Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Give us a spirit of service. Give us a spirit of service.
• Uh Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
• </c><00:37:47.960><c> overall</c><00:37:48.360><c> public</c> measurably improved overall public measurably
• House Bill 687, Commission.
• </c><00:53:22.000><c> to</c> Planning and Inventory Commission to Planning and Inventory Commission to

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have the public hospitals.
• </c> care services care services we<00:18:54.000><c> we</c><00:18:54.160><c> might</c><00:18:54.320><
• And we would like to thank our friends over at the Youth Commission as well as the Commission on the
• Hawaii Public Health Institute.
• </c> Mahalo for your service. Mahalo for your service.

Bills: SB2936 , SB2850 , SB2851 , SB2521

Committee: House Health

Summary: The joint hearing covered House Bill 251, which would require hospitals to report costs associated with Medicare and uninsured patients, and House Bill 1875, which would expand protections for gender-affirming health care services. On HB 251, the Department of Health said it supported the intent but described the bill as complicated and potentially impractical as drafted because the department lacks the expertise to produce the required analyses without outside help. Hawaii Health Systems Corporation echoed those concerns, while the Queen’s Health System said it was willing to work with the department to provide the information. In committee discussion, officials explained that hospital support in Hawaii includes public hospital appropriations and the provider tax program, which uses hospital and nursing home contributions to draw federal matching funds; a department witness estimated the net benefit at about $150 million for hospitals and $20 million for nursing facilities, though exact figures would be provided later. On HB 1875, the Insurance Division testified with concerns that the bill’s language on prohibited actions by malpractice insurers was broad and vague, and that a rate-increase prohibition could conflict with actuarially based insurance pricing. The division also noted it was not the primary enforcement agency for the statute. In contrast, many testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, PFLAG Oahu, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, the Hawaii County Democratic Party, and others. Supporters argued that gender-affirming care is medically necessary, evidence-based, and protected by privacy and bodily autonomy principles, and that the bill would protect patients and providers from outside political interference. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• She designed and coordinated public health messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Department of
• The amendment directs the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission, working with the Pennsylvania
• or the Game Commission.
• The Commission is subject to our procurement laws as well.
• Utility services are not designed to bring in hyperscale energy users like data centers en masse.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, committee reports, and approval of the prior journal. Members also granted several leaves of absence and welcomed a number of guests, including Ireland’s Consul General and Deputy Consul General, student shadows, an intern, and the Neshaminy High School baseball team, which was recognized for winning the 2026 PIAA Class 6A state championship. The chamber then recessed briefly for an Education Committee meeting and party caucuses before returning to session. On the floor, the Senate advanced several measures. Senate Bill 362, addressing SNAP skimming, passed 49-0 after remarks about protecting food assistance benefits from theft. Senate Bill 469, providing discounted fishing and hunting licenses for current and retired law enforcement, also passed 49-0 after an amendment was withdrawn. Senate Bill 730, codifying Pennsylvania POLST forms for end-of-life medical orders, saw a tabled amendment from Senator Boscola on physician-assisted dying after a 28-21 vote, then passed 49-0. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 1206 clarifying a temporary license pending FDA approval, and sent House Bill 1344 and Senate Bill 1377 to the House after unanimous final passage. Other bills were moved to appropriations or held in order, including Senate Bill 49, House Bill 96, Senate Bill 535, Senate Bill 536, House Bill 538, Senate Bill 743, Senate Bill 1262, Senate Bill 1273, House Bill 1286, and Senate Bill 1372. House Bill 1862 and House Bill 2017 each received amendments and were re-referred to the Appropriations Committee. The Senate also agreed to consider newly reported committee bills, including measures from Finance, Judiciary, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Education. In petitions and remonstrances, Senators Tartaglione and Costa focused on minimum wage and utility affordability, urging action on consumer protections, LIHEAP funding, data center energy costs, and related energy policy. The session concluded with the signing of House Bill 1877 in the presence of the Senate and a recess until June 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., unless recalled earlier.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who are some of the public companies that have gone public that participate with you folks?
• </c> public that participate with you folks? public that participate with you folks?
• </c><01:18:45.280><c> is</c> stuff while this commission is stuff while this commission is operating.
• And that's not commission in the final version of House commission in the final version of House Bill
• </c> can't afford to pay for the services can't afford to pay for the services is<01:40:41.800><c> if

