Video & Transcript Research : 'technology programs'
Page 156 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Oct 1st, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- and the state Medicaid program.
- Now, that will begin next June 1st, but it's for pilot programs and health pilot programs.
- and competency pilot programs and other behavioral health programs, Madam Chair, Representative.
- Assistance Program? I don't...
- around the Commodity Credit Program, the Food and Nutrition Program.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- This is not a broad subsidy program or a complicated grant process.
- So if they know it, then the technology... ...remit their payment to the Commonwealth.
- However, everyday consumer cards, the way they're programmed today, it does not communicate.
- Every consumer card does not have that program available.
- What is the technology?
Summary:
The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth.
A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail.
Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions.
The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jun 3rd, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- and maybe they could do some research on how to bring a thinning program in.
- Conservation programs, things like that.
- Um, if we have to absorb more federal programs into New Mexico in our budget.
- for the grading of structural timbers used in technology.
- What are the programs that were created with those funds and what do they do?
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2015, the Legislature established a relief program administered by the Comptroller for certain qualified
- The technology is there. It's legally sound. A number of states are pursuing this.
- So that was the structure behind the program.
- I've got ten quick points: One, it's an old idea that's been refreshed by technology.
- The technology exists today to make it happen.
Keywords:
SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Transportation Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Joint Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We also heard that programs are stood up not only by the team charged with administering the programs
- Staff capacity can also be a bit of a constraint along this program life cycle, both from the program
- on an existing program or a new program altogether, and whether a program is working with existing recipients
- We saw that in some programs that were built on legacy programs that predated the CCA.
- What is the program goal here?
Summary:
The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need.
The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes.
The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- So all of Somerville wants a fossil fuel-free program.
- Somerville can offer the data the program needs.
- What we need is greater equity in this program.
- What we need is greater equity in this program.
- Please vote favorably to expand this program. Thank you.
Summary:
The hearing focused on several climate and utility-related bills, especially H. 3449/S. 2292 to expand the municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration program from 10 to 20 communities and related home rule petitions for Somerville and other municipalities. Witnesses from Somerville, Salem, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Wellesley, Watertown, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association argued that local governments should be allowed to opt into fossil fuel-free or net-zero building standards, citing climate goals, environmental justice concerns, housing production, and data showing all-electric construction can cost about the same as or less than mixed-fuel construction. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses for cost data and asked for written follow-up, while also discussing whether strong environmental standards affect housing supply; witnesses responded that the main housing constraints are financing and that they would provide more data from local projects and state studies.
A second major topic was H. 3564, which would require gas companies to provide municipalities with detailed multi-year pipe replacement plans, allow local review and objections, and limit reimbursement for projects not previously disclosed except in emergencies. Municipal leaders and advocates said the bill would improve coordination of street work, reduce disruption and costs, and help cities plan for electrification, network geothermal, and non-pipeline alternatives. Testimony from Wellesley, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton, and others emphasized repeated problems with last-minute gas main work, the need for advance notice, and the value of municipal participation in planning gas system retirement and alternatives.
The committee also heard testimony on the “tactical transition” bills, S. 2249/H. 3539, aimed at managing the gas-to-clean-energy transition. Supporters from Gas Transition Allies, Rewiring America, and 350 Mass said the bills would require joint gas-electric planning, create an advisory council, eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups, shift investment toward repairs and clean alternatives, protect workers through retraining, and make utility plans more transparent. They argued these changes would reduce ratepayer costs, avoid stranded gas assets, and support orderly decarbonization. In addition, HEET testified on H. 3541, which would update greenhouse gas accounting to better reflect methane’s short-term climate impact, and H. 3543, which would establish a framework for managing shared thermal resources and thermal energy networks; committee members asked several questions about the meaning, ownership, and consumer-cost implications of the proposed “thermal commons.” No votes were taken during the hearing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 7, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<00:13:16.480>
Jim addition to the scholarship program, Jim addition to the scholarship program - , the CCP's Thousand Talents program, the CCP's Thousand Talents program, which<04:10:47.359>
- programs and other cultural programs programs and other cultural programs that<04:16:37.319>
- these programs to teach language. these programs to teach language.
