Video & Transcript Research : 'atomic bomb testing'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 29 Evening Session Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm concerned because you have testing protocols on who can proctor, what the testing security looks
- Representative, in creating this bill, my concern is when we get the test scores back from the testing
- I didn't have that direct discussion with testing Officials, my assumption is right now if we're testing
- or the majority of the testing.
- We We know that our friends in the northeast of the United States don't test everyone; they test the
Bills:
HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199
Keywords:
reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 29 Afternoon Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199
Keywords:
reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 29 Morning Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of deadline week, and so I was trying to look for a scripture. to talk about this and talk about testing
- through 5: 'Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing
- But the reason third grade retention is the number is because when you're talking about formative tests
- difficult when you're talking about a six-year-old having them sit down and take a thirty-five-minute test
- So, the earliest age you can really have formative tests that I think are of any value and that the data
Bills:
HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199
Keywords:
reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- That, you know, even as a reported safety feature, in single-turn testing, they would show, "Yes, the
- Um, we also were able to in our testing Um, we also were able to in our testing have<00:59:51.680
- you how to make a bomb, um, find weapons,<01:00:05.640>
get <01:00:05.840>drugs. - Um, Um, and here, even make a teach you how to make a bomb, find weapons, get drugs.
- So, um, inconsistent during our testing.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine S.222, to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow schools that participate in the school lunch program to serve whole milk. Apr 1st, 2025 at 09:00 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It's nice, as an atom, to be in the presence of another Eve. My wife is Eve also, by the way.
Bills:
SB222
Keywords:
whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction
Summary:
This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of you know we had 29 bomb threats. Half of our counties had a bomb threat.
- dissemination of voting information to increase voter participation and confidence, voting system testing
- let's go ahead and Thank you Madam Chair and I'm gonna get pulled into another committee and in short test
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 5, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Admission is based on entrance exams, standardized tests, and elementary school grades.
- FBI task force officer, and a bomb FBI task force officer, and a bomb technician.<01:15:10.400><
- over the weekend on Russia's bombing over the weekend on Russia's bombing fleet<07:31:29.360>
- Tweets: 'Time to drop the really big bomb.' At Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.
- Tweets: 'Time to drop the really big bomb.' At Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And next thing we knew we had the SWAT team there busting down the door, throwing in smoke bombs, and
- And next thing we knew we had the SWAT team there busting down the door, throwing in smoke bombs, and
- And next thing we knew we had the SWAT team there busting down the door, throwing in smoke bombs, and
- And next thing we knew we had the SWAT team there busting down the door, throwing in smoke bombs, and
- And next thing we knew we had the SWAT team there busting down the door, throwing in smoke bombs, and
Summary:
The subcommittee took up a proposed amendment to HP 598, with Nick Norman walking members through changes intended to preserve the existing eviction framework rather than create a separate expedited process. He said the amendment folds the bill’s changes into current law, adds limits on post-judgment motions and continuances, shortens or eliminates certain discretionary stays in default situations, and speeds issuance of notices and writs of possession. The amendment also adds language to RSA 540A to allow action against tenants, family members, guests, or occupants engaging in conduct that damages property or threatens health and safety, and it changes the effective date to 90 days after passage. Norman also said the amendment was meant to reduce frivolous delays and court fiscal impacts.
Members raised concerns about several provisions, especially the clause barring discretionary stays after tenant default, the use of the word “immediately” for issuing writs, and the reduction of discretionary stays from 90 days to 60 days. One member asked for clarification on whether any meritorious circumstances should still allow a stay, and another suggested defining a specific timeline for judgments after hearings. Norman responded that the default provision was aimed at cases where tenants do not appear at all, and he said the intent was to prevent abuse of the process. He also discussed the new RSA 540A language as a way to address serious health and safety problems, including unauthorized occupants and hoarding.
Other testimony was generally supportive of the amendment as an improvement over the original bill, but several witnesses urged changes. New Hampshire Legal Assistance said it would likely be neutral if recommended edits were made, and suggested clarifying language, preserving the ability to strike defaults, and allowing longer stays by agreement of the parties. That witness and others argued that a 60-day cap could interfere with negotiated move-out agreements and could be too short in some cases, especially for elderly or disabled tenants. There was also discussion of narrowing the new 540A remedy to the specific person causing the problem, while preserving protections for innocent household members, particularly in domestic violence situations. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated the committee would consider revised language before executive session.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs (10/17/2025)
State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, Representative Man Bomb is getting close.
- And this is to say nothing of the Israel bombing Qar.
- skepticism on the matter, the US bombed skepticism on the matter, the US bombed Iran<00:36:20.400
- that you know right after we bombed that you know right after we bombed Iran.<00:36:40.240>
Uh - Um comments made by the uh bombing Qar.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- disturbing, and whatever your other talking points that I'm sure have been well thought out, media tested
- A similar bomb threat followed in mid-January. directly impacted.
