Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Drew Cross, C-R-O-S-S, and I'm the State Forensic Program Coordinator.
• My name is Drew Cross, C-R-O-S-S, and I'm the State Forensic Program Coordinator.
• willingness to work with us to improve the statute, which will ultimately lead to a more efficient forensic
• This will add to the efficiency of the statewide forensic system without sacrificing the quality or impact

Bills: SB60 , SB85 , SB323 , SB309 , SB465

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• File 2136, which is a Representative Pete Johnson provision, which is allocating grant funding for forensic
• File 2136, which is a Representative Pete Johnson provision, which is allocating grant funding for forensic
• Provision, which is allocating grant funding for forensic interview training scholarships.
• And if you would like a thorough walk-through of the spreadsheet, our expert Mr.

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the Health Finance and Policy bill, and first adopted the A8 amendment, described as a set of technical fixes. Members then considered a large A9 amendment that bundled a wide range of Children and Families provisions, including child care licensing modernization, crisis nursery licensing, SNAP/MFIT-related language, child care provider self-reporting, a physical abuse recognition poster, child protection and welfare provisions, funding for parent support outreach, and forensic interview training scholarships. Supporters described it as bipartisan work with relatively small fiscal impact, while opponents said it greatly expanded the bill and should be handled separately; after a roll call, the A9 amendment failed 7-14. Representative Scott then offered the A11 amendment, raising concerns about new all-payer claims database language and whether it should have been heard in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. Department of Health staff explained the data-sharing safeguards, de-identification process, fee structure, and enforcement provisions, but Scott remained concerned about privacy and the scope of the program and withdrew the amendment. The committee then moved to final bill discussion. Members and authors described HF 4466 as a lean health finance bill largely conforming Minnesota law to federal HR1 Medicaid-related changes, including work requirements, retroactive eligibility limits, cost-sharing, and home equity provisions. Supporters argued conformity was necessary to avoid major federal funding losses and noted a few additional member bills in the package; opponents criticized the federal changes as harmful, especially for vulnerable populations such as victims of trafficking and domestic violence. Fiscal staff said the bill would save just over $2 million in FY 2026-27 and almost $98 million in FY 2028-29. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Investigation, which would encompass the Bureau of Narcotics, MBI, Homeland Security, and the Forensics
• 00:36:55.560><c> Security</c><00:36:55.840><c> and</c><00:36:56.120><c> the</c><00:36:56.200><c> Forensics
• </c> Homeland Security and the Forensics Homeland Security and the Forensics Laboratory.<00:36:57.880
• 00:41:23.240><c> of</c> Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Homeland Security, and the Bureau of Forensics
• </c> Forensics, which would be the crime lab. Forensics, which would be the crime lab.

Committee: Joint Judiciary, Division B

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies if there are complicated statement of it estimated regulatory costs to be prepared and using experts
• statutes to conform to a directive of the Legislature to replace the name Division of investigative in Forensic

Transcript Highlights:

• The need for forensic medical evaluations in criminal and civil commitment cases has really surged in
• The need for forensic medical evaluations in criminal and civil commitment cases has really surged in
• The need for forensic medical evaluations in criminal and civil commitment cases has really surged in
• The need for forensic medical evaluations in criminal and civil commitment cases has really surged in
• So my last question is very short: you talked about forensic examiners, and what is the qualification

Transcript Highlights:

• Pro Tem Paxton, you're recognized to present the nomination of Juana Ellison to the Forensic Review Board
• The Forensic Review Board to serve a five-year term ending December 31, 2031.
• Ellison is a resident of Arnett, Oklahoma, and this is a reappointment to the Forensic Review Board.
• I bring qualifications to the Forensic Review Board through my doctorate-level education in clinical
• So I look forward to continuing to serve on the Forensic Review Board. Thank you, Ms. Ellison.

