Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's crazy that we put bars out on the edge of the highway where everybody has to drive there
• I think it's crazy that we put bars out on the edge of the highway where everybody has to drive there
• I think it's crazy that we put bars out on the edge of the highway where everybody has to drive there
• I think it's crazy that we put bars out on the edge of the highway where everybody has to drive there
• ...state highway so that they don't end up with, you know, Market Basket followed by Home Depot.

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on HB 577, a bill to expand accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in New Hampshire. The sponsor and supporters described the state’s housing shortage and argued the bill would make it easier for property owners to build ADUs by right, up to 950 square feet, either attached or detached, while still requiring compliance with building codes, septic/water limits, and other local requirements. Supporters said the measure would help seniors age in place, provide housing for young adults, caregivers, and workers, and make better use of existing property such as garages and barns. Representative Reed raised concern that removing language related to short-term rentals could allow ADUs to be used for that purpose rather than long-term housing. The sponsor said he was open to clarifying language on short-term rentals, and another witness explained that current law already allows municipalities some choice on ingress/egress requirements, while the bill would standardize that and leave the design choice to the property owner. Several supportive witnesses followed, including the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, the Business and Industry Association, AARP, Housing Action New Hampshire, 603 Forward, and New Hampshire Youth Movement. They emphasized affordability, property rights, workforce housing, intergenerational living, and the need for statewide consistency. A Derry resident testified that his existing garage space could be converted into an ADU under HB 577, but current local rules prevent that because it is detached; he said the bill would let him rent it affordably. Supporters also argued that ADUs can increase property values and help homeowners cover mortgages and taxes. In opposition, the New Hampshire Municipal Association said the bill would impose a local zoning mandate, could add density pressure on already stressed infrastructure, and did not guarantee that new units would be affordable or workforce housing. No vote or final committee action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• supplemental appropriations, including formula changes, as well as a $4,750,000 appropriation from the Highway
• The bill appropriates approximately $549 million for building renewal, capital projects, statewide highway
• Lastly, the bill transfers over $17 million of outlined project surpluses from the State Highway Fund

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• supplemental appropriations, including formula changes, as well as a $4,750,000 appropriation from the Highway
• The bill appropriates approximately $549 million for building renewal, capital projects, statewide highway
• Lastly, the bill transfers over $17 million of outlined project surpluses from the state highway fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Interestingly enough, I had the same bill several months ago, but I talked to the highway patrol, and
• about, but I just question why we would try to be passing legislation that would make it harder for Highway
• spoken about, but I just why we would try to be passing legislation that would make it harder for highway

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Quinn Memorial Highway, and this bill is on third read consent.
• Nolene Memorial Highway. This bill is on third read consent.
• Quinn Memorial Highway. Yes. There were party-line noes on here. There were seven noes.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills covering elections, transportation, health care, land use, water, criminal justice, and local government. Several election-related measures were described, including SB 1037 on voting equipment custody and internet/port restrictions, SB 1568 on election system software timekeeping, and SB 1687 moving the primary date to May starting in 2028. Members also discussed bills on photo enforcement fines, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting, assisted living occupancy limits, and municipal permit and exaction rules. A number of measures were noted as third-read consent items, while others were flagged for further discussion or amendments. Health and public safety bills drew substantial discussion. The committee heard bills on insurance coverage for breast cancer screening, safe-haven hospital surrender of newborns, dialysis documentation, behavioral health licensing compliance, naturopathic IV drug administration, traumatic event counseling for public safety employees, sex offender registration limitations, and probation rules for dangerous crimes against children. Members raised concerns or requested removal from consent on several items, including SB 1095 and SB 1094 related to gender-affirming care for minors, SB 1346 on AHCCCS claims processing, and SB 1178 on naturopathic drug administration. There was also debate over SB 1520 on immigration data sharing and SB 1635 on warning someone about an imminent arrest, with objections citing civil liberties and First Amendment concerns. The committee also considered multiple property, water, and development bills. These included measures on effluent water use for landscaping, groundwater fee diversion in Pinal County, increasing the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund loan cap, creating a foreign entity review commission for real property transfers, and restricting transport of Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona. Members discussed SB 1419 on solar roof inspections and financing disclosures, and SB 1787 on municipal exactions and appeals, with an amendment proposed to limit it to commercial property. Several members explained their votes or asked to pull bills from consent, and some items were noted as having split votes or anticipated floor amendments. The caucus ended with Rhonda’s election-related bills and a note that the group would move immediately into a closed caucus afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they should come from the HURF fund, the highway user revenue fund, where they should come from.
• But they should come from the HURF fund, the highway user revenue fund.
• What we need to do is fund the HURF fund, the highway user revenue fund, in an updated and modern way

