Bills: SB1465, SB2110, SB1771, SB206, SB1584, SB1386, SB1696, SB1806, SB1428, SB1390, SB1381, SB201, SB1778, SB1332, SB1836, SB1369, SB1794, SB1290, SB175, SB1379

Keywords: professional engineers, surveyors, licensure board, sunset extension, state board, occupational licensing, engineering license, surveying license, professional regulation, regulatory board, sunset review, emergency clause, Oklahoma O.S. 59, board appointments, lay member, SB2110, eggs, ungraded eggs, graded eggs, egg sales

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and included several member and gallery introductions, including recognition of the Doctor of the Day and family members of senators. The chamber then moved to floor business on several bills, with no major debate on most measures. Senate Bill 1465 extended the sunset date for the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors to 2031 and passed 43-2, including as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 2110, as amended, allowed the sale of ungraded eggs up to 150 dozen, with the author explaining it was requested by constituents to support rural economics and farmers markets. Senators asked about the need for the bill, the cap, and food safety; the author said the limit was a starting point and noted the eggs would be sold off-premises. The bill advanced and passed 44-2. Senate Bill 1771, which authorizes the Workforce Commission to obtain more complete information on workforce development funds and retain outside counsel, had a title-restoring amendment adopted and then passed 35-11. Senate Bill 206, making public EMS services eligible as essential for drawing down federal funds, passed 42-5 and was also declared an emergency measure. The Senate also heard acknowledgements, including congratulations to Senator Seifried on her first successful day presiding and recognition of Catoosa Day at the Capitol. Announcements followed on appropriations and Oklahoma Women’s Day at the Capitol, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems, Regulated Industries relating to public records and meetings, NG-911 systems.
• diagrams, including draft, preliminary, and final formats, which depict the structural elements of 911
• , E911, or public safety radio telecommunications services, or other 911, E911, or public safety radio
• It also covers geographical maps, including those indicating the actual proposed locations of 911, E911
• The scheduled period of these exemptions would be October 2, 2030, as the inclusion of NG-911 systems

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum present and took up three measures. First, it considered SB 160 on public accountancy, which would create additional pathways to CPA licensure in Florida without lowering standards. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the licensure application process and effective date, heard a waiver in support from the Florida Institute of CPAs, and then reported the committee substitute favorably by roll call. Next, the committee heard SB 344 on telecommunications access system modernization. The bill updates the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 to reflect newer technology, revise outdated terms, broaden eligibility for the advisory committee, and implement recommendations from the Public Service Commission. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee heard supportive testimony from Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc., including comments that the law is outdated, landline use is declining, and the system should accommodate wireless and other modern accessibility options. The committee then reported the committee substitute favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 706, a proposed committee bill on public records and meetings exemptions for NG-911 systems. The bill continues exemptions for certain building plans, maps, and related records and meetings involving 911 and public safety communications infrastructure, while updating the language to include next-generation 911 systems and extending the exemption review period to October 2, 2030. After no questions or debate, Senator Calatayud moved to submit the proposal as a committee bill, the motion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee bill. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that where they're at because they're going to need 911 there still as well.
• where they're at because they're going to need 911 there still as well.
• Um and yes, there is a 911 number and it also lists the closest hospital.
• Um and yes, there is a 911 number and it also lists the closest hospital.
• knows where to is located so 91 know 911 knows where to go?

Bills: HF3006, HF2130, HF1290

Keywords: Department of Corrections, DOC, corrections budget, supplemental appropriation, deficiency funding, public safety finance, incarceration, prerelease services, community supervision, postrelease services, supervised release, probation, reentry, reentry services, prison reform, body-worn cameras, corrections officer cameras, ARMER radio system, PREA, Prison Rape Elimination Act

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, given that there's a contract with the with the fish and wildlife with state police, the 911
• And so, given that there's a contract with the with the fish and wildlife with state police, the 911
• And so, given that there's a contract with the with the fish and wildlife with state police, the 911
• And so, given that there's a contract with the with the fish and wildlife with state police, the 911
• And so, given that there's a contract with the with the fish and wildlife with state police, the 911

