Transcript Highlights:

• Now do you get bad apples? You do. you do and it's not okay. Okay yeah.
• recapture, two that do not.
• in 19 that do not.
• It affects a total of 954 districts across the state and a 493 of those pay recapture and 761 do not.
• We do relatively well. We're ranked ninth in the nation. Average pay, not so well.

Bills: HB2 , HB2

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a product for professional liability that they do.
• not have as a condition How do I want to say this?
• In states that have a PCF, they do not require the providers to pay in, or do they?
• Do you not agree that the legislature has that authority? Sure, the legislature can do that.
• I do not believe that it is that simple.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• funds were not used to pay vendors.
• You're not going to pay it.
• I do not recall saying that, Senator.
• They are not doing that, or they are doing that, but I know what's happening out in the field.
• ...and everybody pays for it, whether you pay with a credit card or not.

Bills: SB231 , SB584 , SB600 , SB668 , SB841 , SB986 , SB1003 , SB1244 , SB1625 , SB1960 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB2026 , SB2056 , SB2368

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not actually losing. We're not having to pay for that capitation premium.
• We had one guy, our own engineer, figured out we could not do it by ourselves.
• Our county and planning zoning committees did not pay attention to that.
• I mean, I do have a PowerPoint. I don't know if that's available for PowerPoint or not.
• We, and it's not that we haven't been doing our job, we just haven't had the money to do our job, and

Transcript Highlights:

• do what we do and would not be here at this deadline without your very valuable service heavenly father
• If you do these certain things, then you can pay a lower rate.
• President, do you mean the one there's one company that pays 15%? Is that the question?
• As far as I know, it is not. If this does not go through, they're still paying at 22.85%.
• It's not really to do with what the farmer is paying.

Bills: SB2102 , SB1940 , SB1625 , SB1442 , SB1623 , SB1242 , SB1949 , SB1592 , SB1913 , SB592 , SB992 , SB1241 , SB259 , SB1928 , SB1426 , SB1531 , SB1561 , SB1122

Keywords: credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees

Transcript Highlights:

• We could not do what we do and would not be here at this deadline without your very valuable service.
• So there's nobody not—there's nobody paying the 0.4.
• If you do these certain things, then you can pay a lower rate, and that's an incentive for you to do
• As far as I know, it is not. If this does not go through, they're still paying at 22.85%.
• It's not really to do with what the farmer is paying, although I agree we should also be looking at other

Bills: SB2102 , SB1940 , SB1625 , SB1442 , SB1623 , SB1242 , SB1949 , SB1592 , SB1913 , SB592 , SB992 , SB1241 , SB259 , SB1928 , SB1426 , SB1531 , SB1561 , SB1122

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and several floor and gallery introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Nurse of the Day, Mid-America Christian University, the Oklahoma Truckers Association, Leadership Wagoner County, the Broken Arrow Chamber, and an intern. The chamber then took up several bills in general order. Senate Bill 1426, requested by the Department of Human Services, would limit referrals to district attorneys to substantiated findings of abuse of vulnerable adults; it passed unanimously, 44-0. Senate Bill 1531 was presented as a placeholder vehicle for possible future FAA action on drones and unmanned aircraft, with questions focused on why the bill was being kept open and what language might later be added. It passed 33-12. Senate Bill 1561 would allow EMTs to be subject to progressive discipline for drug or other violations instead of automatic license revocation; it passed 46-0. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 1122, which lowers the ad valorem assessment rate for broadband providers from 22.85% to 15% and was described by supporters as a way to create parity, encourage broadband expansion, and keep providers investing in rural Oklahoma. Opponents argued it would give a tax break to large legacy broadband companies, reduce county revenue by an estimated $20 million, and do little for homeowners, farmers, or other taxpayers facing property tax pressure. After extended questioning and debate, the bill passed 28-19. The Senate also laid over SB 1555, heard announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• You do pay the Eversource electricity rate.
• I would not do so.
• This is not a mandate. We're not telling every town what to do.
• Trucking companies in 37 states, including all of our neighboring states, do not pay a sales tax on any
• Trucking companies in 37 states, including all of our neighboring states, do not pay a sales tax on any

