Transcript Highlights:

• So we have to recognize and there are more and more studies that are coming out.
• But the studies are out there.
• There's a new rubble amounts of studies related to cannabis in violence.
• No DNA technology, a great that particular study, sir.
• First of this legislation would no be additions to the bill.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a quick question about the social studies standards.
• Yes, the state legislators have put forth guidelines on how we follow, and we followed that statutorily
• That's kind of how what brought forward our new social study standards Will there be additional questions
• Over the past few years, if you look at the legislation that had that the education policy legislation
• She qualifies as an active teacher as currently she is teaching fifth to eighth grade social studies

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this isn't asking for some kind of study.
• He did an interim study last summer. This is part of For a while now.
• He did an interim study last summer. This is part of the census package that he sent over here.
• Like I said, Leader Lawson had an interim study last year. He had had multiple meetings.
• And just from—and I haven't studied this for months and months like you have—but just for right now,

Bills: HB1823, HB3031, HB3369, HB3378, HB3429, HB3624, HB3657, HB3880, HB4215, HB4476

Keywords: housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations, HB3031, North Pointe Workforce Development Initiative, workforce development, job training, skills training, job placement, local hiring, economic development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, revolving fund, state treasury, appropriation, budget, workforce investment, employment outcomes

Summary: The Senate Economic Development, Workforce, and Tourism Committee met for a work session focused largely on executive nominations and several House bills. The committee advanced nominations for Jared Lundry and Norville Ritter to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission, Amy Blackburn as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, and Jason Kays to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, with each nominee describing their background and priorities and receiving favorable roll-call votes. Members also considered and advanced a series of bills affecting housing, tourism, workforce, and related programs. HB 1823 would require the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency to provide advance notice of HOME program changes, limit retroactive rule changes, and give preference to nonprofit grant recipients; it passed 8-1. HB 4476 created a revolving fund related to a music industry rebate program and passed 7-2 after an amendment raising a threshold from 25,000 to 28,000. HB 3880 updated tourism advertising law to include digital media and allowed the Oklahoma Today magazine to move online, with an amendment making publication permissive rather than mandatory; it passed 8-1. HB 3031 created a revolving fund for workforce development tied to skilled trades and the North Point Workforce Development Initiative, and HB 3378 staggered terms on the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board; both passed. The committee also passed HB 3369, which aligned LP gas and fire-suppression rules for mobile food vendors and required annual fire safety training, HB 3429, which authorized up to $50 million in bonds for CareerTech-related economic development projects, HB 3657, which clarified agricultural labor reporting and allowed OESC to share workforce data with the Workforce Commission, and HB 4215, which lowered the minimum spend threshold for Oklahoma film post-production incentives from $50,000 to $20,000. Finally, HB 3624, a controversial bill changing how county lines are determined along shifting waterways, drew extensive debate over taxation, property records, and rural impacts before passing 6-5. The chair noted the committee likely had one more meeting remaining and invited further suggested language on the county-line issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Senator Mattera, my understanding of this legislation, again, is not technology specific.
• So multiple independent studies have shown that offshore wind is the cheapest and only feasible way to
• As a legislator, I would suggest you put in some legislation that if you think that the way it's happening
• now is not the right way, put in legislation.
• You're asking me to make an a priori decision about legislation that we're just pondering now.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote. The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved. Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Strengthen the bonds of respect and community to the foundation of our civic life among our legislators
• Legislative coordinator Dr. Mary Widmire. And last but not least, executive Director Tim Lee and.
• We're working on that type of legislation that will help lift some of those regulations so you can return
• Members, uh, just a reminder, today we're going to have the Capital Commission House member Bible study
• HB 3829 by Curry, relating to a study to review the animal friendly account for the Committee on Public

Transcript Highlights:

• very interested in some more legislation very interested in some more legislation that<00:05:28.000
• Four of those members were in the legislation.
• Four of those members were in the legislation.
• Four of those members were in the legislation.
• Four of those members were in the legislation.

