Transcript Highlights:

• The arts are in every zip code, every congressional district. The arts transcend party lines.
• Currently, the federal tax code doesn't adequately address workers' skyrocketing business costs.
• An outdated tax code is making it even harder. Thank you. Solutions are available.
• And I know I'm going to get the cane, but... ...because Lauren, Texas said, we got to wrap up.
• In Texas and Missouri, my family and I...

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• What that means is if any of these large states that are not yet in recession: California, Texas, New
• The declines have been very detrimental to Texas and North Dakota, but luckily New Mexico is holding
• Does the tax code require people to pay based on their ability to pay? Got it.
• My first term in office, a lot of bipartisan work on reforming... ...the tax code. Mr.
• I mean, the way our tax code is, we're picking winners and losers.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Guy works to amend House Bill 25, the second engrossment amendment, which is coded A4.
• The amendment is coded A6. I recognize the member from Dakota, Representative Ryer.
• The amendment to the amendment is coded A.
• The amendment is coded A7. I recognize the member from Hennepin, Representative Gomez.
• The amendment is coded A9. I recognize the member from Rice, Representative Purcell.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they actually span from Texas all the way close to almost to the Florida border.
• Of Title 17, the Education Code, relative to early childhood care and education, provides for an early
• House Bill 28 by Representative Owen amends Title 17, the Education Code, relative to teachers, provides
• House Bill 28 by Representative Owen and Mends Title 17, the Education Code Relative to Teachers, 28
• House Bill 386 by Representative Chenevere, amends Title 17, the Education Code, relative to charter

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sharing ministries are not engaging in the business of insurance and not subject to the insurance code
• agents and brokers are engaging in the business of insurance and should be subject to the insurance code
• crater of unshared needs, with Florida being the third largest state impacted after California and Texas
• crater of unshared needs, with Florida being the third largest state impacted after California and Texas

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on health care sharing ministries and insurance agents. Senator Yarbrough presented the bill to repeal a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing consumer protections; opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could increase confusion or misuse of agents and brokers. The committee adopted a title amendment and then reported the bill favorably after debate, with Senator Pizzo raising concerns about consumer reliance and lack of guaranteed coverage. The committee then approved SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, and SB 266 on public adjuster contracts. SB 266 would let vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts at any time without penalty; it drew support from consumer and industry groups, with some discussion about estimates and claim work product. The committee also passed SB 832 on residential property insurance transparency, which requires rate transparency reports and a consumer resource center at OIR, and adds a provision excluding land value from homeowners coverage calculations in most cases. Testimony on SB 832 was generally supportive of the transparency goal, though insurers said some of the required cost breakdowns may be difficult to produce as written. The committee next considered SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which would create a commercial lines clearinghouse to move eligible policyholders into the private market and reduce Citizens’ commercial exposure. Supporters said it would lower taxpayer risk and improve competition; a speaker suggested additional changes to deductibles, water-damage caps, and repair practices. The bill was reported favorably after a delete-all amendment and supportive debate from Senator Boyd. Finally, the committee passed SB 540 on the Office of Financial Regulation, which adds cybersecurity requirements for certain licensees, updates oversight of investment advisers and money service businesses, adjusts some charter and meeting rules for financial institutions and credit unions, and includes amendments clarifying repossession/deficiency claims, family office exemptions, and virtual credit union meetings. The meeting ended with all of the considered bills reported favorably and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• deeper dive probably than I should have on exactly how all of this is calculated in Kansas, Arkansas, Texas
• In Texas, it's 181.5. In Oklahoma right now, it's 174.
• Oklahoma, for the four states that I did a deep dive on—again, our nearest neighbors, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas
• I'm looking at the day that I'm being presented, and in Kansas and Missouri and even in Texas, their
• I spend a lot of time reading through the administrative codes of these different districts.

Bills: HB3622, HB3621, HB3151, HB3882, HB3661, HB4273, HB3644, HB3706, HB3708, HB2021, HB3986, HB3972

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Transcript Highlights:

• stepped in a marine stationed in Texas stepped in a marine stationed in Texas who<00:32:10.039><
• I will now yield so much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas.
• Thank you to the gentleman from Texas.
• So thank you again to the gentleman from Texas.
• <07:53:15.040> I you again to the gentleman from Texas I you again to the gentleman from Texas

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Study after study has shown that in states as diverse as North Carolina, Texas, Michigan, North Dakota
• And then Texas did their redistricting.
• start with the President of the United States, who is led on policy by a white nationalist, calling up Texas
• the United States, who is led on policy by a who is led on policy by a white nationalist, calling up Texas
• review tenant improvements and certify those improvements for applicable building, health, and safety codes