- <07:50:00.558>
Obamacare trillion program. Obamacare trillion program.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/10/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- It would be public, and people would be sent to it. easy program to get this information easy program
- experience with operational technology. experience with operational technology.
- Um so the um with the uh technology.
- However, um once of those programs.
- programs you've sort of completed those<02:29:18.800>
programs, <02:29:19.280>there <02
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 42 (3-9-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Ladies and gentlemen, House Bill 677 is a comprehensive permitting program for Class 6 injection wells
- The child will then go through a milestone program where when they reach certain milestones, whether
- And as they're going through that program, they do also have to go through a financial literacy program
- technology technology that<00:32:27.920>
they <00:32:28.320>are <00:32:28.720>already - To Small Business and Information Technology, House Bills 809 and 810.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Apr 1st, 2025
Ways and Means General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- Are they looking at maybe some of the programs we have had going through?
- I have to say this has been a very successful program.
- now. something on that program now.
- The Alabama Department of Forensic Science received $800,000 for fentanyl testing technology.
- I think we will extend that program for several years. Yeah, Mr.
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
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , hydrogen, additional alternative energy, or other programs that we partner with the feds on.
- California invests billions of dollars in food assistance programs.
- The charitable food system in California is not the responsibility of any single department, program,
- SB 1025 does not create another food program.
- SV-1025 does not create another food program.
Summary:
The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns.
The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations.
The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/18/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- out by the newborn screening program. out by the newborn screening program.
- science and technology are here today. science and technology are here today.
- by program.
- <00:33:13.360>
If programs? If we do, are they full? If programs? - Directed payment programs are not new. Directed payment programs are not new.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is a great program.
- The program types are not named; they are just described. So program type 1 would be...
- type 2 or program type 3.
- We've got technology issues. Keith, do you get bonus pay when you help with technology?
- program, among other programs.
Summary:
The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models.
The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively.
Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:09:24.720>
for registered apprenticeship program for registered apprenticeship program - <00:09:52.200>
includes operationalizing this program includes operationalizing this program - programs for teachers.
- throughout the program.
- apprenticeship program.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Gaming experts, technological experts... They're not in any state's lawful facilities.
- Gaming experts, technological experts, don't really fully understand how those work, but they do know
- This location was being used to build, program, and distribute these illegal machines all throughout
- The programmers are not using lawful gaming technology.
- But that's where it's being programmed.
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending.
Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines.
Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , allow applicants for existing programs, allow applicants for existing programs, including<00:07
- and the solar on public program and the solar on public buildings<00:07:39.160>
program, <00:07 - <00:08:12.800>
become when those federal programs become when those federal programs become - One is stuck in a the two programs.
- . programs. programs.
Keywords:
Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26 - Afternoon Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- program. But thank you Mr. Chair. program. But thank you Mr. Chair.
- supervised use uses of technology. supervised use uses of technology.
- are profiting off the program instead. are profiting off the program instead.
- It is a federal program.
- It is a program. It will not go away. It is a federal<01:39:07.920>
program.
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes.
The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings.
Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- > I<00:52:04.480>
or current program DOE program rules I or current program DOE program rules - . programs. programs.
- I just wanted to share that these programs are not new programs.
- I just wanted to share that these programs are not new programs.
- And I just wanted to share that these programs are not new programs.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1783, which would expand public-private partnership options for charter school facilities. The Department of Education offered comments, the Charter School Commission and SFA supported the bill, and Hawaii Technology Academy, Hawaii Kids, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, HGA, Aloha Project, and several individuals testified in support, while UPW opposed it. Supporters said charter schools need faster and more flexible ways to address severe facility shortages and high costs, and SFA described the bill as a pilot model that could leverage developer partnerships and state contributions, citing Maryland as an example. Members asked whether the bill was limited to charter schools; DOE said the language could be read to include other public school facilities, but if focused only on charter schools, DOE was less concerned. The Charter School Commission also described an existing public-private preschool model through Parkway Village Preschool and PACTED.
