Transcript Highlights:

• Remember these six words: Take good care of the children.
• We need to come together and row in the same direction.
• And we've got to come together and roll in the same direction.
• Didn't care if you were a Republican, Democrat.
• Generations of Oklahomans are benefiting from the details that you've taken care of.

Bills: HCR1030, HB1370, SB893, SB2, SB1589

Keywords: legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call, and heard an invocation and pledge before moving through several ceremonial presentations. Members recognized Monty Smith for 43 years of service with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, honored the Marlow Lady Outlaws girls golf team for winning the Class 3A state and academic state championships, and acknowledged the final group of pages for the 60th Legislature. The House also adopted HCR 1030, which sets the legislative procedure schedule and deadlines for the 61st Oklahoma Legislature. The chamber then met in a joint session with the Senate to observe Veterans Awareness Day. Speakers from both chambers and the Oklahoma Veterans Council delivered remarks honoring veterans, Gold Star families, and military service, and highlighted recent policy achievements for veterans, including the full tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans, the exemption of military retirement pay from state income tax, improved funding for veterans’ homes, and restructuring of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. The Veterans Council also presented its annual awards, naming Sen. Kerry Hicks as Outstanding Senator of the Year, Rep. Andy Menz as Outstanding Representative of the Year, Aaron Higgins as Veteran of the Year, and the Speed family as Veteran Family of the Year, and recognized Scott Howell for his service to the council. The joint session then adjourned. Back in the House, members took up Senate amendments to House Bill 1370, which concerns the Corporation Commission plugging fund and a repealer tied to a state fuel-tax offset provision. The bill’s author explained that the amendment would prevent the state from capturing savings if the federal fuel excise tax is reduced, so any reduction would benefit consumers rather than state revenue. After questions about fiscal impact and the well-plugging fund, the House adopted the Senate amendments without objection and passed HB 1370 on final passage by a vote of 89-1; the emergency clause also passed 89-1. The House then recessed, later returned for a staff appreciation and sine die-style recognition, including a tribute to long-serving bill drafter Mark Carter, and recessed again while awaiting any additional legislation from the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we all know, both state and federal law via EMTALA creates a mandate for an emergency care safety
• Jennifer Hinson with Rutledge-Jessini here on behalf of HCA Health Care, and I think I can provide some
• Heather Turnbull, HCA Health Care, waiving in support. Thank you.
• I mean, they're a vital part of our health care system in Florida.
• So you can't force someone into that direction of only being able to choose the option to pay the fee

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee considered a full agenda of insurance, financial services, and probate bills. Early action included SB 1000, setting a floor and ceiling for interest on attorneys’ trust accounts, which was reported favorably. The committee then took up CS/SB 1082 on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program for out-of-network emergency claims. Senator Graal explained it as a way to reduce litigation and use a dispute-resolution process similar to the federal No Surprises Act. An amendment intended to require plan disclosure and prevent default by nonparticipation drew questions from members and concerns from insurers and providers about clarity and scope, especially whether it could affect contracted rates or shift claims between state and federal systems. Senator Graal withdrew the amendment, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from insurers and emergency physicians both supporting the underlying dispute-resolution concept while asking for further clarification. The committee also favorably reported SB 684 on electronic signatures for total loss vehicles and vessels; CS/SB 158 on pet insurance, which adds agent continuing education, stronger consumer disclosures, and annual reporting to OIR; SB 1494 on breast cancer screening coverage, expanding required mammogram and supplemental screening coverage; and CS/SB 314, a strike-all bill creating a Florida framework for payment stablecoin issuers consistent with the federal GENIUS Act. CS/SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings was also approved, with an amendment addressing access to safe deposit boxes by requiring letters of administration. SB 618 on workers’ compensation insurance raised the consent-to-rate cap from 10% to 20% for workers’ comp policies and adjusted the Florida Workers’ Compensation Guarantee Association board membership; supporters said it would help keep high-risk employers in the voluntary market. Later, the committee approved CS/SB 1568 creating a Florida Stablecoin Pilot Program within DFS to allow certain stablecoin payments for fees, after a substitute amendment removed authority for a Florida coin, limited eligible stablecoins, and required qualified public deposit handling. CS/SB 838 clarified that convenience fees for electronic payments on retail installment contracts are permissible, while preserving a fee-free payment option; members discussed consumer access and fee concerns. CS/SB 1452, a broad DFS agency bill covering My Safe Florida Home, insurance administration, unclaimed property, licensing, and other departmental changes, was reported favorably after a technical amendment. The committee also approved SB 1706 creating a My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program targeted to owner-occupied, lower-income condominiums, and SB 990 authorizing protected cell captive insurance companies in Florida, with supporters arguing it would modernize law and promote competition. The meeting concluded with all bills on the agenda that were heard being reported favorably and the committee adjourning without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• SAYS WE CARE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND I'M HERE BECAUSE I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT.
• I CARE DEEPLY AND HAVE FAITH AM NOT ALONE.
• PROVIDING A DIRECT LINE OF COMMUNICATION TO THE OFFICE.
• I'VE HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE WORK OF COUNSEL AND THE CARE PORTAL.
• TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .. those health care expenditures on chronic and mental health conditions.
• So this is moving in the right direction.
• It's helped move us in the right direction of where we ought to be going.
• We take care of our own. And right now, we are at a crossroads.
• All the statistics kind of go in that direction. Senator Miles. Thanks, sir.

