Transcript Highlights:

• relieved of its charge of overseeing telecommunications and electric utilities when the newly formed Energy
• ><c> formed</c> electric utilities when the newly formed electric utilities when the newly formed Energy
• > and</c><00:03:03.000><c> Technology</c><00:03:03.680><c> Committee</c><00:03:04.120><c> was</c> Energy
• and Technology Committee was Energy and Technology Committee was instituted. instituted. instituted.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to get the energy people out of here first.
• We're going to get the energy people out of here first.
• Senator Dossett, our last member of the Energy Committee, you were recognized to explain the provisions
• Floor Leader Daniels, the chair and the committee appreciates your patience as we were getting the Energy

Bills: SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1442 , SB1592 , SB1623 , SB1625 , SB1913 , SB1940 , SB1949 , SB2102 , SB592 , SB992

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: ticket sales, resale, consumer protection, fraud, bots, transparency, refunds, event tickets, medical marijuana, cannabis, marijuana license, commercial grower, grow operation, bond requirement, land reclamation fee, revolving fund, environmental remediation, redevelopment, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, OMMA

Summary: The Business and Insurance Committee considered a series of bills focused on credit card interchange fees, insurance regulation, alcohol licensing, utility contractor authority, medical marijuana bonding, and business liability. Senators Thompson’s SB 2102 and SB 1940 sought to limit swipe fees on large financial institutions and on taxes and tips, respectively; both passed after questions about the asset thresholds and their impact on merchants and banks. SB 1625, by Senator Fricks, would let the Oklahoma Insurance Department prepare impact analyses on health benefit plan legislation, and passed unanimously. SB 1442, by Senator Dossett, lowered distiller licensing fees, created a microdistillery license, and restored a liability insurance proof requirement through an amendment; it passed 11-0. SB 1623, by Floor Leader Daniels, would revise the state credit union charter and passed 11-0. SB 1242, by Senator Hamilton, increased the bond required for medical marijuana grows from $50,000 to $100,000 and passed 10-0. The committee also heard SB 1949 from Senator Logan, which would allow utility contractors to work closer to buildings on private property, up to five feet from structures, instead of stopping at the property line. The bill drew extended questioning from Senator Brooks about permitting, training, liability, and the relationship between utility contractors and plumbers; an industry representative testified that utility contractors already do much of the work under licensed plumbers and that the bill would reduce costs and speed projects, especially in rural areas. SB 1949 passed 8-2. Senator Reinhardt’s SB 1592 and SB 1913, both insurance-related committee substitutes, were described as ongoing negotiations aimed at homeowner insurance transparency and consumer protections; members were told the bills were still being refined, but both passed, 9-1 and 10-0, respectively. Additional measures included SB 592, which would let distributors issue credits to retailers after repeated product replacements, aimed at reducing losses from poor inventory control at large retailers; it passed 9-0. SB 992 would provide civil liability protection for businesses and property owners when violent criminal acts occur on their premises, except in cases of gross negligence; it prompted debate over gun-free zones, security, insurance, and whether the bill would reduce incentives for safety measures, but passed 5-3. Finally, SB 1241 created the Oklahoma Fraud and Ticketing Accountability Act to address fake tickets, bots, deceptive resale websites, and venue liability in the live-event market; supporters included arts venues, and the bill passed 8-0. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Departments of Energy, Defense, and other agencies.
• partnering with our adversaries, sometimes even on these Department of Defense and Department of Energy
• research papers co-authored with PRC scholars on military-relevant technologies; seven Department of Energy
• grants worth more than $25 million involving PRC scholars; and 147 Department of Energy-sponsored papers

Bills: SB1074 , SB1327 , SB1475 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1598

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: student discipline, classroom management, temporary removal, administrative action, education policy, foreign relations, university governance, research security, international agreements, Arizona Board of Regents, interscholastic activities, student eligibility, criminal offenses, school district, youth sports, academic participation, conduct, planned communities, homeowners association, HOA

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee will not be meeting today, but all the members are instructed to spend two hours thinking about energy
• instructed to spend two hours<00:04:14.159><c> thinking</c><00:04:14.480><c> about</c><00:04:14.640><c> energy
• </c><00:04:16.107><c> [laughter]</c> hours thinking about energy.
• [laughter] hours thinking about energy.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, January 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we focus a lot of energy on those, and we also put a lot of energy on those who are already convicted
• So we focus a lot of energy on those, and we also put a lot of energy on those who are already convicted