Bills: HB245, SB16, SB59, SB62, SB79, SB88

Keywords: inhalants, controlled substances, butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, amyl nitrite, health, public safety, SB16, four-point restraint, hog-tie, hog tie, prone restraint, law enforcement, police, sheriff, use of force, restraint techniques, positional asphyxia, arrest procedures, detention

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:45.320> moving problem with this legislation moving problem with this legislation moving
• The study committee will also investigate the feasibility of extending the statute of limitations for
• to study options for family what? to study options for family what?
• I would this The committee shall study I would this The committee shall study options.<00:39:42.840
• :46.240> family Study information options for family Study information options for family members

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:35:13.680> experiential of Environmental Studies, experiential of Environmental Studies
• We support the goal of this legislation. We support the goal of this legislation.
• We<00:56:05.080> encourage<00:56:05.440> legislator<00:56:06.280> legislators<00
• :56:06.920> to We encourage legislator legislators to We encourage legislator legislators to strengthen
• And I was sent the study guide. And the study guide includes the parallelogram question that Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, I am a nurse and when I became a legislator in… In 2006, I, like most legislators, began
• I'd like to give some background and context to this legislation.
• Texas Association for Bilingual Education, where I serve as its legislative chair.
• This legislation is... crafted in such a way to protect free speech. Mr.
• And this legislation does that. With that, Mr.

Bills: HB295, HB824, HB1579, HB1581, HB2189, HB295

Keywords: bullying, antisemitism, school policies, school discipline, education, education policy, Texas Education Code, hate speech, student rights, civics education, high school curriculum, government, voting process, elected officials, Texas Seal of Biliteracy, biliteracy, bilingual education, multilingual, language proficiency, high school diploma

Transcript Highlights:

• I am currently in the middle of a study here in Canadian County.
• I am in the middle of that study.
• That was a pilot study.
• So, we do have a legislative liaison.
• But APA basically does a lot of research and study.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Don't insult Texans by pretending this is just a study.
• Legislation, why is all of a sudden legislation like this being put forth?
• What message are we sending to our children with legislation?
• I'm asking you not to move this legislation forward. Thank you for your time.
• Study after study has shown that family acceptance of transgender and non-binary kids predicts greater

Bills: HB1106, HB3284, HB541, HB713, HB1403, HB1586, HB1942, HB2070, HB2844, HB2851, HB3151, HB3749, HB3940, HB3963, HB4454, HB4466, HB4795, HB5154, HB5394, SB1357, HB1052, HB4099, HB4638, HB5147

Keywords: child abuse, neglect, gender identity, sexual orientation, child welfare, marriage, family, Texas Commission, family welfare, marriage support, stability, premarital education, child development, strong families, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services, insurance regulation, maternal health

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this legislation stands before you, and I hope it passes, and I hope it's... ...this legislation
• That study was flawed. The data was fabricated.
• And then you have flawed studies like that autism study that they released years... ...this.
• And then you have flawed studies like that autism study that they released years ago saying that vaccinations
• Actually, my first legislative aide, Ms.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions, including the doctor of the day and a lighthearted “Cannoli Day” introduction. The chamber then held an extended farewell celebration for Senator Joe Gruters, with numerous senators, colleagues, and family members praising his loyalty, political skill, family focus, and service in the Legislature and Republican Party. Gruters was presented with a commemorative gift recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety and immigration bill that prohibited sanctuary cities and required local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The Senate adopted a motion to spread Gruters’s remarks upon the journal and then recessed briefly. After recess, the Senate returned to regular business and took up third-reading bills. Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 354, relating to blue ribbon projects, was temporarily postponed. The chamber then considered Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1758, relating to public assistance, with Senator Gates explaining that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system discussed earlier in session. During debate on SB 1758, Senator Berman opposed the bill, saying he could not support it in its current form because he believed the Medicaid-related provisions would create a coverage cliff after the one-year transition period and could leave people without care while increasing costs to hospitals and taxpayers. He also said SNAP error reduction should be a priority, but argued the state should focus on fixing administrative errors and fraud rather than imposing a work requirement whose costs and effects were uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Between legislation this session that will provide income and property tax relief promised to veterans
• As I close, I want to highlight the CACVSO's legislative priorities.
• Seventeen states have introduced legislation cracking down on for-profit consultants.
• And I am happy to hear that the legislator is going to the legislation, the legislate.
• to reintroduce this legislation.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the role of County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs), CalVet’s support for them, and the growing problem of for-profit, unaccredited claims companies. Committee leaders and witnesses emphasized that CVSOs are often the first point of contact for veterans and their families, helping with disability claims, education benefits, survivor benefits, housing, health care, and other wraparound services. Testimony highlighted the return on investment from CVSO work, with witnesses citing hundreds of millions in new federal benefits secured for California veterans and arguing that current state funding is too low relative to the workload and need. County representatives from Nevada, Los Angeles, and San Luis Obispo described local models of service. Los Angeles County highlighted a “no wrong door” approach, peer navigators, suicide review work, justice-involved veteran services, and homelessness coordination, while San Luis Obispo described rural outreach, mental health partnerships, and high suicide rates in its county. Nevada County stressed that smaller counties can be disadvantaged by workload-based formulas and that additional funding would expand access, especially in rural areas. Several witnesses said veterans often need more than claims help and should be connected to mental health, employment, food, and family supports. Much of the discussion centered on predatory claims consultants, which witnesses said charge veterans for services that accredited CVSOs provide free. Members and witnesses described cases involving requests for VA and banking logins, misleading advertising, and contracts that can take a percentage of veterans’ benefits. Committee members expressed support for legislation to curb these practices and for increased funding for CVSOs, including the Legislature’s intent to fund 50% of county veterans’ services operations. A CalVet deputy secretary also testified that California’s accreditation and training system improves claim quality and appeal outcomes, and that CalVet works with CVSOs through training, district offices, and appeals representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we did do a study many years back, an economic study on one of the rural communities that could have
• It would significantly impact our receiving capital or legislative appropriations.
• And we're coming here to our state legislators to see if there's any kind of recourse.
• As you know, in Springer, we had done an impact study on what would happen in the...
• Has the, and I realize it's all very new, right, passage of the legislation and the impacts to you, is

