Transcript Highlights:

• who are concerned that are involved in private schools that with the tax credit voucher program that pays
• Account funds may only be withdrawn to pay deductibles for the taxpayer's primary residence or up to
• Account funds may only be withdrawn to pay deductibles for the taxpayer's primary residence or up to
• And I could use that $5,000 to pay for any damages that insurance does not pay for.
• If you do have one of these entities that is paying a lower value of ad valorem tax on it, but they are

Bills: HB1590, HB1242, HB3818, HB4305

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously approved the nomination of Keith Ventress to the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority and then to the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority. Members noted his banking background and asked a brief question about the reference to old congressional district boundaries in the nomination materials, but there was no substantive opposition and both nominations advanced to the Senate. House Bill 1590, by Senator Daniels, would create an Oklahoma education infrastructure linked deposit program to provide reduced-interest loans for charter schools and nonprofit private schools for capital and building needs. Supporters said it would use existing state linked-deposit structures already used for agriculture and affordable housing, while opponents raised concerns about using taxpayer-backed funds for private schools, the bill’s broad nonprofit language, and whether it could lead to more state oversight of private education. The bill passed 9-2. House Bill 1242, which would add survey day to the list of agricultural sales tax exemption items, was discussed briefly but received no motion for a do pass recommendation and remained in committee. House Bill 3818, by Senator Coleman, would create tax-advantaged insurance loss savings accounts for homes and vehicles; members expressed concern about missing definitions, contribution limits, and the potential for abuse, but agreed the concept had promise and the bill passed 9-2 after the enacting clause was stricken for further work. House Bill 4305, as amended, clarified how affordable housing properties are assessed for ad valorem tax purposes by excluding certain income-based subsidies from valuation; after questions about prior court cases and assessment practices, it passed 6-5.

Transcript Highlights:

• Businesses must pay the B&O tax even though they may not have any profits or may be operating at a loss
• Businesses must pay the B&O tax, even though they may not have any profits or may be operating at a loss
• In June 2017, Attorney General Ferguson sued GEO for paying incarcerated people $1 a day for their work
• GEO was ordered to pay $17 million in back wages. They appealed. They have not paid yet.
• Make GEO pay, and indeed drive them out of our state. The surtax should not be 1%.

Bills: HB2730, HB2713

Keywords: aerospace, tax preferences, effectiveness, economic impact, state revenue, private detention facilities, business tax, occupation tax, financial impact, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A rank full-time guard member, the rank of say E7, that they're actually paid an evens pay, not a tester
• or not a technical pay.
• service, retired from the Oklahoma Guard, and then the LA SH Ber Ry would be making your retirement pay
• This basically just makes sure that we're not going to pay people or.
• You now have to pay in, which is less an Incentive for people to stay.

Bills: SB2026, SB1376, SB1355, SB2115, SB1533

Keywords: military discharge, veterans, DD Form 214, confidentiality, grandchildren access, Oklahoma National Guard, education assistance, military benefits, dependents, CareerTech Assistance Act, burial grant, memorial headstone, eligibility requirements, funding, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, fiscal management, state law, veteran burial, burial assistance, indigent veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• This information was important because we were self-insured private pay, and we had called individual
• Under this program, our employees would not be required to pay deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance
• And then the third party administrator would If that price is lower than what we currently are paying
• , taking into effect with the employee not having to pay any deductibles, and if there's still a cost
• package and they're not going to be surprised with these big additional fees that they have to now pay

Transcript Highlights:

• It pays its own share. Its money doesn't go to Texarkana, Arkansas to pay its share.
• It pays its own share. Its money doesn't go to Texarkana, Arkansas to pay its share.
• You have to show up in person to a passport agency, and in that case you're probably paying over 250
• a racket from a cost perspective that they're making American Citizens go through this process of paying
• You pay a fee, you get a visa for a certain period of time, and then you can board your plane into Mexico

