Transcript Highlights:

• Uh there's a law enforcement vehicles.
• <02:54:31.680> must the public utilities commission must the public utilities commission must
• This is the utilities commission.
• utilities commission. Again, Mr. utilities commission. Again, Mr.
• well as the public utilities commission well as the public utilities commission and<03:16:24.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We raised taxes on tobacco products, sales tax on motor vehicles.
• But on the sales tax on motor vehicles, we were promised, and we promised, that that was only temporary
• Dwayne Helmberger to the State Fire Marshal Commission.
• Dwayne Helmberger to the State Fire Marshal Commission. Senator Hall. Mr.
• the Senate do advise and consent to the nomination of Dwayne Helmberger to the State Fire Marshal Commission

Bills: HB1168

Keywords: abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, methotrexate, pro-life, pro-choice, reproductive health, unborn child, trafficking, felony, contraception, pharmacist, pharmacy, Title 63, Oklahoma statutes, abortion pill, drug distribution, criminal penalty

Summary: The Senate first came to order after repeated quorum calls, then devoted a long portion of the meeting to farewell remarks for Senator Darcy Jech. Jech reflected on his 12 years in the chamber, his rural district, campaign experiences, major events during his tenure, and the importance of relationships, compromise, and service. Numerous senators followed with personal tributes, praising his steadiness, humility, faith, work on devotions and the Rural Caucus, and his reputation as a thoughtful, respectful colleague and family man. After the farewell segment, the Senate moved to executive nominations. The chamber unanimously confirmed Sharon Shell Millington as Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Clayton Bullard as Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health, and Clayton Bullard as administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. The Senate then approved a slate of Tier 2 nominations, including appointments to the Home Inspector Examiners Committee, the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology board, the State Fire Marshal Commission, the State Board of Health, the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, the Forensic Review Board, the Oklahoma State Credit Union, the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, the Alarm, Locksmith, and Fire Sprinkler Industry Committee, and the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. No debate or opposition was recorded on the nominations, and the votes were overwhelmingly or unanimously in favor. After announcements, the Senate agreed to recess and then adjourned until Monday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• study the feasibility and implications of a constitutional amendment establishing an independent commission
• study the feasibility and implications of a constitutional amendment, establishing an independent commission
• . first time the constitutional amendment has been introduced in terms of looking at creating a commission
• so they are preventive health care services, including services that are provided in a patient's vehicle
• Being charged for simple outpatient visits, vaccinations given in vehicles or given quickly by nurses

