Transcript Highlights:

• Fees and taxes are exploding everywhere in our state.
• This bill will empower the State Department of Agriculture to convene our state agencies and community
• This includes our industrial loads in the state.
• For background, the state civil service law sets employment rules for most state employees, and employees
• I'm currently serving as a state archivist under the Office of the Secretary of State.

Bills: HB2521 , HB2249 , HB1796

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: firearms, background check, gun control, public safety, legislation, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity, information technology, IT contracting, data center, systems integration, network engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently we already have a state fossil. So how is this going to work in with that, please?
• , and this isn't mandatory, as a matter of fact, and the reason why it is, is because in 2000, the state
• So essentially, it's a non-existent state fossil at this particular point. Very good.
• , and this isn't mandatory, as a matter of fact, and the reason why it is, is because in 2000, the state
• So essentially, it's a non-existent state fossil at this particular point. Very good.

Bills: HB3880 , HB3263 , HB2970

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Summary: The Tourism Committee met for its first meeting and considered three bills. House Bill 3880, presented by Representative Cantrell, would clarify that the Tourism Department’s in-house sales team handles advertising and sponsorships across publications, digital platforms, conferences, and events; members asked about how the work is currently divided between the department and Oklahoma Today magazine, and the bill passed 5-0. House Bill 3263, by Representative George, would designate the morel mushroom as the state mushroom; after light discussion, including a joking request for a tourism-related debut event, it also passed 5-0. Representative Rosecrans presented House Bill 2970, which would change the state fossil designation from Sorofaganax maximus to Soro Poseidon-Protelis because the current fossil has been reclassified and is no longer considered a valid species. Members asked about the science behind the change and whether the new fossil was a plant-eater; Rosecrans explained it is a sauropod and emphasized its tourism value because fossils are found in Oklahoma’s panhandle and southeast. The bill passed 5-0. After the votes, Rosecrans noted the reconstruction of the fossil is at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman and invited the committee to tour it. The chair announced that the Tourism Department would meet with the committee the following week at 10:00 a.m., and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're basically taking some of the rules for the state Board of Public Accountancy and allowing them
• And what that is, is basically a voluntary state option. You don't have to use it.
• A voluntary state option in lieu of bankruptcy.
• We have every year natural disasters that cause problems across the state.
• And this actually put puts state.

Bills: HB59 , SB15 , SB96 , SB104 , SB137

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: public accountancy, CPA licensing, board regulations, educational prerequisites, electronic notifications, firm registration, assignment, creditors, insolvency, liquidation, assignee, secured transaction, bankruptcy, state law, voluntary process, distribution of assets, emergency rules, governor certification, state regulations, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• They oversee the public defender themselves, the state public defender, who is also a state employee,
• And we were lacking that at the state level because, of course, we don't have a state board of county
• Attorneys licensed in other states could be eligible to practice law in the State of Nevada.
• And we have amazing people in our state, people from all over the planet.
• And so how do we then protect the state public defender?

Bills: AB58 , AB275 , SB46 , SB457 , SB465 , AB320 , AB344 , AB381 , AB541

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Keywords: Nevada gaming, gaming regulation, sports pool, race book, interactive gaming, slot machines, restricted license, Gaming Control Board, Gaming Commission, game approval, administrative approval, service provider, cash access, wagering instruments, global risk management, information service, sports wagering, pari-mutuel wagering, casino regulation, gaming license

Transcript Highlights:

• State your name, who you're representing, whether you're testifying for or against the bill, and...
• Texas has implemented a range of state and local economic development programs to support businesses
• Get off TANF, get off a variety of different state services, and go about their lives.
• As well as our state constitution and our state declaration of independence.
• Those changes, how are they going to affect those in the state who really qualify for it?

Bills: HB1397 , HB1893 , HB1950 , HB2027 , HB2791 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HB3700 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2565

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: Texas Constitution, Declaration of Independence, victory or death letter, display, historic preservation, HB 1893, Texas public information law, Public Information Act, Government Code 552.130, Transportation Code Chapter 730, license plate number, vehicle registration, law enforcement video, police body camera, dashcam, redaction, public records request, open records, government transparency, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> relating to state construction projects. relating to state construction projects.
• </c><00:38:01.680><c> construction</c> submitted for state construction submitted for state construction
• </c> and boy state CIO in support. and boy state CIO in support.
• of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, in support; and Hawaii State CIO, in support. sorry<01:05
• </c><01:05:15.680><c> of</c> state state of Hawaii organization of state state of Hawaii organization

Bills: SB2543 , SB2014 , SB2115 , SB3095 , SB3264 , SB2114 , SB2117 , SB2246 , SB2519 , SB3055 , SB3131 , SB3144

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• To clearly state their name and organization for the official record.
• If an Indian tribe claims that a state agency has created an undue burden.
• The Secretary of State is authorized to solicit...
• It's extraordinary to find out where they come from in our state.
• I think all of you have heard about the state of finances of school districts across the state.

