Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Keywords: legal advertisements, tax rates, public hearings, transparency, local government, sick leave, education, teacher retirement, benefits, employee compensation, Medicaid, nonopioid analgesics, pain management, health care regulation, utilization controls, physician shortage, health care access, medically underserved areas, medical education, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill, House Bill 2936 by Olsson of the House and Hamilton of the Senate.
• Hi, reading of the bill House Bill 2967 by Westrick of the House and Jett of the Senate, an act relating
• Hi, reading of the bill House Bill 3627 by Cantrell of the House and Alvert of the Senate, and a relating
• Third reading of the bill House Bill 3721 by Kelly of the House and Fris of the Senate and act relating
• The third reading of the bill, House Bill 4227 by Kennedy of the House and Weaver of the Senate, is an

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Transcript Highlights:

• of doctor and our nurse of the day, correction of previous day's journal, House and Senate bills and
• , the majority of which has been spent in the emergency department.
• Not that I'm aware of. It may have occurred, but not that I'm aware of.
• a little out of left field, but my reading of the... ...that this question is kind of a little out of
• Third reading of the bill.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2967 , HB3627 , HB3721 , HB4132 , HB4303 , HB4478 , HB4322 , HB4227

Keywords: HB2936, children, child protection, adoption, Oklahoma Adoption Code, gestational carrier, gestational agreement, surrogacy, intended parent, preplacement home study, home study, prospective adoptive parent, foster placement, child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, lewd molestation, sex offender registry, Oklahoma Sex Offenders Registration Act

Summary: The House convened, took the roll, offered an invocation, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized the nurse of the day, Stephanie Cooper. Members also adopted motions related to a multi-day adjournment request and received several guest introductions, including students, athletes, family members, and constituents in the galleries. The chamber then considered and passed several bills. HB 2936 clarified that certain offenders may not adopt children, including in surrogacy-related situations; it passed 71-0. HB 2967 exempted certain vehicle title transfers between guardians and children or grandparents and grandchildren from motor vehicle excise tax; it passed 69-10. HB 3627 added the State Committee of Blind Vendors to the list of public bodies allowed to meet by video or teleconference and passed 70-2, with the emergency clause also approved. HB 3721 created a survivor-benefit option for children of unmarried public safety officers who die before retirement after qualifying for benefits; it passed 77-3, and the emergency clause was adopted. Additional measures passed included HB 4132, a data protection bill, by 77-0; HB 4303, extending the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances, by 70-0; HB 4478, raising the daily deposit threshold for school activity funds from $100 to $500 while requiring weekly deposits, by 73-5; HB 4322, removing the requirement that a funeral director in charge also be a licensed embalmer/director, by 61-17; and HB 4227, protecting the legal rights of child sexual abuse victims, which was amended with cleanup language and then passed with no recorded nays. The House then adjourned until Monday, March 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department or Texas Department of Agriculture under or observes this fact.
• , of, of our colleagues.
• Some of my fellow students went on to work in places such as the Department of Homeland Security, Department
• When I was at the University of Houston, we, we managed a grant from the Department of Justice to serve
• And we are accredited by the Department of Justice to offer immigration services, all family-based like

Bills: HB 256 , HB 1308 , HB 1554 , HB 1743 , HB 2308 , HB 2351 , HB 2858 , HB 3676 , HB 3784 , HB 4312 , HB 4552 , HB 4823 , HB 4852 , HB 5007 , HB 5010 , HB 5520 , HB 5524 , HCR 19

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: E-verify, employment verification, illegal employment, state contracts, government entities, license suspension, immigration compliance, state grant funding, E-Verify, compliance, penalties, immigration, government contracts, employee status, state contractors, E-verify program, legally present, employment practices, legal services, public money

Transcript Highlights:

• Once it comes to the Department of State, I have an entire unit at the Department of State whose full-time
• of the Department of Justice, so he's now there.
• In my county, with our CLC and our COP plan, we have elections and Department of Election as part of
• I do want to know: will the Department of State and the Division of Elections take on a greater role
• I do want to know: will the Department of State and the Division of Elections take on a greater role