- <00:09:21.400>
threats <00:09:21.880>in received two bomb threats in received two bomb - A<00:09:29.360>
similar <00:09:29.800>threat <00:09:30.360>bomb <00:09:30.600> - :51:40.120>
of Our [clears throat] final test of Our [clears throat] final test of testifiers<
Summary:
The committee adopted the minutes from its February 24, 2026 meeting after a motion by Vice Chair Coulter. The hearing then focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement, referred to throughout as Operation Metro Surge, on Minnesota college campuses. The chair said the purpose was to document alleged abuses, campus fear, and racial discrimination, and to hear from testifiers about effects on students, faculty, and staff. Representative Novotny briefly objected to the framing, saying the committee should be finding facts rather than making a predetermined presentation, and the chair responded that members should remain respectful and that questions would be held until after all presenters testified.
Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow described what he called relentless and unprecedented disruption, including student stops and interrogations, family separations, and an ICE operation on campus in which armed masked agents allegedly detained a student without a warrant and pointed weapons at students and staff. He said the campus received bomb threats afterward, increased virtual learning options, and saw spikes in student support needs, housing assistance, and leaves of absence. Jenna Chernega of the Inter Faculty Organization said faculty across Minnesota State universities reported widespread student and colleague stress, increased workload, disappearing students, and a need for clearer sensitive-location protections and academic freedom guidance. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College Faculty said community conditions inevitably affect classrooms, that campuses have not yet had an ICE incident but are bracing for one, and that faculty want to support students and may need financial help if enrollment declines.
Jennifer Irwin of AFSCME said fear from ICE activity extends beyond campus boundaries and is affecting attendance, work, and daily life for staff and students; she cited a member detained in St. Paul while trying to prove legal status. Student testifiers Brendan Frazier of Concordia University, St. Paul, Jonathan Fitzgerald of Minnesota State Mankato, Sudi Adow of Lead MN, and Will Luther of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities described panic, reduced attendance, food insecurity, disrupted classes, and fear of leaving home or commuting to campus. They urged stronger student privacy protections, support for international and immigrant students, emergency aid, and policies to keep campuses safe. No further committee action or votes were taken after the minutes approval.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Transportation (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- a thousand mechanic certification tests a thousand mechanic certification tests opened<00:26:10.159
- Our bomb squad is comprised of four full-time members and four part-time members.
- This does not include our four or five bomb dogs that we have.
- Our next test is March 1st, and we'd love to have them.
- squad uh responded to 555 calls uh bomb squad uh responded to 555 calls for<00:32:34.679>
service
Summary:
The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures.
The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes.
State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 18th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- In June of 2024, we saw an unprecedented campaign with over 50 bomb threats targeting multiple Jewish
- In June of 2024, we saw an unprecedented campaign with over 50 bomb threats targeting multiple Jewish
- When applying to be a police officer, you are psychologically evaluated, you take a lie detector test
Keywords:
foreclosure, court clerks, budget management, judicial sales, Florida statutes, bail bonds, pretrial release, forfeiture, criminal justice, bond conditions, surety, attorney fees, litigation costs, court jurisdiction, equitable awards, financial resources, domestic violence, protective injunctions, electronic monitoring, enhanced penalties
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to consider several criminal justice and court-related bills, along with the committee’s proposed $7.9 billion budget. The committee first heard and approved CS/SB 600 on bail bonds, as amended to adjust solicitation, cash bond return, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures; CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses and was amended to correct a drafting issue; CS/SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction for dangerous crimes; SB 1332 on career offender registration, adding in-person reporting, more detailed registration requirements, and stronger penalties for noncompliance; and CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, a domestic violence measure adopted via a substitute amendment that adds stricter penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures. All of those bills were reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office. The bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for statewide review, and opponents raising concerns about free speech, the definition of anti-Semitism, and possible conflation of criticism of Israel with hate speech. Senators also discussed the bill’s scope and the IHRA definition before it was reported favorably. In addition, CS/SB 532 on clerks of court was amended to clarify foreclosure sale procedures and funding predictability for clerks, then reported favorably. CS/SB 644 on attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs was also approved after amendments that aligned family-law fee provisions and codified standards for fee awards in dissolution and paternity cases; the sponsor said the bill was intended to curb vexatious litigation and improve consistency across districts.
After the bill actions, the chair summarized the criminal and civil justice budget, describing it as a disciplined proposal that addresses corrections deficits and future inmate growth while funding core public safety needs. The committee then heard substantial public testimony on prison conditions, staffing, pay, heat, infrastructure, and the possibility of reducing prison populations or adding air conditioning in facilities. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill SB 1634 would be temporarily postponed to the following week, and the record was supplemented with the names of many people who had registered to speak for or against those bills. The meeting concluded after members were invited to record votes and the committee adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Aug 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- On slide 46, this is the actual stress test.
- If you'll turn to pages 14 and 15, on page 15 we have the stress test here and the Blue or the bottom
- You have funds or reductions needed to meet the stress test scenario.
- My pet peeve is, is there any effort to test them in third grade?
- How that whole child tests a few years later, an effort to extend that. So, Mr.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill to ban semiautomatic military-style assault weapons 2/24/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Supreme Court case, they talk about that test: if it's in common use, you can't ban it.
- Supreme Court case, they talk about that test: if it's in common use, you can't ban it.
- Supreme Court case, they talk about that test: if it's in common use, you can't ban it.
