Transcript Highlights:

• So we greatly appreciate your support tomorrow.
• Thomas Cox is a director of the 72nd Force Support Squadron.
• This empowers the citizens to support our veterans.
• I'm very, very proud to support you in this effort today.
• It's completely supported by the DEQ.

Bills: SR31, SB2060, SB2184, HB1371, HB1411, HB1933, HB2361, HB2398, HB2893, HB3006, HB3044, HB3127, HB3322, HB3147, HB1276, HB3472, HB3522, HB3704, HB4303, HB4319

Keywords: military, children, resilience, Purple Up!, military families, master development district, improvement district, public improvements, infrastructure financing, special assessments, statutory revision, consolidation, law amendment, emergency legislation, legal clarity, oil and gas, mineral rights, proceeds, royalties, escrow account

Transcript Highlights:

• So we greatly appreciate your support tomorrow.
• This empowers the citizens to support our veterans.
• I'm very, very proud to support you on this effort today.
• I'm very, very proud to support you on this effort today.
• It's completely supported by the DEQ.

Bills: SR31, SB2060, SB2184, HB1371, HB1411, HB1933, HB2361, HB2398, HB2893, HB3006, HB3044, HB3127, HB3322, HB3147, HB1276, HB3472, HB3522, HB3704, HB4303, HB4319

Keywords: military, children, resilience, Purple Up!, military families, master development district, improvement district, public improvements, infrastructure financing, special assessments, statutory revision, consolidation, law amendment, emergency legislation, legal clarity, oil and gas, mineral rights, proceeds, royalties, escrow account

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and spent much of the day on recognitions and special presentations, including Capitol Cowboy Day honoring Oklahoma State University, the Doctor and Nurse of the Day, Miss Oklahoma Teen Taylor Meeks, military families for Purple Up for Military Kids Day, and several visiting groups in the galleries. During the OSU presentation, university leaders highlighted OSU’s agricultural research and asked for support for an upcoming agronomy research bill, and Coach Eric Morris was welcomed as the new head football coach. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 31, designating April 15 as Purple Up for Military Kids Day in Oklahoma, which was presented with remarks about the sacrifices of military children and families and the significance of wearing purple. The Senate also advanced and passed several measures, including bills dealing with duplicate statutory sections and statutory interpretation, a negotiated oil and gas bill, the True Grit Trail, nitric oxide sales to minors, foster care and juvenile transition documents, a paraprofessional certification change, an Indian education council sunset extension, veterans’ tax refund donations, a Route 66 specialty license plate, cell phone restrictions in K-12 classrooms, tire pyrolysis funding, ABLE Commission reporting, scholarship-granting organization tax credits, municipal ordinance publication deadlines, and agency rule authority and review. Most bills were advanced without objection and passed by wide margins, with a few closer votes on House Bill 2398, House Bill 3127, House Bill 3704, and House Bill 1276. House Bill 1276, extending the classroom cell phone prohibition, drew the most debate, with supporters citing improved student focus and classroom interaction and one member raising local control concerns before voting yes. House Bill 3704, concerning participation in a federal tax credit for scholarship-granting organizations, prompted questions about double-dipping on tax benefits and state sovereignty, but it ultimately passed 38-8. The Senate then announced a Technology and Telecommunications meeting for the next morning and adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• With your support, I hope to be confirmed as Secretary of DSHS.
• So I'm going to ask that we do not support that. Kids from their parents.
• So I would ask for your support on this. Community where families live.
• So I urge your support. Senator Christian also spoke in support.
• So it asked for this committee's support. Senator Christian.