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:04 HB 168 Discussion: 01:20 HB 168 Voting: 05:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PLANS, BLUEPRINTS, SCHEMATIC, DRAWINGS PUT INTO FINAL FORMATS DEPICTING THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS OF 911
• ALSO IT COVERS GEOGRAPHICAL MAPS INCLUDING THE INDICATING ACTUAL PROPOSED LOCATIONS OF 911, E 911 PUBLIC
• SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING TOWERS ANTENNA EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES PROVIDE 911, E911 OR PUBLIC
• SAFETY RATE REGULAR SERVICES OR OTHER 911 PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO COMMUNICATION STRUCTURES OR FACILITIES
• THE NG 911 SYSTEMS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I haven't heard the Attorney General come out and say, stop putting surcharges on electric bills and
• It's like, well, let's put these surcharges on and let's sprinkle it to the people that, with the groups
• If you look at all the surcharges we put on electric bills—just electric bills—let’s say some person
• So do you—would you join in saying, let’s get rid of all these surcharges?
• the notion that if we’re trying to get people to go green, get against fossil fuels, all of these surcharges

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 172 is the um fuel surcharge stability act.
• What the fuel surcharge stability act intends to do is to give the PSC a tool to stabilize fuel surcharge
• serving our state due to the cold weather, and sometimes this happens in summer as well, the fuel surcharge
• But what this bill allows the PSC to do is to utilize their discretion to spread those surcharge charges

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 03:09 SB 57 Discussion 04:03 SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37 SB 172 Discussion 41:27 SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Article 6, program integrity, we create a program integrity surcharge for all DHS providers.
• So we are using the surcharge to provide Steps for Success, which is now available for PC and DWRS for
• Representative Schomacker or probably you discussed the nursing home bed rate surcharge increase up to
• And so they match those funds that are collected in the surcharge.
• And what we did in this bill was to ensure that the extra fees, the surcharge charges that the nursing

Bills: HF2433, HF2434

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 70 is an increase to the electric vehicle surcharge, and that increase is directed towards the
• law, and then there's a tax interaction on line 116 and a change related to the electric vehicle surcharge
• department's involved in the city, I would— Matt B with House Research: So the electric vehicle surcharge
• EV</c> the the doubling of the uh EV the the doubling of the uh EV registration<00:44:07.359><c> surcharge
• surcharge because every study<00:44:09.480><c> I've</c><00:44:09.640><c> ever</c><00:44:09.880><c> read

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fee, the transfer fee in 2022 could have raised more than $200 million, while maxing out the CPA surcharge
• So additionally, many communities already collect the maximum CPA surcharge and already spend most of
• So additionally many communities already collect the maximum CPA surcharge and already spend most of
• When you add up the millionaires sales tax, local surcharges, and then now new transfer taxes, that will

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on a series of bills focused largely on local-option real estate transfer fees and housing funding tools for communities facing severe affordability pressures. Testimony strongly favored bills for Somerville, Concord, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Chatham, and a statewide local-option transfer fee, with speakers arguing that high-end real estate transactions should help fund affordable housing, anti-displacement efforts, workforce housing, and related capital improvements. Elected officials and local housing leaders described rising rents and home prices, investor activity, shrinking year-round housing stock, and difficulty recruiting or retaining teachers, police, health care workers, and other essential employees. Several witnesses emphasized that the proposals would be optional for municipalities, could include exemptions for first-time homebuyers or seniors, and would direct revenue into local affordable housing trust funds or housing banks. Committee members asked questions about who would pay the fee and whether it could make housing less affordable, and supporters responded that the fees would be targeted at higher-value transactions and designed with local flexibility. For Somerville, the delegation and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne backed both a local home rule petition and statewide enabling legislation, saying the city has already used zoning reform, inclusionary zoning, and local housing funds but still needs a new revenue source to address displacement and investor-driven purchases. For Concord, Representative Carmine Gentile and Concord housing advocates supported a home rule petition and the statewide bill, arguing that a modest fee on sales above $1 million could generate predictable revenue for affordable housing production and preservation. One committee exchange focused on whether the fee would affect most Concord sales and whether it would be passed on to buyers; supporters said the policy was intended to shift costs toward higher-value properties and help leverage other funding sources. The committee also heard testimony on House 4105, which would redirect a casino-related revenue stream to the Healthy Incentives Program. Farmers, advocates, and residents said the current funding was originally intended to support horse racing but has not met that goal, and that the money would be better used to support Massachusetts farmers and food-insecure residents through HIP. In a separate bill, Senator Becca Rausch testified in support of Senate 268, which would create a state-level hostile learning environment complaint process for higher education institutions and potentially strip tax exemptions from colleges or universities found to have such environments; she cited anti-Semitic and transphobic incidents on campuses and argued that existing federal protections should be mirrored in state law. The hearing also included testimony on college tuition debt reduction legislation from Senator Michael Moore, who said the bill would allow a deduction for tuition and fees paid to Massachusetts public colleges and universities to ease student debt and support the state’s workforce. A major portion of the hearing focused on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket housing bank proposals. Hospital, school, housing, planning, and municipal officials from Martha’s Vineyard said the island’s year-round housing shortage is harming health care, schools, and the local workforce, and urged approval of a housing bank funded by a local-option transfer fee. Nantucket witnesses made similar arguments, pointing to a very high median home price, a large seasonal housing stock, and the need for a dedicated revenue stream to preserve and create year-round housing. Supporters repeatedly cited the long-running success of the islands’ land banks as evidence that transfer fees can work without harming real estate markets. Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley Luddy also backed the Cape and Islands transfer-fee bills, saying the region needs bold action and a sustainable local funding source to address its housing crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• to fines, penalties, or chargeable offenses, the legislation doesn't really clarify what... ...surchargeable
• How long would those surcharges be enforced without a license?
• How do the surcharges work? How do those penalties work for those folks?
• insurance and some of the... ...and unanswered questions around insurance and some of the penalties and surcharges

