Transcript Highlights:

• Staff at the Department of Social Services are technically doing work to support the State Council.
• cases at roughly about 180 cases per staff, and so that's a moving target, right?
• Because every year... 80 cases per staff. And so that's a moving target, right?
• I will defer to my staff after the meeting. To the proposal investments in...
• It supports 150 staff throughout local health departments in the state addressing STI.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can still have the same shared staff. Maybe you'd have slightly bigger staff.
• You can still have the same shared staff. Maybe you'd have slightly bigger staff.
• Any questions for staff? All right.
• Any questions for staff? All right.
• Staff went over what this does.

Bills: HB2070 , HB2129 , HB2227 , HB2439 , HB2667 , HB2745 , HB2773 , HB2825 , HB2873 , HB2876 , HCR2005 , HCR2044 , SB1002 , SB1036 , SB1054 , SB1271 , SB1432 , SB1435 , SB1437 , SB1439 , SCR1022 , SCR1031 , SCR1033

Committees: Senate Government , Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Keywords: flood relief, Gila County, emergency funding, public safety, environmental cleanup, municipal libraries, annual reporting, state legislation, transparency, government accountability, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractic board, state board of chiropractic examiners, license discipline, unprofessional conduct, patient records, record retention, HIPAA, conflict of interest

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, I also want to thank our staff, both partisan and non-partisan.
• I just want to give a hats off to the staff; the non-partisan staff really do a good job, and the non-partisan
• Let's not forget our staff, both nonpartisan and partisan, who have done a great job.
• And that is Janelle Taylor, Brad Hegemeyer, and Mary Davis, our nonpartisan staff.
• I want to personally thank the staff that I worked with, especially John Holquist.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, please welcome Mon'nique and her staff to their House of Representatives.
• So, please welcome Mon'nique and her staff to their House of Representatives.
• So, please welcome Mon'nique and her staff to their House of Representatives.
• Um, please bring all of your staff as well.
• Um, please bring all of your staff as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Seeing none, staff, please declare the vote.
• Seeing none, staff, please open The queue for a vote.
• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Staff, please open the queue for a vote.

Bills: HB4423 , HB3342 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3887 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB2964 , HB3834

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Medicaid, immigration verification, healthcare access, federal reporting, health care providers, auditing, patient rights, claims, protection from fraud, audit process, error correction, hospice care, physician determination, healthcare standards, symptom management, health information exchange, all-payer claims database, health care transparency, health care costs

Transcript Highlights:

• work every day to work with an extraordinary team of analysts, economists, evaluators, and support staff
• Chair, I want to tell you that the staff that we have that put these budgets together are fantastic.
• I guarantee you that to keep you guys on staff is amazing.
• We have, I have great staff that helps me, the House staff that helps them.
• Okay, please keep these, and we will be giving them to the LFC staff.

Summary: The committee heard a final wrap-up presentation from Director So Lee on the Legislative Finance Committee’s budget framework for the upcoming session. He said the state remains in a strong fiscal position, though revenue estimates are lower than earlier projections and available nonrecurring funds have declined by more than $1 billion from the prior session. He emphasized that the recommendation still preserves reserves above 30 percent and supports targeted investments in the committee’s three priorities: increasing per capita earned income through education and workforce development, improving access to high-quality health care and behavioral health, and enhancing quality of life through infrastructure, water, parks, trails, and other community amenities. Director Lee highlighted several major funding areas, including a proposed expansion of the UNM medical education program, water projects, capital outlay for state agency assets, and use of a mix of severance tax bonds, general obligation bonds, and cash for capital needs. He also noted continued pressure from health insurance, liability, and compensation costs, and said the committee would keep using pilot programs for new initiatives. Members broadly praised the staff, interim travel, and budget analysis work. During member comments, Senator Woods focused on school funding stability, liability costs, and fraud or waste in state agencies, arguing the state should take more claims to court to establish precedent and better protect taxpayers. Other members thanked staff and leadership for their work and collaboration. The committee then adopted the catch-up cleanup items and the overall LFC budget framework, with Senator Woods recorded in opposition, and created a technical committee with members from both chambers to resolve any final technical issues before the January session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bisognano... made in an anonymous letter were not shared with me or my staff until after his hearing
• My staff have told Senator Weidenstaff, and we have discussed this just now, that we are open to meeting
• This nominee lied multiple times to every member of this committee, including the bipartisan finance staff
• He lied in meetings with bipartisan Finance Committee staff.
• saying this may sound like some inside baseball but to me if you lie to all these people, all the staff

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Frank Bisignano, Social Security Administration, Doge, nomination, committee, customer service, staffing issues