Bills: SB6062, SB6080, SB6184, SB6224, SB6255, SB6286, SB6308, SB6319, SB5977, SB5979, SB6249, SGA9299

Keywords: juvenile justice, criminal offense, minors, rehabilitation, legal provisions, contracts, jails, federal custody, municipal agreements, incarceration, law enforcement, homeless youth, youth services, mental health, support programs, state law, behavioral health, children, support services, poverty reduction

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee first held a confirmation hearing for Angela Ramirez, the governor’s appointee to lead the Department of Social and Health Services. Ramirez described her background in public service and said her priorities would include improving technology and electronic records, addressing workforce shortages, strengthening communication with the legislature, and protecting DSHS programs and services. The Lieutenant Governor also spoke in strong support of her confirmation. No vote was taken on the appointment during this meeting. The committee then took executive action on several bills. Senate Bill 6062, concerning juvenile rehabilitation capacity, midpoint reviews, and transfer/release rules, was amended and advanced to Ways and Means after all six proposed amendments from Senator Christian failed. Senate Bill 6308, dealing with shelter care conditions for young children in dependency cases, was amended with a tribal-clarification amendment and passed to Ways and Means; several amendments to add staffing, removal, or safety requirements failed. Senate Bill 6319, creating a community referral pathway for high-risk families involving high-potency synthetic opioids, was amended to require referral within seven days and passed to Ways and Means after other proposed amendments failed. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 6286, which authorizes Department of Health inspections of private detention facilities and creates an account for related community repair assistance, sending it to Ways and Means after rejecting amendments that would have limited inspections or fines. Senate Bill 6080, governing jails that hold people in federal custody and related contracts, was amended and sent to Rules after all proposed amendments failed. Finally, Senate Bill 6184, an agency-request bill making technical and programmatic updates, was held over for action the next day. Throughout the session, Senator Christian offered multiple amendments emphasizing victim notice, child safety, staffing, transparency, and limits on transfers or detention, but most were rejected by the committee majority.

Transcript Highlights:

• subject of the suit, and it can be very frightening with sometimes bad results because parents are supporting
• We strongly support this bill and ask you to pass House Bill 2350.
• We strongly support this bill, and we hope that you would pass it swiftly, put it on the local and consent
• So we may be back in order online to be able to support this going forward. Thank you, Mr.
• It is supported by stakeholders who want a robust business litigation framework so that we can compete

Bills: SB1538, SB2883, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3376

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of areas in 1871 I fully support, but there's a lot of areas.
• I know that, you know, our parents out there, you know, we need their support.
• who come to them in the way they handle discipline and giving support.
• who come to them in the way they handle discipline and giving support.
• So I would never support that.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• To your point, safety is number one, and number two is the lack of district support.
• Do you want to speak to the people that don't seem to be supportive of school discipline?
• I appreciate your support, and I'm glad that you're doing what you're going to be doing.
• Building relationships with kids begins with great systems of support.
• So I would never, I would never support that as far as fines.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hours about the importance of supporting hours about the importance of supporting young<00:03:59.599
• </c> really showcase how our process supports really showcase how our process supports both<00:07:26.800
• </c><00:08:40.080><c> the</c> fully fund the YIP bill to support the fully fund the YIP bill to support
• </c> easy to get support documents from easy to get support documents from people<00:16:06.959><c> we
• One supports his mental health needs, and one supports his developmental disability.

Bills: HF2362, HF2136, HF1316, HF2009, HF1918, HF1614

Keywords: youth intervention, funding, mental health, education, community programs, HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Snacks are always a good idea if you want the chair's full support.
• I'm here in<00:03:01.440><c> support</c><00:03:01.599><c> of</c><00:03:01.840><c> creating</c><00:03:
• 02.000><c> a</c><00:03:02.239><c> new</c> in support of creating a new in support of creating a new preventative
• It is a tough business, but uh I would encourage its support.
• Representative Nelson. able to help support uh the few new able to help support uh the few new dairy<

Bills: HF3298, SF3832, HF3528, HF3516, HF3972, HF4118

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, dairy assistance, investment relief, agriculture support, food production, economic relief, barbering, licensing, examinations, barber schools, public safety, certifications, Barber Examiners Board, dentistry, licensure, registration

Transcript Highlights:

• North Dakota United supports 1624 for the same reasons we supported previously proposed legislation,
• North Dakota United supports 1624 for the same reasons we supported previously proposed legislation,
• Anyone else here in support of House Bill 1624? Anyone else in support? I apologize, Chairman.
• Any further testimony in support?
• So reluctantly, I will support this bill. Representative Munson. I will support this bill.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mental Health Advocacy Network supports efforts to make peer support more accessible, especially in rural
• And then we also support supported housing, mental Mental Health Advocacy Network supports the continuum
• And then we also support supported housing.
• Mental Health Advocacy Network supports the continuum of services required to support individuals with
• We are total support of this.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to sign or share my support of this bill.
• , and if that T and U visa can be issued or supported from the start, the level of support that victim
• For this reason, AARP supports 5993.
• So we are just very much in support of this bill.
• We support SB 5993.”