Bills: SB 25, SB25, SB314

Keywords: attorney ad litem, indigent parents, parent-child relationship, legal representation, Texas Family Code, court procedures, nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill specifically aligns and modernizes the three advance planning tools: advance health care directives
• Excluding family members reduces CARE Court's effectiveness, depriving the court and the care team of
• This undermines the CARE Act's main goals, which are community- and family-centered care.
• to the care team.
• SB 1304 is the Respiratory Care Board Sunset Extension Bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and several ceremonial presentations. Members welcomed Jack and Jill of America’s Far West Region and a large education bus trip from Senate District 15. The body also adopted SCR 151 designating May 2026 as ACL Injury Awareness Month, SR 105 declaring May as National Tennis Month, SCR 175 recognizing Behavioral Health Awareness Month, SCR 176 designating May as Small Business Month, and SCR 178 recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. These resolutions drew broad support, with many senators speaking to the health, civic, economic, and cultural themes in the measures, as well as concerns about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and solidarity across communities. The Senate also confirmed three gubernatorial appointees unanimously: Siva Gunda to the California Energy Commission, Tony Sertich as Executive Director of the California Housing and Finance Agency, and Craig Snellings to the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, the chamber approved a motion to suspend Joint Rule 62(a) so the Committee on Local Government could hear AB 1768, after debate over the procedure and a roll call vote. On legislation, the Senate passed a series of bills on unanimous or near-unanimous votes, including SB 922 on local cost recovery for street damage from public service operations, SB 932 on litigation transparency, SB 1311 on updates to consumer affairs boards and licensing rules, SB 1143 on access to forensic interview recordings in child abuse cases, SB 1307 on clearing forged real estate documents, SB 1177 on high-speed rail reporting, SB 971 on community networks for older adults, SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1228 on existing outdoor advertising displays in former redevelopment areas, SB 997 on lien authority for a groundwater sustainability agency, SB 1115 on public cemetery district governance, SB 1088 on advance care planning forms, SB 1242 on family participation in CARE Court, SB 1364 on parental rights in rape-related custody cases, SB 993 on protecting mental health professionals’ identifying information, SB 1094 on prescription drug biosimilar use, SB 1117 on ADU fee calculations, SB 1244 on broker compensation disclosures for public agency health plans, SB 1315 on automated driving system software update reporting, and SB 1398 on recognizing Green Globes as an equivalent state building certification. Earlier, a motion by Senator Strickland to withdraw SB 1035 from committee failed on a 22-22 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys never give us a direction.
• I know he deals a lot with the foster care and all of that.
• On March 3rd, I applied to be a foster care license.
• Sorry, I looked in the wrong direction.
• Sorry, I look in the wrong direction.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , also called foster care.
• Uh and statutes direct this joint board.
• </c> total number of uh out of home care total number of uh out of home care children?
• </c> of out of home care of out of home care uh<00:26:45.919><c> covered</c><00:26:46.240><c> by</c><
• It's not any sort of direct transfer of funds, for example, on that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it a choice, or do you take it as a legislative directive in omission?”
• “I mean, it’s a quality of life in a community if people care about pets so much that if they knew that
• So I would like that sent as a direct request from this committee, from this chair, to include that.
• I recognize that you care. I can see that in the few minutes that I've watched this.
• We're going to be pushing the business in that direction, and...

