Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we know that it impacts public health, highway safety, and, you know, leads to addiction.
• Um, we know that it impacts public health, highway safety, and, you know, leads to addiction.
• Or on the highway, that puts you close to 100 miles an hour.
• Or on the highway,<01:11:33.360><c> that</c><01:11:33.560><c> puts</c><01:11:33.800><c> you</c><01:11
• 100 highway, that puts you close to 100 miles<01:11:34.880><c> an</c><01:11:35.040><c> hour.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And at first, Officer Rizzo, Florida Highway Patrol, on June 19th, took the autopilot computer to Tesla
• You know, the highway patrol, the police officers, the lawyers, the judges, insurance companies all should
• the last three decades representing the Teamsters here at the State Capitol, among other things, on highway
• It seems even with us very deficient, less than 92% safer human drivers, when I pull over... ...on Highway
• worry... ...what to look for as soon as I come into a local town or a city, a rural road, a scenic highway

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on autonomous vehicle technology in California, with testimony from industry, safety advocates, first responders, drivers, and state regulators. The chair framed the hearing as an overview of AV deployment, safety, first responder interactions, and current and future regulation. Witnesses from the AV industry argued that autonomous vehicles can reduce crashes and injuries, create jobs, and support California’s leadership in innovation, while critics and crash survivors described serious safety failures, including phantom braking, inadequate transparency, and crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot/Full Self-Driving systems. Several witnesses urged stronger disclosure, data preservation, independent safety validation, and clearer accountability for companies deploying these systems. First responder and labor witnesses described operational problems in San Francisco and elsewhere, saying AVs have blocked fire engines, ambulances, and police responses, shut down in emergency scenes, and caused major delays during outages. They asked for faster and more reliable remote support, a public safety manual override, clearer enforcement authority, and limits on deployment in complex conditions. A police chief representative said law enforcement supports innovation but needs standardized protocols, training, and clear statutory authority. A Teamsters representative criticized proposed DMV rules for heavy-duty autonomous trucks, arguing they rely too heavily on manufacturer self-certification and do not impose enough independent safety review or geographic limits. State regulators from the DMV and CPUC defended California’s existing AV framework, saying the state has regulated AVs since 2014 and now has an end-to-end system with permits, reporting requirements, enforcement tools, and first responder coordination. DMV officials said the new rulemaking would add more reporting, address heavy-duty AVs, and require compliance with emergency geofence messages and law enforcement direction. CPUC testimony emphasized that its role is limited to passenger service and ride-hail operations. Committee members asked about crash data, remote operations, liability, response times, and whether California should adopt more uniform standards and stronger guardrails. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at first, Officer Rizzo, Florida Highway Patrol, on June 19th, took the autopilot computer to Tesla
• You know, the highway patrol, the police officers, the lawyers, the judges, insurance companies, all
• the last three decades representing the Teamsters here at the State Capitol, among other things, on highway
• safer human drivers, when I pull over. ...less than 92% safer human drivers, when I pull over on Highway
• also know what to look for as soon as I come into a local town or a city, a rural road, a scenic highway

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• I want to prohibit the operation of high-speed electric devices on any bicycle lane, highway, roadway
• </c> &gt;&gt; um Larry, who is the highways &gt;&gt; um Larry, who is the highways administrator,<02:

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been talking to the state highways folks as well as the governor to discuss this possibility.
• We've been talking to the state highways folks as well as the governor to discuss this possibility.
• [clears throat] >> uh, extending the state highway. Thank you. Thank you.
• We've been talking to the state<00:40:51.800><c> highways</c> state highways state highways uh,<00:40
• </c> &gt;&gt; uh, extending the state highway. &gt;&gt; uh, extending the state highway.

Transcript Highlights:

• It ricochets off the highway under the door. Comes upward and Darren Lawson's legs.
• He can see every car coming and going, even on the main highway.
• </c><00:03:48.319><c> and</c><00:03:48.480><c> a</c><00:03:48.720><c> little</c> dragon in state highway
• and a little dragon in state highway and a little city<00:03:49.120><c> street</c><00:03:49.440><c>
• </c> going, even on the main highway. going, even on the main highway.

