Bills: SF0025, SF0026, SF0066, SJ0009

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, property tax, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, tax exemption, employee residences, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations, public lands, local governance, land management, resource development, federal agency, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> operations, forest management, operations, forest management, conservation<00:07:52.880><c> work
• </c> reductions to state park services. reductions to state park services.
• </c> camping seasons, park customer service camping seasons, park customer service hours<00:09:16.800
• :51.200><c> of</c> services.
• Uh services that the people of services.

Bills: HF2439

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dollars that go to the DNR to manage dollars that go to the DNR to manage these<00:13:45.399><c>
• </c><00:22:48.400><c> the</c> wetland to where you can manage the wetland to where you can manage the
• Fish and Wildlife Service.
• , but other organizations that you might not think of as primarily a history organization, but they're
• </c> of as primarily a history organization of as primarily a history organization but<01:21:43.199><

Bills: HF1250

Keywords: outdoor heritage, land acquisition, wildlife management, conservation easements, environmental restoration, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the dairy Services program falls under, we help regulate that.
• where animals are involved, so they are to contact emergency management and further requires in this
• There's no way for the wrecker services to deal with it.
• When you talked about emergency management, are you talking about they'll notify the State emergency
• management or the county emergency management?

Bills: SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield, aquifer management, water allocation, water permits, temporary permits, irrigation

Transcript Highlights:

• The Dairy Services Program falls under the... we hope, The Dairy Services Program falls under the...
• So they are to contact emergency management and further requires in this bill the Department of Ag to
• There's no way for the wreck services to deal with it.
• management or the county emergency management?
• The way it says, I would assume it's going to probably reach out to the local emergency management.

Bills: SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield, aquifer management, water allocation, water permits, temporary permits, irrigation

Summary: The committee began by introducing new member Rep. Dylan Travis, who was elected in a special election and will represent District 35. The first measures taken up focused on water policy. HB 1346, as amended, would create a revolving fund for water and wastewater infrastructure loans through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, with the amendment removing population-based language so infrastructure needs can be considered more broadly; it passed 9-0. SB 1509 would make well-spacing standards apply uniformly across the state by aquifer rather than waiting on maximum annual yield studies, and OWRB staff explained that domestic wells are not affected and existing rules still protect landowners; it passed 6-3. SB 1928 would establish a five-year flex allocation for groundwater use, allowing producers to shift unused water from one year to another, and it passed 7-2. The committee also considered several agriculture and food-related bills. SB 2028 would authorize the sale of raw milk products without consumer notification or container labeling beyond indicating the product is unpasteurized; it passed 8-0. SB 2071 would align Oklahoma’s Grade A milk regulations with federal standards and increase the dairy inspection fee from 1 cent to 2 cents per hundred pounds, but after concerns from members and testimony from ODAF about the fee burden, the committee adopted an amendment restoring the 1-cent rate; the bill then passed 8-1. SB 2110 would allow sale of ungraded eggs off-farm at farmers’ markets or directly to consumers, including unwashed eggs, and passed 9-0. SB 2117 would clarify that the Department of Agriculture can stop the sale of contaminated grain and direct remediation or destruction in a current contamination event involving sewer leakage into a field; it passed 9-0. Other measures addressed livestock transport, crop protection, hemp, and a proposed reimbursement scheme. SB 2134 would create procedures for wreck services and emergency management to handle livestock involved in transportation accidents, with the Department of Agriculture setting humane handling policies; members discussed whether the bill should explicitly address state or county emergency management and rail incidents, and it passed 8-0. SB 2127 was described as a work in progress to address crop protection and nontraditional producer practices, especially amid difficult conditions for row-crop producers, and it passed 8-1. SB 722, after the committee rescinded a prior referral, was presented as a new section requiring ODAF to reimburse agricultural operations for economic losses caused by agency actions enforcing court-ordered rules from an attorney general suit; after extensive questioning about scope, valuation, and legal effects, the author laid the bill over for further work. Finally, SB 3, on a newly adopted PCS, was reframed from a biosolids bill into a hemp-definition bill intended to align state law with the new federal definition and reduce youth access to marijuana-like hemp products; it passed 8-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We praise you Lord for the opportunity to be of service. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
• On the World Health Organization essential medicine list, that seems safe. Ms.
• Why not say prednisone, a medication that I know I've used for asthma management?
• In fact, leading organizations like the American Medical Association, the American...
• Ward Johnson: ...the constables to set their own rates for government services.