Bills: HB1675 , HB3242 , HB1739 , HB3320 , HB3047 , HB4434 , HJR1089 , HB4432 , HB3718 , HB3705

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider a long slate of executive nominations and several bills. All of the nominations received broad support and were advanced to the floor, including Lori Burns to the Redlands Community College Board of Regents, Lisa Daly to the Oklahoma State Credit Union, Juana Ellison to the Forensic Review Board, Haley Frick to the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Michael Hillary to the Wildlife Conservation Commission, Dustin Hillary to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, John Holt to the Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufactured Housing Commission, Brian Sweeney to the Capital Medical Center Improvement and Zoning Commission, and Cale Walker to the USAO Board of Regents. Most nominations passed unanimously; Brian Sweeney’s nomination passed 15-2. The committee then heard and passed several policy bills. HB 1675 created a severe-weather preparedness framework for youth camps and passed 16-1. HB 3242, the Women’s Safety and Protection Act covering shelters, schools, and higher education, passed 15-2 after questions about enforcement and legal remedies. HB 1739 increased state police pension benefits and employer contributions to help retain officers, passing 16-1. HB 3320 overhauled the sunset review process for boards and commissions and passed 15-2. HB 3047 designated LOFT as the central recipient for legislative reports and passed unanimously, and HB 4434 required the governor or acting governor to notify the next successor before leaving the state, also passing unanimously. The committee also advanced HB 4432, which would restore the ability to deduct gambling losses against gambling winnings for state income tax purposes; supporters said it would help ordinary taxpayers, while opponents raised fiscal concerns, and it passed 16-1. HB 3705 raised the parental choice tax credit cap from $250 million to $275 million and passed 13-3 after extended debate over school choice, public funding, and reporting. HB 3718 set timelines for school districts to process evaluations tied to the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarship program and passed 12-2, with critics arguing it could create a separate track and strain school psychology resources. HJR 1089, which would have sent voters a constitutional convention referendum, was laid over and not voted on. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to improve processes at OFC Oklahoma Forensic Center, which is up in Enid. That's where we.
• I would also mention that on the staff side, we still need Forensic doctors, psychiatrists, etc., and
• I think forensic was put in there, and there's some very specific things.
• So, is forensic psychiatry different than a Regular psychiatry internship and residency.
• How do we get more forensic nurses, right?' All of those other things.

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't think my 12-year-old can understand that, not a public safety expert, but he exists and has
• And I don't think my 12-year-old can understand that, not a public safety expert, but he exists and has
• And I don't think my 12-year-old can understand that, not a public safety expert, but he exists and has
• And I don't think my 12-year-old can understand that, not a public safety expert, but he exists and has
• This is an amendment that would also I believe, and experts have said this is an amendment and aimed

Transcript Highlights:

• A forensics laboratory in western Kentucky, computer forensics laboratory, upgrade communications equipment
• </c><00:08:40.560><c> a</c><00:08:40.800><c> forensics</c> in the in the budget bill. a forensics in
• the in the budget bill. a forensics laboratory<00:08:42.000><c> in</c><00:08:42.240><c> western</c><00
• > computer</c> laboratory in western Kentucky, computer laboratory in western Kentucky, computer forensics
• <00:08:45.040><c> laboratory,</c><00:08:46.240><c> upgrade</c> forensics laboratory, upgrade forensics

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• He is VP of the Asian Culture Club, Forensic Club, Spanish Club, and Serve Club. I know, right?
• He is VP of the Asian Culture Club, Forensic Club, Spanish Club, and Serve Club. I know, right?
• He is VP of the Asian Culture Club, Forensic Club, Spanish Club, and Serve Club. I know, right?