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hearing on the governor’s Ride Safe Act (S 3077), a micromobility bill based on recommendations from last year’s Special Commission on Micromobility. Administration witnesses from MassDOT and the MBTA said the bill is needed because current laws are outdated and inconsistent, and they emphasized a new speed-based framework that would classify devices by maximum speed rather than by device name. They said the bill would set statewide rules, clarify enforcement, require safety equipment and age limits, restrict unsafe modifications, improve crash-data collection, and create a working group to address future issues such as registration, licensure, insurance, and emerging technologies. Committee members asked about crash reporting, battery safety, enforcement on shared-use paths, commuter rail access, and how the bill would apply to off-road vehicles. Several witnesses and legislators supported the bill’s general approach but raised concerns about whether the speed tiers should be tied more directly to actual operating speed on paths, whether higher-speed devices should be registered, and how police would distinguish between similar-looking devices. Representative and commission witnesses also urged more funding for Complete Streets and Shared Streets and Spaces, and some suggested adding default speed limits on shared-use paths and automated enforcement tools. Public testimony was mixed. Pediatric emergency physicians strongly supported the bill but urged amendments for a minimum age to operate powered devices and a universal helmet requirement, citing rising severe injuries and deaths among children. A police chief and other safety advocates backed clearer rules and better data collection, while some moped riders objected that the bill would treat low-speed gas mopeds too harshly and should better account for mopeds as vulnerable road users. UL Standards and AAA supported the bill’s safety and clarity goals, with UL recommending tighter language on battery certification and equivalent standards. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• mentioned by the chair, the Public Advocates Office stated that relying solely on funding through surcharges
• mentioned by the chair, the Public Advocates Office stated that relying solely on funding through surcharges
• mentioned by the chair, the public advocates office, stated that relying solely on funding through surcharges
• on utility bills would be both regressive today. stated that relying solely on funding through surcharges