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from the co-chairs explaining committee procedures, testimony limits, submission instructions, and the new deadlines for acting on House and Senate bills. The committee then heard testimony on several bills related to agriculture, land use, environment, housing, transportation, and taxation, with legislators often taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was H. 3206, a bill to allow fossil fuel-free 529 college savings plans to qualify for the state tax deduction if MEFA does not offer a comparable option. Representative Steve Owens said the bill would not force MEFA or Fidelity to change existing plans, but would create a definition for fossil fuel-free funds and extend the deduction to qualifying out-of-state plans. The committee also heard strong local testimony on a Belmont home-rule petition, H. 3970, to change tax treatment for the Belmont Country Club under Chapter 61B. Belmont residents and officials argued the private golf course receives an unfair tax break that shifts costs to other taxpayers, while Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers supported the measure as a way to help the town recover revenue. Committee members asked about town meeting support, the club’s lack of payment in lieu of taxes, and the size of the tax savings. The committee next heard testimony on a vehicle miles traveled tax proposal, S. 1925, from Senator Barrett and economists Gilbert Metcalf and Christopher Knittel. They argued that declining gas-tax revenue and rising fuel efficiency, especially with electric vehicles, require a more stable transportation funding source; they also said a VMT tax could be designed to be revenue-neutral and mildly progressive, though members raised concerns about administration, fairness, EV disincentives, and the possibility of annual tax shocks. The largest block of testimony focused on the Ahead Act, H. 3194/S. 1973, which would double the deed excise fee and dedicate the new revenue to affordable housing and climate adaptation. Supporters from MACDC, MAPC, FICC, Boston Climate Action Network, CLF, 350 Mass, CHAPA, and a tenant advocate said the bill could generate about $300 million annually for housing production, vouchers, weatherization, resilience, and environmental justice communities, and that it links two urgent crises with a stable funding stream. The committee also heard testimony on the Conservation Land Tax Credit bills, H. 3147/S. 2083, which would raise the annual cap on the credit from $2 million to $5 million for three years and then sunset back down. Conservation groups and a landowner said the program has conserved thousands of acres and that the higher cap would reduce delays and help meet state conservation goals. Finally, the committee took testimony on the Fairness for Farm Workers bills, S. 2011/H. 3107 and S. 2012, which would extend overtime, minimum wage, breaks, and paid time off protections to farm workers and include a refundable tax credit to help farmers offset overtime costs. Senator Gomez and advocates described the bills as overdue civil rights and public health measures, citing low wages, long hours, dangerous conditions, and the racial history behind farm labor exclusions. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3240, a bill to give municipalities a local option vacancy tax on chronically vacant shopping malls, with the sponsor arguing it would help towns address blight, encourage redevelopment, and potentially create housing and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• We receive intakes from clients who are not paying because they cannot afford to pay.
• E-ZPass does not allow a way to pay in small bits, so they require you to pay it all at once.
• At that time, I did not have the money to pay.
• We do not need more Walmarts. We need more Main Streets.
• Once you turn 18, you do not need to take driver's ed.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on several bills related to driver’s license suspensions, junior operator training, online driver education, and regulation of e-bikes/scooters. A major focus was the Road to Opportunity Act (H. 3662/S. 2368), which would end license suspensions and registration holds for unpaid fines and fees unrelated to road safety, create hardship waivers and payment options, and replace suspension with nonrenewal in some cases. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, ACLU, CPCS, Greater Boston Legal Services, transportation and anti-poverty advocates, and several affected residents who described job loss, housing instability, and difficulty paying toll and fee debts. They argued the current system punishes poverty, disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents, and is costly to enforce. Some testimony also noted that the bill would preserve suspensions for dangerous driving offenses. District Attorney Marion Ryan testified in favor of two bills: one allowing partial payment plans for certain RMV penalties and another closing a loophole that makes the penalty for violating a hardship license less severe than driving after a full suspension. Senator Sear and Representative Reed also spoke for the Road to Opportunity Act, while the AAG said the Attorney General supports it. Committee members asked about RMV implementation and whether the agency supports payment plans; Ryan said the RMV has been cooperative but believes legislation is needed. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting young drivers. Senator Lovely and Representative Cruz supported a bill to create a junior operator license training fund, expand access for low- and moderate-income families, require refunds in some cases, and allow earlier passenger privileges. Another bill would make virtual instructor-led driver education permanent; AAA and several driving school owners supported it as an access and convenience measure, while other instructors opposed it, arguing in-person instruction is safer and more effective. Finally, Senator Collins and others testified for a transportation safety bill regulating motorized bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, and mopeds, increasing fines, requiring insurance for commercial use, and requiring public hearings and accessibility review for new bike lanes. Advocates for blind and disabled pedestrians supported that bill, while some transportation and business voices backed it as a safety and planning measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• their bills and pay their mortgage and pay their employees and do all that thing to where there would
• their bills and pay their mortgage and pay their employees and do all that thing to where there would
• Just curious, what do we pay the TRPB for their services?
• Because if I get caught doing something, I'm not going to do it because of the consequences.
• not going to do anything about them?