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the State Department of Transportation's testimony in this measure, according to the National Highway
• :36:44.280><c> National</c> measure, according to the National measure, according to the National Highway
• <00:36:45.040><c> Traffic</c><00:36:45.520><c> Safety</c><00:36:45.840><c> Administration,</c> Highway
• Traffic Safety Administration, Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 44% 44% 44% of<00:36:48.840><c
• </c> are killing people out on our highways. are killing people out on our highways.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that my technical district is the Arcade, um, which leads to Highway 61.
• And Highway 61 has a history, you know, going Highway 61.
• </c><00:03:12.360><c> 61</c> the arcade um which lead to Highway 61 the arcade um which lead to Highway
• has L history you know and Highway 61 has L history you know going<00:03:16.319><c> Highway</c><00:03
• about Highway 61 itself so written about Highway 61 itself so that's<00:03:21.000><c> where</c><00:03

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2104 is a cleanup and integration bill following Oklahoma's adoption of the Oklahoma Uniform

Bills: SB137 , SB372 , SB1209 , SB1226 , SB1256 , SB1303 , SB1595 , SB1636 , SB1772 , SB1827 , SB1876 , SB1944 , SB2072 , SB2104 , SB2180

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Summary: The committee heard a series of Senate bills, most of them receiving unanimous or near-unanimous do-pass recommendations. SB 1595, as amended, exempts commercial driver training schools administered by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections from provisions regulating state agency interactions with CDL schools; the amendment was adopted and the bill passed 9-0. SB 1303 transferred property and records from the Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation to the Workers’ Compensation Commission, SB 2180 required certain foreign principals’ agents to register with the Secretary of State, SB 2072 expanded title-theft protections and allowed broader law-enforcement investigation and fee waivers, SB 1772 clarified when vehicle lights must be used, and SB 1209 excluded Sundays and federal holidays from eviction timelines; each passed without opposition or with overwhelming support. Members also advanced SB 137, a mirror bill to a House measure dealing with a corrections-related issue, after discussion about retroactivity and possible amendments on the Senate side; it passed 9-1. SB 1944 adjusted an agriculture payroll threshold exemption and passed 10-0. SB 372 clarified that a person may carry a weapon from the front door to a room in a state-owned hotel or lodge and passed 9-1. SB 1636 allowed a victim’s family to request a cold case review from any law enforcement agency and passed 11-0. SB 1256 was amended to remove language requiring certain written judicial findings, then passed 11-0. Additional bills approved included SB 1827, which updated definitions in the Government Tort Claims Act; SB 2104, a cleanup and integration measure following adoption of the Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code; SB 1226, clarifying when a driver must stop after an accident involving property damage; and SB 1876, allowing a foreign insurer to be served through its registered agent rather than only the insurance commissioner. The committee adjourned after reporting all measures out favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1992 is a requested cleanup bill from the Department of Commerce.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on economic development, infrastructure, and education policy. SB 1530, described as a research and development ecosystem bill, would encourage universities, businesses, and industry to partner to strengthen Oklahoma’s high-tech economy; it passed 29-0. SB 1847, a measure aimed at helping Oklahomans avoid nursing home placement and reduce costs, also passed 29-0. SB 1990 would require the Incentive Evaluation Commission to send its annual report to the Secretary of State and expand its review of incentives to include broader comparative analysis and strategic economic goals; it passed 28-0. The committee also considered SB 2060, the Build Act, which is intended to help small towns finance upfront infrastructure costs for development. Members raised concerns about independent boards, debt, assessments, zoning authority, and accountability, and the author said an adopted amendment was meant to preserve city and county control over planning and infrastructure protections. The bill passed 22-5. SB 1992, a Department of Commerce cleanup bill, passed 27-2. Later, the committee took up SB 1579, a taxpayer bill of rights, which passed 26-0. SB 1778, agreed-upon reading legislation language that cleans up formulas and clarifies the SRA formula and related reading provisions, also passed 28-0. The chair noted upcoming longer Appropriations and J-CAB meetings and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• am pleased to present AB 1514, our Labor Committee bill that was amended in the Senate to be our cleanup

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard three bills. AB 1136 would provide workers who are detained or deported by ICE with five unpaid days to handle immigration-related matters and up to 12 months of unpaid leave in detention/deportation cases, with an amendment allowing employers to require use of other leave first and a requirement to restore workers to their prior position once legal status is proven. Support came from labor groups including the California Federation of Labor Unions and SEIU California, while opposition came from the Association of California School Administrators and others who raised concerns about the length of the rehire period and impacts on public education and employers. Committee members described the bill as a necessary response to current immigration enforcement conditions, and the Senate amendments were concurred in. AB 1514, the committee’s cleanup bill for AB 5, would extend the sunset on the licensed manicurist exemption by three years and the commercial fisherman exemption by five years, while adding reporting requirements from EDD and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement on misclassification and unemployment claims. There were no witnesses in support or opposition, though one member noted the importance of continuing to work on manicurist issues, especially for API women in the industry. The committee approved concurrence in the Senate amendments. AB 406, presented on behalf of Assembly Member Chavira, makes technical and clarifying changes to prior legislation related to leave for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violence. The bill adjusts enforcement timelines between the Civil Rights Department and the Labor Commissioner, adds sunset dates to certain Labor Code sections, and aligns paid sick leave language with a new Government Code section. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted to concur in the Senate amendments. All three bills ultimately received unanimous committee approval and were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• am pleased to present AB 1514, our Labor Committee bill that was amended in the Senate to be our cleanup