Bills: SB5720, SB5833, SB5936, SB5993, SB5735

Keywords: consumer debt, judgment, uniformity, legal standards, debt collection, pets, motor vehicles, animal welfare, public safety, legislation, human trafficking, prevention, remedies, victims, law enforcement, support services, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. SB 5720, the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, was described by staff as adding complaint, notice, and default-judgment requirements for consumer debt cases and preserving existing debt-buyer protections. Senator Peterson said the bill had been revised through stakeholder compromise, and testimony from consumer advocates and collectors was broadly supportive, with no opposition noted. The hearing was closed without a vote. SB 5833, allowing a vehicle to remain running for up to 30 minutes to protect a pet, drew support from the sponsor and some animal welfare and law enforcement stakeholders, but animal control and police representatives raised concerns about the liability presumption and said current law already allows fact-specific intervention. The sponsor said he would bring an amendment to address the liability language; the hearing closed with many pro sign-ins and a few con sign-ins. The committee also heard SB 5936 on human trafficking remedies and prevention. Staff explained that the bill would allow prosecution of business entities that knowingly engage in or benefit from trafficking or involuntary servitude, impose possible fines and disgorgement, require confidentiality for victims and families, and create a process for T and U visa certification and continued-presence requests. Senator Orwall said the bill was intended to strengthen survivor protections and accountability, while several survivors and child-advocacy witnesses strongly supported it. Hospitality and law enforcement groups supported the bill in concept but asked for amendments to clarify liability and to align the visa-certification provisions with existing law; law enforcement said some section 4 language was duplicative and likely to be amended. The hearing closed after those comments. SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten the enforceability period for judgments involving medical debt to six years without renewal. Supporters, including consumer advocates, AARP, patient groups, and individuals with serious medical debt, said the bill would reduce financial ruin, improve affordability, and reflect the fact that people do not choose medical emergencies. Opponents from hospitals, physician groups, collectors, and business organizations argued that eliminating interest and judgment renewal would reduce repayment incentives, shift costs to providers and other patients, and hit small rural hospitals hardest; they also asked for more stakeholder work and warned about effects on mixed judgments. The committee then began SB 5375 on labeling imitation firearms, with staff explaining that it would create state standards for BB devices, toy guns, replicas, and similar items, prohibit altering markings, require advisories, and impose civil and misdemeanor penalties. The sponsor said it was intended to reduce mistaken shootings and cited a fatal incident involving an airsoft gun, while opponents from the NRA and firearms-training users argued the bill was overbroad, duplicated federal law, and could harm training, competition, and lawful firearm customization.

Transcript Highlights:

• I really appreciate it and support this. So thank you for bringing it forward.
• I implore you to support this bill.
• I implore you to support this bill and to support high schoolers in learning that there is a path to
• And frankly, they only support about 10%, maybe 15%,... ...ready to go.
• Some of these schools cannot support them.

Bills: SB5841, SB5922, SB5858, SB5943

Keywords: financial aid, postsecondary education, student support, application process, higher education access, school transportation, school buses, pupil transportation, transportation vehicle fund, school district finance, fund transfer, reimbursement schedule, depreciation schedule, zero-emission buses, electric school buses, bus electrification, charging stations, fueling stations, vehicle replacement, major repairs

