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OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Agriculture and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, looking at some of the things the state could have done to mitigate this.
  • My name is Lucille Morehouse, and I'm a 15-year-old forage state ambassador.
  • I think every state last one of the statistics I read every state but Washita County had grown wheat
  • I think we've have state insects, we have state stakes, we have state birds, and we have a lot of other
  • And sometimes those feel-good state bills designated as a state deal are not that friendly.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture and Wildlife Feb 16th, 2026

Agriculture and Wildlife

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Lucille Morehouse, and I'm a 15-year-old Ford State Ambassador.
  • I'm here today to help recognize and give state designations to five of these pollinators.
  • I think every state, last one of the statistics I read, every state but Pushmataha County had grown wheat
  • We've had state insects, we have state steaks, we have state birds, and we have a lot of other things
  • And sometimes those feel-good state bills designated a state deal is not that friendly.
Summary: The committee took up several agriculture and wildlife-related bills. Senate Bill 1550, presented by Senator Axson, would give county commissioners more authority to issue burn bans during drought conditions and provide liability protection for those decisions; it passed 13-0. Senate Bill 2065, presented by Senator Bullard with help from Lucille Morehouse, would designate several native pollinators and recognize the importance of pollinators to agriculture and food production; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2152, by Senator Kern, would allow the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to move black bear muzzleloader and archery season earlier, starting no earlier than September 1; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2159, by Senator Peterson, would designate wheat as the state crop; it passed 12-0. Senate Bill 2172, also by Senator Peterson, would prohibit future ownership, sale, trade, or breeding of primates while allowing existing lawful owners to register and comply with rules, with exceptions for sanctuaries, research, veterinary, law enforcement, and zoo settings; it passed 11-0. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2110 from Senator Murdoch, which would allow farmers to sell ungraded eggs. Members raised concerns about the low egg limit and asked about sales to restaurants and urban farms; the author said he would work on the number and other details. The bill passed 11-0. Senate Bill 2111, also by Senator Murdoch, would remove the orange-clothing requirement for hunters on private hunt reserves or private hunt facilities; it passed 12-0. Finally, Senator Guthrie presented Senate Bill 2114, as amended by committee substitute, to make it unlawful to knowingly, recklessly, or negligently allow a dog to harass wildlife on property without permission, while excluding lawful hunting, livestock protection dogs, and brief accidental crossings. Members discussed dog hunting, property rights, and possible GPS or collar language; the chairman struck the title to allow further work on the bill. The measure passed 12-1. The meeting then adjourned after the chair noted the committee would continue with more bills in future meetings.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Feb 11th, 2026

Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill is supported by the Board of Governors of the State University System and by our state colleges
  • The bill is supported by the Board of Governors of the State University System and by our state colleges
  • The state, the agencies in the state of Florida, and also our federal partners, to keep Florida safe
  • Is this expanding state surveillance of our constituents and residents of the state? Thank you.
  • and the United States of America.
Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate. Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19. The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support. In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 10th, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yeah, I think that we've got a lot of inconsistencies across the state when it comes to the timing of
  • So I think this is just a good way to create some consistency across the state. Thank you, Mr.
  • and local governments, treating them as state agents for liability purposes.
  • So there's nothing that we can do here in the state that's going to impact the rails.
  • We've got to address sovereign immunity as a state.
Bills: S0828, S1274, S1310, S1378, S1562
Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several measures and adopted amendments on multiple bills. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of provisions from the original bill and added items including local authority to lower residential street speed limits, clarification on obscured license plates, FDOT funding for certain rural airport aviation projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes tied to red-light cameras, changes to private use of license plate readers, and other transportation-related revisions. After brief questions and supportive testimony, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 1310, which was converted into a study bill directing FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report findings and policy options to the governor and legislature. Railroad industry testimony supported the study but raised concerns about interoperability with train safety systems and suggested the study consider additional safety tools such as red-light cameras and wayside horns. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 828, as amended, would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services on behalf of governments, with supporters saying it would reduce costs and provide certainty for transit providers, while opponents warned it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under federal law. The committee reported that bill favorably as well. The committee then passed SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying when vehicles may be treated as abandoned, adding penalties for unlawfully attached plates or stickers, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used to flee law enforcement even without an immediate arrest. It also approved SB 1562, which aims to prevent manufacturers from concentrating sales of certain vehicle brands through a single dealer group and instead promote competition among independent dealers. In addition, the committee unanimously confirmed a slate of appointees, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several bills before adjourning.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-EDT, AEN Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're getting some interest from the coastal states, and now you're finding states like Idaho claiming
  • , but it's county, state, federal level, but it's county, state, federal requirements.<00:14:05.600><
  • </c> National Association of State National Association of State Departments<00:14:09.839><c> of</c><
  • and now you're finding coastal states and now you're finding states<00:14:47.680><c> like</c><00:14:
  • So you have the majority of state.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 02-04-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're a blue state.
  • We're a blue state.
  • So thank you for state a lot.
  • </c> State Representative Greenpeace Hawaii. State Representative Greenpeace Hawaii.
  • </c> state tax liability. state tax liability.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 5th, 2026