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill implements several recommendations made by the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use
• SB 824 directs the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to create a new specialty license
• We have Kevin Noonan, waiving in support, Orlando Utilities Commission.
• Finally, the dignity of the human person is not lost even after the commission of grave evil.
• Is not lost even after the commission of grave evil. Thank you for your consideration. Thank you.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and considered a wide range of bills, including early learning and special needs funding (SB 1102), Israel bond investment authority (SB 1674), Parkinson’s disease research at USF (SB 1800), mental health and substance use disorder reforms (SB 1620), veterans nursing home beds (SB 788), securities regulation updates (SB 988), labor pool regulation (SB 1672), Alzheimer’s awareness (SB 398), educator preparation (SB 1590), student mental health reporting (SB 1310), specialty license plates (SB 824), financial institutions and IOTA-related issues (SB 1612), transportation facility designations (SB 1408), utility worker protections (SB 1386), DNA testing grants (SB 1072), the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys (SB 364), housing support for former foster youth and homeless students (SB 584), sex offender registration changes (SB 1654), migrant vessel disposal (SB 830), commuter rail indemnification (SB 916), juvenile justice revisions (SB 1344), aggravating factors in capital cases (SB 984), and a criminal offender substance abuse pilot program (SB 1140). Most bills were explained by sponsors, often with supportive testimony from affected agencies, advocacy groups, or industry representatives, and several were amended before final action. The committee adopted amendments on many measures, including clarifications and effective-date changes for SB 1102; technical changes to SB 1620 implementing mental health commission recommendations; a delete-all amendment for SB 1620; an amendment to SB 988; a consumer-disclosure amendment on SB 1612; and multiple amendments to SB 1408, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, and SB 1344. SB 1672 on the Labor Pool Act drew extensive public testimony in opposition from worker advocates, who argued repeal would weaken protections for temp workers and formerly incarcerated workers, and the bill was temporarily postponed to a later meeting without a vote. Several bills received notable testimony in support, including SB 584, where former foster youth described housing instability and the importance of campus housing and federal voucher coordination; SB 1386, which was backed by utility and industry groups seeking stronger penalties for assaults on utility workers; and SB 984, which drew opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops over expansion of death penalty aggravators. The committee also heard support and opposition on SB 1612 regarding IOTA interest rates and legal aid funding, with bankers and civil legal aid representatives disputing the proper rate structure and whether the bill conflicted with Florida Bar rules. At the end of the meeting, the committee reported all voted-on bills favorably, including SB 1102, SB 1674, SB 1800, SB 1620, SB 788, SB 988, SB 398, SB 1590, SB 1310, SB 824, SB 1612, SB 1408, SB 1386, SB 1072, SB 364, SB 584, SB 1654, SB 830, SB 916, SB 1344, SB 984, and SB 1140. Members also requested to be recorded on various bills, and the committee adjourned after noting one remaining meeting would be lengthy.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes fully funding all vehicle and equipment requests for the highway patrol and increasing
• staff, $24 million to purchase critical security equipment, replacing aging radio systems and motor vehicles
• It prohibits license plate reader companies from Sharing sensitive vehicle registration information with
• It improves local law enforcement's ability to ticket loud vehicles.
• It improves the process by which a golf cart may be converted to a low-speed vehicle.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have moved a big part of our fleet, 100 vehicles. We have, and I can give you the breakdown.
• purchased, but it's roughly 100 vehicles overall.
• And then a full stop on a separate matter, the... vehicles overall. Okay.
• I think they were struck by a vehicle, weren't they? Yeah, a DOT employee. Okay.
• I mean, we help local governments; they get a portion of vehicle registration, I believe.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next step after review is for it to go to the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission and then this
• We handle the vehicle for purchasing. That is more of an accounting decision.
• Number one is with the Public Service Commission with D. Brent Ire.
• Number two, also with the Public Service Commission, with Daymark Energy Advisors.
• And, of course, I'm fond of the head of the airport commission.

Summary: The committee first considered an $88,000 used tire program contract for District 4 with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could worsen cash flow before funding was confirmed. Questions were also raised about procurement language in the RFP that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. After discussion, a motion was made and approved to hold the contract until next month so the tire board could appear and answer questions. Members then reviewed a large slate of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included capital projects at ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech, Ozarka, UA Fayetteville, UA Little Rock, UAMS, and UCA; a new UCA multi-purpose arena project estimated at $75.5 million; and DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, and rural hospital quality improvement. All of these items were reviewed without objection. The committee also heard a ratification request from UAMS for a Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing contract with FMLA Source. UAMS said an amendment had been prepared but never submitted for review, and payments continued after expiration; members expressed frustration and asked UAMS to review whether other contracts had similarly lapsed. The committee then reviewed numerous construction-related, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including airport economic impact study work, parking guidance technology at the University of Arkansas, veteran nursing services, and multiple DHS service contracts. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after reports of routine contract amendments and minor contracts were presented for information.

Transcript Highlights:

• in either the general rate case or review of a balancing account or memorandum account, and the commission
• compensation. ...times those people require a certain level of compensation, and ultimately the commission
• And when it was locally permitted, the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, it's not like
• And when it was locally permitted, the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, it's not like
• And that's why the Public Utilities Commission has now taken upon themselves, with their safety order

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate. SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments. SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's currently subject to the Sunset Commission. Correct.
• Commissioning its own peace officers is more cost-efficient and ensures consistency.
• The hospital district does not have its own commissioned officers.
• In Harris County Hospital District facilities, commissioned officers will have the legal authority to
• A tow of such a vehicle is around $10,000.