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage. A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies. Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and then became chair of the Board of Trustees.
• I became chair of the Board of Trustees in June of 2012.
• As a member of the University of North Florida's Board of Trustees, I served as the Vice Chair of the
• of the state of Florida.
• I went to the University of Alabama. My wife went to Mercer University in Macon.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The committee heard and voted on two higher education bills before moving to a long series of university and college board appointment confirmations. CS/SB 742 would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs tied to industry certifications, and would expand the money-back guarantee requirement from three to six programs at career centers and Florida College System institutions. A question was raised about whether the charter school access could reduce district funding or grant availability; the sponsor said it could, depending on available funds. The bill was supported by one appearance form and was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 892, which codifies the Florida State University Election Law Center so it can continue and receive recurring funding. The sponsor and FSU witnesses said the center is nonpartisan and focused on evidence-based research, especially on election administration issues related to natural disasters and public confidence in elections. After testimony and questions, including about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted of testimony from numerous appointees to boards of trustees for state colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, and Florida Atlantic University. Most nominees emphasized their personal ties to the institutions, support for workforce education, student success, and local economic development. Several highlighted priorities such as keeping tuition affordable, expanding internships and career pathways, strengthening nursing and other workforce programs, and improving graduation and retention rates. Some appointees also described campus-specific goals, including research growth at FAU and Harbor Branch, community engagement at New College, and continued support for health care workforce partnerships at FGCU. The most notable exchange came during testimony from Dr. Joel Rudman for the Pensacola State College board, where Senator Leek questioned him extensively about prior public comments that appeared to reference threats and drug testing legislators. Rudman said his remarks were aimed at Florida House members and not the Senate, denied any knowledge of illicit drug use by current or former senators, and said he was speaking candidly as a private citizen. Public testimony on his nomination included both support and strong opposition, with one speaker praising his community service and another warning about his alleged disruptive behavior and social media posts. The committee also heard from several supporters and appointees who were not questioned further, and the meeting ended with plans to vote on the appointments after all testimony was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for the Department of Aerospace Aeronautics, You've seen many of these beginning slides.
• as the CEO, and that's only because I serve as the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of
• The Department of Commerce, which is obviously running all of these economic development deals across
• by the legislature overseen by the Department of Commerce.
• And as the Department of Commerce leads all of those economic development incentive activities, obviously

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece of the bill does provide Department of Ecology legislative guidance about giving us some
• So some of the closures might be the result of just a series of pancaking, a variety of costs from a
• provide to the Department of Ecology to make sure that it's not publicly available because it deals
• I know the Department of Ecology—maybe Mr. Creswell can answer that. It's still significant.
• I'm Joel Creswell, manager of the Climate Pollution Reduction Program of the Department of Ecology, here

Summary: The Environment and Energy Committee heard testimony on House Bill 2537, which would change how energy-intensive, trade-exposed facilities (EITEs) are treated under the Climate Commitment Act. Committee staff and the bill sponsor explained that the measure would require Ecology to update its post-2034 report to include proposed allowance-reduction methods, leakage-risk adjustments, and consignment recommendations, and would add new reporting and decarbonization-planning requirements for EITEs to continue receiving no-cost allowances. The committee also briefly took up House Bill 2245, a separate Clean Energy Transformation Act bill, and later voted the proposed substitute out of committee on an 11-8 vote with 2 excused, after debate over exemptions for certain utilities and market customers. Supporters of HB 2537, including The Nature Conservancy, NRDC, Washington Conservation Action, Climate Solutions, Clean and Prosperous Washington, Ecology, and some utility representatives, said the bill would provide needed clarity, better data, and a path for long-term industrial decarbonization while helping prevent emissions leakage. They argued that EITEs receive substantial public value through free allowances and should be required to document emissions sources, energy needs, and feasible reduction pathways so the state can design a post-2035 policy consistent with climate goals. Ecology said it generally supports the bill, though it recommended streamlining duplicative reporting and noted the work would require significant agency resources not included in the governor’s budget. Opponents, including the Association of Washington Business, the Northwest Pulp and Paper Association, the Association of Western Pulp and Paperworkers, WISPA, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, Food Northwest, Simplot, Kaiser Aluminum, and Newcor Steel, warned that the bill could increase compliance burdens, expose sensitive business information, and worsen leakage risks by making Washington less competitive. They said many facilities have already made major investments and face high capital costs, limited clean electricity supply, permitting delays, and technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Several speakers pointed to recent plant closures and job losses in pulp and paper, food processing, and metals as evidence that leakage is already occurring, and urged the committee to preserve flexibility, protect confidentiality, and consider targeted funding or other incentives rather than new mandates alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other piece of the bill does provide Department of Ecology legislative guidance about giving us some
• So some of the closures might be a result of just a series of pancaking a variety of costs from a broad
• provide to the Department of Ecology to make sure that it's not publicly available, because it deals
• I know the Department of Ecology, maybe Mr. Creswell can answer that. It’s still significant.
• I'm Joel Creswell, manager of the Climate Pollution Reduction Program of the Department of Ecology, here

