Transcript Highlights:

• We need to respond to a national public finance staff shortage.
• Representative Joy: So your staff already has the 12 weeks off rule.
• , and one support staff to help with that new work.
• Chair and members, Helen Roberts from the House fiscal staff.
• Thank you to our staff members for putting this together.

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also doing a lot of training with our staff.
• supervisors to provide support to our staff.
• We can units we hear that on call is is difficult for staff.
• I think the biggest thing is support for staff.
• We see a lot of our staff leave during that first year.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, staff. Mr.
• Staff, please explain the bill. Mr.
• Staff explained it well.
• Staff? No. I have. Okay. All right. Explain the bill. Staff? Mr.
• Okay, staff, please explain. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sir, are you saying that the House staff writes much better legislation than the Senate staff?
• Seeing none, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Especially where I'm sitting, I definitely think the staff is awesome. We have great staff.
• Seeing none, staff, please open the queue for a vote.
• Staff, please close the queue. Declare the vote.

Bills: SB206, SB904, SB933, SB1436, SB1500, SB1553, SB1557, SB1567, SB1644, SB1645, SB1651, SB1794, SB1833, SB1849, SB1984

Keywords: SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• teaching staff, supervisors, and directors.
• It was also noted that, regardless of staff schedule, staff should demonstrate core competencies essential
• There’s a staff ratio that’s easy.
• , so we had two paid staff.
• And you'll see it varies from workforce stability, so staff wages, wage increases, staff benefits and

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• People like Zach and I are nonpartisan staff to this committee.
• Are there any questions for staff? Senator Gainer.
• Brian Moore, committee staff.
• Brandon Popovac, for the record, staff to the committee.
• Kelly Simpson for staff report.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session focused on ignition interlock device compliance and broader traffic safety data. Traffic Safety Commission staff described a Yakima County pilot that provides enhanced probation supervision and support for DUI offenders, reporting that compliance with ignition interlock installation rose from roughly 16%–20% before the pilot to 41% among medium- and high-risk offenders, with barriers including cost, confusion about requirements, transportation access, and communication gaps. JLARC staff presented a statewide preliminary audit finding an overall 41% installation rate, with higher installation rates among higher-income drivers and limited use of financial assistance; JLARC recommended clearer goals for the assistance program and a formal coordination agreement between the Department of Licensing and State Patrol. State Patrol also reported on a Snohomish County outreach pilot that used troopers and door hangers to contact noncompliant drivers, found many were unaware of financial aid, and identified some drivers as physically unable to drive, without vehicles, or on warrant status. The committee then received a broader traffic safety update showing that serious injuries and fatalities rose sharply in recent years before declining somewhat in 2024; impaired-driving fatalities fell 15% from 2023 to 2024, while pedestrian fatalities remained near record highs. The Traffic Safety Commission also highlighted telematics-based research showing that targeted enforcement and visible patrols can reduce speeding, and that anonymized telematics data is being used to analyze speeding and distracted driving patterns statewide and at the corridor level. Members asked about privacy, enforcement methods, and how the data are used, and staff emphasized that the data are aggregate and opt-in through insurance or similar programs. After waiving five-day notice, the committee held a public hearing on Senate Joint Memorial 8016, which asks Congress and federal agencies to treat the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement as an emergency and to expedite federal review and remove historic-register barriers. Supporters from Wilkeson, Carbonado, recreation groups, and nearby communities testified that the bridge closure has harmed tourism, emergency response, recreation access, and daily travel. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five cents in light of the federal penny phaseout; staff said the Department of Licensing fiscal note showed a $186,000 technology cost, and retail and food industry representatives supported the bill but requested amendments for permissive language, safe harbors, consumer protections, and local preemption. In executive session, staff briefed members on several bills and substitutes, including snowmobile registration fee increases, gender designation record confidentiality, salvaged title transfer streamlining, fish-barrier/utility relocation changes, emergency highway work thresholds, a Traffic Safety Commission public-health-authority proposal, special parking privilege renewal changes, parked vehicle registration enforcement, and oil tanker tug-escort requirements. No final votes or bill actions were recorded in the excerpt beyond the motion to waive notice and the completion of the public hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff close the vote. Declare the vote: 8-0, nay.
• Staff please close the vote and declare the vote.
• Staff, please close the vote and declare the vote.
• Staff close the vote, declare the vote.
• Staff, please open the queue for the vote.

