Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes to establish an Oklahoma education infrastructure linked deposit program, making it
• There is already a series of These linked programs in existence in state governments, some of them serve
• These linked programs are for small businesses.
• So if they otherwise met the parameters of the loan program, yes, and an institution wanted to lend to
• I could run an afterschool program and say I'm a nonprofit educational entity.

Bills: HB1590 , HB1242 , HB3818 , HB4305

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty

Transcript Highlights:

• alternative certification program.
• Sunset language for a now successful alternative certification program offered to qualified providers
• who meet the program requirements for a two-year path to teacher certification.
• The idea of this program was that we are using these folks who are not traditionally trained, and how
• I think it's a clear... ...to select those programs and those specific vendors.

Bills: SB1432 , SB1338 , SB1437 , SB1812

Committee: House Education Oversight

Keywords: teacher certification, pilot program, education, state board, alternative pathways, education grants, competitive grants, revolving fund, State Department of Education, State Board of Education, Strong Readers Act, literacy instruction, reading intervention, dyslexia, science of reading, structured literacy, multisensory instruction, school districts, public education funding, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• In the case of one of them, programs.
• We also have a residential program.
• Some of our residential program.
• They usual our residential program.
• . programming. programming.

Bills: HF3599 , HF3761 , HF3523 , HF3515 , HF573

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• 42.240><c> in</c><00:02:42.360><c> 1994</c> This program originally created in 1994 This program originally
• And so the way this program Minnesota.
• Murphy Construction Grants Program.
• I I too am a Grant Program today.
• </c> language in other MnDOT run programs. language in other MnDOT run programs.

Bills: HF3599 , HF3761 , HF3523 , HF3515 , HF573

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: water treatment, infrastructure, municipal funding, bond issuance, Becker, sewer improvements, sanitation, Hibbing, state bonds, infrastructure funding, capital investment, safety improvements, mobility, U.S. Highway 12, bonds, transportation funding, trails, Prior Lake, bond funding, recreational improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the degree programs are accredited by different folks, and that is kind of an industry standard
• are creating a situation where our universities aren't going to be able to have competitive degree programs
• There is still room for programs like what you were talking about.
• feasibility study by the state regions for higher education on offering three-year bachelor's degree programs
• the accreditation aspect is something that's out of my field, but I was told that, yes, whatever programs

Bills: HB3700 , HB3315 , HB3242 , HB3379 , HB3129 , HB3132 , HB2950

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: education policy, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, higher education, bachelor's degree, feasibility study, Oklahoma State Regents, accreditation, credit hours, emergency declaration, gender, privacy, public schools, sleeping quarters, restrooms, criminal history, admissions process

Transcript Highlights:

• Member of Senate Bill 985 codifies the local school local food for schools program and.
• Authorize ODev to continue to build the program to get fresh locally produced food in the schools.

Bills: SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB1360 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1427 , SB1428 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB2143

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, ad valorem tax, manufacturing facilities, exemption, battery energy storage, employment, payroll, state tax regulation, tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• House 3638, Oklahoma to participate in the federal summer EBT program beginning in the 2027 program year
• program for those of you in rural areas.
• And the whole program would be capped at $50 million if I remember right.
• And then for clarity this program is specifically for rural healthcare programs, not direct funding to
• This was a federal program that was instituted by the federal government.

Bills: HB1242 , HB1250 , HB1590 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB1983 , HB2952 , HB2961 , HB2967 , HB2973 , HB2988 , HB3031 , HB3047 , HB3052 , HB3066 , HB3086 , HB3175 , HB3177 , HB3178 , HB3240 , HB3404 , HB3429 , HB3548 , HB3638 , HB3671 , HB3704 , HB3759 , HB3831 , HB3904 , HB3920 , HB3944 , HB3969 , HB3973 , HB3975 , HB3976 , HB3978 , HB3983 , HB3984 , HB4092 , HB4118

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty, special livestock sale, tax relief, farm products, rural economy, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Louisiana Medicaid programs, through a consolidated appropriations act.
• Louisiana Medicaid programs, All without cutting any existing providers' payments.
• Louisiana Medicaid programs simply have lagged behind this important federal reform.
• When I know within USDA, we have a lot of grant programs.
• We have a lot of things through USDA that help them, you know, Programs.