Summary: The committee received a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $8.2 billion for the public safety silo and includes funding for the Departments of Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections, along with courts and legal affairs. The Governor’s Office highlighted recurring reductions and vacancy eliminations, while agency heads outlined their major requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert-system upgrades, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, additional staff, facility construction and maintenance, communications upgrades, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about immigration enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, capacity, mental health services, contraband, housing, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. Public testimony also urged better prison conditions and basic necessities for incarcerated people. The committee then took up and reported favorably CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would strengthen penalties and clarify that a person may not resist an officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties. An amendment conforming the bill to House language was adopted, and the bill passed with Senator Smith voting no. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 54, which concerns use of substances affecting cognitive function and limits certain medical-record disclosures to information relevant to investigations of violent offenders; Senator Smith voted no on that measure as well. Next, the committee considered Senator Berman’s bills on domestic and dating violence. CS/SB 296 would direct a study of a secure web-based alert platform for victims, including a discreet phone-number/code system and geolocation support, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims. The bill drew emotional support testimony from survivors and advocates describing the dangers victims face when trying to leave abusive situations, and it was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, would extend public-records protections in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims; it was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• convening decision makers like you into a room with some regularity is essential to focus time and energy
• Like you said, staffing at places like the Department of Education or the Department of Energy or the
• That was significant for us, especially as federal and state government investments in renewable energy
• Certainly, we have concerns about some of the energy infrastructure, NEPA, and expedited processes, because

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been, I have over 23 years of experience in wind energy.
• The Associate of Applied Science in Wind Energy Technology consists of four semesters, 64 weeks, and
• with 33 years of experience coming to Mesa Lands to teach our knowledge based on. off of the wind energy
• and renewable energy.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Partners and Vaughn Petroleum, where he has demonstrated a strong commitment to free enterprise and energy
• helping guide one of the most advanced seismic monitoring systems in the country, vital to both our energy
• In terms of his professional background, he's retired with a long ... career in the energy and finance
• He is a member of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center Executive Council at the McCombs School of Business

Committee: Senate Nominations

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said a lot of people are ready to retire, but for those who still have the energy and passion, this
• He added that a lot of people are ready to retire, but for those who still have the energy and passion
• He added that a lot of people are ready to retire, but for those who still have the energy and passion
• Representative Tipton said a lot of people are ready to retire, but for those who feel like they have the energy

Keywords: Consideration of HB 73 02:23 Consideration of HB 441 07:24 Consideration of HB 462 18:44, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• make sure we have a sound budget from here and into the future, and serving Minnesotans whether it's energy
• motans<00:14:58.639><c> whether</c><00:14:58.759><c> it's</c><00:14:58.880><c> an</c><00:14:59.120><c> energy
• </c><00:14:59.480><c> or</c> motans whether it's an energy or motans whether it's an energy or education

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Minnesota Supreme Court case of Energy Policy Advocates versus Ellison changed that.
• Uh energy policy advocates versus Uh energy policy advocates versus Ellison<01:27:58.159><c> was</c><
• </c> energy policy advocates requested energy policy advocates requested correspondence<01:28:33.280>
• And that appears to be what happened in the Energy Policy Advocates case.
• </c><02:16:26.079><c> policy</c> be what happened in the energy policy be what happened in the energy

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy will come to
• This is a project in state waters, and we have the unique opportunity to take forward California energy

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relation to providing an exemption from requirements for the alienation of parkland for renewable energy
• projects. ...providing an exemption from requirements for the alienation of parkland for renewable energy