Summary: The Early Learning K-12 Education Committee opened its 2026 session with a focus on budget caution and several education funding bills. The first hearing was on SB 5841, which would require high school and beyond plans to show that a student completed at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or that a parent/guardian opted out. Supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to postsecondary aid, improve completion rates, and help students access federal and state dollars; opponents argued it would add administrative burden and create an unfunded mandate, especially for smaller districts and families reluctant to share information. Senators also discussed whether existing Washington Student Achievement Council data could help verify completion. No vote was taken. The committee then heard SB 5922, which would allow school districts to petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds when they reduce their fleet, and SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. SB 5922 was presented as a flexibility measure for districts with declining enrollment, while some members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. SB 5858 drew strong support from OSPI, district officials, school directors, and PTA representatives, who said the current $13 million safety net is far below demonstrated need and is essential for transporting students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster students; testimony emphasized that the program helps districts meet basic education obligations. No votes were taken on either bill. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would let school districts use certain school impact fees for modernization projects tied to safety, security, emergency response, and energy efficiency when the fees are nearing expiration, and would allow districts in binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight to use up to 25% of impact-fee balances for operations and maintenance. The bill sponsor said it would give financially stressed districts a narrow tool to address unfunded state requirements without raising taxes. School district witnesses in support said it would help modernize aging buildings and meet mandates like security and clean-building requirements, while builders and school coalition representatives opposed it, arguing impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning the bill could raise housing costs and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the committee’s effort to advance creative, limited-cost solutions in a tight budget year; no action or vote was recorded.

Bills: HB 220, HB 783, HB 2240, HB 3336, HB 4202, HB 4449, HB 4904, HB 3441, HB 4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, identification, real estate, proof of identity

Transcript Highlights:

• We supported SB 41, which I think you carried, Representative Chair Leach, and we conditioned that on
• the statutory probate court counties then create new statutory probate courts, and we hope are supporting
• I am elderly.
• child support beginning on the date of the child's conception.
• Senator Hughes's bill relating to a court order for retroactive child support. Is there objection?

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Summary: The Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence heard testimony on Senate Bill 1015, which would clarify that the comptroller is responsible for distributing excess judicial fund payments back to statutory probate courts. Judge Guy Herman testified in support, saying the bill would help ensure probate courts receive funding they are entitled to, while Ed Heimlich testified against the bill with broad criticism of probate courts and judicial practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2933, which would add elder abuse training to required judicial education for several categories of judges and judicial officers; Dr. Bruce Hargrave supported the bill, citing the prevalence and underreporting of elder abuse and the need for judges to recognize warning signs. No votes were taken on either of those bills, and SB 2933 was left pending. The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 38, an eviction-related bill, and Vice Chair Hayes described two agreed floor amendments: one limiting the summary disposition procedure to forcible entry and detainer cases involving squatters, and another requiring a notice to pay rent or vacate for tenants who had been timely payers but missed a payment. After discussion, the committee voted 6-4 to report SB 38 without amendments. The committee also adopted or advanced a series of other bills and resolutions, including SB 293, SB 1141, SB 1448, SB 1536, SB 1558, SB 1838, SB 1940, SB 2127, SB 53, SB 251, SB 311, SB 387, SB 441 (with a substitute), SB 1164, SB 1335, SB 1574 (with a substitute), SB 1719, SB 1760, SB 1839, SB 1923 (with a substitute), SB 2807, and SJR 27 (with a substitute). Most measures were reported favorably on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes, with a few close votes on SB 942, SB 311, SB 2807, and SJR 27. SB 942, relating to retroactive child support beginning at conception, initially failed 5-5 but was reconsidered and then passed 6-5. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• We supported SB 41 that I think you carried, Representative Chair Leach, and we conditioned that on,
• the statutory probate court counties then create new statutory probate courts, and we hope are supporting
• I am elderly.
• I think those two amendments are an outstanding improvement, and I'd be very supportive of the other
• child support beginning on the date of the child's conception.

Bills: SB1015, SB2933

Keywords: statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary, revenue distribution, SB 2933, elder abuse, neglect, judicial training

Bills: SF1832, HF2440, HF2442

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill supports proven practices to reduce phosphorus.
• I'm here in support of House Bill 3830.
• It's our sole source of drinking water and. supports about an $18 billion economy, much of which is supported
• I'm here to express my strong support for the bill.
• Green Building Council, in support of this bill.