Summary: The meeting of the Finance Committee primarily focused on the nomination of Frank Bisignano for Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Members discussed the nominee's qualifications extensively, raising concerns about his past connections to Doge and the implications for Social Security. Several Senators expressed doubts about Bisignano's ability to improve the existing issues faced by the Social Security Administration, particularly related to staffing, customer service, and the potential for service cuts that could ultimately harm beneficiaries. The atmosphere was contentious, with divisive opinions visible among the committee members as they scrutinized Bisignano's past dealings and strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> staff, which we just heard about. staff, which we just heard about.
• ,</c> protective Kevlar clothing for staff, protective Kevlar clothing for staff, and<00:57:59.359><c
• In addition, we have a need to hire staff or open time in existing staff schedules so they have the capacity
• ><c> threat</c> Schools with trained staff, threat Schools with trained staff, threat assessment<01:19
• However, as staff safe very seriously.

Bills: HF3653 , HF2717 , HF3451 , HF3857

Committee: House Education Finance

Summary: The committee first adopted the March 3rd minutes by voice vote after Representative Lee moved them and there was no discussion. Members then reviewed hearing rules on decorum, safety, and participation before taking testimony from Dr. James Densley and Dr. Jillian Peterson of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center at Hamline University. The presenters summarized research on mass shootings and K-12 school shootings, drawing on a database of homicides in school settings from 2000 to 2025 and a smaller set of 15 K-12 mass shooting cases. They said school shooters are usually insiders, most often current or former students, and typically young males. They described common patterns including a noticeable crisis before attacks, perpetrators viewing the shooting as a final act, studying prior shooters online, and “leakage” in which most tell someone in advance. They also emphasized that many perpetrators use unsecured firearms from family members and argued that prevention should combine reporting systems, behavioral threat assessment, counseling, mentoring, secure storage, and other layered interventions rather than rely on a single solution. The presenters also discussed broader violence trends in the Twin Cities, saying much school violence is spillover from community violence and that pandemic-era disruptions and weakened trust in institutions contributed to serious violence. They cited a national survey finding that exposure to gun violence is associated with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of public spaces, especially among young people. During member questions, Representative Wam asked for clarification on the data set and the rural/small-town share of the survey sample.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a contract administ uh support staff a contract administ uh support staff member<00:15:46.120><c
• </c> is going to require that existing staff is going to require that existing staff that<00:23:26.279
• </c> request um and you know that the staff request um and you know that the staff augmentation<00:23
• </c> we no longer will need that staff we no longer will need that staff augmentation<00:24:08.880><c
• DNR has its own engineering staffs DNR has its own engineering<01:58:32.320><c> staff</c><01:58:33.040

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:46.640><c> Thank</c><00:49:46.800><c> you</c> MDOT staff to answer. Okay.
• Thank you MDOT staff to answer. Okay. Thank you for<00:49:47.119><c> that.
• State aid staff are experts in state aid rules and the design guidelines that go along with them.
• and current staff are doing and participating<00:56:28.880><c> in.
• </c> worked for years uh Richfield City staff worked for years uh Richfield City staff in<00:59:39.760

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Many hours are spent and much staff time, and I have to thank Mark and Joe here for all the work staff
• </c> and Joe here for for all the work staff and Joe here for for all the work staff does<00:02:39.640
• And then I just wanted to again thank staff.
• </c> do want to chime in on the on the staff do want to chime in on the on the staff and<01:10:48.480
• Our staff provide pregrant workshops.

Bills: HF1250

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: outdoor heritage, land acquisition, wildlife management, conservation easements, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know we have a couple of staff members on. Present. Thank you.
• And I know we have a couple of staff members on. Thank you so much.
• There were members present and staff present. Note on designees: staff, this is really important.
• There were members present and staff present. Note on designees. Staff, this is really important.
• Sydney Marrow is the chief of staff of former Mayor Robert Sullivan of Brockton.