Summary: The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting. Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses. Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Connecting with the local DHR services, the local public health department, and the local community college
• Um, and then the last piece is around expanding job support services to individuals and... support services
• To be able to provide those services to all who are in need... provide those services to all who are
• They transport the public.
• We've never been a state that has done public... never been a state that has done public transport.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Joint Resolution 3 by Assembly Member Schiavo and others relative to public social services.
• The contract pharmacy restrictions also mean clinic's services. ...and meal services.
• His victory inspired others and continues to help increase diversity and representation in public service
• services system, and I respectfully ask for an aye vote. ...to reduce inequities and to strengthen public
• Both programs, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, benefit disabled Californians

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial Services: HB 2293. Public Policy: HB 2294. Occupational ... 2295 minimum wage.
• DCS investment services. HB 2293, Public Policy. HB 2294, Occupational ... HB 2295, minimum wage.
• Public Human Services: HB 2335, vaccination services. HB 2336, Health and Human Services.
• Health and Human Services: HB 2439, public co-parned ... HB 2442, SNAP management.
• Public Safety and Law Enforcement: HB 2524, advertising purview services and judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Service Commission, and the Office of the Consumer Advocate.
• I’m the chairman of the Wyoming Public Service Commission.
• I'm the chairman of the Wyoming<00:09:08.320><c> Public</c><00:09:08.560><c> Service</c><00:09:08.880
• </c><00:09:09.600><c> Uh</c> Wyoming Public Service Commission.
• Uh Wyoming Public Service Commission.

Bills: SF0102 , SF0123 , SF0021 , SF0099

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you see where it says Debt Service? So for the most part, debt service declines.
• I also serve on that commission, and this is the commission that oversees the 529 plan as well.
• The commission that oversees the 529 plan as well is a commission made up of 13 members.
• We have to pay that service.
• to pay that service.

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission.
• , accessing mental health services, accessing educational services, and other services to help them get
• services, accessing mental health services, accessing educational<00:35:22.480><c> services</c><00:35
• other services educational services and other services to<00:35:25.119><c> help</c><00:35:25.440><c>
• </c> to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures. SB 1296 HD1, relating to disaster recovery, would exempt reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster from special management area permits under certain conditions. OPSD, DLNR, the County of Maui, Front Street Recovery, and the Grassroot Institute supported the bill, saying it would speed rebuilding after disasters like the Maui fires; one witness noted the bill would not cover shoreline parcels unless amended, and members asked about the five-year rebuild window, the meaning of “lawfully constructed,” and whether unlawful structures were excluded. Testimony was also heard on SB 1413, which would allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to dispose of abandoned property in federal public housing projects after notice and within five days; HPHA said the bill would help address illegal dumping and clarify procedures. SB 31 HD1, concerning discriminatory restrictive covenants, was briefly described and had support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and comments from the Uniform Law Commission, with no in-person testimony. The committee then heard SB 1341, which would add HEMA and the Office of Homeland Security to agencies allowed to review energy industry information and would expand the program’s emergency-management purpose. The Hawaii State Energy Office supported the measure, saying the data is important for emergency response and fuel-supply planning. SB 10008 HD1 would authorize counties to adopt ordinances enforcing accessible parking space requirements and clarify county enforcement of EV-related parking provisions; the Disability and Communication Access Board strongly supported the accessible-parking provisions, saying current enforcement is weak, while noting section three on EV spaces is already largely in statute and could be struck if the committee preferred. Tina Yamaki of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in opposition. Finally, the committee heard SB 1028 SD1 HD1, which would eliminate fees, fines, and court costs for offenses committed by minors, discharge existing related debt, limit community service for minors to 72 hours, and repeal certain penalties tied to minors and their parents or guardians. The Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council, Community Alliance on Prisons, and DebtFree Justice Hawaii supported the bill, arguing that youth fines burden families, worsen poverty, and disproportionately affect Native Hawaiian youth. The Department of the Attorney General offered comments, raising possible constitutional title issues because the current draft incorporates material from HB 129 and includes sections that may relate more to restitution or curfew than to fines and fees; supporters responded that the title is sufficient and cited case law. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Services Senate Services Correctly<00:27:40.480><c> revised</c><00:27:40.840><c> House</c><00:
• </c> Committee on Health and Human Services Committee on Health and Human Services had<00:28:59.120><
• </c><00:29:22.360><c> John</c> the public at large, appointed. John the public at large, appointed.
• </c> the public at large, appointed. the public at large, appointed.
• ambulance services and air ambulance services, to be essential services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 9. 948 by Assemblymember Flora, an act relating to public contracts.
• Goods and services will decrease from 180 days to 90 days, reconstructive services will decrease from
• internet service to qualified low-income households participating in public assistance programs.
• AB 747 modernizes and standardizes service or process.
• Of challenging defective service, I respectfully ask for your aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of service.
• Health and Human Services Commission.
• There should be a public hearing.
• Support Services Division at the Health and Human Services Commission to allow HHSC to streamline a variety
• provided under a Health and Human Services Commission program.