Bills: HB2514 , HB2551 , HB2236 , HB2470

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this bill using any state funds or requesting any state funds? No, it does not.
• We've got to get studying it right here in our own state.
• It's just impossible to do and would cost the state enormously.
• There is not a state statute that I'm aware of. DEQ does all the licensing and permitting.
• The EQ handles all of it in our own state. You recognize [name] for follow-up.

Bills: HB3126 , HB3177 , HB3311 , HB3465 , HB3786 , HB3915 , HB4333 , HB4476 , HB3403

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Keywords: education funding, concurrent enrollment, school aid, Oklahoma State Regents, permanent school funds, higher education, revolving fund, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, community development, infrastructure, economic development, local government, financing, pooled finance, Oklahoma Emission Reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• institution or state entity as a separate state entity.
• of the State address.
• state to state.
• And I would close by saying I had the opportunity... ...federal to state and then state to state.
• The lenders are state licensees, and yet, because of the strong protections under this law, the state

Bills: HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833 , HB146 , HB150

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps the state grant to match tuition increases at Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota
• </c> the $239 million deficit in the state the $239 million deficit in the state grant<00:04:14.400><
• </c> 180 credits for coverage of the state 180 credits for coverage of the state grant<00:04:44.960><
• </c><00:08:51.040><c> So,</c> into the state grant program. So, into the state grant program.
• </c> family physicians um across the state. family physicians um across the state.

Bills: HF2431 , HF2438 , HF2783 , HF1943

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX

Transcript Highlights:

• So the state is $8 million. The state jumps in. We'll give you that $8 million to keep you afloat.
• If there's any left, they bill the state, and then the state covers sort of the remaining last dollar
• corner of our state.
• The budget is an all-state budget.
• in almost the entire state.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate met on February 23, 2026, opened with the usual roll call, pledge, prayer, and approval of the previous journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8698 recognizing piano teachers, with several senators sharing personal remarks about their own teachers and the role of music education in families and communities. Guests from the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then moved into budget debate, considering a series of amendments to the operating budget. Several proposals focused on housing costs, local planning, utility rates, and state spending restraint. Amendment 0772, which would have created a housing-related task force and increased funding, was rejected after debate over housing affordability and regulatory costs. Amendment 0785, restoring growth management planning funding for local governments, was also rejected. Amendment 0791, directing the Department of Commerce to study the effects of climate and clean energy laws on utility costs, and Amendment 0769, related to grid capacity and clean energy investments, were both adopted. Other amendments drew sharper partisan debate. Amendment 0798, which would have reduced the Supreme Court from nine justices to five and redirected savings to public defense, failed. Amendments 0794 and 0795, seeking funding for ballot measure costs tied to initiatives, also failed. Amendment 0799, intended to redirect Pacific Tower lease savings to developmental disability services, was rejected after discussion of the building’s current public uses. Amendment 0773, capping state spending growth and tying it to median wage growth, failed on a roll call vote, while Amendment 0777, addressing concurrent use of paid family and medical leave and sick leave by state employees, also failed after extended debate. Later, Amendment 0776 on tort liability reporting was adopted, as were Amendment 0758 creating a DSHS work group on community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and Amendment 0786 was introduced to reduce cash and food assistance work-related funding, with debate beginning before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the state is $8 million. The state jumps in. We'll give you that $8 million.
• So the state is $8 million. The state jumps in. We'll give you that $8 million.
• If there's any left, they bill the state, and then the state covers sort of the remaining last dollar
• The state of Washington is.
• corner of our state.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6170 , SB6176 , SB6182 , SB6335 , SB5647 , SB6047 , HB2367 , HB2606 , SB5998 , SB6005 , SB6003 , SB6129 , SB6225 , SB6228 , SB6231

