Transcript Highlights:

• RS 32-840 seeks to make a slight correction to House Bill 436 that we passed last year.
• What it failed to do was allow new construction to be counted toward the levy of fire districts and ambulance

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 28, 2026, and first approved the minutes from January 20, January 22, and January 23 without objection. The committee then heard RS 32840, presented by Representative Cheatham, which proposes a small correction to last year’s urban renewal legislation (House Bill 436). The change would allow new construction roll property outside urban renewal districts to be counted toward levies for fire protection districts and ambulance service districts, addressing an omission in the prior bill. After brief discussion, Representative Monks moved to introduce RS 32840, and the committee approved the motion unanimously. The RS was introduced and the committee indicated it would likely be scheduled for a public hearing later. The chair also informed members that the committee likely will meet again the next day at 9:00 a.m. to take up a replacement tax conformity RS and the introduced bill, with language expected to be available later that day and likely shareable before the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• RS 32-840 seeks to make a slight correction to House Bill 436 that we passed last year.
• What it failed to do was allow new construction to be counted toward the levy of fire districts and ambulance

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I, too, feel as if we have been abjectly failed by big pharma, by the opioid epidemic, and by the vertical
• Senator Hughes moves that House Bill 25 do pass and be printed.

Bills: HB25

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I too feel as if we have been abjectly failed by Big Pharma.
• Uh, Senator, uh, Hughes moves that House Bill 25 do pass and be printed.

Bills: HB25

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access

Transcript Highlights:

• She passed with flying colors.
• I'm going to pass back to you.
• I'm going to pass back to you.
• Nevertheless, the motion was taken, it passed.
• And with that, I will pass it over to Katie. Thank you, members.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to give it up to Aaron Vega for passing the test on the pronunciation of our members today.
• We ask that you move HB 19 forward with a do pass recommendation. Thank you.
• Our commission is 100% in favor of passing this House Bill.
• I think that's what we all have that has been passed up.
• Oh, we're getting a passed-out representative.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• We're passing them down. I'm passing... Okay. Excuse me, chairman. Yes.
• I think that's what the memo you passed out.
• Number what um the memo you passed out.
• That's why we want to pass this amendment.
• Would they say to you that your rates fail one of those tests?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee took up the pooled risk management program bill and reviewed a new amendment drafted with input from the Insurance Department and Legislative Services. Department witnesses explained that the proposal would move oversight of pooled risk management programs from the Secretary of State’s office to the Insurance Department, add a licensure requirement, preserve the programs’ non-insurer status, and exempt them from third-party administrator licensure. They also described a series of solvency tools in the draft, including financial reporting, risk-based capital standards, minimum capitalization, investment limits, commissioner examination and enforcement authority, rulemaking authority, merger and affiliate-transaction review, confidentiality protections, and a separability clause. A major theme of the discussion was that pooled risk management programs differ from commercial insurers because the risk remains with the member local governments rather than being backed by a state guarantee fund. Witnesses said the bill is designed to emphasize solvency over return of premium and to give the Insurance Department a regulatory “toolbox” to prevent insolvency, including a proposed $5 million excess or stop-loss coverage benchmark, optional accessible policies, and a requirement that boards vote on dividends or premium returns when capital exceeds 600% of risk-based capital. Members questioned how this approach differed from the original Secretary of State bill and whether assessments on towns would still be possible; the department responded that the new framework would allow more flexible oversight and alternatives to immediate court action. The committee also discussed why the statute should continue to say the programs are not insurers, with the department explaining that this preserves their autonomy and avoids applying unrelated insurance laws and premium taxes. Members asked about the department’s workload and were told the department believed it could absorb the new duties without additional funding. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and pass<00:19:19.840><c> two</c><00:19:20.160><c> provisions</c> pass two provisions pass two provisions
• I admit that I failed.
• Pass of which amendment? amendment. Pass of which amendment?
• It has passed our body and is passed the other side of the wall.
• The pass of which amendment. amendment. The pass of which amendment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It means a naturalized citizen, someone who's taken the oath, passed the test, and proudly become an
• Immediately following that decision, Texas implemented the voter ID system that had previously failed
• As recently as 2021, Texas passed SB1, a sweeping omnibus bill that caused 18,000 vote-by-mail voters
• If either of these bills pass, they will... face similar challenges.

Keywords: legislation, public policy, testimony, committee meeting, debates

Summary: The committee meeting involved various discussions pertaining to legislative initiatives and public policy concerns. Members engaged in debates around significant topics, highlighting their diverse perspectives. The atmosphere was lively with members presenting arguments for and against certain measures. Testimonies from the public were also a key feature, shedding light on community sentiments related to proposed bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Passed. Mr. Leader. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I declare the bill to have passed. Mr. Leader. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I declare the bill to have passed. Mr. Leader. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I declare the bill to have passed. Mr. Leader. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I declare the bill to have passed. Mr. Leader. Thank you, Mr. President.