The committee then took up HB 1778, which would establish a CIP database for school facilities. SFA supported the bill, saying it would create a more disciplined, transparent basis for funding decisions by documenting facility condition, needed repairs, classification, and timing. DOE initially said it rested on its comments, then responded to questions by saying it already maintains deferred maintenance lists, uses systems such as Maximo, CPT, GIS, and finance software, and sends legislators project-status letters twice a year. DOE said it is working on improving its outward-facing dashboard and integrating its systems, but questioned whether the bill would add value beyond existing tools. Members emphasized the need for a publicly accessible, real-time transparency tool, while DOE said it was still evaluating its current systems and was not yet seeking funding for a new IT program.
For HB 2344, creating an Independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission, DOE said it wants to remain part of any consolidation process to keep students and education central, while SFA said the bill is timely and framed it as a restructuring response to changing conditions and possible federal funding cuts. SFA compared the proposal to the federal BRAC process for military base closures and said Hawaii has the same enrollment as in 1961 but many more schools, arguing that the state needs a more deliberate approach to school closures and land reuse. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about several sections, including unclear references to administrative support, a governor-approval sequence, a possible conflict with existing statutes governing closed-school disposition, and a missing section number. Testimony on HB 2345, which would establish a geographic CIP district, began with DOE in opposition; DOE said the bill would duplicate existing work, add confusion by creating two agencies doing the same thing, and spend money inefficiently because district project coordinators and project lists already exist.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- You all know about the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program. 1706 expands the program to remove
- Could those programs be challenged as programming designed with preference or reference to protected
- You mentioned, like, a city grant program.
- so one of the cities I represent does have a grant program where local program.
- program that is strictly a STEM program for girls.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions, and a moment of silence honoring service members killed in the conflict in Iran, including Florida native Captain Cody Cork. The chamber then moved through a special order calendar, taking up several bills on education, public safety, insurance, health, and local government policy. Many measures were accompanied by sponsor explanations and supportive remarks from members, often emphasizing constituent impacts, public safety, and administrative efficiency.
The first major bill, SB 1062 on speech and debate education, was expanded through a delete-all amendment and passed 37-0 after extensive floor debate praising debate programs as a civic and educational tool. SB 1072 created an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office; an amendment clarified that criticism of Israel is not prohibited, and the bill passed 37-0. SB 1230/HB 1019 addressed PFAS “forever chemicals,” especially in firefighting foam, with phase-outs, testing, enforcement, and exceptions for certain federal, military, and emergency uses; it also passed 37-0 and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. SB 1706 expanded the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program with tighter eligibility rules, and SB 186 required broader seizure-response training and seizure action plans in schools; both passed unanimously.
The Senate also approved SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining foster care medication and oversight procedures, SB 684 easing electronic signature requirements for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, and SB 778 revising forensic client services for certain defendants with intellectual disabilities or autism. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 432, SB 928, and SB 620. Most of these measures passed by votes of 36-0 or 37-0 after brief debate or no debate.
The most contentious item was SB 1134 on official actions of local governments related to DEI. The sponsor argued the bill would stop taxpayer funding and promotion of discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several counties and cities. Multiple amendments sought to narrow penalties, protect good-faith officials, and preserve local proclamations and observances, including LGBTQ Pride Month and other cultural events, but those amendments were rejected. Debate centered on vagueness, local discretion, and whether the bill would chill legitimate government activity. The transcript cuts off during questioning on the underlying bill, before final disposition is shown.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee REVISED: Agency presentation times revised Jan 20th, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- These are just a list of the programs that we do run.
- Is the program described well?
- Most of our programs We have a few associate degrees, but most of the programs are certificates of completion
- A lot of these schools will have night programs. some of them will have weekend programs so that the
- If I heard what you said, we are unable to highlight specific programs to say this Particular program