Summary: The Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Feasibility Commission met to continue its work toward making recommendations to the Legislature on establishing a cultural center in Boston. The chair reviewed the commission’s mandate, upcoming monthly meetings, site visits, listening sessions, and the plan to eventually hire a consultant for the feasibility study. Members also discussed the importance of capturing the broader 200-plus-year Cape Verdean history in Massachusetts, especially in light of Boston’s 250th anniversary and Cabo Verde’s recent 50th independence anniversary. A major portion of the meeting focused on reviewing and narrowing a list of potential additional commissioners. Members discussed the need for geographic, sector, and generational diversity, and several commissioners raised concerns about overrepresentation from New Bedford and the need to include people connected to other Cape Verdean communities such as Brockton, Boston, Wareham/Onset, Taunton, the Cape, and Haverhill. Testimony and comments emphasized including people with skills in arts, culture, history, construction, philanthropy, law, education, museum curation, and community organizing. Members also discussed whether to use a slate, an inventory of skills and regions, or individual votes, and whether abstentions should be treated as “reserve your rights” instead. The commission voted to appoint three individuals: John Cruz, former State Senator Vinny deMacedo, and Angelo Lopes Barbosa or a designee from the Center for Cape Verdean Studies at Bridgewater State University. The body then voted to pause the remaining commissioner appointments until the next meeting and directed the chair and staff to create an inventory of candidates by skills, region, and other relevant criteria. Members also agreed to add two newly suggested names—former Brockton City Councilor Tina Cardoso and Maria Gomez-Pena—to the candidate list. The chair said the next meeting would be scheduled for January, and the meeting adjourned after the commission approved the motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:08:12.560><c> partisan</c> all of our incredible staff, partisan all of our incredible staff
• </c><00:14:43.560><c> Our</c> our partisan and nonpartisan staff.
• Our our partisan and nonpartisan staff.
• </c> nonpartisan staff are extraordinary, Mr. nonpartisan staff are extraordinary, Mr.
• </c><00:14:51.920><c> Ellie</c> staff uh Garrick Svenwin, Ellie staff uh Garrick Svenwin, Ellie Wasserman

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Dismang, yeah, I just have a question for the commissioner staff.
• We have historically lost 10 staff, hired 10 staff a month, right, or 15.
• Historically lost 10 staff, hired 10 staff a month, right, or 15. We've always kind of done that.
• For some reason, I mean, they need continuity of staff that are there.
• For some reason, I mean, they need continuity of staff that are there.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, transfer, and review items, approving most requests in Sections B through J. These included temporary appropriations for state technology upgrades, personnel management, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, higher education workforce grants, an ARPA grant for the UAFS LPN program, an IIJA grant for geological/critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for 102 State Police vehicles, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, several cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission HVAC and AV needs, and overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands for $250,000 to cover operating expenses tied to a new building was discussed at length but failed on the vote after questions about the lease and operating costs. A major portion of the meeting focused on a $25.7 million pay plan appropriation request for 15 agencies. Members questioned why the Department of Human Services had not requested additional pay-plan dollars for human development centers, where DHS acknowledged staffing shortages, high turnover, and heavy overtime but said the issue was not lack of pay-plan funding. DHS was asked to provide a written plan to address staffing problems. The Department of Corrections testified that the pay plan had improved retention and hiring, and committee members asked for follow-up data on vacancies and staffing outcomes. Members also clarified that the pay-plan request was appropriation only, not new funding, and approved it. The committee then reviewed fund reports, including the restricted reserve, Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, Tobacco Settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust Fund, IIJA, and Revenue Services transfer reports. DHS and DFA were questioned closely about the Medicaid Trust Fund, with members noting a $90 million February draw and asking about projected year-end balances; DFA and DHS said February was a high-expense, low-revenue month and projected the fund would remain solvent through the fiscal year, ending between $150 million and $200 million, while a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The committee also discussed a state hospital damage report, where DHS explained that insurance proceeds would not fully cover the repair costs because of depreciation and the age of the buildings; members expressed concern that the state would recover far less than originally expected, and DHS said any additional insurance recovery would be limited and returned to restricted reserve.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as far as doctors, are there doctors on staff at these?
• Staff close vote. Twelve yeas, zero nays.
• Staff close the vote. Representative, 12 ayes, 0 nays.
• Seeing no debate, Clerk, staff, open the queue for vote. Sorry.
• Staff close the vote. 11 yeas, one nay. Mr.

Bills: HB4248 , HB3194 , HB3849 , HB4095 , HB4302 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3287 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3930 , HB3931 , HB1818 , HB4454 , HB4336