Bills: HB288 , HB403 , HB420 , HB783 , HB815 , HB915 , HB927 , HB933 , HB944 , HB962 , HB971 , HR74 , SCR3 , SCR20 , SB5 , SB34 , SB37 , SB190 , SB255 , SB270 , SB273 , SB314 , SB415

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: medical terminology, documentation, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, healthcare, medical records, billing, Department of Children and Family Services, background checks, child welfare, employee screening, safety regulations, criminal history, vital records, death certificates, financial institutions, confidentiality, state registrar, utilization management, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• Many other states have short-line grant programs.
• Take monies from the toll roads?
• Now, there is some dispute as to how much those excess toll roads will be, but the number that the toll
• One other question: what does the City of Houston get from these tolls, these excess tolls?
• of toll roads.

Bills: SB682 , SB1013 , SB1369 , SB1422 , SB2001 , SB2080 , SB2366 , SB2705 , SB2841

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: memorial highway, Captain Kevin Williams, Firefighter Austin Cheek, Smith County, transportation, pedestrian right-of-way, sidewalk users, bicycle safety, micromobility, electric scooter, motor-assisted scooter, electric personal assistive mobility device, skateboard, roller skates, driveway crossing, alley crossing, traffic safety, yield law, Texas Transportation Code, vehicle-pedestrian collision

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• for a year serving 40 SNAP program for a year serving 40 million<00:07:09.280><c> Americans</c><00:07
• </c> disability insurance program. disability insurance program.
• I don't know how the hell our... programs that will allow communities in programs that will allow communities
• </c> pilot program contribution. pilot program contribution.
• </c><04:10:00.880><c> providing</c> disability insurance program providing disability insurance program

Bills: HB6955 , HB8800 , HR1118

Keywords: banking reform, financial institutions, community banks, credit unions, regulatory relief, economic stability, mergers and acquisitions, supervisory practices, CACFP, Child and Adult Care Food Program, National CACFP Week, child nutrition, school meals, after-school meals, Head Start, child care, day care, adult day care, emergency shelters, military child care

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is an existing program.
• Um, this is an existing program.
• Um, this is an existing program.
• </c> competition uh for that program. competition uh for that program.
• </c><01:07:50.559><c> Um</c> funded with with the program. Um funded with with the program.

Bills: HF4736 , HF4737 , HF3806 , HF3352 , HF4840 , HF3748

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• > you</c><00:16:29.959><c> would</c> different programming that you would different programming that
• </c><00:26:37.440><c> managed</c> Flood Hazard Mitigation Program managed Flood Hazard Mitigation Program
• </c><00:32:01.120><c> within</c> Flood Hazard Mitigation Program within Flood Hazard Mitigation Program
• Enhancement Program. Credit Enhancement Enhancement Program.
• And in the history Program. Thank you.

Bills: HF4736 , HF4737 , HF3806 , HF3352 , HF4840 , HF3748

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Bills: SB211 , SB305 , SB300 , SB211 , SB305 , SB300

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: school safety, local law enforcement, superintendent, complaints, school bus regulations, education funding, RAISE Act, student outcomes, public schools, local education agencies, accountability, weighted allocations, special education, English language learners, gifted students, tax exemption, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:38.720><c> does</c> modern agriculture and this program does modern agriculture and this program
• We agree with what the previous testifiers said, and we want this program to be revitalized.
• So, my question is, you know, we have the plant pest control program.
• the plant pon ponal program. Could that the plant pon ponal program.
• </c><01:47:13.119><c> Um</c> the pilot program. Um the pilot program.

Bills: HB2425 , HB2596 , HB2573 , HB2017 , HB1931 , HB1736 , HB1594 , HB1828

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, sugarcane, permitting process, land use, conservation district, diversified agriculture, economic impact, invasive species, plant sales, weed risk assessment, consumer protection, environmental impact, workforce development, biosecurity, training program, partnerships, tax credit, Hawaiian home lands, investment costs, nonrefundable