Bills: SJR12 , SCR39 , SB7 , SB8 , SB27 , SB29 , SB125 , SB241 , SB371 , SB396 , SB406 , SB464 , SB568 , SB578 , SB608 , SB617 , SB660 , SB689 , SB693 , SB707 , SB731 , SB732 , SB763 , SB779 , SB836 , SB854 , SB857 , SB875 , SB878 , SB879 , SB906 , SB920 , SB921 , SB922 , SB942 , SB965 , SB985 , SB996 , SB1029 , SB1035 , SB1036 , SB1059 , SB1084 , SB1098 , SB1101 , SB1185 , SB1188 , SB1321 , SB1332 , SB1366 , SB1388 , SB1396 , SB1453 , SB1484 , SB1494 , SB1536 , SB1563 , SB1596 , SB1610 , SB1619 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1741 , SB1816 , SB1822 , SB1841 , SB1939 , SB2155 , SB2188 , SB2230 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR81 , SJR50 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB504 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB241 , SB304 , SB1023 , SB204 , SB609 , SB670 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1539 , SB447 , SB406 , SB985 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB1215 , SB1302 , SB583 , SB673 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB608 , SB955 , SB957 , SB1120 , SB541 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB125 , SB53 , SB1352 , SB785 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB507 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB763 , SB667 , SB1059 , SB617 , SB1567 , SB310 , SB311 , SB505 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1470 , SB264 , SB1029 , SB1358 , SB1364 , SB1569 , SB1376 , SB1228 , SB519 , SB878 , SB1350 , SB462 , SB827 , SB1585 , SB1396 , SB920 , SB1484 , SB1273 , SB1741 , SB7 , SB927 , SB1227 , SB1229 , SB1353 , SB1366 , SB1464 , SB1709 , SB1729 , SB1733 , SB1744 , SB1772 , SB1816 , SB1841 , SB2188 , SB1147 , SB879 , SB1008 , SB1536 , SB2016 , SB1453 , SB1173 , SB1163 , SB996 , SB27 , SB568 , SB1370 , SB1321 , SB1101 , SB906 , SB860 , SB1563 , SB993 , SB693 , SB1610 , SB1537 , SB836 , SB1332 , SB1307 , SB963 , SB493 , SB922 , SB984 , SB1084 , SB619 , SB1098 , SB1122 , SB455 , SB522 , SB1057 , SB1239 , SB1254 , SB1255 , SB1259 , SB1341 , SB1664 , SB1877 , SB464 , SB1277 , SB32 , SB732 , SB660 , SB731 , SB921 , SB268 , SB1822 , SB1188 , SB1939 , SB1589 , SB397 , SB1388 , SB2230 , SB1058 , SB1036 , SB1267 , SB2112 , SB1930 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB2155 , SB508 , SB29 , SB292 , SB291 , SB901 , SB1333 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB964 , SB779 , SB1378 , SB2312 , SB1719 , SB1386 , SB287 , SB2143 , SB1245 , SB261 , SB1247 , SB1948 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB1882 , SB1197 , SB1814 , SB618 , SB38 , SB393 , SB2065 , SB1371 , SB1394 , SB1365 , SB2243 , SB2226 , SB2039 , SB1919 , SB1895 , SB1598 , SB1493 , SB1810 , SB1791 , SB1706 , SB1644 , SB1238 , SB783 , SB458 , SB22 , SB651 , SB897 , SB7 , SB125 , SB578 , SB608 , SB617 , SB763 , SB836 , SB878 , SB906 , SB920 , SB942 , SB985 , SB1084 , SB1366 , SB1388 , SB1563 , SB1737 , SB1738 , SB1816 , SB1939 , SB406 , SB689 , SR327 , SR346 , SR351 , SR352