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To say nothing of the 20% of all health care expenditures annually.
• When you do all the indirects, directs, and everything else, and you isolate it out.
• They would do so based on their home state medical direction and other rules.
• And we have one in favor on the line for health care.
• I'll take care of people. Thank you. Any other comments. A heartfelt ditto.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• background information, the Passport to Careers Program supports youth who experienced either foster care
• The Passport to Careers Program supports youth who experienced either foster care at the age of 13 or
• Program is really seen as a national model for how states can better support youth formerly in foster care
• Youth who have experienced homelessness or foster care have the highest rates of basic needs insecurity
• We're using that to give direct cash grants to students. That's right.

Summary: The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee began with a work session presentation from the Washington Student Achievement Council on the Passport to Careers Program. Staff explained that Passport serves youth who experienced foster care at age 13 or later or unaccompanied homelessness, and that the program provides scholarships and campus support services for college, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship pathways. WASAC said the program is a national model because it uses data-sharing agreements to identify eligible students automatically, is funded by the state, and partners with the College Success Foundation and campus networks to provide support. Officials reported that about 2,000 students will be served in 2025-26, with awards capped at $2,000, and cited an evaluation finding that 31% of participants graduate within eight years, compared with much lower rates for similarly situated students outside the program. Committee members asked about graduation rates for all students, the share of Passport students who are parents, how unaccompanied homelessness is identified, where campus support staff are housed, and how funding is used. WASAC said most students are single without children, unaccompanied homeless youth are identified through McKinney-Vento liaisons, and campus support structures vary by institution. Staff also described how the program has grown 131% since unaccompanied homeless youth became eligible in 2019, while appropriations have remained around $7 million annually, forcing reductions in the maximum scholarship award from $5,000 in 2023-24 to $2,800 and then $2,000 in 2025-26. Officials emphasized that students still face significant unmet need and that campus support funds are often used for basic needs, academic support, and emergency aid. The committee then moved through executive session on several bills and advanced each one with a do pass recommendation to Ways and Means. The bills included SB 5826 on medication abortion access at public postsecondary institutions, SB 5828 on Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship awards at private four-year institutions, SB 5909 on low-enrollment undergraduate programs, SB 5931 on WIA board co-chair terms and dashboard requirements, SB 5954 on tuition waivers for certain veteran dependents and survivors, SB 5963 on Passport to Careers funding and eligibility changes, SB 6082 on a state financial aid fraud performance audit, and SB 6090 establishing the Heritage Orchard Program at Washington State University. The committee adopted the proposed substitute for SB 5931 before passing it, and all measures were reported out subject to signatures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• Um, we have individuals here from the Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment, and there's
• of or the providing of direct care and treatment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We gave no directives.
• We gave no directives.
• We gave no directives.
• We gave no directives.
• We gave no directives.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• people who really care intensely.
• In your opinion, would a lender care if it was a deferral versus an exemption?
• Do the churches continue to manage them and, you know, care for the properties?
• My strong recommendation is that the church should stay in its lane and care for people the way that
• Exploring a path to restore this kind of support direct financial assistance.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on several bills. SB 5885 would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the density-bonus affordability threshold from 100% to 50% and adding a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects. The sponsor and supporters from Redmond, Tacoma, Spokane, faith organizations, and housing nonprofits said the current standard is too restrictive and that churches and other faith groups have underused land that could help meet the state’s housing shortage. A county planning representative raised concern about an unfunded mandate to update local development regulations, and one testifier said the bill should be paired with funding for county planning work. The committee also heard SB 5884, which would expand a sales and use tax deferral program for redevelopment of underutilized property. The bill would broaden eligible land beyond surface parking lots to include vacant, partially used, or underutilized parcels, and would allow cities to approve projects with at least 50% affordable units, or 20% in designated residential targeted areas. Supporters from Spokane, Vancouver, Kent, Bellingham, and the Washington State Association of Counties said the current program is too narrow and should be available in more places, including counties and more cities. Construction industry groups supported redevelopment but objected to a provision tying eligibility to apprenticeship utilization, saying it could disadvantage nonunion contractors and create compliance burdens. For SB 5937, the committee heard testimony on smart access systems in rental housing. The bill would require landlords, upon request, to offer a non-biometric, non-app-based alternative key and to provide privacy policies and limits on data collection for smart access systems. Tenant advocates supported the bill as a privacy and access protection, citing concerns about app-based locks, data tracking, lockouts, and retaliation. Landlord and multifamily housing groups said they were open to the concept but argued the bill was too broad and could impose burdens on small housing providers or simple keypad systems, and they asked for narrower definitions and clearer implementation language. Finally, the committee took testimony on SB 5938, which would make technical changes to the foreclosure prevention fee created last year, including exempting certain reverse mortgages and chattel loans, preventing duplicate charges on some state-backed transactions, and directing Commerce to study a possible state homeowner assistance fund. Homeownership counselors, legal aid, HOA advocates, and equity organizations supported the bill, saying it would clarify fee collection, protect low- and moderate-income buyers from unnecessary costs, and help sustain foreclosure prevention services. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, and the meeting ended after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for the Florida Department of Financial Services and provide some oversight and direction to the
• It's in direct statue again. And and as far as the low to moderate income, how is that follow-up?
• And I don't want to make any blanket statements other than be careful as it relates to.
• But they do have to be careful. So they're not taking advantage of.
• So we're making sure these are policies care about a calf.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent individuals who have been sentenced to death in their direct appeals, and we work to improve
• Our clients have a constitutional and statutory right to effective counsel in their direct appeals.
• Our clients have a constitutional and statutory right to effective counsel in their direct appeals.
• And then lastly, $10 million for services to protect health care access. Okay.
• Each case moves through multiple stages of careful review, analysis, and written decision-making.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• payments for a first-tier subcontractor, including specified conditions with the amount paid to Direct
• But in my mind, as a man, I want to take care of my family.
• So by me in here, talking to everybody in here, I want to take care of my family.
• Through both research and direct community engagement, I have examined the factors that contribute to
• Chair, at the direction of Chair Leek, I waive in support. Excellent, excellent, excellent.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our essential workers cannot afford health care.
• ...one who will lose their health care?
• They have to take care of their elderly parent or a child.
• People are going to lose their health care.
• Young mothers with their young babies might lose their health care.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are registered in opposition, but are reviewing the amendments and really appreciate the direction
• SB 1180 adds clarity, transparency, accountability, and ensures that the funding is directed where it's
• ... ...either through having to pay for cleanups, through health care costs, through increased asthma
• The bill helps expand child care availability, improve accessibility, and support working families.
• barriers to create safe, high-quality child care opportunities wherever families need them most.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was done at the direction of the General Assembly.
• And that was done at the direction of the General Assembly.
• Senator, their application is for a senior and self-care feeding program, or senior feeding and self-care
• Members, take a few minutes to review this list and direct any questions to my attention.
• Take care. These folks pull it together.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if I may, I'm going to direct you to page three in your packet.
• going to have many of them go belly up, and it's going to come back and cost the state money to take care
• That takes care of half of what the governor said.
• care staff at juvenile corrections facilities and substance use disorder mentoring services.
• So the $517,700 for those six direct care positions, plus the cost to restore the mentoring services