Summary: The Committee on State-Federal Relations heard testimony on HB 3484, which would formalize agreements between border municipalities and treat certain infrastructure, services, and facilities as Texas assets for funding eligibility if they are within 30 miles of the border. Representative Van Deaver and a witness from Texarkana described how the bill would help Texarkana, Texas, secure state funding for jointly used facilities such as wastewater, water treatment, and airport assets that are physically located in Arkansas but serve Texas residents. Members asked about whether Arkansas benefits from the facilities and whether the bill would apply only to U.S. border cities; testimony clarified that it applies to Texas municipalities bordering another U.S. state, and the bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also heard HCR 112, by Representative Perez, which urges Congress to allow state-issued Real ID cards, including Texas driver’s licenses, to be accepted as identification for U.S. citizens re-entering the country at land and sea ports of entry. Perez argued that Texas already verifies citizenship and lawful presence for Real ID issuance, that most Texans already have Real ID-compliant licenses, and that acceptance at the border would reduce costs and delays for routine cross-border travel without weakening security. Members asked about the security features of Real ID, implementation timing, passport delays, and how border crossings currently work; Perez said the resolution would not replace passports for international air travel and would apply only to U.S. citizens returning at land and sea ports. HCR 112 was also left pending, and the committee adjourned after HDR 125 was withdrawn from the schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eighth, require CDSS and CDE to collect data on parent co-pays by county, program type, and rate type
• We have CCTR, General Child Care, State Preschool, and also Private Pay Child Care Center programs in
• We stand in solidarity with parent voices, CCPU, and ECE partners asking for you to prioritize paying
• And then, in addition, I just want to say also paying providers based on enrollment, not attendance,
• Increasing pay for child care staff prevents staff shortages and enhances and ensures consistency in

Summary: The committee took up issue number seven, Child Care Rate Reform Transition Plan, and heard a presentation from the LAO on an eight-part transition plan for the period before implementation of the alternative methodology-based child care rate system. The plan would provide interim rate increases to existing regional market rates and standard reimbursement rates beginning January 1 of the budget year, keep the higher of SRR or ARMR as the single rate, annualize cost-of-care supplements, update hold-harmless language, eliminate the private market cap, authorize one-time systems transition funding with JLBC approval, and require annual reporting on parent co-pays. Members asked about the timeline and public/legislative feedback process, and administration staff said they were working toward the July 1, 2025 deadline while continuing stakeholder engagement through the rate and quality advisory process. Public comment was overwhelmingly focused on child care and early learning funding. Providers, county offices, advocacy groups, and education organizations urged the Legislature to move quickly on the alternative rate methodology, provide interim relief through a cost-of-living adjustment, reimburse based on enrollment rather than attendance, and preserve health and retirement benefits and workforce stability. Many speakers also pressed for funding to expand the promised 200,000 child care slots, warning that waitlists remain long and providers are under financial strain. Several commenters supported maintaining or extending grants and technical assistance for transitional kindergarten, inclusive early education, and mixed-delivery early learning programs. A separate set of comments addressed the Inclusive Early Education Expansion Program, with Sacramento County education officials and others urging a statewide plan that would extend support to the 20 counties not currently receiving grants, especially rural areas. Other speakers raised concerns about facilities and staffing impacts from TK expansion, the need for consistent eligibility rules across subsidized programs, and the importance of statewide systems-level funding. The chair thanked the LAO, administration, and public commenters, said the item would remain open until after the May Revision, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And except from that base pay, they pay in the same amount to the retirement system and so on.
• </c> you're paid time and a half, his pay you're paid time and a half, his pay would<03:10:59.200><c>
• by 50% compared to their base rate pay by 50% compared to their base rate of<03:11:50.319><c> pay.
• So, so essentially for their of pay.
• But as far as paying into the system, you know, she's not the difference in hours doesn't make her pay

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, talking about the pay increase, I'll address that one and I'll also address the pay conversation.
• Um, and so it is pay increases across the board, but it isn't just a direct percentage pay increase that
• </c><00:28:03.360><c> So,</c><00:28:03.440><c> the</c><00:28:03.679><c> pay</c> pay uh conversation.
• So, the pay pay uh conversation.
• </c><00:28:35.120><c> increase</c> just a direct percentage pay increase just a direct percentage pay