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and members proceeded through the day’s ceremonial order of business, including prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introductions. Chaplain Ronnie Wilson delivered the invocation, and Representative Shaw introduced Veteran of the Week Edward Marion Green of Chandler, a Navy veteran and chaplain’s assistant who was honored with a House citation. Mr. Green’s family and friends were recognized on the floor, and he led the chamber in the Pledge of Allegiance. The House also featured several special presentations. Representative Culver promoted Tahlequah’s Red Fern Festival and introduced the festival court. Representative Duel introduced psychologist Dr. Sherry Fleming, highlighting her work in higher education and transitional services for students with disabilities. Representative May introduced nurse Alyssa Jones of Broken Arrow, emphasizing her work in rural health care. Representative Hill introduced the week’s pages, recognizing a group of high-achieving students from across Oklahoma. Additional announcements included Speaker Pro Tem Moore welcoming his family to the chamber and Representative Harris recognizing them as well. Representative Patskowski announced an agriculture committee meeting. No legislation was debated or voted on in the transcript; the only formal action was the reassignment of measures according to the majority floor leader’s list, followed by adjournment until the next day at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The case was later referred for further forensic interviews.
• it can take two to three days to get to a CAC before everybody can get there to meet and have the forensic
• We had over 7,000 forensic interviews.
• This bill threatens the very foundation of child protection by disregarding best practices in forensic

Bills: SB140 , HB235 , HB276 , HB317 , HB340

Committee: House Children and Senior Advocacy

Keywords: Coach Safely Act, youth athletics, noncompliance penalties, Department of Public Health, youth athlete, social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety

Transcript Highlights:

• grant provision, which is um allocating grant funding<00:09:30.080><c> for</c><00:09:30.320><c> forensic
• </c><00:09:30.920><c> interview</c><00:09:31.400><c> training</c> funding for forensic interview training
• funding for forensic interview training scholarships.<00:09:32.920><c> Um</c><00:09:33.120><c> and</
• And if you would like a thorough walk-through of the spreadsheet, our expert, Mr.
• And if you would like a thorough walk-through of the spreadsheet, our expert, Mr.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Pro Tempore Paxton, you're recognized to present the nomination of Juana Ellison to the forensic review
• Miss Ellison is a resident of Reno, Oklahoma, and this is a reappointment for the forensic review board
• I bring qualifications to the forensic review board through my doctorate level education and clinical
• psychology and extensive forensic experience with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which I did for three
• So I look forward to continuing to serve on the forensic review board. Thank you, Miss Ellison.

Bills: HB1675 , HB3242 , HB1739 , HB3320 , HB3047 , HB4434 , HJR1089 , HB4432 , HB3718 , HB3705

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• And then at the bottom of the page, you'll see another fund there that pays for the forensic exams when
• And unintentionally, we may have been charging some sexual assault victims for the forensic exam.
• I heard that a hospital may have billed a victim for a forensic exam, so we got together, drafted memos
• specifically for sexual assault exams and potentially the victim bearing the cost of the exam or any other forensic
• I always express. ...any other forensic exam, strangulation, domestic battery, etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• this for two reasons: to intimidate their victims and to evade identification by law enforcement or forensic
• I wanted to ask you about forensic technology.
• You mentioned that in New York, the use of a mask is preventing you from using some forensic technology
• When I say forensic technology, it specifically refers to my camera or surveyor, When I say forensic
• technology, it specifically refers to, like, camera or surveillance or those type of forensic tools that