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• , with that competitive advantage of not having to pay workers' comp and not having to pay liability
• I do not know exactly which ones."
• They carry the med pay, but they do not carry any UM.
• It's not a lot. Uber also... Uber does offer med pay. It's not a lot.
• Not every device out there can do all things.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we have to have a law mandating that they pay into this fund whether they benefit from it or not
• So it's not that we're asking an entity to pay something that everybody else is paying.
• not contribute into training the next generation—they pay it.
• We did not know about this, and we did not know where it came from. Do we know where it came from?
• Folks can choose to do IRBs or not; IRBs stay in the property tax.

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not because we don't care about our employees; we do.
• So they're not paying.
• That is education you do not recover.
• There are certain wage limits wherein employees do not pay taxes, in fact, low-income people, for example
• We have not run this through CMS, or we have assured ourselves that we do not need to make sure through

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's fraud on the state because they're not paying taxes.
• It's fraud on the state because they're not paying taxes.
• Yes, I do not want to relive last year.
• I do not like it. It usually does not work. I have to call somebody.
• This legislation does not provide any limits on the range of the pay scale.

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard several bills focused on worker rights, workplace technology, pay equity, and retail/self-checkout standards. SB 703 would require ports to collect and report information on trucking companies to help identify worker misclassification in the port trucking industry; supporters, including Teamsters and the California Labor Federation, said better data is needed for enforcement, while trucking and retail groups said they were working with the author and expected to remove opposition after amendments. The bill passed 5-0 and was re-referred to Transportation. The committee also approved a consent calendar of other measures. SB 294, the Workplace Know Your Rights Act, would require the Labor Commissioner to create a template for annual employer notices about workers’ labor and civil rights, including emergency contact notification if a worker is detained or arrested. Supporters said the bill would help workers understand their rights amid federal rollbacks and weak enforcement; the California Restaurant Association opposed it. SB 7 would require notice and human review before employers use automated decision-making systems for discipline or termination, and would bar predictive use of such systems for employment actions. Labor groups supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or opaque algorithmic management, while HR, chamber, retail, and local government groups raised concerns about breadth, notice burdens, and small-business impacts. Both bills passed 5-0 to their next committees. The committee also advanced SB 238, which would require disclosure about workplace surveillance and AI monitoring tools, and SB 442, which sets staffing and operational standards for self-checkout, including at least one staffed lane, one employee dedicated to monitoring self-checkout, item restrictions, and a 15-item limit sign. Supporters argued both bills improve transparency, safety, and worker protections; opponents warned SB 238 could expose security practices and SB 442 could raise costs and create preemption issues. SB 464 would expand state pay-data reporting to better capture public-sector workforce demographics in line with reparations and pay-equity goals, and SB 642 would strengthen the Equal Pay Act by extending recovery periods, clarifying wage definitions, and updating pay-scale language. SB 464 and SB 642 also passed, with some opposition from county and business groups over scope and retroactivity. All measures taken up in the hearing were approved by committee, generally on 5-0 votes, and re-referred to the appropriate policy or fiscal committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have not had any, in general, pushback on paying it.
• Because what we do, when we do pay it quarterly, we're very conscious that we are holding other people's
• Again, it's not something that Medicaid can do or help us do.
• Again, it's not something that Medicaid can do or help us do.
• And so we do have a mechanism that if a claim is, us do something that's not the letter of the law to