- <00:38:05.599>
school <00:38:05.839>shooting bomb. - And the deadliest school shooting bomb.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3433 and House File 3402 together, both aimed at restricting assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. The bill authors described the measures as bans on the sale and possession of enumerated military-style semi-automatic weapons and magazines over 10 rounds, while allowing current owners to keep firearms through a BCA certification process. They framed the bills as a response to the Annunciation School shooting and broader gun violence, emphasizing public support and the need to act to protect children and communities.
Testimony in support came from Annunciation families and a Hennepin Healthcare emergency physician. Survivors and family members described the shooting’s aftermath in personal detail, including the death of children, severe injuries, long-term trauma, and ongoing medical treatment. They argued that the type of weapon mattered because it increased the speed and severity of the attack, and that limiting access to these weapons could slow future mass shootings and save lives. The physician said the injuries he treated showed how high-velocity rifles cause far greater tissue damage and urged swift action to limit access.
Opposition testimony came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Law Center and the NRA. They argued the bills would not have prevented the Annunciation shooting, contended that the 1994 federal assault weapons ban did not reduce crime, and said the legislation would likely face constitutional challenges because the firearms and magazines are in common use and protected by the Second Amendment. They also raised concerns about the bill’s grandfathering, registration, renewal, inspection, storage, and ammunition restrictions, and suggested lawmakers should instead focus on mental health intervention and other upstream causes of violence. The hearing ended with the committee moving into member discussion; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 24, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We're bombing Iran. Iran is bombing us. The risk of miscalculation is massive.
- We're bombing Iran. Iran is bombing us. The risk of miscalculation is massive.
- We're bombing Iran. Iran is bombing us. The risk of miscalculation is massive.
- We're bombing Iran. Iran is bombing us. The risk of miscalculation is massive.
- We're bombing Iran. Iran consequences. We're bombing Iran.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Hydrogen is #1 in the periodic table and the atomic weight is 1.
- We have our test bed and produced water treatment and also we use the renewable energy to desalinate
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- watched, were so gallantly, lately We watched were so gallantly streaming on the rocket's red glare, the bombs
- a bill reaches the floor of this House, it should be the best version of itself, poked, prodded, tested
Summary:
The Florida House convened for the opening day of the 2025 regular session with prayer, moments of silence honoring Senator Geraldine Thompson and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a quorum call, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The chamber also recognized Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz as law enforcement officer of the day and approved the journal. Numerous guests were introduced, including members of the Florida Cabinet, Supreme Court justices, former House speakers, former legislative leaders, former members, and Speaker Perez’s family.
Speaker Daniel Perez delivered the opening address, emphasizing that the session should focus on meaningful reforms, strong committee work, and bipartisan engagement rather than personal priorities. He highlighted property insurance as a major issue and said the insurance and banking subcommittee would investigate possible misconduct by insurers, including the use of subpoenas, sworn testimony, and outside experts. He also pointed to housing, health care, public education, public safety, government accountability, and budget savings as key areas for legislative work.
The House received a letter from Governor Ron DeSantis requesting a joint session on March 4 at 11 a.m. for the State of the State address. The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1294 to authorize the joint session, and the related House concurrent resolution was laid on the table. The House then adjourned to conduct committee and other business and to reconvene for the joint session at 11 a.m. or upon call of the Speaker.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-04 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was
- a bill reaches the floor of this House, it should be the best version of itself, poked, prodded, tested
Summary:
The Florida House convened for the opening day of the 2025 regular session with prayer, moments of silence honoring Senator Geraldine Thompson and Congressman Lincoln Díaz-Balart, the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem. The chamber recognized Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz as law enforcement officer of the day, approved the journal, and welcomed state officials, Supreme Court justices, former House speakers, former legislative leaders, former members, and Speaker Perez’s family.
Speaker Daniel Perez delivered opening remarks focused on making the House a more engaged and dynamic chamber, emphasizing substantive reforms, strong committee work, and accountability in government. He highlighted property insurance as a major issue, noting concerns about undisclosed reports and directing the insurance and banking subcommittee to hold hearings with subpoena power and outside experts. He also called for attention to housing, health care, public education, public safety, and budget savings, urging members to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse and to find recurring spending cuts.
The House received Governor Ron DeSantis’s request to address a joint session on March 4 at 11 a.m. and adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1294, which authorized the House and Senate to meet in joint session for that purpose. Upon adoption of the resolution, HCR 1289 was laid on the table. The House then adjourned to allow for committee and subcommittee meetings and to reconvene for the joint session later that morning.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Absolutely, and I'm sure my friends at the Oklahoma Chamber can tell you we are not a bomb-throwing organization
- Absolutely, and I'm sure my friends at the Oklahoma Chamber can tell you we are not a bomb-throwing organization
- Absolutely, and I'm sure my friends at the Oklahoma Chamber can tell you we are not a bomb-throwing organization
- Absolutely, and I'm sure my friends at the Oklahoma Chamber can tell you we are not a bomb-throwing organization
- And when you can find a worker at the margin and you can test it, so that'd be a high school worker,
Summary:
The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs.
A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness.
Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.