Bills: HB334, HB583, HB605, HB1327, HB1646, HB2115, HB2379

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• will include the Department of Health Care Services, the Department of State Hospitals, and the Commission
• Include the Department of Health Care Services, the Department of State Hospitals, and the Commission
• So we will welcome Executive Director Grealish of the Commission on Behavioral Health.
• us here this evening to talk to you a little bit about the Commission for Behavioral Health and some
• A key part of our transparency work is our public-facing data tools, like our Commission Transparency

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• San Mateo County on their vehicle license fee funding, and here are several GovOps proposals and an update
• I'm here to address the vehicle license fee and an obsolete mechanism that's in place.
• I'm here to address the vehicle license fee and an obsolete mechanism that's in place.
• But I have a direct affiliation with the vehicle license fee, really.
• And given the diminished capacity of the Motor Vehicle Fund...

Summary: The hearing began with a vote-only agenda and then focused first on San Mateo County’s request to restore in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) funding. County officials, city leaders, labor representatives, nonprofits, and public safety advocates argued that the loss of roughly $157 million would force major cuts to homelessness services, housing assistance, mental health programs, libraries, parks, fire and police staffing, and other local services. They described the current formula as outdated and unfair, tied to school funding and basic-aid dynamics that no longer work for San Mateo County, and urged both an immediate budget restoration and a permanent legislative fix. The Department of Finance said the payments are discretionary, not statutorily required, and noted the administration does not view the expenditure as sustainable in the current fiscal climate. Committee members expressed sympathy, questioned the formula, and said they would keep the issue under consideration; the committee later voted to move the two vote-only items on the agenda. The committee then received an update from the Department of General Services on state property redevelopment, including the Hillcrest DMV site in San Diego, the Fell Street DMV site in San Francisco, and other state-owned properties. DGS explained that Hillcrest is not currently an active project, while the Fell Street project shifted from an integrated DMV-housing plan to a more feasible relocation of the DMV into leased commercial space, with a budget change proposal pending. Members pressed DGS on the slow pace of redevelopment, the potential for housing on state sites, and the costs and feasibility of adaptive reuse. DGS said many state buildings are aging and that adaptive reuse depends heavily on building design, floorplate depth, light, and risk from unknown conditions behind walls. The Government Operations portion then turned to the California Education Learning Lab, which supports intersegmental higher education innovation grants. The Lab asked for permanent restoration of $4 million in ongoing funding and a move of its home agency from the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps, along with technical trailer bill changes. Supporters said the program has funded more than 120 projects reaching thousands of faculty and hundreds of thousands of students, including work on generative AI in higher education. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the restoration and continuing the wind-down, citing the state’s projected deficit and suggesting the California Education Interagency Council could pursue non-state-funded grant opportunities instead. The committee held the item open. Finally, GovOps presented the new California Education Interagency Council staffing request, seeking four ongoing positions to support the council, with funding already included in last year’s budget. The department said the governor has appointed Debbie Cochran as executive officer and that the remaining positions are being recruited. Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee began questions about how the council will be staffed and organized.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inru. 8.24.51, Arizona Commission, Strategic Plan. Rage. 8.2.26.
• Finance. 3.23-23-23-2-2-6-9, warranty, lease vehicles, leased definition. Act.
• House Bill 267, neighborhood vehicles, VLT exemption.
• Injury-267, neighborhood, vehicles, VLT, exemption. ATT.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• questions, we have one appearance form from Kerry Stillman, the Executive Director of the Florida Commission
• SPB 7032 removes a requirement that an agency go through DMS for all aspects of vehicle management, including
• the purchase, maintenance, and disposal of motor vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft.
• Instead, the bill allows a state agency to manage its fleet vehicle, subject to appropriation and state