Summary: The committee heard opening remarks and then took testimony on several agriculture-related bills. HB 2425 would exempt agricultural enterprises on former commercial sugarcane lands in conservation use districts from certain permitting and site plan requirements. The Department of Agriculture supported the measure and stood on written comments. The Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the intent but said the bill appeared to cite the wrong statute and suggested amending the conservation district law instead. Other testimony was generally supportive, while some witnesses raised concerns about using the right statutory vehicle. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be redirected through a different chapter. The committee then heard HB 596, which would require retail sellers of plants to disclose invasiveness risk, direct the Invasive Species Council to create a labeling system and weed risk assessments, and establish fines. The Department of Land and Natural Resources strongly supported the bill, saying point-of-sale labels would help consumers make informed choices. Supporters from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species said the state’s noxious weed and restricted plant lists are outdated or incomplete and that the bill would help prevent harmful species from being purchased and planted. Opponents, including the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, argued the measure was too broad, could stigmatize plants and producers, and might be better implemented through voluntary education or narrower definitions. Committee discussion focused on possible amendments, including using printable labels from a website and limiting the bill to larger commercial retailers. HB 2573 would create a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program involving the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Leeward Community College, and the Department of Human Resources Development. DHRD said it supported the intent but wanted clearer responsibilities; the University of Hawaiʻi, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Hawaii Food Policy Foundation, and others supported the proposal. DAB said the program would help build needed biosecurity staffing and training, and that law-enforcement-related curriculum could be incorporated. Finally, the committee began hearing HB 207, which would expand the important agricultural land qualified agricultural tax credit to include certain Hawaiian homelands and additional agricultural costs such as orchards, fruit crops, and clearing former sugar and pineapple lands. The Department of Taxation and DAB stood on written comments, while the Department of Hawaiian Homelands strongly supported the bill, calling it a potential game-changer for developing agricultural lands and offsetting infrastructure costs; the department also asked that the credit be broadened beyond agriculture alone.

Bills: HB2337 , HB2311 , HB2088 , HB2148 , HB2132

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: training requirements, caregiving, family member, individual providers, home care, workforce education, investment accountability, administrative changes, oversight, education policy, nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation, education, pay it forward program, tuition, student loans, financial aid

Transcript Highlights:

• That means people are going to need these programs like the SNAP program and then you also have the farmers
• As this committee looks at federal child nutrition programs, we should ensure changes to the programs
• Expanding access to nutrition programs and improving those programs is critical not just for our kids
• . programs.
• program regulations.

Bills: SB222

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• The county feedlot program plays an important role in implementing the state's feedlot regulations by
• I appreciate this handout, kind of just a one-on-one county feedlot program.
• Otherwise, the MPCA administers the program in the other counties that are not delegated. funded?
• Generally, the feedlot program and other regulatory programs are funded out of that program.
• Generally the the feedlot program and other regulatory programs are funded out of that program a bit.

Bills: HF1355 , HF78 , HF1846 , HF1225

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Program was a D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. The... I didn't...
• So this program, various programs around the country do an excellent job.
• When you evaluate these programs that are... lack of a better term, voucher programs, really.
• in that program.
• But there could be a program.

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Program.
• in the ESA program transferred from that state's tax credit program.
• joining the ESA program.
• program.
• SAT program.

Bills: HB3 , HB3

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management, public safety infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• subdivision that would work for all the stakeholders and apply to all the Texas Water Development Board programs

Bills: SB480 , SB767 , SB790 , SB971 , SB1066

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: water resources, interlocal contracts, local government, collaboration, planning activities, wildfire response, firefighting equipment, emergency services, state database, Texas Forest Service, customer complaints, Public Utility Commission, water service, complaint process, utility regulation, SB 971, Texas Water Assistance Program, Water Code, rural political subdivision, rural water

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met on Texas Water Day and limited public testimony to two minutes. The chair emphasized the need to move quickly because of scheduling conflicts with other committees and noted the importance of water policy and related stakeholders. The committee heard several bills focused on water administration, rural utilities, emergency response, and public works contracting. Senate Bill 790 by Senator Alvarado would let the Public Utility Commission create a simplified process for resolving tenant complaints over water or wastewater bill discrepancies; it was described as a way to avoid lengthy contested-case hearings for small disputes. Senate Bill 971 by Senator Sparks would clean up conflicting statutory definitions of “rural political subdivision” so Texas Water Development Board programs are applied consistently; Texas Rural Water Association testified in support. Senate Bill 767, also by Senator Sparks, would expand and improve a statewide database of fire-response equipment so departments, including volunteer and rural departments, can locate and share resources more effectively during emergencies; fire service witnesses supported the bill and suggested annual updates to keep the database current. Chair Perry laid out Senate Bill 480 to clarify that local governments and special districts may enter interlocal agreements for water-related planning and research, including aquifer management and flood/water planning. He also presented Senate Bill 1066, which raises payment and performance bond thresholds for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public works contracts to $150,000, arguing the change would reflect inflation and help smaller vendors on lower-risk projects. Witnesses were heard on the bills, with no opposition recorded in the transcript. The committee voted out all five bills favorably. SB 1066, SB 480, SB 767, SB 790, and SB 971 each received unanimous committee approval and were recommended to the local and contested calendar, with SB 767 noted as amended by a suggested annual-update requirement for the equipment database.