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill amends one section of the Highway Code on the Parkways Authority that covers tolls and competitive
• sections in the traffic code related to the operation of a vehicle at or near the site of street or highway
• I appreciate what all of our highway workers, both public and private, do for the citizens of our state

Committee: Senate Transportation and Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose of the bill is to remove imminent hazards from our highways, to discourage and penalize those
• It requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to designate a person as a habitual traffic
• offender... ...the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to designate a person as a habitual

Bills: S0086 , S0642 , S0712 , S0758 , S0896 , S1224 , S1300 , S1370 , S1712

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, pyramid schemes, consumer protection, fraud prevention, legal affairs, penalties, justice, administrative commission, membership, state attorneys, public defenders

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 488 is the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package.
• Among their statutorily prescribed duties, county tax collectors, service, Florida Department of Highway
• Among their statutorily prescribed duties, county tax collectors, service, Florida Department of Highway

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, beginning with agency and records measures from Senator Massullo. SB 488, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package, would update reporting thresholds for crashes, expand DHSMV’s use of email for certain transactions, and align tank vehicle definitions with federal rules; it was reported favorably. Its companion, SB 490, creates a public records exemption for certain email records and also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 892, revising enhanced sentencing procedures for repeat offenders, and SB 124, which cleans up outdated Florida Virtual School language without changing day-to-day operations. Later, SB 584 on commercial driving schools, SB 656 codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and related grant program, and SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute all passed favorably as well. The most extensive debate centered on SB 216, which would tighten reemployment assistance eligibility by adding job-search requirements, interview attendance rules, identity and immigration verification every two weeks, and fraud-reporting duties for the Department of Commerce. Senator McLean argued the bill targets fraud and improves program integrity, while opponents and several members raised concerns about fiscal impact, administrative burden, and reduced access for unemployed workers, especially seniors and rural residents. Dr. Rich Templin of the Florida AFL-CIO testified against the bill, warning it could sharply reduce recipiency and worsen an already restrictive system. Despite opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a divided roll call. The committee also approved CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles, which requires riders to yield to pedestrians on shared pathways, sound an audible signal before passing, and limits speed near pedestrians; it also creates a task force to study further regulation. Michelle Lynch, whose son was killed in an e-scooter crash, testified in support of broader safety rules and urged the committee to add e-scooters back into the bill. Several members echoed concerns about e-scooter safety and asked for further work, but the bill advanced favorably. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific tabs, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 488 is the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package.
• Among their statutorily prescribed duties, county tax collectors, service, Florida Department of Highway
• Among their statutorily prescribed duties, county tax collectors, service, Florida Department of Highway

Bills: S0124 , S0216 , S0382 , S0488 , S0490 , S0524 , S0584 , S0656 , S0816 , S0892 , S1156