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long consent and procedural agenda, including suspending rules to move AJR 31 forward without reference and approving a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. The chamber also heard several guest introductions, including recognition of Shannon Lee for work tied to AB 2455 establishing a Bruce Lee Day, and district staff and visitors from other members’ offices. The main floor debate centered on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent federal court decisions and state redistricting efforts are weakening protections against racial vote dilution and disenfranchisement, while opponents said the resolution promoted race-based districting and was inconsistent with equal protection principles. After extensive debate and repeated parliamentary reminders about decorum, the Assembly added 57 coauthors and passed AJR 31 on a 58-8 roll call vote. Justin Jones of Tennessee was later introduced as a guest. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, most of which passed with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies, AB 1816 extending court supervision for sex-offender rehabilitation completion, AB 2561 protecting users’ phone and digital privacy settings, ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day, ACR 190 honoring California Day of the Teacher, AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students, AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and school safety plans, AB 1665 adding mental health training for coaches, and AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting. The Assembly also passed AB 1768, an urgency tax measure tied to federal Medicaid reimbursement cuts for Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties, and began consideration of AB 1712 regarding Santa Fe Springs’ water system sale, with debate starting but not completed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, because we couldn't get a consent decree, The parties agreed to the code neutrals.
• The parties agreed to the code neutrals. We didn't pick them. They didn't.
• Children were essentially raised in out-of-state RTCs, most of them in Texas.
• It's an open question: why can they access it in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas, but not here?
• I have many friends whose kids or grandkids were sent to Texas for treatment from the time they were

Transcript Highlights:

• Versus, I know in southern New Mexico, Texas is very...
• I was looking at all the codes.
• There are specific codes that are given, and that's how we address these projects.
• Like, can you go to Texas, California, Arizona, or any other state?
• Conservation code.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unanimous consent to allow for a relaxed dress code to allow jeans worn by our guests, not our members
• . ...for a relaxed dress code to allow jeans worn by our guests, not our members, our guests.
• operation, has a Bachelor of Science in Ag Media and a Master of Science in Agriculture from West Texas
• She was born in Roswell, New Mexico, and her parents moved here from El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez
• submission of Senate Bill 149, a bill amending the definition of residential property in the property tax code

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maggie Carpenter, has two lawsuits against her from Texas and Louisiana because someone found medication
• country. 437,000 of those fatalities were here in California, the second highest in the nation behind Texas
• officer of CAMTC cannot make more than the salary alone of those individuals mentioned in government code
• Under this framework, randomized audits ensure compliance with health and safety standards. codes, and
• tests at over 15,000 locations across Oakland and found that connections... in the highest income zip code

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I'm here to present House Bill 295, which clarifies a portion of the property tax code to align with
• name is Lynn Mosstaler, and I'm here to speak in favor of HB 295, a technical fix to the property tax code
• More importantly, Tax and Rev has confirmed that because the property tax code makes property taxes the
• Chair, You, you mentioned Alaska, and uh at least when I was in the army, if you could get assigned to Texas
• Um, Versus somebody that was born in Texas, but really grew up here, uh, went to school here, graduated

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 3602, a bill for an act relating to estates, enacting the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning
• number 3602, a bill for an act<00:06:09.960> relating<00:06:10.280> to<00:06:10.400> estates
• ,<00:06:11.320> enacting<00:06:11.760> the act relating to estates, enacting the act
• relating to estates, enacting the Uniform<00:06:12.320> Electronic<00:06:12.840> Estate
• ><00:06:13.200> Planning Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Uniform Electronic Estate Planning

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with agency code 210, so if you open your books to section tab 2, you will find
• Code 508, that's the Livestock Board.
• We're going to move on quickly to Agency Code 516.
• We're going to move on to Agency Code 705 that we found under Tab 7 in your book.
• Code 705, Department of Military.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just how the code is separated.
• We had a lady from Austin, Texas, down in Texas, where they're keeping it weird.
• They make a path from Chicago, from Canada, from Austin, Texas, to buy donkey milk In Luther, Oklahoma

Bills: HB1427, SB1403, SB1448, SB1489, SB1546, SB1557, SB1614, SB1377, SB1990, SB1439, SB1630, SB1632, SB1696, SB1796, SB1824, SB1362, SB1849, SB2066, SB2071, SB2104, SB933, SB1633, SB1224, SB1246, SB1280, SB1303, SB1346