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:57.000><c> for</c> asked well how are we going to pay for asked well how are we going to pay
• So the question is really on the balance between pay now, pay later.
• The question is really on the balance between pay now, pay later.
• The question is really on the balance between pay now, pay later.
• I've lost a day's pay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And what happens, people pay them off, then they want to register the vehicles in their own names and
• When someone causes an accident, their insurance, not the rental car companies', should pay.
• When someone causes an accident, their insurance, not the rental car companies, should pay.
• The insurance industry—we all pay the cost for not being able to identify a vehicle.
• The insurance industry—we all pay the cost for not being able to identify a vehicle.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills covering motor vehicle sales, registration, title processing, dealer regulation, and several local matters. Chair Cyrro noted that Senate Bill 2414 had been postponed at the sponsor’s request, though public testimony would still be accepted. The hearing then heard testimony on measures including S. 2367, which would make an insurer primary for losses caused by an insured driver in a rental car; H. 3698 and related bills on codifying registration of 25-year-old imported Japanese kei vehicles; H. 3701 on requiring lienholders to release titles within seven days; H. 3690 on capping dealer documentation fees; and H. 3641 on requiring education for class two motor vehicle dealers. Testimony also addressed e-titling and e-signatures, peer-to-peer car sharing, temporary license plates, duplicate plates, general registration plates for motor vehicle distributors, and a bill to ban tinted license plate covers. Supporters of the rental-car insurance bill argued Massachusetts is an outlier compared with 47 other states and said the change would improve fairness, competition, and consumer understanding without raising premiums. Dealers and industry groups generally supported e-titling/e-signature modernization and the inspection-related bill, but urged safeguards to preserve title, registration, and insurance verification. The Massachusetts State Auto Dealers Association opposed the doc-fee cap, saying documentation fees are a disclosed cost-recovery tool that varies by dealership. Representatives and advocates for kei vehicles said the RMV’s 2024 reversal showed the need to codify the rules in law, while opponents of the RMV’s approach described it as arbitrary and harmful to owners and importers. Supporters of the dealer-education bill said it would curb unregulated “curbstoning” and help ensure proper title handling and consumer protection. Several local and specialty bills also drew testimony. Hatfield officials supported a local bill allowing golf carts on certain town roads under strict safety rules, and Representative Ayers testified for a bill banning tinted license plate covers to aid toll collection, law enforcement, and vehicle identification. Senator Lovely and other advocates supported the “Easy ID” license plate proposal, saying it would improve vehicle recognition in crime and child-abduction investigations. The committee took no votes during the hearing and adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can also braid money with, like, WIOA and other sources where you can potentially pay for some of
• And then the second question is on that pay and how people start.
• And then the second question is on that pay and how people start.
• And then the second question is on that pay and how people start.
• And then the second question is on that pay and how people start.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our clients have not been able to pay their bills.
• Our clients have not been able to pay their bills. They faced eviction and food insecurity.
• Well, who pays for it? The contractor.
• The insurance companies pay the claim and then they drop you.
• The insurance companies pay the claim and then they drop you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid hearing on a large group of bills carried over from the previous session, with Chair Jake Oliveira and House Co-Chair Paul McMurtry outlining the process and limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee heard testimony on several labor and workplace proposals, including bills to harmonize employee definitions to address misclassification (SB 1338/HB 2141), expand bereavement leave (including H. 2189/S. 1354 and related bills), protect collective bargaining rights for certain administrative employees (HB 268/SB 1306), expand commuter transit benefits (HB 2153/SB 1345), regulate employer use of credit reports (S. 1286), and require apprenticeship participation or OSHA-related workplace safety measures on public projects. At the end of the hearing, the chairs read into the record additional bills that did not receive testimony that day. Supporters of the misclassification bill, including Greater Boston Legal Services and the AFL-CIO, said aligning the employee-status tests across wage, unemployment, and PFML laws would reduce confusion, improve enforcement, and help workers wrongly treated as independent contractors or managers recover benefits and bargaining rights. NAGE and its representative argued that public-sector employees have been improperly reclassified into management titles to weaken unions, and that the bill would force the Division of Labor Relations to review those titles. On bereavement leave, advocates including the Louis E. Brown Peace Institute, a state representative, the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, and individual survivors described the impact of sudden loss and homicide on families, saying guaranteed leave would help workers grieve, make arrangements, and avoid losing jobs or custody-related stability. The committee also heard support for commuter benefits as a low-cost way to reduce emissions and increase transit use, and for restricting employer credit checks because of inaccuracies and discriminatory effects. There was opposition to some construction-related bills. The Associated Builders and Contractors and the Building Trades Employers Association supported apprenticeship training in principle but said current apprentice-to-journeyworker ratios are outdated or misunderstood, and that the bills should be amended or clarified before advancing. The Massachusetts landscape and snow-removal industry strongly supported a snow-liability limitation bill, arguing that hold-harmless clauses and broad indemnification requirements force contractors to assume liability for conditions they cannot control, drive up insurance costs, and threaten business viability. The committee did not take any votes during the hearing, and the session ended with the chairs thanking members, staff, and the public before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's that unexpected, unexplained additional cost that Californians have been paying on every gallon
• So to better understand the relationship between wholesale and upstream costs and what consumers pay
• And if people are not willing to pay what Chevron is offering, you're going to go out of business.
• it's the consumer that directs where the demand is going to be and whether or not they're willing to pay
• No, I mean, as I said, the 70, 75 cents of the extra $2 a gallon we're paying from January is tied to