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first postponed SB 524 and SB 1156. It then heard and favorably reported several bills, including SB 488 and SB 490 by Sen. Massullo, which update Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles procedures, raise the crash-reporting threshold, expand email use, and create a related public-records exemption. The committee also favorably reported SB 892 by Sen. Martin on enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders, SB 124 by Sen. Rodriguez updating Florida Virtual School statutes, and SB 584 by Sen. Yarbrough strengthening oversight of commercial driving schools and tax collector authority. SB 656 by Sen. Bradley, codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and related grant program, and SB 816 by Sen. Bradley, formally establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute, also passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on SB 216 by Sen. McLean, which would tighten unemployment assistance eligibility by adding job-search requirements, more frequent verification, and fraud-reporting measures. Supporters argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while opponents from labor groups and several senators warned it would burden claimants, especially rural residents, seniors, and workers facing layoffs, and could sharply reduce access to benefits. Despite those objections, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. The committee also considered CS/SB 382 by Sen. Truenow on electric bicycles, requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, sound an audible signal before passing, and limit speed near pedestrians, while creating a task force to study broader regulation of e-bikes and related devices. A mother whose son was killed on an electric scooter urged the committee to restore scooters to the bill, and several members expressed support for further work on that issue. The committee reported the bill favorably. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to talk now a little bit about the non-highway and off-road vehicle account.
• can't, or other recreation site that you can't directly access from a state, county road, a state highway
• I'll also add that, you know, in programs like the non-highway road program, we had gotten to the point

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several capital-related bills. HB 2353 would raise the pre-design threshold for state-funded capital projects from $10 million to $15 million and index it to inflation beginning in 2027. The sponsor and a testifier said the change would reduce delays and save money on projects by avoiding costly pre-design work for mid-sized projects; staff noted the bill could reduce future capital budget costs. HB 2420 would increase the Small Works roster contract cap in stages from $350,000 to $650,000 by 2030, with a proposed substitute shifting the first increase from July 2026 to January 2027 to allow time for rulemaking. Testimony from universities, cities, ports, counties, and water/sewer districts supported the bill as a way to reduce administrative burden, speed projects, and help small and diverse contractors. The committee also heard HB 2470, which would change how the School Construction Assistance Program treats school facilities on military bases. Staff explained the bill would exclude on-base instructional space from a district’s available-space calculation and adjust state assistance to account for federal funding, potentially increasing eligibility for affected districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake. The sponsor and supporters said current rules unfairly reduce state support for districts serving military families; OSPI testified in support but said the bill would need amendment to avoid federal-law issues and was working on a revised approach that would increase the SCAP funding assistance percentage instead of directly referencing federal funds. Clover Park School District and the Veterans Legislative Coalition also supported the measure. In executive session, the committee moved HB 2338, which expands the low-income weatherization program to include community-scaled projects, out of committee with a do-pass recommendation by a vote of 17 ayes and 2 excused. The committee then held a work session with the Recreation and Conservation Office on its competitive grant programs, including Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program accounts, youth athletic facilities, community forests, aquatic lands, boating, off-road vehicle, firearms and archery, and federal grant programs. Members asked about demand, ADA compliance, geographic distribution, and technical assistance; RCO said demand is high in several programs and that it uses scoring criteria, regional allocations, and outreach to improve access statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to take up tab 18, CS for SB 7012, OGSR, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• CS for SB 7012 from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is an open government sunset
• CS for SB 7012 from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is an open government sunset

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early measures included CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would allow qualified candidates or political parties to sue over violations of party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of it, arguing the bill removed existing limits on force and erased sentencing distinctions. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including CS/SB 7014, SB 7016, CS/SB 7012, SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 7004, SB 7006, and SB 7008, all of which extend or preserve public records or meeting exemptions for topics such as social media investigations, small business loan records, motor vehicle enforcement records, emergency shelter information, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, Public Service Commission proceedings, and Gaming Control Commission records. The committee also approved SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and opponents not appearing in the excerpt. HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably after supporters from the Florida Chamber and Associated Industries backed the bill, which limits strict liability claims involving natural geological substances on former phosphate mines but not phosphogypsum stacks. CS/SB 48 on housing, as amended, would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units, limit certain local barriers, and extend housing incentives; it drew broad support from housing, business, real estate, and advocacy groups. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 on CPA licensure modernization, SB 292 on public records protection for appellate court clerks, CS/SB 296 and CS/SB 298 on domestic and dating violence protections and related public records exemptions, and SB 386 on farm equipment warranty protections were also reported favorably, generally with supportive testimony from affected industries, advocacy groups, or public safety stakeholders. Later, the committee approved SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increase penalties and enforcement tools. It also heard but temporarily postponed CS/CS/SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after the chair allowed public testimony because many stakeholders had traveled to attend; one opponent, a longtime builder, argued the bill could criminalize contractors who withhold payment for deficient subcontractor work. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes on selected bills and then adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we're going to take up tab 18, CS for SB 7012, OGSR, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
• CS for SB 7012 from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, CS for SB 7012 from the Department
• of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is an open government sunset review to save from repeal four public