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• conference, and um it's wonderful to see you bringing together all the different agencies who are experts
• conference, and um it's wonderful to see you bringing together all the different agencies who are experts
• How are you handling the technology needs, the crime labs, the forensics that is critical obviously now
• </c> the the crime labs the the forensics the the crime labs the the forensics that<00:12:49.040><c>
• I'm unfortunately not an expert in cyber crime.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs held an informational briefing on violent crime clearance rates and what resources law enforcement and prosecutors need to improve them. Chair and members noted there would be no public testimony. The briefing was led by Marshall Clement of the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center, with later participation expected from state and county law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies. Clement argued that solving violent crime is a systemwide issue, not just a local police function, and said clearance rates have declined nationally over decades for homicide, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. He said Hawaii’s reported data, limited to Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, shows overall violent crime rates are lower than the national average and have been relatively flat with a pandemic-era spike followed by declines in 2023 and 2024. He reported that Hawaii’s overall violent crime solve rate fell from about 52% in 2014 to about 40% in 2024, with 2024 rates of 50% for homicides, 48% for aggravated assaults, and 26% each for rapes and robberies. He also estimated unsolved cases over the past three years at about 17 homicides, 3,300 aggravated assaults, 1,200 rapes, and 1,700 robberies. Members asked about victim and witness support, staffing shortages, the Denver example, whether clearance rates include cases not prosecuted, and whether HPD’s size or structure might affect solve rates. Clement said support can include victim-witness programs and coordinators that help maintain cooperation and trust, especially where clearance rates are low. He said resources, training, technology, and detective caseloads matter, citing Boston, Denver, and Omaha as cities that improved solve rates through relatively low-cost operational changes; he highlighted Denver’s increase in non-fatal shooting clearance from 39% to 65% in seven months after dedicating more resources. He said he had no research showing that breaking up a large department would improve solve rates, and noted that clearance data can include exceptional clearances such as victim noncooperation, prosecutorial declination, or a suspect’s death. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also provide expert consultation to schools, hospitals, courts, and other entities.
• We also provide expert consultation to schools, hospitals, courts, and other entities. courts and other
• DDS intake and eligibility and area office transition teams engage these experts to work with residential
• Prosecutors, victim witness advocates, forensic interviewers, the medical community, academia, us, and
• We've had over 500 constituents of ours, including young people, their families, national experts, our

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• piece that the superintendent talked a little bit about is the, uh, Biotrack or the seed to sale forensic
• These audits will lead us to people that are leaving forensic trails, kind of appearing to be compliant
• Um, And some of the expanded duties as you can see, um, um, you know, we now have to be, um, An expert
• on controlled substances, you have to be an expert in mental health, uh, school resource officers.
• Which is I go to the experts in the field, and when they say, Sentencing commission says, yeah, this

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• He held numerous positions, including investigator, forensic artist, division director, and interim director
• He held numerous positions, including investigator, forensic artist, division director, and interim director
• A self-taught artist, Pratt spent decades in law enforcement using his skills to revolutionize forensic

Bills: SR34

Summary: The Senate convened with roll call, prayer, pledges, and several floor introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Nurse of the Day, and Psychologist of the Day. Members also welcomed the Dover High School boys basketball team, which was honored for winning the Class B-2 state championship and the first basketball title in school history after a 30-2 season; coaches and a team representative briefly thanked the Senate for the recognition. The chamber then considered Senate Resolution 34 honoring the late Harvey Pratt, a longtime OSBI employee, Cheyenne Peace Chief, Marine Corps veteran, and artist known for his forensic work and public memorials. Senator Weaver spoke in support, praised Pratt’s legacy and service, and announced that the new OSBI building at the Chesapeake Complex is planned to be named for him if the family approves. The resolution was adopted unanimously, and members were made coauthors by unanimous consent. The remainder of the session featured multiple gallery introductions for Edmond Day at the Capitol, including Leadership Edmond and several Edmond-area state champions: Edmond Memorial and Edmond North palm squads, Edmond North boys powerlifting, individual wrestling and swimming champions, and Edmond Memorial volleyball champions. Senator Jett also introduced visiting OSU students and TeamPack participants. The only announced action after introductions was a reminder about a gubernatorial debate that evening, followed by adjournment until Tuesday, March 31 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've often held the hands of children while they went through their forensic interviews.
• And I've often held the hands of children while they went through their forensic interviews.
• And I've often held the hands of children while they went through their forensic interviews.
• And I've often held the hands of children while they went through their forensic interviews.
• And I've often held the hands of children while they went through their forensic interviews.

Committee: House Health and Welfare