ..
• and U.S. 93 from Wickenburg to the Nevada state line.
• So the State Department—the State Land Department—came before committee not too long ago with a... ..
• Can you... we're State Route 89, which is one of our biggest ones crossing across the state as it shoots
• If we don't have roads, we don't have a state. We can't run anything through the state.

Bills: HB2067 , HB2068 , HB2127 , HB2164 , HB2200 , HB2201 , HB2242 , HB2283 , HB2284 , HB2285 , HB2286 , HB2287 , HB2304 , HB2306 , HB2399 , HB2601 , HB2609 , HB2760 , HB2761 , HB2859 , HB2887 , HB2892 , HB2893 , HB2894 , HB2978 , HB4027 , HCM2012 , HCM2016

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, infrastructure, Apache Junction, funding, Show Low, road extension, special license plates, nonprofits, charitable contributions, Reay Lane, Graham County, HB 2200, State Route 89, SR 89, Chino Valley, Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, road widening, highway expansion