Bills: HB2537 , HB2245 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:30:18.480><c> of</c> becomes what does the department of becomes what does the department of
• the Department of Education.
• the Department of Education.
• the Department of Education.
• </c> department of education. department of education.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• NSF, NIH, and the Department of Energy are all facing cuts to federal funding ranging from 20 to 40%.
• So, one of the examples that I'm providing in our package is a grant that was just lost from the Department
• This was also a Department of Energy project that has now been paused.
• And using WSMR, White Sands, on a lot of Department of War programs, which is just amazing to me.
• We also know that the Department of Energy has released a large list of grants that will be cut.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing I can tell you, I guide a lot of students from outside of Minnesota—Tennessee, Alabama, from
• </c> education advocacy groups the department education advocacy groups the department of<00:57:34.359
• in uh Department of Human Rights um that in uh Department of Human Rights um back<01:05:15.200><c> in
• ><01:06:25.440><c> of</c><01:06:25.599><c> Human</c> report from the Department of Human report from
• of Education to Minnesota Department of Education to say,<01:43:08.000><c> you</c><01:43:08.159><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the outcry of the outcry because of the outcry of having having having individuals<00:05:32.160><
• The life of the baby, the life of the mother, the life of the father, the life of the siblings of that
• The life of the baby, the life of the mother, the life of the father, the life of the siblings of that
• I say enough of<00:31:49.440><c> that.</c> of that. of that.
• of of rape within to address the topic of of rape within this<00:51:41.440><c> context.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• At the CPUC, across the 58 counties, a certain amount of funding Alabama. see across the 58 counties
• As you know, the Department of Education is an active party in the proceedings, but I wonder about the
• We’ll continue on with panel two, the California Department of Education.
• And they certainly haven't spoken to anybody at the California Department of Education.
• In particular, LACO supports the California Department of Education's recommendation that CTF extend

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But most of the money has gone to the Department of Agriculture.
• </c><00:35:16.880><c> of</c> same courtesy to the department of same courtesy to the department of agriculture
• </c><00:36:36.320><c> of</c> had a grant from the uh department of had a grant from the uh department
• of the department of appearing on behalf of the department of the<00:58:46.559><c> attorney</c><00:58
• </c><01:03:55.119><c> of</c> and comments from the uh Department of and comments from the uh Department

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• He's with the Department of Public Safety. That's where I retired from.
• fire department, so kind of do the math.
• I'm retired out of the Texas Military Department in 2022.
• The Sheriff's Department can send if there are individual instances of suspicion of, you know, human
• Looking even more broadly, the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, my department, has been developing

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ukraine of today may be the East Asia of tomorrow.
• Because I have quite a bit of experience working with the Department of Agriculture on non-tariff trade
• millions of dollars of soybeans.
• Senate of having to go there and being kind of the tip of the spear on this.
• One of the things that I have been doing a little bit of reading on is the co-productions of some of

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: U.S. foreign policy, Mexico relations, Japan relations, border security, trade agreements, drug trafficking, ambassadorial nominations, intergovernmental communication

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on critical discussions concerning U.S. foreign policy, particularly relationships with Mexico and Japan. Notable attention was given to border security, trade agreements, and implications of drug trafficking. Ambassadorial nominees discussed their strategies to strengthen ties with these nations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing mutual challenges, particularly concerning security and trade. The committee engaged in extensive dialogue, highlighting the urgency of improving intergovernmental communications to deter drug trafficking and support democratic governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I was contacted by the Department of Health yesterday on some concerns about specific language when
• This bill is an agency bill from the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety, and
• This bill is an agency bill from the Office of Justice Programs in the Department of Public Safety, and
• My name's Kim Biby, and I'm the executive director of the Office of Justice Programs at the Department
• My name's Kim Biby, and I'm the executive director of the Office of Justice Programs at the Department

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Education, through its research arm, recommends early screening and intervention as an
• First of all, thank you for the opportunity to speak in front of all of you today.
• of College Board in support of SB 1147.
• I am the director of the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division at the Department
• A G course, but has the potential of living inside of a department, if that makes sense. I see.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:58.880><c> is</c> of reviews that the department is of reviews that the department is currently
• </c><00:35:11.960><c> of</c> HD1 uh first up we have Department of HD1 uh first up we have Department
• ><01:49:53.719><c> use</c><01:49:54.639><c> um</c> department of H homelands to use um department of
• We have the Department of Transportation in support on Zoom. Department of Transportation.
• </c><04:20:57.760><c> of</c> HD1 uh we have the department of HD1 uh we have the department of Hawaiian

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all