Bills: S0062 , S0156 , S0168 , S0288 , S0290 , S0292 , S0296 , S0298 , S0364 , S0386 , S0624 , S7004 , S7006 , S7008 , S7012 , S7014 , S7016

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and considered a long agenda of bills, many of which were reported favorably. Early action included CS for SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would create an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS for SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and add mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of the bill, arguing it removed useful limits on force and imposed overly rigid sentencing. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including measures extending exemptions for social media platform investigations, small business loan program records, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, emergency shelter recipient information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information, Public Service Commission records and meetings, and Florida Gaming Control Commission records and meetings. The committee also advanced CS for SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and no participant would be required to take part. Other approved measures included HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands, which limits certain liability claims if notice and survey requirements are met; CS for SB 48 on housing, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units and was amended to remove hearing and variance requirements and clarify local ordinance obligations; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, described as a negotiated glitch bill preserving co-op authority over generation and power purchases; and CS for SB 364 on public accountancy, which creates additional CPA licensure pathways and mobility provisions. The committee also approved SB 292 creating a public records exemption for appellate court clerks and their families, despite some opposition votes. Later, the committee passed CS for SB 296 and CS for SB 298, which expand protections for victims of domestic violence and dating violence by creating a feasibility study for a secure web-based 911 alert platform and extending address confidentiality and public records protections to dating violence, stalking, and aggravated stalking victims. SB 386 on farm equipment, described as a “lemon law” for tractors and similar equipment, also passed. Additional open-government bills were approved for emergency shelter recipients, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, PSC records, and gaming commission records. SB 168 on public nuisances was reported favorably as well. One bill, CS for CS for SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, was temporarily postponed after extensive stakeholder testimony; the chair allowed public comment but no vote was taken, and the sponsor indicated ongoing discussions and possible changes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded several individual votes for the record, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• actually the second largest public infrastructure we have in our nation, second only to our nation's highway
• actually the second largest public infrastructure we have in our nation, second only to our nation's highway
• actually the second largest public infrastructure we have in our nation, second only to our nation's highway

Transcript Highlights:

• The Florida Highway Patrol has repeatedly gone up and down the state, warning that this is an epidemic
• The Florida Highway Patrol has repeatedly gone up and down the state warning, statewide epidemic.
• The Florida Highway Patrol has repeatedly gone up and down the state, warning that this is an epidemic

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism met with a quorum present and considered several bills. It first took up SB 232 on debt collection, where the sponsor explained a strike-all amendment and the committee adopted a Gruters amendment clarifying that email communications may be sent at any hour while other off-hours communications remain restricted. Testimony was sharply divided on a proposed change from “any person” to “debt collector,” with consumer advocates, legal aid, and the Florida Justice Association warning it would narrow Florida’s consumer protections, while supporters said the bill and amendment would address ambiguity affecting businesses. After debate, the committee rejected the broader amendment, adopted the email-only clarification, and reported CS for SB 232 favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard and unanimously reported favorably CS for SB 126, which would allow prescription hearing aids to be sold and distributed by mail after a Florida-licensed audiologist or hearing aid specialist conducts the required examination, including remotely through telehealth. Supporters said the bill would improve access and reduce barriers for seniors and others with hearing loss, and no opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 600 and SB 602 on manufacturing, which would create and fund a statewide Office of Manufacturing, a promotional campaign, workforce grants, and related fees; multiple industry and economic development groups appeared in support, and both bills were reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS for SB 92 on hit-and-run accountability in vehicle repair shops. The sponsor described the bill as a response to rising hit-and-run incidents and explained that repair shops would have to complete a transaction form or retain a crash report for certain repairs, with a clarifying amendment adopted without objection. Prosecutors and law enforcement supporters said the bill would help identify offenders, while auto dealer representatives argued it could impose burdens and penalties on repair shops. The committee nevertheless reported CS for SB 92 favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 412, the Motorized Wheelchair Right to Repair Act, which would require manufacturers to provide repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts to owners and independent repair providers under fair and reasonable terms. Disability advocates and wheelchair users testified that repair delays can leave users stranded for weeks or months, and the committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hill, an act relating to the financing of highway projects, providing additional bonding authority of
• Transportation Commission for State Highway Projects. House Bill 145.
• Vehicle Act, providing safety requirements for the operation of autonomous motor vehicles on public highways