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of energy, utility, and data-center bills, with members hearing extensive testimony on affordability, ratepayer protections, wildfire liability, and grid planning. Several measures were presented by Assembly Member Irwin and others, including AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency incentives, AB 2396 on allowing community choice aggregators to develop transmission projects, AB 2589 on returning federal tax savings to ratepayers, AB 2508 on shifting public purpose program costs off utility bills, AB 1577 on data center reporting, and AB 2383 on large energy-use facility rate design. The chair noted the hearing began without a quorum and later proceeded once quorum was established for the data-center and AB 2383 votes. AB 2182 and AB 2589 were discussed but not acted on during the portion shown, while AB 2396 drew substantial debate over wildfire liability, financing, and whether CCAs should be allowed to own transmission lines. AB 2508 generated the most divided policy discussion, with supporters arguing that public purpose programs and energy efficiency costs should not be borne by ratepayers and should instead be funded through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund or other public sources. Opponents warned that moving those programs to GGRF would threaten funding stability, undermine cost-effective efficiency programs, and jeopardize important safety-net and wildfire-related spending; wildfire survivor advocates asked for amendments to ensure victims are paid first before any reallocation. Committee members raised concerns about whether GGRF is an appropriate and stable funding source, and several said they could not support the bill as drafted. AB 1577, requiring data centers to report energy, water, and noise information, passed on a 10-1 vote after supporters said the bill would help local and state planners manage rapid load growth, while opponents argued it was burdensome, duplicative, and could expose proprietary or security-sensitive information. AB 2383, which would direct the CPUC to create a new rate structure for large energy-use facilities and require long-term contracts to prevent cost shifts and stranded assets, also drew strong support and opposition. The Little Hoover Commission and NRDC backed the bill as a way to protect ratepayers from data-center-related costs, while CCAs, the Chamber of Commerce, manufacturers, and petroleum interests objected to the bill’s scope and to CPUC oversight, especially as it could affect CCAs and other large users beyond data centers. After discussion about preserving local authority and avoiding stranded costs, the committee approved AB 2383 on a 13-0 vote and left the roll open for absent members. The hearing then moved to AB 1774, a wildfire accountability bill by Assembly Member Berman, which was introduced with testimony from fire survivors and consumer advocates emphasizing the need to verify that utility wildfire mitigation spending is actually performed before ratepayers are charged.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't know, what, 7% band or something like that of the revenue, that's roughly the same as the B&O surcharge
• roughly the same as the something like that of the of the revenue that's roughly the same as the B&O surcharge

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the session’s fast-moving cutoff period, the supplemental budget, and several major bills moving through committee. They said they had advanced a number of Senate bills, including the face mask bill, a bill on access to abortion medication, a bill on mobile devices in schools, and upcoming measures on driver privacy and IRS tax issues. They also said the House Finance Committee had held a hearing on the proposed millionaire’s tax, and that the budget would continue to emphasize food, shelter, health care, and continuity of government services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-driven remote sign-ins and testimony on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote participation has broadened public access and they do not want to shut it down, but they acknowledged the system may need interim tweaks to improve accuracy. They said the issue appears unprecedented, that they learned of it through a complaint to the House chief clerk, and that legislative tech staff and Senate operations leaders would review possible changes after session. They also stressed that sign-in counts should be treated cautiously and are not the same as votes. The lawmakers also discussed the proposed income tax on high earners, defending it as constitutional and necessary to fund state priorities. They argued that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, McCleary-related school funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. In response to questions about tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill is unlikely to move further this session, though the issue will continue to be worked on over the interim. They said the state needs to reduce liability through prevention and alternative dispute processes rather than through unconstitutional damage caps. On the millionaire’s tax process, leaders said the House Finance Committee is expected to add more tax reductions than the version heard that morning, with a goal of reaching roughly 25 to 40 percent in reductions and likely avoiding a conference committee if the House and Senate can concur. They said the bill may still include a sales-tax-on-services change, but that the final package is still being negotiated. They also said they do not support extending the tax to incomes below $1 million, and that no decision had been made on a possible governor-backed sales tax holiday.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't know, what, 7% band or something like that of the revenue, that's roughly the same as the B&O surcharge
• roughly the same as the something like that of the of the revenue that's roughly the same as the B&O surcharge