Bills: HB25, HB48, HB149, HB254, HB26, HB192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you remember this bill by Chairman Hollis relating to prohibiting the use of unfilled service
• Office of Risk Management.
• The State Office of Risk Management administers the Voluntary Insurance Program.
• Stephen Allbreath, testifying on behalf of the State Office of Risk Management.
• I'm the State Risk Manager for Texas. In that capacity, I serve as the Executive Director.

Bills: HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333

Keywords: firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202

Transcript Highlights:

• These rebates have funded the HIV support service grants to HIV supportive services organizations, which
• provide critical case management.
• and AIDS services organizations will be forced to shut their doors down in 2026.
• My name is Jill Puler, and I am the aging and disability services manager with W County Health and Human
• This service is essential.

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Bills: HB527, HB580, HB28, HB3, HB360, HB425, HB354, HB527, HB580, HB28, HB3, HB360, HB425, HB354

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales, food additives, artificial dyes, ultra-processed food, processed food ban, student health, child nutrition

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent over two dozen veteran service organizations.
• I'm also the chapter commander for America... ...veteran service organizations.
• These services would include child care, perinatal support services, before-school and after-school services
• These services would include child care, perinatal support services, before-school and after-school services
• Part of that is because there are specific services such as 988 services that Washington is one of only

Bills: HB2559, HB2135, HB2133, HB2442

Keywords: affordable housing, local government funding, housing programs, community development, financial assistance, adaptive housing, disabled veterans, tax preferences, housing affordability, retail sales tax, property tax, senior citizens, tax exemption, permanent legislation, local government, tax authority, sales tax, use tax, real estate excise tax, REET

Summary: House Finance heard briefings and testimony on several bills. HB 2559 would let cities and counties impose an additional 4% excise tax on lodging and short-term rentals starting in 2027, with revenues dedicated to affordable housing programs; staff explained the existing lodging-tax structure and caps, and the prime sponsor said the bill is a local option aimed at addressing housing loss from short-term rentals. HB 2133 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose nonprofit senior citizen centers; staff described the current exemption and fiscal note, and the sponsor and one supporter said it helps keep senior centers open, while a question was raised about whether other nonprofit community centers could qualify. HB 2135 would increase and extend the disabled veterans adaptive housing sales-tax remittance, raising the lifetime cap from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the statewide cap, extending the expiration to 2038, and adding JLARC review; the sponsor and a veterans coalition testified in support, saying it helps federal grant dollars go further for accessible housing. The committee then heard HB 2442, an eight-part local government revenue and flexibility bill. Staff said it would expand or authorize several local tax tools and uses, including broader use of real estate excise tax revenues, a new voter-approved affordable-housing REET option for cities, a county public utility tax, a new local sales tax for children and family services, broader uses for housing and related services taxes, changes to county mental health and veterans levies, longer levy lid-lift periods, and expanded uses for rental car tax revenue. The sponsor argued the bill gives local governments needed flexibility without creating a new statewide tax, while supporters from counties, cities, housing groups, and some service providers said local governments need more tools to address housing, behavioral health, children’s services, and infrastructure. Opponents from utilities, realtors, water and sewer districts, wireless carriers, auto dealers, and tax groups argued the new or expanded taxes would be regressive, raise housing and utility costs, or lack a sufficient nexus to the stated uses. No votes were taken in the portion provided. After that, the committee returned to HB 2559 for public testimony. Supporters, including county and city representatives and housing advocates, said short-term rentals reduce long-term housing supply and that the bill would give local communities a targeted tool to fund affordable housing. Opponents, including short-term rental owners and managers, said the bill would hurt small operators, reduce supplemental retirement income, and could be better addressed through broader lodging taxes rather than singling out short-term rentals. The hearing also included questions about the bill’s tax structure and how revenues would be used, but no action was taken in the excerpt.

Bills: HB 101, HB1819, HB1875, HB1965, HB2193, HB2914, HB3248, HB3354, HB3531, HB101

Keywords: Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, veterans, veterans' affairs, mental health, community mental health, behavioral health, grant program, matching grant, non-state match, community services, family support, county population, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC, public safety, homeland security

Transcript Highlights:

• The memorial service takes place a half mile away from my office.
• I offered it to the track manager with 10 bucks: bring my son back.
• Race tracks are regulated, insured, and operate organized events.
• A track manager dials 911.
• I'm also here as a member of the Luce organization out of New Bedford.