Transcript Highlights:

• She made a turn and began to go down Highway 6, for all of you Aggies that travel from Houston know how
• busy that highway is.
• Department stopped their pursuit at that point, but Navasota PD continued in pursuit, going north on Highway

Bills: SJR36 , SR8 , SR14 , SR15 , SR17 , HCR54

Transcript Highlights:

• And then they started this big project on Highway 1 that totally destroyed all the side roads because
• people couldn't drive on the construction on Highway 1. ...is a disaster.
• And then they started this big project on Highway 1 that totally destroyed all the side roads because
• people couldn't drive on the construction on Highway 1. ...because people couldn't drive on the construction
• on Highway 1, so they were taking all these township and county roads, and they've hammered them into

Summary: The committee took roll, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a compliance-report update on the Industrial Commission and related funds and programs. Staff reviewed the status of one-time appropriations and grant programs, including electric grid resiliency, lignite research, enhanced oil recovery, the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority, the salt cavern business-case study, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members asked about funding balances, reimbursement timing, matching requirements, and how some commitments would affect the State Investment Fund and future biennia. Industrial Commission staff then gave a broader update on the agency’s administrative office, grant management system, leadership transitions at several commission agencies, and active grant rounds. They reported that the grant management system is nearing completion, that several agency leadership searches have concluded, and that the commission’s grant programs currently have 108 active grants totaling more than $165 million. They also described the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority round, the oil and gas research program’s enhanced oil recovery awards, the grid resiliency grants, the salt cavern study, and the research technology park program, noting that some projects are awaiting federal funds or additional matching cash. Ron Ness, speaking for the Oil and Gas Research Council, focused on the state of the oil industry and the enhanced oil recovery “Bakken 2.0” effort. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on better infrastructure, longer laterals, and new EOR methods such as CO2, natural gas, and surfactants. He emphasized the importance of the Bakkeneast pipeline and related gas-utilization projects, the recent DOE funding that will return some money to the research council, and the need to modernize tax and incentive rules for CO2-based recovery. Members discussed the potential economic benefits for oil, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and a broader strategic update. Bank leadership reviewed the bank’s mission, governance, participation lending, student lending, disaster programs, and legislatively directed programs, and said the bank is managing for a flatter deposit base and stronger liquidity because of fintech competition and changing market conditions. They reported improved earnings, with net income rising to about $231 million, and described Rough Rider Coin as a new internal payment rail for North Dakota banks and credit unions, not a public cryptocurrency. Members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster lending, and the bank’s capacity to support state programs while maintaining its balance-sheet and liquidity requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• In my district, however, I was notified by some chamber members from the town of Hugo that Highway 70
• Route 70 is one of Oklahoma's historic east-west highways, stretching across southern Oklahoma and connecting
• And whereas, although the route has changed over the years, this highway has served as an important transportation
• Route 70, and whereas the continued maintenance and improvement of Route 70 and other highways remains
• Highway 70 plays a major role in southern Oklahoma all the way across the state.