Committee: Senate Environmental Conservation

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The New York State Senate Environmental Conservation Committee held its first standing committee meeting of the year, led by Chair Pete Harckham and Ranking Member Dan Stec. Harckham opened by emphasizing the committee’s productive, cordial approach and noted that federal environmental policy changes may require the state to take on more responsibility. Stec highlighted a potential area of future work involving constitutional amendments related to closed prisons in the Adirondacks and other Forest Preserve counties, framing it as both an environmental and economic issue. The committee then took up a 15-bill agenda of repasses, with members generally offering brief comments and moving the bills forward. Measures advanced included bills on wild or exotic animals, a parkland alienation exemption for renewable energy projects, civil penalties, surveillance cameras, lifetime licenses for honorably discharged disabled veterans, coal tar in pavement products, toxic substances in playground surfacing, toxic air contaminants, fee disposition, major project public participation in disadvantaged communities, PFAS discharge disclosure, license fee waivers for certain first responders, emergency additions to invasive species lists, and a bottle redemption fraud task force. Most bills advanced unanimously or with little opposition; the civil penalty bill and the coal tar bill each drew one nay, and one bill on fee disposition was referred to Finance. During discussion of the PFAS disclosure bill, Senator May said DEC had recently issued new guidance on PFAS disclosure in wastewater treatment, but argued the bill was still needed because it would apply more comprehensively to all SPDES permit holders statewide. The meeting concluded with Harckham thanking members and staff, asking legislators to submit new bills or completed work for committee review, and directing them to send materials to Marie Kelly and counsel staff for follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><05:53:32.240><c> site</c> as utilized in the energy site as utilized in the energy site evaluation
• energy discharge from storage may be compensated under net metering rules.
• </c><06:07:34.558><c> storage</c> relative to authorizing energy storage relative to authorizing energy
• This bill affirms energy with amendment.
• the of Energy to investigate the vulnerability<06:09:24.080><c> of</c><06:09:24.320><c> electric</c>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a tanker ship, and getting it to turn takes time and energy and support and structure.
• Sheriff Coe's caution about the punishment, part of the oversight in which we work on the racial equity

Summary: The commission held an open discussion on how to develop recommendations for its report due at the end of September, with chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger emphasizing that the group is moving from information-gathering into idea-sharing. Members discussed the need for more testimony from stakeholders such as reentry centers, correctional officers, unions, and the judiciary, and several participants urged the commission to use prior reports and existing data as a starting point. There was broad agreement that the work should focus on outcomes, transparency, and identifying gaps across the correctional and community supervision systems. A major theme was whether Massachusetts should move toward a more integrated, step-down model that better connects DOC, county sheriffs, probation, parole, reentry centers, and community-based services. Participants raised the possibility of expanding use of minimum security, pre-release, day reporting, and community justice support centers, and some suggested exploring whether sheriffs should have jurisdiction over people with longer remaining sentences, or whether judges should have more discretion to place people in county facilities. Others stressed the importance of involving the judiciary earlier, improving sentencing information, and aligning programming across agencies so reentry planning begins at sentencing and continues through release. The discussion also focused on facility conditions, women’s housing, Bridgewater, Framingham, restrictive housing, and the relationship between correctional settings and mental health needs. Several members called for more consistent standards, better data on spending and program effectiveness, and stronger accountability for evidence-based practices. The group also raised concerns about contraband K2, the need for cultural change inside institutions, and the importance of trust, staff training, and soft handoffs to the community. No votes were taken; the meeting was primarily a working discussion, and the chairs said they would circulate a written set of recommendations and continue the conversation at future meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a tankership, and getting it to turn takes time and energy and support and structure.
• Sheriff Coe's caution about the punishment, part of the oversight in which we work on the racial equity