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard three bills. AB 1136 would provide workers who are wrongfully detained or deported by ICE with five unpaid days to handle immigration-related matters, or up to 12 months of unpaid leave in detainment/deportation cases, with an employer option to require other leave be used first and a right to return to the same job once legal status is verified. Support came from labor groups including the California Federation of Labor Unions and SEIU California, while opposition came from the Association of California School Administrators and business groups concerned about rehire timelines and impacts on public education and employers. Members discussed the bill as a response to current immigration enforcement and ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments; the bill later passed out on a 6-0 vote. AB 1514, the committee’s cleanup bill for AB 5, would extend the sunset on the licensed manicurist exemption by three years and the commercial fisherman exemption by five years, while preserving reporting requirements from EDD and DLSE on misclassification and unemployment claims. There was no opposition testimony, and a member noted ongoing interest in working on manicurist issues, especially for API women in the industry. The committee concurred in the Senate amendments and the bill passed out on a 6-0 vote. AB 406 would make technical clarifications to AB 499, including timelines for enforcement authority between the Civil Rights Department and the Labor Commissioner, sunset dates for Labor Code sections, and alignment of paid sick leave provisions for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other violence. There was no public testimony in support or opposition. The committee approved concurrence in the Senate amendments, and the bill passed out on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• On lines 124 to 125, it excludes highway construction projects owned by the Department of Transportation
• construction it excludes highway construction projects<00:04:25.919><c> owned</c><00:04:26.120><c> by
• One, the reporting done on road projects, highway-heavy projects that are delivered through MnDOT has
• In the three states previous, they also segregated the highway and road projects of their DOTs for the
• heavy projects that are highway heavy projects that are delivered<01:01:33.920><c> through</c><01:01

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House Bill 660, Representative Don, an act relating to highways. >> House Bill 661, Representative
• House Bill 660, Representative Don, an act relating to highways.
• </c><01:18:23.440><c> House</c><01:18:23.760><c> Bill</c> act relating to highways.
• House Bill act relating to highways.
• in Johnson and Martin Memorial Highway in Johnson and Martin counties.<01:19:56.719><c> and</c><01:19

Transcript Highlights:

• traffic signs and understand highway traffic signs and signals<00:49:14.720><c> in</c><00:49:14.839>
• We know that when they're on the side of the highway, vehicles very often get crashed into from behind
• We know that when they're on the side of the highway, vehicles very often get crashed into from behind
• We know that when they're on the side of the highway, vehicles very often get crashed into from behind
• We know that when they're on the side of the highway, vehicles very often get crashed into from behind

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session on several House bills. HB 212, allowing a 180-day operation waiver when a vehicle fails an emissions test, was retained at the sponsor’s request for possible modifications. HB 249, which would have let bicyclists treat stop signs as yields and stop lights as stop signs, was recommended inexpedient to legislate (ITL) by a 9-7 vote, with a minority report expected. The committee then retained HB 298, creating an exception for removing VIN tags from pre-1981 vehicles when needed for repair or restoration, by a 15-1 vote. HB 411-FN, making handheld device use while driving a secondary offense, was recommended ITL by consent after members argued the current primary-offense law is more effective for enforcement and safety. On HB 414, which would have barred DMV license suspensions based on debts owed to private towing or storage companies, the committee rejected ITL and instead retained the bill 16-0 after members split over whether the current law unfairly ties driving privileges to private debt collection. HB 441, addressing visible diesel emissions and “rolling coal,” was recommended ITL 16-0 because members said the conduct is already illegal under existing state and federal law. The committee then took up HB 461, concerning Department of Safety and DMV training and testing materials, where members debated whether driver testing should be limited to English and whether multilingual materials are a safety necessity or discriminatory; the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment removes from the bill provisions related to the International Fuel Tax Agreement, off-highway
• This amendment removes from the bill provisions related to the International Fuel Tax Agreement, off-highway
• strengthens traffic enforcement tools and clarifies when vehicles may be treated as abandoned on a highway