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Health and Human Services. HB 2335. Vaccination services. HB 2336.
• Health and Human Services. HB 2439. Public co-parenting. HB 2442. SNAP management.
• Public Safety and Law Enforcement. HB 2652, human services and judiciary.
• Public Safety and Law Enforcement. HB 2660, health board. Health and Services.
• HB 2777, health and human services. HB 2780, commission solar energy and water.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session. Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:44.159><c> private</c> led by people of color public private led by people of color public
• So let me for the commission to hear.
• Um not public servants in Faget County.
• </c> much for your service and dedication. much for your service and dedication.
• ><c> just</c><01:36:03.679><c> mention</c> Um commission members, I'll just mention Um commission members

Summary: The committee heard testimony focused on barriers facing minority-owned businesses and on local programs intended to improve access to capital and contracting opportunities. A representative from the U.S. Black Chambers described disparities in minority spending, argued for more intentional and transparent investment in Black communities, and emphasized the need to disaggregate data, hold officials accountable, and expand tools such as the byBlack certification directory. He also stressed that businesses need technical assistance, resources, and opportunities to grow through mergers, consortiums, and joint ventures. The main presentation then came from Larry Forester and Tyrone of Commerce Lexington, who outlined what they called eight major barriers for minority businesses, including limited access to capital, weak mentorship networks, discrimination and bias, bureaucratic hurdles, branding and visibility challenges, stereotyping, generational knowledge gaps, and limited financial literacy. They described several Commerce Lexington initiatives: the Access Loan Program, which brings small businesses before a pool of 26 lenders; a Minority Business Accelerator to help firms scale and connect with prime contractors; and an Opportunity Exchange for business owners to share experiences and lessons learned. They said the Access Loan Program has funded nearly $26 million in loans with an average loan size of about $62,000. Members asked about bias in lending and how to make contracting and certification easier for minority firms. Forester said applications are vetted by a subcommittee before reaching the full lender group, with attention to completeness and readiness, and that only one lender needs to say yes. On contracting, the witnesses said certification can be burdensome and suggested more hands-on help from the state, relationship-building events that include decision-makers, and incentives rather than mandates. They also relayed policy ideas from a business owner, including culturally informed underwriting, public-private matching grants, supplier diversity enforcement, and mentorship tied to capital access. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can certainly see it in the summary as well, what the various boards and commissions that are
• The Advisory Commission Committee has not had any appointments since 2003.
• And then the next two are at the recommendation of the Department of Health and Senior Services.
• Taking, for example, the Missouri Cybersecurity Commission. Right.
• Most communities belong to a service that provides the electronic versions of the ordinances.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session with 12 members present and 4 absent, establishing quorum. Members considered Senate Bill 937, adopted a House committee substitute and one amendment, then voted the substitute do pass by a roll call of 12 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 present. The bill was then moved out of executive session. In open session, the committee heard Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 from Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman. The bill is a cleanup measure to remove obsolete boards, commissions, and panels from statute, based on long periods without appointments or because duties have been reassigned elsewhere. Coleman also described a workforce development reorganization and noted that some panels were removed at the request of state agencies. Members asked about whether any of the bodies were still meeting, the fiscal note, and whether adding or extending a committee such as the joint committee on child abuse and neglect would fit under the bill’s title; Coleman said the legal question was uncertain but that the bill was intended to address obsolete entities. No one testified in opposition or for information, and the hearing closed. The committee then heard House Bill 1829 from Representative Terry Violet, which would let municipalities that publish their codes online keep one physical copy instead of three. Violet and supporters said the change would save cities money and improve public access to ordinances. Members asked about how quickly ordinances appear online, whether there was any penalty for not maintaining three copies, and how the current system works; witnesses said online posting is typically fast and that the hard-copy requirement is outdated. The Missouri Municipal League testified in support, saying the bill would reduce unnecessary costs for municipalities. There was no opposition or informational testimony, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In her more than two decades of service to public education, state government, behavioral health, and
• In her more than two decades of service to public education, state government, behavioral health, and
• Members, Senate Bill 1395 comes as a recommendation from the Incentive Evaluation Commission.
• A member's public safety will meet at a new time in the morning at 8:30, rather than...
• Health and Human Services will meet 15 minutes after 2:08.