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ..operated responsibly by protecting energy ratepayers from higher costs, requiring data centers to pay
• their fair share, supporting good-paying jobs for workers, and establishing a process for data centers
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• Of incorporation, paying taxes, following unemployment laws, and very strong and detailed labor laws.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on workplace technology, labor protections, and data center oversight. SB 947, the No Robo Bosses Act of 2026, would require human review before automated systems are used in discipline, termination, or deactivation decisions and would ban predictive behavior analysis in the workplace. Labor groups, worker advocates, and privacy organizations supported the bill, arguing AI can be biased and should not make life-changing employment decisions without human judgment. Business groups opposed it, saying it was broader than prior versions, could interfere with workplace safety tools, and should not include a private right of action or cover independent contractors. After discussion about due process and accountability, the bill passed the committee 3-1 and was sent to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. SB 978, the Data Center Community Accountability Act, would require data centers to pay upfront for new transmission or distribution infrastructure, create a separate rate structure so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers, and include skilled-and-trained labor standards for construction. Supporters said the bill would protect ratepayers, create good construction jobs, and encourage zero-carbon energy development. Opponents, including the Data Center Coalition and Silicon Valley Leadership Group, argued the CPUC already has ongoing proceedings on these issues and warned the bill could single out one industry and discourage investment. The committee members emphasized labor standards and community concerns, and the bill passed 3-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, would expand WARN-style notice requirements for layoffs caused by AI or automation, require reporting to workers, local government, and EDD, and give displaced workers first consideration for other openings. Supporters said the bill responds to rapid AI-driven layoffs and would provide needed transparency and data. Opponents said the definitions were too broad, the notice requirements too burdensome, and the bill conflicted with existing WARN law; they also objected to the private right of action and inclusion of independent contractors. The committee discussed amendments clarifying that an employee may still be discharged for reasonable and substantiated cause during the notice period. The bill passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection. The committee also approved SB 1032, which would create a licensing and regulatory framework for temporary staffing agencies, and SB 1046, which would direct Cal/OSHA to develop standards to protect lifeguards and park rangers from transboundary pollution in the Tijuana River Valley. SB 1032 drew support from labor and enforcement advocates who said it would help stop staffing fraud, while staffing firms argued the bill was vague and could burden legitimate small businesses; it passed 3-1 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. SB 1046 was supported by park workers and community groups describing health impacts from pollution and passed 4-0 to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent item, which passed 4-0, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• their fair share, supporting good-paying jobs for workers, and establishing a process for data centers
• same treatment to other large commercial campuses with similar demands will inevitably drive high-paying
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• SVLG and our members are committed to paying the full, fair cost of service in supporting a grid that
• It's really just about the capital gains that we end up using to essentially pay for health and human

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't have to pay our state income tax.
• And you won't be paying the same.
• That you're going to go back and pay three years' worth of things.
• And you won't be paying the $75 fine.
• You're only paying the $75 fine if you're not registering your car timely.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 16, 18, and 24, 2026. It then heard House Bill 664, which would remove differential speed limits for commercial vehicles and make truck speed limits consistent with posted limits for other vehicles. Representative Pickett argued the bill was about reducing speed variability and related crash risk, not setting a new speed limit. Trucking industry witnesses testified that heavier trucks need longer stopping distances, many fleets govern their trucks below posted limits, and the bill would not materially change truck speeds but could increase safety risks if some trucks went faster. Other members raised concerns about triples, urban-area language, and whether the bill could effectively open the door to higher truck speeds. After debate, the committee voted 10-6 to send HB 664 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee next considered House Bill 667, which would remove the statutory requirement that Idaho DMV offer non-domiciled CDLs and instead give the department discretion. Representative Handy said the bill was a response to recent crashes involving out-of-state CDL holders and would let Idaho step back while federal rules settle. With no opposing testimony, the committee quickly passed the bill to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 717 followed, proposing a $75 fee for new residents who fail to register vehicles within 30 days and for vehicles not renewed after expiration, with an exemption for vehicles not in use. Representative Mickelsen said the bill would ensure new residents help pay for roads and infrastructure. The Idaho Association of Counties and Highway Districts asked for amendments so the fee would go to the highway distribution fund rather than the state highway fund and to clarify the exemption language to include local roads. The sponsor agreed to the amendment request, and the committee sent HB 717 to general orders. Finally, House Bill 716 was heard, which updates highway distribution account language and increases the local bridge inspection fund from $175,000 to $300,000 to match current costs and secure federal matching funds. After brief questions, the committee passed HB 716 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll pay the fees. I know that was a concern for retailers.
• We'll pay the fees. I know that was a concern for retailers.
• We'll pay the fees. I know that we can. We'll pay the fees.
• Uh, you run into all sorts of payment issues sometimes that people don't pay their credit card bills.
• </c> issues sometimes that people don't pay issues sometimes that people don't pay their<00:09:07.839