Bills: HB485, HB1367, HB1370, HB1827, HB1879, HB2032, HB2133, HB2357, HB3581, HB3830, HB4060, HB4085, HB4270, HB4979, HB5217, HB5268, HB5478, HJR96, HJR97, HJR119, HJR195, HJR209, SB4, SB23, SJR2, SJR85, SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, access, affordability, public health, emergency services district, sales tax, gas and electricity, residential use, tax exemption, emergency services, gas, electricity, HB 485, ESD, use tax, residential utilities, utility tax, local option tax, Texas Health and Safety Code

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2299 supports a previously approved resolution.
• The support, just let's keep this committee strong.
• to look at some statutory Revisions that they're not revisions, statutory language as to the child support

Bills: HB2299, HB2939, HB2941, HB2960, HB3062, HB3087, HB3114, HB3244, HB3262, HB3304, HB3345, HB3386, HB3431, HB3498, HB3581, HB3645, HB3648, HB3764, HB3852, HB3974, HB4141, HB4144, HB4227, HB4237, HB4343, HB4425

Keywords: Article V, convention, amendments, criminal penalties, legislative authority, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, firearm liability, tort reform, manufacturers

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2299 supports a previously approved resolution, actually from 2023, that requires an oath
• Many poll workers are elderly and find four-year terms to be difficult to fulfill.
• Many poll workers are elderly and find four-year terms to be difficult to fulfill.
• Many poll workers are elderly and find four-year terms to be difficult to fulfill.
• The support, just let's keep this committee strong.

Bills: HB2299, HB2939, HB2941, HB2960, HB3062, HB3087, HB3114, HB3244, HB3262, HB3304, HB3345, HB3386, HB3431, HB3498, HB3581, HB3645, HB3648, HB3764, HB3852, HB3974, HB4141, HB4144, HB4227, HB4237, HB4343, HB4425

Keywords: Article V, convention, amendments, criminal penalties, legislative authority, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, firearm liability, tort reform, manufacturers

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee considered a large slate of executive nominations and bills. The nominations of Kevin Buchanan to the Oklahoma State Council of Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, Bobby Raines to the Polygraph Examiners Board, and Colton Richardson to the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System Board were each advanced to the full Senate without opposition. The committee then heard and advanced several measures on elections, criminal law, public safety, and civil procedure, including bills on Article V convention commissioner guardrails, precinct official terms and oaths, fraud and identity theft, treatment screening for arrested individuals, electronic monitoring eligibility, press access to certain arrest information, foreign terrorist organization-related offenses, CDL eligibility tied to the meth registry, sheriff service fees, fentanyl overdose reporting and presumptions, corporate law updates, appraiser fees in condemnation cases, child sexual abuse reporting protections, eviction mediation, garnishment response deadlines, retired municipal judges carrying firearms, critical mineral ownership restrictions, removal of a sunset on a sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator, enhanced riot and assault penalties, ability-to-pay hearings at sentencing, firearm component liability protections, hospice admission authority, government tort claims coverage for OU Health Authority, and tort claims coverage for county jails housing inmates for other entities. Several bills drew notable questioning and amendments. House Bill 2299, dealing with Article V convention commissioners, was advanced after debate over the bill’s “intimidation” language and its potential effect on political speech; Senator Jett opposed it on vagueness grounds. House Bill 3852 on precinct officials was amended to reflect Election Board recommendations, including changing a disqualification period from three to six years, before advancing. House Bill 2939, removing obsolete fax-machine references from election law, was amended to strike a repealed-law reference and then advanced. House Bill 4343, setting a $350 fee for court-appointed appraisers, prompted extended concern about fixing a market rate in statute; the title was stricken so the measure could be worked on further, but it still advanced. House Bill 4227, the child sexual abuse NDA bill, advanced after the author recognized concerns and agreed to strike the title for further work, and House Bill 3386 on same-day eviction mediation also advanced after the author struck title to revisit discrimination concerns. Other measures advanced with little or no opposition, including House Bills 3244, 3345, 3114, 4144, 3764, 3304, 3262, 2941, 3498, 4141, 4237, 3062, 3431, 3581, 3648, and 3974. Some bills generated focused policy questions, such as whether the fentanyl overdose presumption would be rebuttable, whether the meth registry is lifetime or time-limited, whether the electronic monitoring bill would be too restrictive, and whether the riot-mask felony language could affect law enforcement officers operating in an official capacity. The committee also restored title on several measures before advancing them. The meeting concluded with Chairman Howard thanking the committee and staff and noting it was his final policy committee meeting as chair before adjournment.