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and first took up the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Medicaid. Members approved a 2026 supplemental for the Medicaid forecast adjustment, increasing general fund and dedicated fund spending while reducing federal funds, and also approved a separate budget-neutral 2026 supplemental to move hospital assessment funding into a dedicated fund and create a new hospital assessment budgeted program, as required by House Bill 345. Both motions passed with do-pass recommendations after roll-call votes. The committee then considered the 2027 Medicaid budget. Testimony covered MMIS procurement, estate recovery staffing, program integrity contract support, Medicaid purchasing staff tied to the Department of Administration, hospital assessment fund alignment, population forecast adjustments, and an additional governor’s initiative reduction. Three competing motions were offered: one from Representative Bruce, one from Senator Cook, and one from Senator Wintrow. After debate over provider-rate cuts, RESHAB funding, forecast assumptions, and whether to reduce the governor’s requested $22 million adjustment, the Bruce motion failed and the Cook substitute failed, while the Wintrow motion passed and received a do-pass recommendation. The committee next approved Idaho State Police budgets. It passed a Brand Inspection Division request for $288,100 in dedicated funds for replacement vehicles and equipment, a Division of Idaho State Police motion adding funds for the commercial vehicle safety grant, a mobile live scan pilot, and replacement items, and a POST Academy motion for $324,100 in dedicated funds for replacement items. The Department of Juvenile Corrections budget was also approved, including a clinician services transfer from Health and Welfare, replacement items, IT hardware, and restoration of direct care and mentoring funding with six FTPs. Finally, the committee considered the Department of Administration and Military Division budgets; after debate over Medicaid procurement staffing and a training position transfer, the committee approved a Department of Administration motion with reduced general fund and increased dedicated funding, then approved the Military Division’s request for emergency management overhead recovery and state education assistance funding. The meeting ended with announcements of the next Monday agenda and adjournment.