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met for an open discussion focused on developing recommendations for its report on correctional consolidation and collaboration. Chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Brownsberger said the group is moving from information-gathering into idea generation, with a report due to the legislature by the end of September. Members discussed whether recommendations should be broad “guardrails” or more specific proposals, and several urged that future recommendations be grounded in firsthand experience, data, and written submissions from agencies and stakeholders. A major theme was how to create a more integrated correctional and reentry system. Participants raised the need to hear more from reentry centers, minimum-security and pre-release facilities, probation and parole, and the judiciary. Ideas included expanding step-down pathways, improving coordination among DOC, sheriffs, probation, and parole, standardizing programming and outcomes data, and better educating judges about available programs at sentencing. There was also discussion of whether the sheriff’s role should be expanded beyond the current two-and-a-half-year House of Correction limit, with questions about sentence structure, good-time credits, and how such a change would affect security and reentry outcomes. Members also emphasized the importance of consistency, transparency, and minimum standards across facilities. Several speakers said the system remains fragmented and that different counties use different definitions, practices, and program models. Suggestions included reviewing prior commission reports, looking at other states and even European models for best practices, and considering regional hubs or specialized facilities for behavioral health, workforce development, and reentry. The chairs noted that the commission has already toured several facilities and plans more visits, including Framingham and Bridgewater, and that future hearings will include unions and other stakeholders. The discussion also touched on restrictive housing, mental health, and contraband K2. Members cited recent suicide concerns and expert reports suggesting some units function like restrictive housing even if not labeled that way. There was broad agreement that custody conditions, programming access, and institutional culture affect trust and rehabilitation. No formal votes were taken; the meeting was primarily a working session to surface ideas and frame possible recommendations for later drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as a state legislator, if I'm put in this position, then I'm going to try to act to bring equity
• Department of Environmental Protection and local governments from issuing permits for new waste-to-energy

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1422 on unmanned aircraft systems. The bill increases penalties for flying drones over critical infrastructure, prohibits drones equipped with weapons or explosives, creates a first-degree felony for drones carrying a weapon of mass destruction, and includes a law enforcement exception. A lay-filed amendment by Senator Pizzo warning against the use of force to shoot down drones was debated but failed, and the bill was then reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SB 846 addressing notary public fraud in immigration-related services, SB 650 on hazardous walking conditions for school transportation, SB 922 on employment agreements including non-compete and garden leave provisions, and SB 1820 on motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer relations, covering performance measures, retaliation, and franchise termination standards. Several bills focused on education, health care, and disability issues. SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, would require disability history and awareness instruction across grade levels; it drew emotional testimony from the bill sponsor, family members, and supporters, and was reported favorably. SB 998 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to certify deaths and file death certificates in hospice settings under physician protocol, and SB 1412 would modernize home health agency rules by expanding administrative flexibility and contract service use; both passed. SB 1736 would allow direct support professionals and relatives to administer insulin in group home settings for individuals with developmental disabilities, and it was also reported favorably. The committee also advanced several regulatory and court-related measures. SB 1650 expands Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including allowing designation based on conduct in a single case and extending the look-back period, while SB 1652 creates a public records exemption for certain stricken non-criminal court filings; both were approved. SB 1076 on roofing contractors was amended to require continuing education for roof-to-wall connections and then passed, and SB 1078 on fire prevention was amended with stakeholder-agreed language before being reported favorably. SB 1080 on local government land regulations, after multiple amendments and significant debate over agricultural enclaves and local control, was also approved. Other major measures included SB 818 on utility relocation, which creates a relocation fund funded by a portion of communications services tax revenue and was supported by multiple industry and local-government groups after a compromise amendment; SB 868 on social media use by minors, which would require a decryption mechanism for law enforcement access under subpoena and prohibit disappearing messages for minors, remained under discussion as the transcript ended. The committee also heard SB 96, a claims bill for Jacob Rogers against the City of Gainesville, and reported it favorably after testimony that the city would pay the settlement amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is effective immediate as requested by the School of Energy Resources.
• Wyoming<01:47:08.080><c> Energy</c><01:47:08.480><c> Authority.</c> Wyoming Energy Authority.
• Wyoming Energy Authority.
• Uh, this would be administered by the Wyoming Energy Authority.
• Uh, this would be administered by the Wyoming Energy Authority.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is they're private equity, and all they worry about is profit.
• </c> Wyoming for Black Hills Energy. Wyoming for Black Hills Energy.
• The tariff now is a statewide tariff for all of Black Hills Energy customers.
• So, having affordable energy is really important. Yes. Thank you, Chairman.
• </c> with a reliable energy source. with a reliable energy source.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• credits, including the award of tax credits by the Board of Public Utilities to the developers of energy
• storage projects under existing programs, and the provision... ...utilities to the developers of energy
• Eric Belongan, New Jersey Energy Marketers Group.
• Here's a free cup of coffee with any purchase if you come back, or you drink a lot of energy drinks and
• You don't buy any energy drinks, so you get a coupon for a new type of coffee, something like that.

Committee: Senate Senate Budget and Appropriations

Keywords: 1146, all