Bills: HB3834 , HB3940 , HB4346 , HB2947 , HB3257 , HB3264 , HB4326 , HB4421 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB4118 , SCR22 , SB169 , HB1047 , HB2123 , HB2650 , HB3260 , HB3403 , SR41 , HB3649 , HB3742 , HB3831 , HB3996 , HB4321 , HB4339

Keywords: HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs, clinical trials, FDA approval, breakthrough therapy designation, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, mental health, neurological disorders, drug development, public-private partnership, State Department of Health, intellectual property, revolving fund, research funding, medical licensing

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and recognized several guests and groups in the gallery, including the Ponca City High School Poe High Steppers, the Edmond Democratic Women, family members of senators, a Grace Reform Baptist Church co-op group, and Oklahoma 4-H participants. The chamber also honored the Red Oak Lady Eagles state championship basketball team with a citation and remarks celebrating their first school basketball title and strong season. The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, supporting the Lights Out Oklahoma campaign to reduce bird mortality during migration by encouraging reduced exterior lighting in peak migration months. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 41, proclaiming April 22, 2026, as the 27th annual 4-H Day at the Capitol, with testimony from 4-H representatives emphasizing youth leadership, civic engagement, and workforce readiness. Several bills passed, including House Bill 169 (house amendments adopted and the bill passed as an emergency measure), House Bill 2123 on the Arkansas River bridge, House Bill 2650 on summary administration estate thresholds, House Bill 3260 on funeral director continuing education approvals, House Bill 3403 on a DEQ/OSU sewage sludge pilot study, House Bill 3649 on the Mental Health Department real property trust, House Bill 3742 on criminal discovery, House Bill 3831 on a Task Force One revolving fund, House Bill 3996 on indigent defense experts in capital cases, House Bill 4321 on limits on retroactive building rule application, and House Bill 4339 on summary administration notice timing. House Bill 1047, which would have authorized a tribal sports betting framework and related revenue distributions, drew extensive debate over gambling addiction, revenue, tribal compacts, geofencing, and NIL funding, but failed 21-27; Senator Coleman gave notice of intent to reconsider. The Senate then announced an Appropriations Committee meeting and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two years ago, the legislature passed the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
• Two years ago, the legislature passed the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
• It was both. ago, the legislature passed the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
• First, if this bill passes, we give every student an ID number.
• The bill, if it passes, lowers the SFO administrative fee from 3% to 2%.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. The first, SB 250 on rural communities by Senator Simon, was described as a broad rural development package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance grant program, housing and transportation investments, added funding for rural education consortiums, and health care initiatives for rural areas. Senator Harrell asked about overlap between road funding programs, and the sponsor explained that eligible counties could receive both SCRAP and FARM funding. Several organizations waived in support or spoke in support, and the bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee then heard SB 318, the committee substitute for educational scholarship programs by President Gates. The bill was presented as a response to Auditor General findings about the rapid growth and administration of Florida’s school choice and scholarship programs. It would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding from the FEFP, require more frequent student enrollment verification, lower scholarship funding organization administrative fees, require return of overpayments, create a student ID system, establish a $250 million stabilization fund, require annual audits, and direct DOE to recommend future program administration through competitive procurement. Gates also offered five amendments, including technical changes to eligibility documentation and a substantive amendment requiring a DOE report on future administration and competitive selection; all five amendments were adopted. During debate and public testimony, senators and witnesses discussed accountability, software solutions, reimbursement delays, monthly attestations, and impacts on public schools and families. Supporters and opponents alike raised concerns about bureaucracy, fraud prevention, special education services, and whether the bill would help or burden parents. Gates said the bill aimed to fix tracking and payment problems without capping the program, and he noted the IEP timeline would be aligned with public school timelines. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 318 favorably by unanimous vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the one at Eagle Pass. Correct.
• I think it's good for passing on institutional knowledge.
• that audit, too, there's—I can't remember now—there's six or eight criteria on it, and it's sort of pass-fail
• And it's sort of past fail.
• You'll have to pass a bill to do that. We can't do that unilaterally. All right, thank you.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• L1 passes. passes. passes. Representative<03:43:52.560><c> Gilchrist.</c> Representative Gilchrist.
• </c> bill we will pass all day. bill we will pass all day.
• House Bill 1379 passes. passes. passes.
• House Bill 1387 as amended passes. passes. passes.
• House Bill 1389 as amended<04:33:12.240><c> passes.</c> amended passes. amended passes.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pass but I imagine it's going to pass pass but I imagine it's going to pass but<01:03:32.400><c>
• Pass as is. Yeah. I'm sorry. right. Pass as is. Yeah. I'm sorry.
• </c><01:23:23.120><c> We're</c> to pass this out with the HD1. We're to pass this out with the HD1.
• </c><01:28:47.920><c> Um,</c> pass as is. Um, pass as is.
• </c> Recommendation of the chair is to pass Recommendation of the chair is to pass as<01:29:58.320><c