Summary: House and Senate Democratic leaders held a media availability focused on the late-session agenda, including the House policy cutoff, a supplemental budget, and the House Finance Committee hearing on the proposed “millionaire’s tax”/income tax measure. They said several Senate bills had moved or were moving quickly, including a face mask bill, an abortion medication access bill, a mobile devices in schools bill, a driver privacy/personal safety data protections bill, and a West Coast Health Collaborative bill. They also said the supplemental budget would emphasize food, shelter, health care, continuity of government, and other core services. A major topic was allegations of fraudulent or bot-generated remote sign-ins on the millionaire’s tax hearings. Leaders said remote testimony and sign-ins have broadened public participation, but misuse of the system is a problem that will be reviewed over the interim. They said the goal is to preserve easy public access while improving accuracy, and that the sign-in numbers should be treated cautiously because the system is informational rather than equivalent to voting. They also said there had been no direct contact with state Supreme Court justices about the tax bill. The leaders defended the need for the income tax proposal by arguing that state spending growth reflects inflation, population growth, the McCleary school-funding changes, and major investments in child care, higher education, Medicaid dental care, IT systems, and special education. They said the Legislature is trying to balance the tax code and that they do not support taxing incomes below $1 million, though they would not rule out future legislative changes decades from now. On tort claims against the state, they said Senator Dhingra’s arbitration bill has advanced the discussion but is unlikely to move further this session, and that broader liability reductions may require constitutional changes or prevention-focused investments. They also discussed long-term care workforce pressures, saying Washington is better positioned than many states but still faces an aging-population challenge. On the millionaire’s tax process, they said the House Finance Committee is expected to increase tax reductions in the bill, with leaders aiming to resolve differences with the Senate without going to conference if possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the 911, VoIP is broken out separately than wireline. For VoIP, 1.6 million of 911 calls.
• But for the wireline, it was 1.026 million 911 calls that occurred. ...it was 1.026 million 911 calls
• For the 911, versus cell. For the 911, VoIP is broken out separately than wireline.
• For VoIP, 1.6 million of 911 calls.
• And the other thing is dispatchable 911. Not all 911 will give them the location. Dispatchable 911.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will likely have to collect a surcharge from our policyholders to pay the bond debt service.
• The surcharge will be in addition to the premiums that policyholders pay.
• We will likely have to collect a surcharge from our policyholders to pay the bond debt service.
• The surcharge will be in addition to the premiums that policyholders pay.
• Surcharge our policyholders an additional amount.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It restores the ability of the court to adopt new fees, fines, surcharges, and assessments that apply
• It restores the ability of the court to adopt new fees, fines, surcharges, and assessments that apply
• Adopt new fees, fines, surcharges, and assessments that apply against criminal defendants.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, last year we were in a bill that capped the surcharge at 2% retailers on the amount that they
• And it says the surcharge shall, uh, no surcharge shall exceed 2% of the total transaction or the actual

Bills: HB2997, HB2021, HB3041, HB1823, HB3372, HB1427, HB3127, HB3128, HCR1020, HB4198, HB3000, HB3001, HB3002, HB3003, HB3004, HB3005, HB3006, HB3007, HB3008, SB392, HB3320

Keywords: motor vehicles, administrative fines, license regulation, state agencies, employment levels, after-school programs, grant funding, community organizations, child care, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, heard an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including guests in the galleries and a special recognition of a doctor of the day and a state volleyball championship team. The chamber then took up a series of bills, with most receiving brief explanations and little or no debate. House Bill 2997, dealing with used-car bait-and-switch enforcement and higher fines, failed on final passage 47-39, and notice was given of a possible motion to reconsider. House Bill 2021, creating a DHS grant program for out-of-school programming through larger community-based organizations, passed 51-29 after questions about eligibility and partnerships. House Bill 3041, adjusting the cap on credit-card surcharges so retailers can recover actual processing costs up to 2%, passed 86-1 and its emergency was adopted. The House also passed House Bill 1823 on Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency compliance with federal HOME grant guidelines, 83-5, with the emergency adopted. House Bill 3372, creating lower-cost financing tools for high-performing charter schools, drew extensive questioning about taxpayer funding, ownership, default risk, and comparisons to public-school bonds, but ultimately passed 53-36. House Bill 1427, as amended by the Senate, was adopted and passed 57-20, codifying current clean-burning vehicle tax-credit practices tied to the bank privilege tax. House Bill 3127, which would have broadened employer drug-testing and zero-tolerance authority beyond current safety-sensitive positions for medical marijuana users, drew the most extended debate over worker protections, constitutionality, and testing standards, but failed narrowly 47-46; notice of reconsideration was given. Later measures passed with broad support, including House Bill 3128 creating a task force to identify workplace barriers and recommend administrative or legislative fixes, 73-21; House Bill 4198 allowing employers to seek protective orders against former employees who pose an imminent threat, 88-12; and a series of sunset-extension bills for professional and advisory boards. Those included House Bills 3000 through 3007, covering the cosmetology board, child death review board, county personnel training commission, chiropractic examiners, optometry board, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education, and DEQ natural resource advisory councils, with most also receiving emergency clauses. House Concurrent Resolution 1020, commending Team USA Olympic hockey teams for gold medals, was adopted by unanimous consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2508 removes the scheduled expiration date of July 1, 2026, on a $3 surcharge imposed on
• The surcharge annually provides appropriations.
• The surcharge annually provides approximately $4 million in revenues to support the administrative functions

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.