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Summary: The committee took up a series of health and human services bills, beginning with House Bill 4248, which was reported due pass on a 9-0 vote after an unclear procedural vote call. The next major item was House Bill 3194, a bill to prevent pregnancy resource centers from being singled out for discrimination. The author said the measure was intended to protect private nonprofit pregnancy centers from lawsuits and government interference, including in staffing and mission-related decisions. Members questioned the bill’s impact on counseling, contraception referrals, ectopic pregnancy treatment, employment practices, and whether it was necessary given existing law. The bill was reported due pass on a 10-2 vote. The committee then advanced House Bill 3849, a request bill from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to update language and broaden mentoring program credentialing, and House Bill 4095, which reaffirms the state role in the 211 collaborative and clarifies that it applies to hotline services for needs such as food, housing, clothing, transportation, and medical assistance. House Bill 4302 would allow the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to disclose a complainant’s identity to law enforcement if the complainant threatens harm. All three were reported due pass unanimously. Members also approved House Bill 3342, described as a Medicaid audit reform bill intended to curb punitive audits of providers; the author said the bill arose from cases where providers were penalized over reporting issues rather than fraud. House Bill 3344, aimed at improving foster care standards and home placements, passed 10-2 after questions about income thresholds, letters of recommendation, and whether the bill would apply to guardianship placements; the author said the goal was to raise standards and improve outcomes for children. House Bill 3287, requiring hospitals to post information and develop protocols for domestic violence and human trafficking victims, passed 12-0. House Bill 3645 created an alternate pathway for hospice referrals when a patient lacks next of kin or power of attorney, and House Bill 3647 established an all-payer claims database while emphasizing that the data could not be sold; both passed 12-0 after members raised concerns about federal consistency and privacy. Later, House Bill 3930, which defines “service animal” and requires sellers of emotional support animals to disclose that they are not service animals, passed 10-2. House Bill 3931 corrected a prior death-certificate change deadline and was reported due pass unanimously. House Bill 1818, a social work licensing cleanup bill, was amended to extend a sunset date to 2028 and then reported due pass 12-0. House Bill 4336 clarified pain-management definitions, including acute pain, and was reported due pass 12-0 after questions about labor and epidural care. House Bill 4454, an untimely PCS on medical marijuana edibles, would require clearer THC labeling and prohibit child-attractive shapes; the author cited pediatric ingestion incidents, and the bill passed 11-1. The committee then revisited House Bill 1818 to change the effective date to November 1, 2026, by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a question for staff to follow up.
• Just a question for staff to follow up.
• Alex Fairfortune, staff to the committee.
• Alex Fairfortune, staff to the committee.
• Can we ask staff? We can ask staff. Okay, Chair, can I have staff? Yes, please.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills. SB 5841 would require students’ high school and beyond plans to show completion of at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or a parent/guardian opt-out. The sponsor and supporters said it would reduce barriers to postsecondary education, improve financial aid completion, and bring more students and federal dollars into the state. School groups opposed it, warning it would add an unfunded administrative burden and create verification challenges, especially for small districts and families with undocumented students. Senators discussed data-sharing from the Washington Student Achievement Council and noted the bill’s connection to existing FAFSA outreach efforts. The committee then took testimony on SB 5922, which would let districts petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds to other district uses if they reduce their fleet because of enrollment declines. The sponsor said the bill would free up unused bus funds for other pressing needs. Members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. The committee also heard SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. Supporters from OSPI, districts, school directors, and PTA said the program is essential for transporting students with disabilities, homelessness, or foster care needs, and that current funding is far below demonstrated need. No votes were taken on these bills. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would allow limited use of school impact fees for modernization and, in districts under binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight, for up to 25% of operations and maintenance. The sponsor and one superintendent argued it would help districts with aging buildings and new state mandates like safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Builders, business groups, and school coalition representatives opposed the bill, saying impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning it could worsen housing affordability and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the session’s budget constraints and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have nursing staff, so each unit is meant to feel like its own home.
• Staff 24-7, like an RN or a PA or somebody else? Yes, Mr.
• And then our staff, you know. Drafts it up, brings it back to us.
• Chairman, this letter that went out last meeting, was that put together by staff?
• It was passed— It was passed out by a staff member right around lunchtime, midday.

Transcript Highlights:

• First I want to thank the chair and the committee staff for all their hard work on this bill and I'll
• And every county then bears the cost of hiring part-time staff.
• I want to thank the chair, the members, and the staff who have engaged on this bill.
• I salute the committee and your staff for your excellent work on these. Crucial amendments.
• I'm going to go to my staff and basically, I'm done. Perfect. Thank you. Thanks, Lamey. Yeah. OK.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• The DE nonpartisan staff walked through the amendment on Tuesday.
• I'm going to have nonpartisan staff walk through the A 4 to the DE.
• Staff will walk through the A 4 to the DE.
• I want to thank our pages and our nonpartisan and partisan staff.
• I especially appreciate the work of all the staff, both partisan and nonpartisan.

Bills: HF2300

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And then she would call a staff person, a professional staff person from a committee who would be the
• I drafted my bill with care, line by line, with staff right there.
• “Thank you to my rule staff, Shasta Patrick, and Cindy.
• directors and committee staff who are brilliant and always available.
• To the staff in the Senate President's office, To the staff in the Senate President's office and in health