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several shoreline easement resolutions and a water-supply study resolution. For the easement measures, the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported each item, and testimony also came from affected landowners and community members. Members asked about why some easements were granted gratis to public agencies, with DLNR explaining that those cases involved public infrastructure such as stormwater management and did not require bonds or rent. For private properties, DLNR described the standard process of monthly rent during the legislative approval gap, followed by a one-time appraised payment for a 25-year easement once the appraisal is completed. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on shoreline erosion and whether hardened shoreline structures or seawalls were contributing to beach loss. On one measure, DLNR explained that a large sandbag shoreline structure was tied to a nearby boat harbor that had altered sand movement over time, causing flanking erosion on adjacent unarmored property. On another, DLNR said a wall built under a valid 1960s permit was originally a boundary or landscaping wall, but now functions as a seawall as the shoreline has migrated landward. Members raised concerns about fairness, public beach access, and whether adjacent owners should share costs, and DLNR responded that shoreline matters are handled parcel by parcel under existing statute. The committee also heard support for a resolution creating a task force or study on desalination. DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management supported the intent but asked for more time to complete a comprehensive report, noting the work would require substantial staffing and coordination. The Board of Water Supply and CARES also testified in support, with CARES emphasizing future water-supply needs, cultural and historic preservation concerns, and the importance of coordinating with other agencies. DLNR said it would rely on existing studies and work with county agencies and the Department of Health. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had another member that didn't pass.
• The Senate passed a Foundation Budget Review Commission.
• The bill is passed to be engrossed.
• The bill is passed to be enacted. It's passed to be enacted.
• The bill is passed, is enacted, passed to be enacted, will be signed by the President, laid before the

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some future legislature, after the amendment passes, may choose to offer an implementing bill.
• So if this fails to meet the two-thirds threshold within this body, nothing happens.
• This fails to meet the two-thirds threshold within this body, nothing happens.
• Your bill has passed. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, members of the committee.
• Gerwig, on the presentation of your very first bill passing HB 259. Thank you so much.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislature, we in the state legislature are serious about the policies that we pass every other year
• Last session, the legislature passed a 5% raise, which did bring state worker turnover down to its lowest
• for her support, for Representative Busey for the bill he is putting out, and I would like now to pass
• When we fail to invest in the people who keep our state running, every single one of us feels the impact
• We have an opportunity to do what's right to pass legislation that raises pay for our current state employees

Transcript Highlights:

• So to encourage compliance, starting in 2022, AB 195 was passed and simplified the tax code.
• From CDTFA's perspective, we really have two... 22, AB195 was passed and simplified the tax code by doing
• So the background on AB 8 is that it was passed last year, and it really does two things.
• Our audits of restaurants have discovered many taxpayers are failing to report sales made through the
• P-T... just P-T-E-T, P-T, P-T, pass-through credit. Okay. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market. The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure. The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns. Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then we'll pass it on to the next. Then we'll figure out how far is the state trooper out?
• Representative Wadsworth, real quick. >> I just want to say this: back in 2021, there was, if you failed
• It was a bill talking to city leadership about public safety. >> Before you get started, I failed to
• It was a bill talking to city leadership about public safety. >> Before you get started, I failed to
• But I think fundamentally my issue with the legislation is I fail.

Bills: HB450 , HB469 , SB298 , HB450 , HB638 , HB469 , SB298

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: HB450, judges, judicial office, constitutional amendment, Alabama Constitution, age limit, mandatory retirement, judicial eligibility, supernumerary judge, judicial retirement, state judicial retirement benefits, election law, appointment, voter approval, ballot measure, Judiciary Committee, ambulance services, balance billing, health insurance, emergency transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• The current system fails to account for this lost time in a meaningful way, The current system fails

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Service

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Service held its 18th hearing of the 194th General Court and opened by outlining testimony procedures, including a three-minute limit and a written testimony deadline of Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Committee members were introduced, and the hearing focused on bills related to public safety retirement and service credit. The first witness, a Lawrence Fire Department captain, strongly supported legislation titled An Act Establishing Creditable Service for Eligible Police Officers and Firefighters. He argued that candidates who were improperly delayed or bypassed in hiring should be allowed to buy back lost service time so they are not disadvantaged in retirement, emphasizing that the proposal would not affect the rights or seniority of current employees. Senator Joan Lovely then testified in support of House No. 4909, which would require the Salem Retirement Board to grant creditable service without member payment for prior reserve, permanent, intermittent, or call service performed by Salem police officers and firefighters who joined the retirement system on or before February 11, 2020. She said the measure has support from the Salem Retirement Board, the mayor, and the city council. No committee votes were taken, no questions were raised, and the hearing concluded with a motion to adjourn.