Bills: SB1323 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1970 , SB1599 , SB1312 , SB1776 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB1302 , SB1809 , SB1401 , SB2053 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB1421 , SB1837 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1794 , SB1484 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1591 , SB1395 , SB1456 , SB1562 , SB1613 , SB1983 , SB1550 , SB2065 , SB2152 , SB2159 , SB2172 , SB2110 , SB2111 , SB2114

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and pledges, and recognized several guests and Senate family members, including the psychologist and nurse of the day. Members then moved to the agenda, laying over items 1 and 4 before taking up several bills. Senate Bill 1395, a recommendation from the Incentive Evaluation Commission, would eliminate the tax credit portion of the investment and new jobs tax credit incentive and limit carry-forward of the investment portion to seven years; it passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1456, as amended, extended the sunset of the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, with the amendment changing the sunset date to 2031; it passed 48-0 and was also approved as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 1562, requested by the Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association, was described as protecting terminally ill patients and families from aggressive hospice marketing practices; it passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1613, requested by the Oklahoma Liquefied Gas Association, was revised to remove language the governor had previously objected to regarding vehicle ownership and leasing outside OMES; it passed 48-0. Senate Bill 1983 directed the Department of Human Services to provide de-identified foster care data to resource family partners, including information on children without placement, demographic and geographic trends, areas of high need and low availability, placement disruptions, sibling separations, and distance from original homes. After a question from Senator Deevers about the scope of the data, the bill advanced and passed 48-0. The Senate then heard announcements about committee meeting times and adopted a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><01:04:34.400><c> General</c> and recommendations to public, General and recommendations to public
• </c> Services program. Services program.
• </c> human services board. human services board.
• This is a public safety bill.
• </c> This is a public safety bill. This is a public safety bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. I'll entertain a motion.
• So we will take public comments on this appointment.
• And I guess my question is: are your audits for your department public to us or to the public, I guess
• The audits that we have done are not public audits.
• The deaths, those reviews will be public.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met to consider several gubernatorial appointments and routine committee actions. The committee first approved, by unanimous 5-0 votes, appointments to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission, the appointment of Lee Herrick as California Poet Laureate, a reference of bills to committees, and floor acknowledgments. Members then heard testimony from Trista Gonzalez, nominee to lead the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, who described her long career in tax administration, efforts to improve taxpayer compliance and service, readiness for the state’s lithium extraction tax, and the department’s work on online sales tax, cannabis, and tobacco enforcement. Senators asked about responsiveness to legislators, small business support, accountability, and enforcement; public commenters from tax and accounting groups supported her nomination. Her appointment advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard from Aaron McGuire, nominee to lead the Board of State and Community Corrections. He discussed the board’s expanded responsibilities, including annual detention-facility inspections, large grant programs for violence intervention and reentry, and the new in-custody death review division. Members questioned him about grant oversight, audit transparency, statutory authority for in-custody death reviews, and conditions in local detention facilities, especially in Los Angeles County juvenile facilities. McGuire said the board uses screening, site visits, audits, and compliance reviews to reduce fraud and ensure grant funds are used appropriately, and that trailer bill language had clarified access to records for death reviews. He also said staffing shortages remain a major issue in some juvenile facilities and that the board continues to work with counties and the courts to improve conditions. Public support came from nonprofit reentry providers and Giffords. His appointment also advanced to the full Senate on a 5-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> CEO of a of a major oilfield service CEO of a of a major oilfield service company company company
• Commission was.
• </c><00:31:23.680><c> Uh</c> that's what the commission does. Uh that's what the commission does.
• They provide services, general and nonpartisan research services to our Legislative Service Office on
• They provide services, nationwide.