Keywords: tax credit, clean-burning fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, environmental impact, vehicle modification, renewable energy, job incentives, tax rebates, Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program, employment growth, wage requirements, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, consumer protection, unfair trade practices, deceptive practices, exemptions, statutory exemptions, Corporation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed this law because... ...to amend today, Civil Code Section 1670.9.
• After Civil Code Section 1670.9 became law, we thought these problems had been solved.
• Civil Code Section 1670.9 became law.
• AB 1801 will pick up where California Civil Code Section 1670.9 left off.
• AB 1801 will pick up where California Civil Code Section 1670.9 left off.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee met and heard a series of bills and one resolution, with the chair first outlining the consent calendar and the committee’s testimony rules. Senator McNerney presented SJR 18, a resolution condemning Citizens United and urging limits on corporate spending in elections; he argued that corporate and foreign money distort democracy, and Senator Reyes voiced support. No opposition testimony appeared. The committee then heard AB 2305, which would bar private equity firms, hedge funds, and other corporate lenders from influencing litigation decisions and treat such conduct as unauthorized practice of law. The author and Consumer Attorneys of California said the bill closes loopholes that allow outside financial interests to affect case strategy and settlements; the Civil Justice Association of California also supported it, while the International Legal Finance Association said it was neutral after amendments. AB 1977 followed, a Secretary of State-sponsored bill to clarify and correct the Online Notarization Act so remote notarizations can be implemented by 2030; the Secretary of State’s office and notary groups supported it, and there was no opposition. Assembly Member Rogers presented AB 1657, which would allow domestic violence survivors to seek temporary restraining orders without first giving notice to the restrained person, arguing that notice requirements can increase danger and delay protection. AB 1801, by Assembly Member Lee, would tighten public notice and hearing requirements for local contracts involving private immigration detention facilities, closing loopholes that had allowed rushed approvals; immigrant rights and civil rights groups supported it. Assembly Member Patel’s AB 2179 would extend e-filing and remote appearance options to workplace violence restraining orders, with support from local governments, prosecutors, unions, and other groups. Assembly Member Hart’s AB 1875 would let courts shorten or waive the six-month divorce waiting period for domestic violence survivors, with support from domestic violence advocates and several other organizations. After testimony, the committee took up votes. AB 2179 and AB 1875 both passed unanimously, AB 2305 passed 12-0, AB 1657 passed 12-0, AB 1801 passed 10-2, and AB 1977 passed 8-2. SJR 18 was adopted 10-2. The consent calendar also passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned until the following Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is a great state.
• It was a need from the state of Texas, as identified by the Texas... Child...
• People across the state of Texas thought were some ideas that we could do in Texas to bolster the mental
• The Texas Child Mental Health Care.
• Health and Texas Council of Community Centers.

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Bills: SB1687, HB1687, HB4431, HB2894, HB2979, HB3262, HB3298, HB3369, HB3431, HB3462, SB1226, SB1876, SB1916, SB1920, HB3467, HB3498, HB3500, HB3521, HB3581, HB3650, HB3673, HB3764, HB3767, HB3781, HB3800, HB3831, HB3834, HB3941, HB2749, HB3970, HB3972, HB3979, HB3980, HB3981, HB3996, HB4095, HB4104, HB4191, HB4248, HB4298, HB4338, HB4427, HB4428, HJR1023, HB3660, HB3718, HB4326, HB3443, HB3880, HB3649, HB3000, SB1651, SB504, SB372, SB1326, SB1633, SB248, SB1242, SB1238, SB423, SB1989, SB1286, SB904, SB1213, SB1216, SB1827, SB65, SB1390, SB259, SB1944, SB540, SB2139, SB346, SB1595, SB1400, SB1555, SB1209, SB2110, SB1670, SB1061, SB2104, HR1057, SB1946, SB1734, SB1316, SB1360, SB1557, SB1684, SB2049, SB1410, SB2011, SB1437, SB1204, SB1732, SB1775, SB2084, SB1380, SB1572, SB1772, SB1224, SB710, SB1338, SB1266, SB1303, SB1307, SB1562, SB1794, SB1191, SB1983, SB1832, SB1448, SB1534, SB1593, SB1597, SB1630, SB1489, SB1726, SB1796, SB1806, SB1877, SB1451, SB1553, SB1632, SB1423, SB1425, SB1502, SB2180, SB1725, SB2182, HB3003, HB3004, HB4434, HB4324, HB4342, HB2137, HB4432, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53

Keywords: driver licenses, exam proctor, Service Oklahoma, commercial training, background checks, advance directive, advance health care directive, health care proxy, medical power of attorney, durable power of attorney for health care, living will, surrogate decision-maker, default surrogate, health care agent, capacity determination, supported decision making, mental health directive, psychiatric advance directive, end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatment

Transcript Highlights:

• So instead, that water goes down a hole or goes to Texas.
• I recognize that it's not part of our youth detention and it's not part of the children's code, all of
• Because, you know, we're going to go through this Texas v. New Mexico water settlements, right?
• Chair, as to how close we are to finishing the Texas v. New Mexico settlement.
• No, not Texas versus New Mexico—the desalination rules, right?

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.