Bills: HB3418 , HB3985 , HB3463 , HB3002 , HB4303 , HB3919 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3415 , HB2206 , HB3414 , HB3265 , HB3310 , HB3413 , HB4486 , HB1219 , SR39 , SB1177 , HB3298 , HB2696 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3264 , HB3321 , HB2650 , HB3497 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421 , HB3177 , HB3322 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3845 , HB3742 , HB3622 , HB1250 , HB2710 , HB3831 , HB4408 , HB1002 , HB3008 , HB3086 , HB3595 , HB3678 , HB4107 , HB3695 , HB3315 , HB3590 , HB3006 , HB3151 , HB2959 , HB2398 , HB3026 , HB3467 , HB4268 , HB3372 , HB2210 , HB4359 , HB4427

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized the Doctor and Nurse of the Day, along with several visiting groups in the galleries, including the Goldsby Volunteer Fire Department and families honoring fallen firefighters Todd Pendleton and Brian Jenkins, the Sapulpa Elks Antlers, the Grove Chamber of Commerce, and northeastern Oklahoma cattlemen. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 39, celebrating the 100th anniversary of U.S. Route 70 and its economic importance to southern Oklahoma communities. The main item of business was the Joint Committee Report for Senate Bill 1177, the General Appropriation Bill for the State of Oklahoma. Senators questioned the budget’s overall size, the use of gross production tax revenues, the new sovereign/endowment trust fund, Medicaid and Health Care Authority funding, mental health appropriations, child care subsidy funding, school security, career tech, tourism, the Commissioners of the Land Office, textbook allocations, and several other agency lines. The chair explained that the budget included about $1.5 billion in cash and sweeps, a $250 million base appropriation for the Health Care Authority, $200 million for the endowment trust fund, $31 million for PREP projects, $25 million for the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund, and other agency-specific appropriations and supplements. Several members debated the report before adoption. Supporters argued the budget addressed agency needs and future savings, while opponents criticized it as a flat or spending-heavy budget that favored special projects and well-connected interests over core services such as child care, mental health, water infrastructure, and county needs. After debate, the Joint Committee Report for SB 1177 was adopted, and the Senate moved through the budget discussion with no recorded roll-call vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Am I going to have to make cuts in highway programs?
• And then you have new highway construction and deposits into the capital, excuse me, the coastal protection
• And then you have new highway construction and deposits into the capital, excuse me, the coastal protection
• training and development workforce, and X amount of dollars in building, expanding our roads and highways
• We need to do a better job in investing in our roads and highways that ultimately are going to support

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met on March 10, 2026, for a series of informational presentations rather than bill hearings. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the state’s tax structure, the 2024 third special session tax reform package, and the Revenue Estimating Conference process. They explained the move to a 3% flat individual income tax, a 5.5% flat corporate income tax, the higher standard deduction and retirement-income exclusion, the repeal of several deductions and credits, the repeal of the corporate franchise tax, and the expansion of the sales tax base to certain digital goods. Staff also walked through tax exemption data, showing the size of exemptions relative to collections, and discussed forecasted revenue gaps in the out years, including the effect of the scheduled sales tax rate reduction and the return of transportation-related revenues to their prior dedication. Members asked about declining mineral revenues, digital sales tax collections, corporate collections, and the impact of tax credits and exemptions. Division of Administration and Legislative Fiscal Office staff said lower oil and gas prices, long-term production declines, and the timing of corporate payments were major factors in revenue trends, and that it will take at least another year or two of tax returns to fully understand the reform’s effects. They emphasized that corporate collections are still below the $600 million threshold that affects the state general fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund, though the forecast remains $900 million. The committee also discussed surplus and excess revenues, the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, and how current-year and prior-year balances are allocated under the constitution. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the relationship between Ways and Means and Appropriations. Chairman McFarland stressed that new fiscal-note bills can force cuts elsewhere if revenue is not available, and urged members to coordinate early with fiscal staff before advancing costly legislation. Members also asked how pending constitutional amendments on teacher pay and inventory tax might affect the budget; staff said the teacher stipend proposal is not currently funded in the executive budget and that the inventory tax proposal would mainly affect local governments and any reimbursements from the Revenue Stabilization Fund if approved. The committee then heard from Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bouchoux, who reported strong results from recent reforms, including $92 billion in capital investment, 37,000 new jobs, a record year of announcements, a top-10 corporate tax climate ranking, and a pipeline of 189 active projects representing nearly 42,000 potential jobs and $280 billion in potential investment. Members praised LED’s work and discussed the need to pair economic development with workforce training, infrastructure, and predictable tax policy.