Bills: SB1824, SB1813, SB1326, SB1277, SB1937, SB1217, SB1826, SB1641

Keywords: corporation, corporate governance, business entities, Oklahoma General Corporation Act, limited liability company, LLC, shareholder rights, beneficial owner, controlling shareholder, control group, interested director, fiduciary duty, books and records inspection, corporate records, ratification, defective corporate acts, putative stock, stock issuance, treasury shares, rights and options

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several bills, mostly business, licensing, and economic development measures. HB 1277, presented by Rep. Hill, updated OESC job-search requirements and added flexibility for rural residents; it passed 8-0. SB 1217, an OREC request bill presented by Rep. Osborne, would allow a person to tour a house without first signing a contract with a real estate agent; after questions about federal real estate settlement issues and buyer-agent compensation, it passed 7-1. SB 1826 would eliminate the sunset on the Oklahoma Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act and passed 8-0. SB 1824 updated the Oklahoma General Corporation Act as a mirror to a House bill and passed 8-0. SB 1813 would allow the governor to enter athletic trainer licensure compacts with other jurisdictions and passed 7-1. SB 1326 modernized self-storage facility operations and passed 7-0. The committee then took up SB 1937, the Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act, which would condition economic development incentives on labor-practice requirements intended to preserve secret-ballot organizing, employee privacy, and employer rights. Rep. Blancett raised concerns that the bill could harm the film, entertainment, and Olympic-related industries and undermine economic diversification, while Rep. Lepak argued it was aimed at preventing coercive organizing tactics and said similar measures had passed in other states. After a brief debate, the bill passed 5-1-2. Finally, SB 1641, requiring an email address in LLC articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State, passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clint McCarthy, staff to the committee.
• Brian Moore, committee staff.
• Are there any questions for staff?
• That might be best for staff, but I'm… It might be better for staff, and I don't know if there's railings
• Brian Moore, committee staff.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held public hearings on several measures. ESHB 1980 would allow private employer shuttle services to use certain BAT lanes in King County under a two-year pilot, with local authority and transit-agency approval, performance standards, fee-for-use requirements, labor input, annual reporting, and a 10-year sunset. Supporters from Bellevue, transit employers, and business groups said it would improve commute options, reduce congestion, and support the upcoming RapidRide K Line; staff noted the bill differs from prior versions by adding the pilot, labor representation, vehicle markings, and reporting. The committee then heard SB 6252, which would extend the transit support grant program’s zero-fare requirement to degree- and certificate-seeking community and technical college students. Supporters said it would improve access to education and transit, especially for older and rural students, while transit groups raised concerns about fare revenue losses and implementation costs; staff estimated no state cost but significant local revenue impacts. The committee also heard SB 6081, a privacy bill that would restrict public disclosure of sex designation change records in Department of Licensing and Department of Health records, limit sharing with other jurisdictions, and keep updated credentials from showing that a change occurred. The sponsor and many supporters framed it as a safety measure for transgender Washingtonians, while opponents argued it would undermine accurate records; staff said the Department of Licensing would face about $1 million in implementation costs over four years, with other agencies expecting minimal impacts. Finally, SB 6265 would allow electronic, non-notarized signatures and printed copies for documents transferring a totaled salvage vehicle to an insurer; the sponsor and salvage-industry witnesses said it would modernize the process and reduce hardship, and staff reported no fiscal impact. No votes or executive actions were taken; the committee closed each public hearing and adjourned after a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming executive session bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> approval of the staff amendment? approval of the staff amendment? &gt;&gt; Motion.
• There are staff amendments. Is there a motion for approval of staff amendments?
• </c> for approval of staff amendment? for approval of staff amendment?
• </c> staff suggested amendments. staff suggested amendments.
• </c> approval of staff amendments? approval of staff amendments?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee considered an emergency regulation from the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, 201 KAR 5021E, along with a staff amendment to conform the text to KRS Chapter 13A. The regulation was described as implementing an Attorney General opinion and a review of optometrists licensed during the 2020–2023 period when alternative testing and waivers were used during the COVID-19 era. The board explained that the rule requires affected licensees to complete specified examinations or an alternative certification before renewing in 2027, and that it now removes the OEBC Canadian exam as a future pathway while preserving recognition of OEBC results submitted during the period when that option was in effect. The staff amendment was approved without objection. Testimony was sharply divided. Board representatives and the Attorney General’s office said the regulation is needed to protect public health and to bring the licensure review into the formal administrative process. They said the NBEO Part 3 exam is the nationally recognized hands-on clinical licensure test, while the American Board of Optometry certification is a post-licensure credential for already licensed practitioners and is not a substitute for initial licensure testing. They also said no other state uses the ABOC certification for licensure, and that the board’s approach balances fairness, due process, and public protection. Opponents argued the regulation would allow individuals who were improperly licensed to continue practicing without meeting the same standards as other Kentucky optometrists. A representative from the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation described cases of alleged inadequate care and urged the committee to require full national board passage before independent practice. Representatives from ARBO and NBEO said the emergency regulation is not justified as an emergency, does not adequately address public safety or fiscal impacts, and exceeds the board’s authority by creating a renewal path for licensees whose initial licensure was challenged. They emphasized that NBEO Part 3 is a practical, hands-on exam and that the ABOC certification is not designed or validated for initial licensure. The committee asked several questions about the differences between the exams, and no final vote on the regulation itself was described in the transcript beyond approval of the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a core for human services staff.
• This is the core for staff training.
• This is the core for the adult institution staff.
• This work is also accomplished by staff in our Office of the Director, along with staff in education,
• So as we transition into that facility, the staff and equipment that staff are going to need to accommodate

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Salaries or extra staff?
• I move the staff be authorized to make necessary technical corrections on any adopted amendments.
• I move the staff be authorized to make necessary technical corrections on any adopted amendments.
• I'd like to thank the staff, but most importantly, I would like to thank the staff because for the last
• So for that, members and staff, I would like to thank you once again. ...members and staff, I would like

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 13, 2026, and considered the main budget bills for fiscal year 2026-27. Members heard a broad overview of House Bill 1, the general appropriations bill, including the governor’s proposed budget, major funding items for education, workforce, corrections, health, and economic development, and a plan to use surplus funds to pay down LASERS’ unfunded liability. The committee discussed a 29-page amendment set that shifted savings from retirement and other areas into one-time expenditures, including FEMA Katrina debt, LSU, firefighter pay raises, crime victim reparations, rehabilitation services, and additional school choice support. Questions focused on the MFP per-pupil adjustment, the crime victim reparations shortfall, LSU funding, waiver slots, and whether the bill remained at a standstill overall. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1 favorably as amended, making it Special Order No. 1 for April 16. The committee then took up House Bill 312, the supplemental appropriations bill, which also redirected the full $144.3 million surplus payment to LASERS and used savings from MFP, Medicaid forecast changes, and other reductions to fund statewide initiatives. Those included LED, corrections, DOTD road projects, public safety, IT modernization, school safety, firefighting equipment, community and technical college workforce programs, and DCFS shortfalls. Members raised questions about mental health funding and the retirement payment strategy; the amendments were adopted and HB 312 was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 4. House Bill 313, the funds bill, was amended to make additional deposits into the State Emergency and Response Fund, Voting Technology Fund, oil and gas regulatory funds, geological storage, reading enrichment, Imagination Library, and conservation accounts; it was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 5. House Bill 314, the revenue sharing distribution bill, received amendments inserting fiscal year 2027 distribution numbers and was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 7. The committee also advanced House Bill 383, the ancillary expenses bill, which covers self-generated, dedicated, and federal funds for agencies such as Group Benefits, Risk Management, Prison Enterprises, and Technology Services; a technical amendment updated accounting-standard references, and the bill was reported favorably as amended and set as Special Order No. 6. House Bill 983, the judiciary budget, was amended with a technical date correction and reported favorably as amended; members discussed funding for judges, staff pay, FINS, and whether pending legislation affecting Orleans Parish judges would later change the budget. House Bill 1126, the legislative branch budget, was reported favorably without amendment after brief questions about the Law Institute increase, and HCR 3, the hospital stabilization formula resolution tied to Medicaid hospital reimbursements, was reported favorably and set as Special Order No. 8. The committee also made HB 983 Special Order No. 9 and HB 1126 Special Order No. 10 for April 16, authorized technical corrections on adopted amendments, and adjourned after the chair thanked members and staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Yelena Baker, staff to the committee.
• Staff report. Good morning again. Yelena Baker, staff to this committee.
• SB 5169 staff report.
• Matt Sterling, staff to the committee.
• Adams, staff to the committee.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. On SB 5906, the SAFE Act, staff and Sen. Hansen described protections limiting immigration enforcement access to non-public areas in schools, early learning settings, higher education, health care facilities, adult family homes, and ballot-processing areas, and restricting collection of immigration-status information. Supporters said the bill would clarify and strengthen existing Keep Washington Working policies, while some witnesses requested amendments to better define health care facilities, clarify adult family home and election-related provisions, and keep Section 6 on ballot security. Some members questioned the factual basis for reported ICE activity near schools and daycares and the distinction between judicial and administrative warrants. The committee also heard SB 5886 on personality rights and forged digital likenesses. Staff explained that the bill would add digitally created or modified likenesses to the Personality Rights Act, raise civil penalties, and allow recovery of actual and non-economic damages in forged-digital-likeness cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address AI deepfakes and identity misuse while preserving satire and fair use; student and advocacy witnesses supported the measure as a way to protect students and victims of digital impersonation. The committee then heard SB 5169, which expands child hearsay and closed-circuit testimony rules to older children and additional offenses. Prosecutors and forensic interviewers supported the bill as necessary in trafficking and child abuse cases, while defense advocates opposed it as an overbroad expansion that could raise confrontation-clause issues and create legal challenges. Additional hearings included SB 5865, which would move garnishment form updates from statute to the Washington Pattern Forms Committee; judges supported it as a way to fix a wage-withholding calculation error and allow future updates without legislation. SB 5912 would reinstate the Indigent Defense Task Force to study statewide public defense delivery and recommend sustainable reforms; counties, the Office of Public Defense, and defense groups supported it. SB 6009 would make permanent the current process for direct review of administrative decisions by the Court of Appeals and retain land-use transfer provisions; a Court of Appeals judge supported the bill. SB 6087 would extend limited liability for donations of children’s items to religious organizations and add strollers and car seats, with support from Zero Waste Washington. The committee did not take final votes on these bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members, Matt Seifert, policy advisor for Republican majority staff.
• Hotline staff determined that 36,960 of those were non-criminal reports.
• Maybe not holding staff accountable to that documentation.
• Staff, please explain the bill. Mr.
• Staff, please present the bill. Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll have staff read in the amendment. I'll have staff read in the amendment.
• We're working with the governor's staff.
• Staff, if you could please read in the bill.
• Thank you, staff.
• Chair: Okay, we're going to have staff read in the amendment. Staff: Thank you, Madam Chair.

Bills: HCR10, HB195, HB283, HB319, HB325, HB407, HB448, HB482, HB992

Keywords: sanctioned sports, athletics, youth sports, high school, LHSAA, self-defense, chemical spray, public safety, campus security, higher education, Teacher's Shield Act, student discipline, assault, battery, school employee protection, sick leave, expulsion procedures, Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, civic education, civic engagement

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> program, her skilled professional staff program, her skilled professional staff had<00:13:27.760
• </c> staff member out in the community. staff member out in the community.
• </c> policies I mentioned earlier, staff policies I mentioned earlier, staff required<00:36:10.160><c
• The The staff staff has Take your time.
• The The staff staff has been<00:45:38.520><c> limited,</c><00:45:39.480><c> um</c><00:45:39.720><c> but

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to the actual amount per per staff to the actual amount per per staff member?
• </c> staff and supervisor. staff and supervisor.
• , and agency staff.
• </c> staff, and agency staff. staff, and agency staff.
• </c> OIG would need to hire additional staff. OIG would need to hire additional staff.

Bills: HF3489, HF3393, HF3785, SF856, HF4006, HF4615, HF3919, HF4591, HF3682, HF4240

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh and sergeant staff and the chairs.
• In creating these members and staff.
• Uh I know that officers and their staff.
• </c><00:41:54.400><c> as</c> uh these areas um and uh their staff as uh these areas um and uh their staff
• Staff will be testimony to two minutes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me have staff read in SB 8. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• I'll have staff read SB 10. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Staff will read in SB 12. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Staff will read in SB 16. Thank you. Senate Bill 16. All right. Staff will read in SB 16.
• Staff will read in SB 13. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB416, SB455, SB456, SB477

Keywords: Municipal Employees' Retirement System, Louisiana, participation, employer, retirement, SB 10, Act 222, Louisiana State Police Retirement System, state police retirement, retirement system funding, employer contributions, actuarial gains, amortization, Permanent Benefit Increase, PBI account, benefit increase reserve, supplemental permanent benefit increase, public retirement systems, state pension, pension funding

Summary: The Retirement Committee met on April 29, 2026, established a quorum, and heard a series of retirement-related bills, mostly cleanup or technical measures affecting various public retirement systems. SB 22 would extend Municipal Employees Retirement System eligibility to certain positions in the Second City Court constable’s office in New Orleans. SB 17 would create a funding deposit account for cost-of-living adjustments for registrars of voters’ employees’ retirement system. SB 455 would allow certain district and parish courts to participate in the Parochial Employees Retirement System. SB 456 would update compensation rules for assigned retired judges, and SB 8 would add the Louisiana Asset Management Pool as a participating employer in MERS. All of these bills were described as aligning statutes with current practice or expanding participation options, and each was reported favorably without objection. The committee also heard several Louisiana State Police retirement bills. SB 10 would repeal outdated priority allocation and retiree raise rules and adjust handling of surplus employee contributions; SB 11 would increase the funding cap for benefit increases from 2.5% to 3.5%; and SB 12 would update membership and definition language to reflect the State Police Commission rather than the Civil Service Commission. SB 18 would repeal a special exception allowing certain MERS retirees to return to part-time work while collecting full benefits, while protecting roughly 30 current participants. SB 20 and SB 21 would update actuarial gain/loss and unfunded liability funding rules for school employees’ retirement and LASERS, respectively, in light of the new permanent benefit increase funding structure. Each of these bills was supported by system officials as cleanup or modernization measures and was reported favorably. The committee spent the most time on education and return-to-work issues for teachers and public employees. SB 16 would reduce annual trustee training requirements for retirement system boards from 16 hours back to 12 hours, which witnesses said would better fit smaller systems and match the original intent of the law. SB 13 would similarly update TRSL’s actuarial funding rules after the sunset of the experience account. SB 14, based on a 2025 study work group, would consolidate and simplify TRSL return-to-work rules and expand options for retired teachers, with witnesses emphasizing teacher shortages and the need to retain experienced educators. All three were reported favorably. Finally, SB 416 would allow certain Department of Public Safety and Corrections retirees to return to critical shortage positions after one year, and SB 477 would classify the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as a full-time state employee for retirement purposes. Both bills drew questions and discussion, especially SB 416, and both were reported favorably. The chair announced the committee’s next meeting would be moved from Monday to Tuesday, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rice wants to pull out the item related to the governor's staff.
• Senator Rice wants to pull out the item related to the governor's staff position for a separate vote.
• My understanding is not everybody in your 35-person staff got a raise; just certain people did.
• You probably watched yesterday's committee, or your staff advised you.
• The pay plan, the max position, say for your chief of staff, was 140.

Summary: The committee first reviewed a list of bills already marked ready for due pass, including several House bills (HB 1010, 1018, 1020, 1023, 1041, 1055, 1077) and Senate bills (SB 4, 16, 24, 55, 59), along with a few items in the budget packet. The JBC Personnel Subcommittee report was then taken up, and Senator Rice offered a substitute motion to separate out the governor’s staff-related item for a separate vote and a roll-call division. After discussion about the request and the underlying personnel issue, the substitute motion failed on a roll-call division, and the committee then adopted the personnel subcommittee report as a whole. The committee next heard questions for Treasurer John Thurston on House Bill 1034 and the Treasurer’s office budget request. Members raised concerns about salary increases for executive staff, the size of raises under the approved pay plan, office hours, and whether the office was prioritizing raises appropriately. Thurston said the salaries were within the previously approved pay plan, that the request was for full funding of that plan with a negotiated 10% amount, and that office hours remained the same though vault tours had been adjusted for scheduling. Several members expressed dissatisfaction with the increases, while others noted the compromise reached with committee leadership. The committee then adopted the letter for HB 1034. The committee also considered special language items, including a proposal tied to extension office improvements through a DFA-administered program for the Division of Agriculture, which was described as unfunded. That item was adopted. The committee then moved through the remaining ready items, giving do-pass or adopt motions to SB 29, SB 51, HB 1034, HB 1010, HB 1018, HB 1020, HB 1023, HB 1041, HB 1055, HB 1077, SB 16, SB 23, SB 24, SB 55, and SB 59. SB 4 was set aside as not ready. The meeting adjourned with notice that the committee would reconvene in 15 minutes in another room to handle special language.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the process currently right now is that the Department of Transportation at a staff level.
• ODOT's staff doesn't do this just willy-nilly.
• We do have a great ODOT staff.
• because it's the highway commission making that That decision, even if the staff is recommending it
• They're gonna do that in conjunction with the staff, oftentimes probably at The recommendation of staff

Bills: SB1966, SB175, SB1475, SB1950, SB2049, SB2052

Keywords: memorial highways, bridge designations, Oklahoma Statutes, commemorative markers, transportation, uninsured vehicles, reimbursement fund, towing services, commercial vehicles, public safety, memorial, infrastructure, dedication, Toby Keith, aviation, aircraft, surveillance, regulations, fees, Oklahoma statutes