Summary: The Transportation Committee considered several bills and amendments. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of unrelated transportation provisions and added items including local authority to lower residential speed limits, clarification that certain license plate frames do not obscure plates, FDOT funding for eligible rural airport projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes to intersections with red-light cameras, revisions to private use of license plate readers, and rules for direct payments to first-tier subcontractors. The amendment and the bill both passed favorably. SB 1310, as amended, would direct FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report policy options to the governor and legislature; rail safety testimony supported the study while urging attention to interoperability and other safety concerns. The amendment and bill were adopted and reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 828 on extending sovereign immunity to private contractors providing public transit services. Supporters said it would reduce litigation costs, provide predictability, and help maintain affordable transit and paratransit service, especially in rural areas; opponents argued it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could affect employee rights and accountability. After an amendment narrowing the language to contractors providing services rather than operating transit and removing subcontractor references, the bill passed favorably. SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying abandoned-vehicle removal, penalties for unlawful plates or stickers, and vehicle seizure authority for fleeing and eluding, also passed favorably with support from law enforcement-related testimony. The committee then confirmed a slate of appointees in tab 6 by one vote, with no objections. SB 1562, dealing with motor vehicle dealers and limiting concentration of a brand’s sales among a single dealer group once the brand has a meaningful Florida presence, was presented as a competition and dealer-diversity measure and passed favorably. Members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several tabs, and the chair noted this was likely the committee’s last meeting of the year before adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just so I don't forget to say this later, if you're ever traveling on Highway 2 between those two
• And just so I don't forget to say this later, if you're ever traveling on Highway 2 between those two
• If you're ever traveling on Highway 2 between those two towns and you want to stop in for a visit and
• We travel up Highway 89 toward Red Lake. We go almost as far east as Grand Rapids.
• We travel up Highway 89 toward Red Lake. We go almost as far east as Grand Rapids.

Bills: HF630 , HF1435 , HF1607

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• we have a leak, it's the Minnesota Petrofund that has to come in and pay for the majority of the cleanup
• If we want to prevent these types of leaks, we have to partner with these entities to help the cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2112 is cleanup language for open pasture roads. Happy to answer any questions.
• Senate Bill 1735 is a cleanup bill that aligns the oversight of the technology centers and career tech

Bills: SB1475 , SB1447 , HB2288 , SB1521 , SB592 , SB1533 , HB1276 , SB201 , SB1477 , SB1232 , SB1255 , SB1327 , SB1525 , SB1721 , SB667 , SB1436 , SB1317 , SB604 , SB1325 , SB1496 , SB2007 , SB1567 , SB2112 , SB1980 , SB1735 , SB1558 , SB1491 , SB1287 , SB1378 , SB1369 , SB1441 , SB137 , SB483 , SB843 , SB1433 , SB1257 , SB1365 , SJR49 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , HJR1094

Summary: The House met in quorum call and then took up a long series of Senate bills, most of them passing with little or no debate. Early action included SB 1475, renaming the I-35 bridge at Indian Hills in Norman as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange, which passed 77-5. SB 1447, modifying the RFP process for the state employees’ prescription drug plan, passed 87-0. The chamber also adopted Senate amendments to HB 2288 on the Teacher Retirement System, shortening the return-to-work waiting period for teachers from three years to six months, and both the bill and its emergency clause passed 90-0. Other education-related measures included SB 1521 on conversational AI child protections, SB 1276 making the “bell-to-bell, no-cell” school cellphone restriction permanent, SB 201 raising the minimum teacher salary schedule by $2,000, and SB 1721 extending and restructuring the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education; all advanced, with SB 201 drawing the most debate over teacher pay, local control, and whether the increase was enough. The House also passed bills on veterans, public safety, and state operations. SB 1533 would allow the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to bury Oklahoma resident veterans who die out of state. SB 1232 updated penalties for copper theft, SB 1255 shifted medical pardon review from the DOC director to the medical director, SB 1327 restored more authority to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission board, and SB 1525 authorized up to $75,000 for the state’s annual tourism conference; the tourism bill also received emergency passage. Additional measures included SB 667 clarifying chiropractic education language, SB 1436 requiring hospitals to provide information after fetal death, SB 1317 allowing career teacher status to transfer to a new district with approval, SB 604 resolving motor vehicle statutory conflicts, SB 1325 protecting domestic abuse victims, SB 1496 updating OSBI authority, SB 2007 requiring PBMs to honor appealed reimbursement rates going forward, SB 1567 clarifying nursing language, SB 2112 cleaning up open pasture road law, SB 1980 creating gift card protections, SB 1735 aligning career tech oversight, SB 1558 clarifying child-care licensing rules for certain group homes, SB 1491 clarifying replacement presidential electors’ oath requirements, SB 1287 allowing the Abstractors Board to deny licenses to people not legally working in the U.S., and SB 1378 creating an Olympics in Oklahoma revolving fund. Most of these passed by wide margins, and several emergency clauses were adopted. The chamber also rejected a motion to vacate the temporary presiding officer, and later voted to reject Senate amendments to HB 3403 and request further conference, while also requesting a second conference committee report on HB 1851. The session included multiple gallery introductions, including visitors, ag students, and a large page presentation. The House adjourned until Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were working on some cleanup legislation right now, and so really want to make sure that we're...
• ...on some cleanup legislation right now, and so really want to make sure that we're implementing this