Bills: SF0024

Keywords: lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the person asserting that they are not a citizen of the city of Birmingham, that they do not have to pay
• </c><00:12:01.440><c> It</c><00:12:01.680><c> encourages</c><00:12:02.399><c> in</c> have to pay taxes
• It encourages in have to pay taxes.
• I will also make the comment that circuit clerks, we gave them a good solid pay raise last year, and
• raise last year and that's solid pay raise last year and that's also<00:22:55.919><c> coming</c><00:

Bills: SB182, SB251, SB252, HB74, HB159, HB292, SB182, SB251, SB252, HB74, HB159, HB292

Keywords: psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabis, beverage prohibition, criminal penalties, youth access, Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, concealed carry, firearm permit, sheriff fee, permit fee, weapons license, gun licensing, school security, Jefferson County Sheriff's Fund, retirement system, Gardendale, Birmingham legislative office, local bill

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, income tax: whatever you make on your income, you pay a percentage of that.
• So there is a, if you're in Oklahoma and you pay taxes in Oklahoma, any of the fees that you pay on this
• Would these be people that are not Oklahomans or do not pay taxes in Oklahoma?
• And right now, if I read this right, would I also have to pay that fee?
• Again, if you live in Oklahoma and you pay taxes in Oklahoma... Thank you for the question.

Bills: SB1936, SB1612, SB1543, SB1260, SB1988, SB1859, SB2041, SB1257

Keywords: forfeiture, criminal offenses, law enforcement, Class D1 offenses, property seizure, SB1612, mandatory reporting, violent injury reporting, gunshot wound, stab wound, poisoning, burn injury, explosive injury, medical reporting, healthcare providers, law enforcement notification, evidence preservation, patient video records, confidentiality waiver, misdemeanor penalty

Summary: The Public Safety Committee took up several criminal justice and public safety measures. Senate Bill 1936, as amended, increased penalties for impersonating law enforcement from a misdemeanor to a felony and expanded seizure provisions; amendments added federal law enforcement agents and state troopers to the covered officers, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1612, requested by Tulsa police, would require limited reporting and sharing of certain injury-related information and hospital video/photo evidence with law enforcement to aid violent-crime investigations; members raised HIPAA, scope, and criminalization concerns, but the bill passed 5-2. Senate Bill 1543 would aggregate multiple DUI offenses within one year into a single felony case; after questions about sentencing, municipal charges, and deterrence, it passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1260 would require child sex traffickers and human traffickers to serve 100% of their sentences without parole or earned credits, and it passed 6-2. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1988, which would increase wire-transfer fees on funds sent outside the United States and restore an income-tax credit for Oklahoma filers; members questioned whether it functioned as a tax, its impact on lower-income senders and service members, and its connection to drug trafficking. The bill failed on a 4-4 vote. Senate Bill 1859, creating an OSBI cybercrime and fraud unit with an estimated $3 million fiscal impact, passed unanimously after testimony that cyber and cryptocurrency fraud are growing and often harm elderly victims. Senate Bill 2041 would make a third possession offense for methamphetamine, fentanyl, or cocaine a felony, with supporters saying it would push offenders toward drug court and opponents warning it would increase incarceration; it passed 6-2. Finally, Senate Bill 1257 would classify THC as a Schedule I drug to align with federal law and close trafficking loopholes, and it passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1584 was laid over at the author’s request.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we were going to take that $29,000 out of that $80,000 and just use that savings to pay for that.
• 4,500 of those permits that we issue. >> Is that the same fee as what the dentist and the hygienist pay
• </c><00:03:00.239><c> Now,</c><00:03:00.480><c> we</c> savings to pay for that.
• Now, we savings to pay for that.
• </c> what the dentist and the hygienist pay? what the dentist and the hygienist pay?

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all