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • So for state agencies that are a part of the annual comprehensive financial report, For state agencies
  • I wouldn't say a majority, but many of the state agencies, maybe a majority of the state agencies, get
  • Many states have these separated.
  • Chair and state auditor. Auditor.
  • So the state of New Mexico, from a state government or a state agency perspective, has one single taxpayer
Bills: HB2, SB145, SB143
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused. The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt. The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 3rd, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • My last question is it pertains to the state preemption. And so does the state preemption..."
  • "Question as it pertains to the state preemption, and so does the state preemption prevent the cities
  • So towers and wreckers are being asked and tasked by the state, and the state is codifying a National
  • The state has 420 cities and 67 Thank you. process. The state has 420 cities and 67 counties.
  • It does a lot to move our state.
Bills: S0260, S1220, S1352, S1362, S1370
Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. Senator Harrell described the bill as a framework for vertiports and eVTOL aircraft, but an amendment removed the sales tax exemptions and narrowed the sovereign immunity provisions to vertiports co-located at airports. Supporters said the bill would help Florida lead in emerging aviation technology, while opponents and some members raised concerns about safety, local control, and extending immunity to unproven facilities. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 260 on storage of damaged electric vehicles. The bill, as amended, would allow local governments to set a daily administrative fee of up to three times the normal rate for storing EVs with visible battery damage or saltwater intrusion, reflecting fire-safety spacing requirements. Testimony from insurers, towing interests, and fleet operators focused on whether the fee was justified, whether cleanup language could lead to cost shifting, and whether more data reporting should be required. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 1352, which creates a secure online portal for license plate seizures and related DMV functions, preserves disabled veterans’ plate designations, prohibits license plate covers that obscure plates, and routes online license and ID renewals through county tax collectors. SB 1370 was also reported favorably; it closes a loophole so drivers who never obtained a license can still face habitual traffic offender penalties after repeated offenses. Finally, the committee took up SB 1220, a broad FDOT transportation package. After amendment, it retained provisions on trails, SunTrail, seaports, airports, drone delivery, autonomous vehicle protections, and FDOT coordination on federal funding, while removing the digital driver’s license provision and the rapid rail compact language. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the country... ...to make Alabama the most military-friendly state in the country, and how do we
  • Military-friendly protects our military assets from moving out of the state of Alabama.
  • So now she shows up to this new state where she may never even been there before.
  • So now she shows up to this new state where she may never even been there before.
  • I can read the text if it is in the state when it comes to the state what we're doing is adding five
Bills: HB292, HB307, SB33, HB292, HB307, SB33
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Housing Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:30 am

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • An intent section is added stating that the commission is not intended to function as a retail mortgage
  • Chair, for the work session that we had to learn more about the process of land banking in our state.
  • getting established now, especially that we're seeing the successes in Spokane and throughout the state
  • the reason we made the cleanup in RCW 18.43.180 is because within 43.180.030, it does specifically state
  • It would rely on the full faith and credit of all the taxpayers of Washington state.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy Jan 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • When in state waters or within three miles of the Washington State coastline.
  • A state-funded study by Washington State University researchers found that the current ban on thin grocery
  • HB 2367 simply aligns state law with today's policies.
  • I'd like to know what other states are doing.
  • Out-of-state vehicles are not covered.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Labor & Workplace Standards

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is currently not a practice in Washington State, and in Rep.
  • , equitably across state agencies.
  • Interpreters for state agencies are independent contractors with the state who interpret at certain types
  • It's that the state won't even let us talk about it at the table.
  • My name is Joe Kenda here with the Washington State Labor Council.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • All completed HIRs are available on the State Board of Health's website.
  • using them to reimburse the state for the cost of care.
  • And her whole time in foster care, the state took her Social Security benefits.
  • They are in our state care.
  • They are in our state care.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • represent and help us to listen and act with integrity and work together for the betterment of our state
  • This is a bill that works with the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy.
  • are spread among very few people, which can result in sharp fee increases as we've seen in other states
  • </c> states like Alaska. states like Alaska.
  • Any further business for the committee to consider for the good of the people of the state of Alabama
Bills: HB59, HB128, HB59, HB128
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Apr 29th, 2025

S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • States like California and Illinois can and do charge punitive taxes to Texas domiciled carriers simply
  • it doesn't change what is received by the state of Texas.
  • It specifically waives immunity for any private businesses within the state. ...state of Texas.
  • economic development for the state of Texas.
  • This bill will have a significant positive economic impact on the state of Texas, approximately $50 million
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • She's an ARRI regional specialist working with the state department of education.
  • We passed legislation to provide workers' compensation for state employees and Compensation for state
  • Um, the state superintendent will use a sliding scale of matching requirements.
  • Alabama is kind of the flagship state for this program.
  • Agriculture research and extension service to the state.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:02:19.400><c> of</c> uh law makinging for the state of uh law makinging for the state of Minnesota
  • State universities. state grants for the fiscal year state grants for the fiscal year 2024<00:31:57.159
  • A student with an average State Grant would get a State Grant Plus scholarship of about $800.
  • And then, finally, at Minnesota State colleges, the average State Grant is about $1,400.
  • A student with an average State Grant would get a State Grant Plus scholarship of about $350.
Bills: HF2090, HF982, HF2229
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> better for hopen County if the state better for hopen County if the state paid<00:26:48.039><c>
  • One strategy has been to advance our state annual Municipal State Aid, or MSA, allotments to meet our
  • is crisscrossed by state Brooklyn Center is crisscrossed by state highways<00:47:05.680><c> Highway<
  • </c> 1.5 million in annual Municipal state 1.5 million in annual Municipal state aid<00:48:00.000><c>
  • </c> project will be entered into the State project will be entered into the State Transportation<00:
Bills: HF192, HF268, HF1214, HF494
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee Feb 19th, 2025

Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • might be planning on running for reelection, and then all of a sudden a vacancy is created in the state
  • It's going to allow Alabama to remain competitive and even excel beyond our neighboring states.
  • Even excel beyond our neighboring states. There are no new taxes and no effect on the general fund.
  • The company that's being recruited will pay for this fee and will reduce the state sales tax abatement
  • It would reduce the state sales tax abatement by 75% and put it in that new fund.
Bills: SB45, SB73, SB169, HB243, SB177