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records. Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• protections, which is why we're still working on it. 515B and allows it to be a more regularly used vehicle
• protections, which is why we're still working on it. 515B and allows it to be a more regularly used vehicle
• protections, which is why we're still working on it. 515B and allows it to be a more regularly used vehicle
• Um, quite frankly, so I serve on the Duluth Indigenous Commission.
• On that commission, I work with our education subcommittee, and then also I'm an uncle raising my nephew

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• beach in Florida—and your vehicle's insurance company deems it a total loss, and you want to keep the vehicle
• for whatever reason... ...keep the vehicle for whatever reason and apply for a salvage title in Alabama
• allow an Alabama citizen that has a title to be able to apply for that salvage title to retain the vehicle
• Or if a company brings a vehicle, you know, an insurance auction company brings the vehicle into the
• state, they're able to... ...vehicle into the state, they're able to apply for a salvage title through

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just to keep the vehicle alive so we can keep it working and not run out of time because it is
• There are so many boards and commissions across the state. Yes.
• There are so many boards and commissions across the state.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . commission um in current statute it commission um in current statute it basically<03:30:12.760>
• . commission and make it uh a mandatory commission and make it uh a mandatory meeting meeting meeting
• commission and that the commission commission and that the commission should<03:31:55.520> uh
• read your P right oversight commission read your P right oversight commission this<03:35:31.199>
• <03:50:05.760> is the surveying um this commission is the surveying um this commission is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I met with the Paris Olympic Commission, and they talked about the successes and some of the shortfalls
• I did meet early on with the commission and the headquarters.
• And then emergency vehicles and first responders.
• They are all CNG and battery electric vehicles so that these Games can leave that legacy of clean air
• Our goal is to reduce vehicle trips by 20% through our Games partners at SCAG, which is the Southern

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but she quickly mastered every or many of the areas of practice at NHLC, from the Hawaiian Homes Commission
• c><00:04:32.880> Act<00:04:33.800> to<00:04:33.880> the the Hawaiian Homes Commission
• Act to the the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act to the protection<00:04:34.440> of<00:04:34.560>
• elders with respect to the vehicle elders with respect to the vehicle weight. weight. weight.
• <01:26:59.000> not of an inspection bonding vehicle not of an inspection bonding vehicle not

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the confirmation of Kursha Kauahi Kani Mililani Durrant to the District Court of the First Circuit, but announced it would not vote until April 2. The chair also noted a backup plan if Zoom failed. Testimony was limited to two minutes per speaker. The hearing focused on Durrant’s qualifications, judicial temperament, and readiness for the bench, with no opposition presented. Support came from the Office of the Public Defender, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Native Hawaiian Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Women’s Lawyers, and numerous individuals. Witnesses described Durrant as highly experienced in both criminal and civil practice, including district, family, circuit, appellate, ICA, and Supreme Court work. Several speakers emphasized her legal reasoning, mentorship, civility, cultural grounding, and ability to listen and treat litigants with dignity. Personal supporters also highlighted her public service, hula background, and character. Committee members questioned Durrant about how she would approach district court cases involving repeat offenders, mental illness, substance abuse, houselessness, and diversion. Durrant said she would follow the law, consider the full range of sentencing factors, and use available probation, diversion, and treatment options where appropriate. She said she would be committed to using legislative tools such as Act 26 and other diversion powers, and to looking beyond advocacy toward practical justice and reducing recidivism. She also said her clerkship with Judge Marsha Waldorf, including exposure to drug court and mental health court, shaped her approach to problem-solving on the bench.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:19.079> in aahu historic preservation Commission in aahu historic preservation Commission
• So this under the four powers of the commission, which I wish we had a commission; otherwise, we would
• So this under the four powers of the commission, which I wish we had a commission; otherwise, we would
• So this under the four powers of the commission, which I wish we had a commission; otherwise, we would
• which I wish we had a the commission which I wish we had a commission<00:52:34.079> otherwise

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.