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, contracting rules, state highway construction, procurement limits, state regulations, infrastructure funding, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, and approval of the previous day’s journal, then moved to a resolution honoring piano teachers. Senate Resolution 8698 was adopted after remarks from Senator Conway and others describing the role of piano teachers in music education, family life, and community service. Members of the Washington State Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then took up the operating budget and considered a long series of amendments. Several amendments focused on housing costs and local planning, utility and energy policy, ballot measure costs, state spending growth, tort liability, and paid family and medical leave. Some amendments were adopted, including a study of utility cost impacts from climate laws, a grid-related funding amendment, a tort liability oversight/reporting amendment, and a workgroup on services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Others were rejected, including proposals to create a housing task force, cap state spending growth, fund ballot initiative costs, restore local planning grants, and change paid family and medical leave usage rules. Debate on the budget amendments was often partisan and detailed, with supporters arguing for fiscal restraint, cost transparency, and relief for taxpayers and local governments, while opponents emphasized existing work, program solvency, and the need to preserve services. The Senate also heard amendments on zero-based budgeting, federal education tax credit opt-in language, reproductive health funding, food assistance work requirements, and support for the Pediatric Interim Care Center; some were defeated and some were adopted. Roll-call votes were taken on certain amendments, and the transcript ends during consideration of Amendment 0787, which would restore funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington State.
• They may go to other parts of the state.
• They may go to other parts of the state.
• competition with neighboring states.
• We're headquartered in Washington State, and we employ roughly 500 employees around the state.

Bills: SB5839 , SB5824 , SB5864 , SB6032

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: county authority, transportation, ferry district, infrastructure, government powers, fifth-wheel, travel trailers, vehicle regulation, state law, motor vehicle, insurance verification, automobile regulation, state compliance, traffic safety, highway safety, load limits, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . state. state.
• And having AEDs in state buildings will save lives.
• </c><00:22:35.240><c> buildings</c> Um and having AEDs in state buildings Um and having AEDs in state
• </c><00:22:50.920><c> buildings,</c> assuming if this is state buildings, assuming if this is state buildings
• </c> working group for state projects. working group for state projects.

Bills: HCR112

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: HCR112, House Concurrent Resolution, DHRD, Department of Human Resources Development, civil service, classification system, compensation system, salary study, pay scale, job classification, position classification, state workforce, vacancy rate, hard-to-fill positions, labor shortage, recruitment, retention, public employees, state agencies, labor organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• difference being that we have removed language about a person in the guard that's also a civilian of the state
• This bill would allow all state Agencies, boards, commissions, departments, or any entity within the
• concerned about increasing temporary employees and increasing folks who aren't getting benefits on the state
• make sure that we're fully staffed and that we can provide them the best service possible for the state

Bills: HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043

Committee: Senate Veterans and Military Affairs

Keywords: Oklahoma National Guard, compensation, education assistance, career technology, military benefits, veterans, donations, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, state agency, executive branch, HB3043, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays

Transcript Highlights:

• The morel mushroom designated as our state mushroom.
• House Bill 2970 changes our current state fossil from Aurohainax maximus to Uhorropoidon protelis.
• Already have a state fossil. So how is this going to work in with that? Please, love the question.
• And the reason why it is is because in 2000, the state fossil was created.
• So essentially, it's a nonexistent state fossil at this particular point. Very good.

Bills: HB3880 , HB3263 , HB2970

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Bills: HB155 , HB155

Committee: House Military and Veterans Affairs

Keywords: homestead exemption, disabled veterans, tax relief, annual verification, property tax, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Transcript Highlights:

• Local Programs Project 220 Corridor Completion, and that increases the Move Ahead Washington account state
• , every corner of this state.
• . ...passenger rail through our state.
• We've heard from people across the state about their concerns with the state of our roads.
• Investments in preservation now will save the state money and more costly investments later on.

Bills: HB2306 , HB2711

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• At the State Patrol, there's a few changes to the Washington State Patrol. $7.6 million is provided for
• This is a really great investment for the state.
• They don't have state sales tax. You bring it back to Washington State to be titled.
• They don't have state sales tax. You bring it back to Washington State to be titled and registered.
• Some states, as New Mexico, allow out-of-state customers to register their motorhomes in New Mexico,

Bills: HB2306 , HB2711

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• It may actually, in a sense, help reduce and make us more efficient from an IT spend across state government
• get to a point where we can really focus on centralization, I think it would be the best bet for the state

Bills: SB193 , SB132 , SB35 , SB145

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement