Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them were approved in this last legislative session.
• Some of them were approved in this last legislative session.
• They know they go and access it for their 10 sessions or whatever the number of sessions is to work on
• They know they go and access it for their 10 sessions or whatever the number of sessions is to work on
• And last interim and during the session, it was NOVA Rest.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of them were approved in this last legislative session.
• They know they go and access it for their 10 sessions or whatever the number of sessions is to work on
• Last legislative session, there were some changes made to North Carolina.
• Now I think we fixed that last, two sessions ago.
• And last interim and during the session, it was NOVA Rest.

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts. After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are officially back in session.
• vote to enter executive session.
• There will be a motion and a vote to exit executive session and then an open session.
• The motion to enter into executive session carries. We are officially in executive session.
• that were discussed in executive session.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House is in session. Clerk, call the roll.
• It is my distinct privilege to welcome you to the third joint session of the 60th regular session of
• There'd be no further business for the joint session.
• The third joint session is dissolved.
• But it really has been a great session.

Bills: HCR1030, HB1370, SB893, SB2, SB1589

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• session if we continue<00:01:53.320> to<00:01:53.400> work<00:01:53.640> at<00:
• and have a good end of session.
• Do you guys expect any kind of trade-off by the end of the session, or do you think you guys are just
• and have a good end a productive session and have a good end of<00:04:23.800> session.
• Does bonding open up of session.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And you all will see him this session. He's working in policy this session.
• And you all will see him this session. And you all will see him this session.
• Um, it's a good kickoff to our session.
• Um it's a good kickoff to our session. Um it's a good kickoff to our session.
• , over here for my first session, over here for my first session, that<00:34:40.360> I<00:

Keywords: MS House Floor - 6 January, 2026; 12:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened to open the 2026 legislative session with a color guard presentation by the Madison County JROTC program from Germantown High School, followed by prayer. The Speaker praised the program’s achievements and urged support for stronger JROTC resources in state education policy. The chamber then swore in new Representative Justin Crosby of House District 22, and the House was declared organized and ready to proceed with business. The House received several gubernatorial veto messages. Governor Reeves vetoed House Bills 50, 569, 1126, and 924, citing constitutional concerns, separation-of-powers issues, and the need for further study or reconsideration. Members responded by moving to return HB 19, HB 50, and HB 1126 to the Appropriations A Committee, HB 569 to the Public Health Committee, and HB 924 to the appropriate committee; those motions were adopted. The House also announced committee assignments to notify the Governor and Senate that the chamber was organized, introduced the session’s head pages, and recognized numerous guests and visitors. Members made several adjournment-in-memory requests for deceased relatives and community figures, and the body observed a moment of remembrance for the wife of Representative Casey Year. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those of you that were here last session.
• the session level data.
• I haven't plugged in to listen to the session yet.
• We're collecting session level data.
• I want to go back to the recommended minimum or the 3 sessions per week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I close the executive session. session. session.
• close the executive session. close the executive session.
• . session. session.
• I close the executive<03:36:58.239> session. executive session. executive session.
• I close the executive session. consent. I close the executive session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll see what happens in the special session. But where has he been all session? Where's he been?
• You know, we have lots of agreements and disagreements during the session.
• Well, last session, Last session, we had the homestead exemption and two special sessions.
• And we talked about it during session, can't do it.
• Hey, look, we had a great session. The governor and I worked on everything.

Transcript Highlights:

• session, but it's usually my preference. session, but it's usually my preference.
• Seeing none, I'll close the committee work session on HB 629FN and open the committee work session on
• Um we had session on the bills.
• <01:19:24.960> on published that executive session on published that executive session on
• I'll call the uh session today uh I'll call the uh session today uh closed.<01:46:04.719> Thank

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee began with introductions and a description of the day’s process: a full committee work session on four bills, with no public testimony, followed by caucus and then executive action. The first bill discussed was HB 113, concerning OHRV operation on certain highways in Windsor. Representative Nab presented an amendment that would require a public hearing and Department of Transportation approval, modeled on procedures used in Coös and Grafton counties. Members discussed whether Windsor had already held a local vote or hearing, whether minutes from a town meeting existed, and whether the amendment truly preserved local control. A Windsor resident testified informally that the town had not taken a final vote and that the matter had been left to the state. Committee members also raised concerns about noise, dust, public safety, and the fact that the road in question would connect OHRVs on a state road rather than a trail system. The chair closed the work session on HB 113 and said the committee would return after caucus to vote on the bill and amendment. The committee then took up HB 595FN, relative to coastal resilience zones. Representative Nat said the bill addressed flooding concerns in both coastal and inland New Hampshire, but that the sponsor viewed it as too complex and had recommended breaking the issue into separate parts in future legislation. On that basis, Nat said it was appropriate to ITL the bill, and noted that the sponsor supported that course. No further discussion followed, and the work session was closed. Next was HB 629FN, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams. Representative Darby explained that the original bill had proposed both a waterfront frontage tax and a $5 charge tied to boat registration, but that the amendment would replace the bill by removing the frontage tax, moving the $5 dam-maintenance fee to the boat decal section of statute, and changing the effective date to January 1, 2027. Darby said the larger fee had raised concerns about impacts on current-use property and enforcement, while the revised $5 fee would raise roughly $500,000 to $600,000 annually. Representative Dunn thanked Darby and said the Marine Trades Association supported the revised approach. A question was raised about whether the original prime sponsors supported the amendment; the chair said they were on board, and Darby added that the proposal reflected recommendations from a prior study committee. The committee then closed HB 629FN and opened SB 27FN, relative to dwellings over water. On SB 27FN, Representative Derby said he opposed the bill because it would take away public access rights and amounted to a one-off legislative solution for a private concern. Representative Donnelly asked how many similar structures might be affected and whether the Department of Environmental Services knew of other cases; DES responded that there was one other related case under settlement compliance and no other active cases with the same issue. In follow-up discussion, DES clarified that the proposal was not a shoreland 50-foot setback issue, but rather involved structures extending over public water. The discussion remained focused on the scope of the bill and its potential precedent-setting effect, with no vote taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have started working on the session laws, which we have finished publishing and have put online, and
• that were amended more than once during the legislative session.
• So, yeah, I do anticipate our running a technical corrections bill in the 2027 session.
• We have session laws.
• full session law that actually did the repeal.

Summary: The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step. Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000. Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property. In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everybody, to our afternoon session of the Government Finance Committee.
• This is just reflecting the action that was taken during the special session.
• There were some general fund appropriation changes approved during the session.
• As you go into the next session, we'll continue to monitor things.
• A lot of times we did a forecast in September leading up to session.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everybody, to our afternoon session of Government Finance Committee.
• So this is just reflecting the action that was taken during the special session.
• And as you go into the next session, we'll continue to monitor things.
• A lot of times we did a forecast in September leading up to session.
• They were granted to us last legislative session, and that work is progressing.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:39.200> With<00:03:39.360> that, to session on February 17th.
• With that, to session on February 17th.
• We have much session on February 17th.
• the same office during session?
• It will continue throughout the legislative session.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Republican legislative leaders in Minnesota held a budget-focused press availability after the November forecast, thanking Minnesota Management and Budget staff while arguing the updated numbers show a much worse deficit outlook than expected. They said the state faces a structural spending problem, cited projected gaps in the 2028-29 biennium and over the four-year outlook, and blamed recent deficits on higher spending, tax increases, mandates, and what they described as fraud in state programs. They also criticized Governor Walz for focusing on federal issues and for not doing enough to control spending or address fraud. Speaker Lisa Demuth, House Republican Leader Harry Niska, and Senate Finance lead Eric Pratt all said the forecast underscores the need for spending restraint, pro-growth policies, and stronger fraud prevention. They pointed to health care, long-term care, Medicaid-related programs, and local government mandates as major cost drivers, and said the legislature should examine those areas in the upcoming session. Demuth said the state should not ignore fraud and noted that the legislature had added staff to the Office of the Legislative Auditor and whistleblower protections, but had not passed an independent inspector general office. A substantial portion of the exchange centered on fraud investigations and comments by President Trump about Somali Minnesotans. The Republican leaders said they disagreed with condemning any community as a whole, but also said they shared frustration over fraud and corruption and wanted accountability for those responsible. They said the state’s fraud problem is not about any one community, but about failures in administration and oversight. The lawmakers said they would return to session on February 17 and continue working on budget and fraud-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• That be a one-day session.
• We just handed out the template from the 2019 session of what the special session looked like.
• So it means once be a one-day session.
• Is it revisers for a special session?
• 2019 session of what the special session 2019 session of what the special session looked<00:04:23.040

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The speaker said budget negotiations were still underway and expressed optimism that leaders would reach a deal soon, despite the legislature’s extremely narrow margins. He emphasized that the goal was a responsible Minnesota budget that leaves money on the bottom line, funds priorities that improve residents’ lives, and reduces the projected 2028-29 structural imbalance. He also noted that the bills were nearly finished and had been sent to revisers, with transportation still pending. A major concern was the possibility of a state government shutdown and the need to send out more than 28,000 layoff notices if a deal was not reached by Monday morning. The speaker said agencies already have shutdown contingencies in place, with essential operations such as corrections and state patrol continuing, while other services would be reduced. He said the Department of Management and Budget had begun preparing management for that possibility, though he did not believe a shutdown would actually happen. The discussion also focused on how a special session would be organized if needed. The speaker said the parties were using a template from the 2019 special session, and that the key remaining issues were not bill drafting but agreement on amendments, votes, and rule suspensions. He declined to discuss specific bargaining points in detail, but said the negotiation covered many issues, including transportation funding, undocumented immigrant policy, and non-competes, and that individual legislators could effectively become veto points on the overall deal.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's your first call special session.
• Your priority in the first session was to get Trump his five free seats.
• The next representative in Congress is Representative Sessions.
• Sessions. I'll likely be in District 10 with Mr. McCaul.
• Special session, because at least I know where they are now.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This senator made listening sessions a focus of his this session, saying your feedback helps create policies
• But speaking of a recent listening session you did, you were just in St.
• So why was it such a focus this session?
• Well, it's such a focus this session?
• Earlier this session, you had a hearing or a listening session on the impacts of federal actions on Minnesota's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it really doesn't seem like this bodes well for this legislative session.
• <00:20:16.720> hasn't well for this legislative session hasn't well for this legislative session
• The first day of session is the 14th.
• the first day of session first day of<00:25:50.120> session<00:25:50.360> is<00:25:50.520
• What does that portend for session?

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally. A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions. On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will recess when we're done with our executive session today.
• Seeing no objection, we are in executive session. Seeing no objection, we are in executive session.
• Housekeeping item before we reenter executive session here this evening.
• Executive session here this evening.
• Seeing no objection, we are back in executive session.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They held their deliberative session They held their deliberative session this<00:29:09.440>
• deliberative session. deliberative session.
• I scheduled that for 10, the work session for 10, the executive sessions for 11.
• <02:13:00.400> on session um yeah the executive session on session um yeah the executive session
• >> 10 or 11. 10 is the work session. 11 is the exec session.

Keywords: 1189, house, all