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I go to, I’m a junior at NAU, and I study philosophy, politics, and law. Thank you so much.
• I’m a junior up at NAU studying a double major in political science and politics and media.
• I’m a junior at the University of Arizona studying psychology. Bear down, baby.
• Studying psychology. Bear down, baby!
• The bill also does include legislative findings. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had the University of Arizona back in 2008 do a study by the College of Engineering.
• They promised us, "Yeah, we'll do the ground study, we'll do the water study," and it was never done.
• This is something that the Legislative Council would have to do.
• Chair, to consider this committee to come together and study or get.
• And we need to get the legislative branch involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior legislation requires planning groups to consider ASR for areas with significant water needs and
• The bill is similar to the... legislative template currently used for municipal utility districts, but
• Members, House Bill 5219. simply directs a Texas Water Development Board to conduct an interim study
• It sounds like an interim study, maybe. Yes, you are going with us, too, Chairman. Thank you, Mr.
• The legislation is supported by local stakeholders.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• c> classes,<00:08:54.720> weekly services, Bible study classes, weekly services, Bible study
• doctoral degrees in divinity studies. doctoral degrees in divinity studies.
• /c><04:24:56.640> to<04:24:56.800> the legislation do Republicans bring to the legislation
• > health<04:25:06.560> care legislation to address the health care legislation to address
• legislation. Thank you. legislation. Thank you.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a taxpayer, and I bring energy and hope to this legislative session.
• I am a taxpayer, and I bring energy and hope to this legislative session.
• <00:37:57.200> thank vote in favor of this legislation thank vote in favor of this legislation
• <00:43:07.920> legislators to uh to help legislators legislators to uh to help legislators
• to ask respectfully ask the legislator to ask respectfully ask the legislator to<00:53:05.680>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the 86th legislative session back in 2019, I worked with the higher education community.
• I passed, along with my colleague, Senate Bill 25, which was priority legislation that dealt largely
• During the 86th legislative session back in 2019, I worked with the higher education community.
• I passed, along with my colleague, Senate Bill 25, which was priority legislation that dealt largely
• Across two-year institutions and four-year institutions to create these fields of study curricula.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard two bills. SB 2847, by Senator Hagenbuch, would give Texas public four-year universities the same option community colleges already have to seek approval from the Higher Education Coordinating Board for core curricula of fewer than 42 semester credit hours. Hagenbuch said the bill is intended to add flexibility, support career-focused programs, and help students finish degrees faster. There was no public testimony, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 3039, by Senator West, which addresses transferability and credit loss for students moving from community colleges to four-year institutions. West said the bill responds to ongoing problems with rejected transfer credits and seeks better data, study, and recommendations from the Coordinating Board. Deputy Commissioner Sarah Keaton testified that transfer remains a major policy issue, that reporting requirements from SB 25 have improved data collection, and that the main reasons credits do not transfer are grades and degree applicability. She also described the Texas Direct degree program and field-of-study curricula designed to transfer as blocks. Members discussed the cost of lost credits, the need for better communication to students, and concerns that some institutions still reject credits or require duplicate coursework. No public witnesses signed up on SB 3039, and it was left pending subject to the call of the chair. A quorum was later established, the agenda was completed, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.