Bills: H4697, S2635, S2680, S2681, H5158

Keywords: constables, civil deputy sheriffs, law enforcement, training, certification, public safety, emergency response, red lights, Barnstable, town management, public health, safety standards, nuclear power, waste management, community protection, BMX, motocross, safety, regulation, insurance

Bills: SB3

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Pegasus Park obviously is a great business cluster. that has really developed so organically, that's
• residents of their communities and must work hard to earn positions of leadership within their organizations

Bills: HB112, HB117

Keywords: county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas, environmental management, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The water company, if Birmingham has service, and that is their Birmingham has service, and that is their
• SB330 does not allow the public to comment on water problems, bad service, ...rate increases, or other
• related to water and gas systems could have negative consequences for regional utility systems that manage
• water and gas operations under the same ...gas operations under the same organization.
• I'm the general manager of I'm the general manager of the Birmingham Waterworks.

Bills: SB330

Keywords: water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our management team now includes a senior level role called assistant general manager of customer care
• They knew that management needed to change.
• So in 2024, they changed the management team at the executive management team level by bringing back
• team. the executive management team.
• We meet with management, the new management team, and the way they're managing the employees.

Bills: SB330

Keywords: water management, regional boards, municipal governance, ethics compliance, public utility, 923, senate, all

Bills: HB1541

Keywords: septic systems, environmental quality, public health, wastewater management, licensing and permitting, 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened on April 4 to consider two bills. House Bill 1280, Representative Brandenberg’s bill on election approval of projects, was briefly discussed after the chair said legislative council had raised constitutional concerns and the bill could invite lawsuits. Despite that caution, a member moved a do pass recommendation, it was seconded, and the committee approved HB 1280 by roll call vote. The committee then turned to House Bill 1318. The chair explained that after consulting attorneys, the phrase “notwithstanding any other provision of law” in line 7 was considered problematic and would be removed through a crafted amendment. He also said the proposed sunset clause was not a good idea and indicated the bill would be held until the following Thursday morning to allow further review. A member asked about other lines, and the chair said those provisions remained as previously amended. The committee discussed procedural handling of the bill, including whether reconsideration of a prior motion was needed, and confirmed the bill would remain in committee. No further action was taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not used to that kind of service. We are service-oriented here.
• I'm not used that kind of service. We are service-oriented here. Chair, Royce?
• So, anyway, thank you for that service.
• Whoever is managing it in Edward Jones or whoever.
• This is a minimum, and it offers kind of flexibility to the organization.

Bills: HB1162

Keywords: Lake Agassiz, water authority, board of directors, state highways, water management, 908, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1162, which would add the West Fargo mayor as a voting member of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority board. The sponsor and Fargo’s mayor argued West Fargo has grown into a major regional water stakeholder and should have a formal vote, while members questioned the board structure and why the change was not framed more specifically. The bill was supported in testimony, closed without opposition, and received a 6-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 1259 on annual legislative sessions and session structure. Members adopted an amendment that left the structure and logistics of sessions to legislative management rather than prescribing details in statute, after discussion about flexibility, committee workload, annual versus biennial sessions, and concerns about preserving debate and committee process. The amended bill received a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with some members voting no because they preferred a different committee recommendation or had concerns about the broader change. House Bill 1254, which would allow any North Dakota resident to obtain a State Library card, drew supportive testimony from the bill sponsor and State Library staff. They said the change would align law with current practice and expand access to books, e-materials, and other resources statewide, including for military families and out-of-state state employees. The committee closed the hearing and approved the bill 6-0. The committee also considered House Bill 1469, which narrows financial disclosure requirements so only business or trust interests directly related to the office sought or held must be disclosed. After brief discussion that the change would reduce unnecessary disclosure burdens, the committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a 6-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 1368, dealing with administrative rules and the standard for challenging them, was opposed by committee counsel as too broad and legally problematic; the committee rejected it on a 4-2 do not pass vote. Finally, House Bill 1219, which would reduce the required perpetual care fund set-aside for certain cemeteries from 20% to 10%, received supportive testimony from the sponsor, cemetery representatives, and local users, but also concern about long-term fund health. The committee ultimately recommended do pass on a 5-1 vote.