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The subcommittee met to review Arkansas DHS hospital spending and reimbursement methods, with Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks explaining Medicaid hospital payments. They described fee-for-service per diem payments, cost settlements, and the upper payment limit (UPL) program, noting that SFY 2025 hospital payments included $688 million in inpatient/outpatient claims, $473 million in UPL payments, $248 million in cost settlements, and about $47 million in other payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked about why per diem rates vary, how cost settlements work, why UPL applies mainly to private hospitals, and how assessment fees are structured and funded. DHS said the hospital assessment fee is broad-based and uniform, used as the state share to draw federal funds, and that supplemental hospital payments after federal match totaled $548 million with no general revenue used. The Arkansas Hospital Association’s Jody Ann Tritt then gave a broader overview of the hospital landscape, explaining the different hospital types in the state, including critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals. She said Arkansas hospitals face financial strain, citing a negative 5.18% patient service margin statewide and lower reimbursement than surrounding states. She argued that Arkansas hospitals are paid less than hospitals in neighboring states for similar services, that commercial payer rates and administrative burdens are a major problem, and that Medicaid and Medicare rates remain below cost even with UPL support. She also said hospitals are the backbone of community care, provide emergency and public health functions, and are looking for ways to invest in technology and telehealth but often lack the revenue to do so. Members pressed for clearer data on hospital finances, reimbursement adequacy, and the impact of commercial insurers. Tritt said the association had just authorized a statewide survey to gather updated financial information from hospitals, which she said would take about a year to complete. She also explained that Medicaid pays weekly, Medicare and commercial plans can involve delays and denials, and that hospitals often spend significant resources on revenue cycle work. The discussion ended with a brief update on assisted living reimbursement: DHS said one facility, The Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, nine Living Choices waiver clients were being transitioned, and the updated rate study would be available after cost reports are collected, likely before the end of the fiscal year. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ensure that they either elect or do not elect to have coverage under Social Security.
• But I do think that that's not representative of the state.
• What do you think $60 is going to pay for? It's not going to pay for all summer.
• you not do similar things with them as well to help with PARA?
• In fact, I used to not include them, but it was suggested that I do.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want me to do some actual numbers? Yeah, oh yeah, bring in the numbers.
• Do you want me to do some actual numbers? Yeah, oh yeah, bring in the numbers.
• Do you want me to do some actual numbers? Yeah, oh yeah, bring in the numbers.
• caring Insurance how how for for not caring Insurance how how often<00:16:19.240><c> do</c><00:16:19.360
• </c><00:20:48.440><c> actually</c> than we do currently but I do actually than we do currently but I

Transcript Highlights:

• But look, you know, we're not going to pay any more money.
• I mean, not going to pay any more money.
• not have the percentage of Um and we do not have the percentage of cash<01:02:16.480><c> customers</
• c><01:16:17.560><c> a</c><01:16:17.720><c> resident</c> you do not have to be a resident you do not have
• > to</c><01:31:22.760><c> pay</c> do they have to pay do they have to pay the<01:31:24.000><c> higher

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not raise the budget at all, and we do have a couple of testifiers. Perfect.
• Like, do you want to say, like, must consist of the following, like, not limited to but including the
• So, these veterans with this bill would not have to pay the municipal fees for residential improvement
• So, these veterans with this bill would not have to pay the municipal fees for residential improvement
• So, these veterans with this bill would not have to pay the municipal fees for residential improvement

Bills: HF4615 , HF3532 , HF4492 , HF4171

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure if I understand exactly what you're saying, but are you saying they do have to pay the..
• . ...they do have to pay the bill or they can, after 120 days.
• We can't make a law that makes sure not a one of them is going to do something.
• If they're not selling alcohol, they don't need a permit to do that. Okay.
• This is not what we already do in person, but it does not say that that is excluded.

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• This fund does not; the state of New Hampshire taxpayers do not pay for cable.
• <c> not</c><00:22:43.360><c> pay</c><00:22:43.520><c> for</c> Hampshire taxpayers do not pay for Hampshire
• not pay property tax.
• They do not. They pay the municipal service fee to the city of Portsmouth for the services.
• We do have to pay that pay for it. We do have to pay that service. service. service.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.