Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really pleased to chair today's hearing on late files.
• Thank you so much for making this hearing for these late files, and to your staff as well on this.
• And so there are currently 19 home rule petitions filed for this restriction.
• And so there are currently 19 home rule petitions filed for this restriction.
• by Senator Moore, and was filed in Senate 644.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hearing on several late-file bills and home rule petitions, with testimony focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife management, rodenticide restrictions, and a local land-use request. Rep. Scarsdale testified for H.5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton’s J. Harry Rich State Forest the Marion Stoddard River Walk in honor of the activist who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signs, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey presented a package of Duxbury Beach bills—H.5141, H.5140, and H.5139—intended to align state shorebird protections more closely with federal standards, create parity in beach management tools, and require periodic review of outdated recreational-use guidelines; he said the bills were developed with local and agency input and aimed to balance conservation with beach access. A large portion of the hearing concerned local petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Sierra Club, Animal Defenders International, wildlife rehabilitation groups, and residents from towns including Grafton, Billerica, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Eastham, and Truro argued that these poisons harm raptors and other non-target wildlife through secondary poisoning, persist in the environment, and are increasingly ineffective. Several speakers said local town meetings had approved the restrictions and urged favorable reports on the petitions. Opponents, including a representative of the New England Pest Management Association, argued that regulation should remain at the state level under MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted that the agency was already reviewing rodenticide regulations. Committee members asked questions about agency consultation, the relationship between state and federal bird listings, and how local beach rules would work in practice. The committee also heard testimony on H.4700 and related local pesticide-reduction petitions for Eastham and Truro, with witnesses describing groundwater concerns, pesticide drift, and wildlife impacts. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.2961, a Dighton bill authorizing the use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes to replace the Pleasant Street Bridge and add pedestrian and bicycle accommodations; the witness said the affected area was limited and necessary for safety improvements. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, with the chair turning the gavel over and the committee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for the opportunity of presenting um House File 4361 as amended.
• And I am very pleased to testify in support of House File 4361 as amended, which would add the North
• pleased to testify in support<00:03:42.440><c> of</c><00:03:42.640><c> House</c><00:03:42.880><c> File
• 4361 as amended support of House File 4361 as amended which<00:03:45.920><c> would</c><00:03:46.160>
• Egbaji will move that House File Rep.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The response is that there were not, and that duels were actually never filed.
• Those actually never filed. We did not, actually. No duels. I didn't pass yet. Okay.
• No, it's actually never filed, but thank you for bringing that up. Okay.
• Yeah, I think you can just look at COVID and all the cases that were filed against county executives.
• You wouldn’t be able to file a family law case in the state of Missouri and then tell the court that

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency first established a quorum and then went into executive session, where it voted House Bill 2809 do pass by an 11-0 vote, with two members present. The committee then moved to public hearings after noting House Bill 3108 would not be heard that day. Senator Nick Schroer presented Senate Bills 977 and 1011, which were described as “American law for American courts” measures restating that the U.S. Constitution, the Missouri Constitution, and state law cannot be superseded by foreign laws, foreign treaties, or outside organizations, except in narrow circumstances such as voluntary business agreements and certain Hague-related matters. Supporters said the bills were needed to prevent courts or local governments from relying on foreign or religious law in ways that could override fundamental rights, while opponents and questioners raised concerns about private arbitration, family-law contracts, tribal jurisdiction, and whether the bills were unnecessary or targeted specific religions or organizations. A witness from Liberty Link Missouri testified in favor, saying the law should be restated even if it is technically unnecessary. No vote was taken on the Senate bills during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2589, which would require only a rear license plate on vehicles. The sponsor argued the change would save money and align Missouri with many other states, while noting he had consulted a sheriff who did not object. Members raised concerns about law enforcement, camera enforcement, stalking victims, and whether some vehicles or commercial categories would still need two plates. Supporters cited fiscal savings and convenience, while opponents emphasized public-safety and identification concerns. No vote was taken on House Bill 2589, and the hearing was closed after no additional witnesses came forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we'll move to all bills and file item order. Our first item.
• Our first author that is present is file item number six, AB 2672 by Assembly Member Hart.
• We are currently on file item number six, AB 2672. Dr. Jackson. Thank you very much. AB 2672, Dr.
• We've heard file item number six, AB 2672, Hart, which leaves file item three, AB 2761, Petri Norris,
• and file item seven, AB 1874, Wilson.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• File.
• So, let's file this one. On page 3, Standing Committee Report Nos. 3399 and 3400 for adoption.
• </c><00:16:11.640><c> So,</c><00:16:11.920><c> let's</c><00:16:12.240><c> file</c><00:16:12.680><c> this
• The notice was filed in the clerk's office yesterday afternoon. Thank you.
• </c><00:17:32.920><c> on</c> file Standing Committee Reports on file Standing Committee Reports on Senate

Bills: SB3225 , HCR53 , HCR57 , HCR101 , HB1878 , HB1481 , SCR40 , SCR59 , SCR114 , SCR197 , SCR198 , SR30 , SR107 , SR185 , SR186

Keywords: statutory revision, Hawaii Revised Statutes, clarification, obsolete provisions, legal accuracy, University of Hawaii, Board of Regents, associate degree, degree audit, reverse transfer, credit audit, student completion, credential attainment, community college transfer, four-year campus, higher education, postsecondary attainment, workforce development, student retention, graduation pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really pleased to chair today's hearing on late files.
• It also has the support of DCR, with whom I started working right after I filed the bill, and you might
• Thank you so much for making this hearing for these late files, and to your staff as well on this.
• And so there are currently 19 home rule petitions filed for this restriction.
• And so there are currently 19 home rule petitions filed for this restriction.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a late-file hearing focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife protection bills, rodenticide restrictions, and a conservation land use bill. Chair Barbara House opened with technical notes and hearing rules, then Rep. Scarsdale testified for H. 5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton the Marion Stoddard Riverwalk in honor of the environmental advocate who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signage, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey then presented a package of Duxbury beach bills—H. 5141, H. 5140, and H. 5139—aimed at revising shorebird protections, creating parity among beaches, and requiring regular review of outdated recreational-use guidelines. He said the bills were developed with local and agency input to balance conservation and beach access, though he acknowledged some initial concerns from wildlife officials about the language in H. 5141. The committee also heard extensive testimony on local home-rule petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters included Grafton resident Shannon Phelan, Mass Audubon’s Heather Packard, Sen. Ford, Billerica resident William Jubin, Manchester-by-the-Sea resident Anne Harris, and Animal Defenders International’s Drew McCormick. They argued the poisons cause secondary poisoning in owls, hawks, eagles, and other wildlife, can harm pets and livestock, and are increasingly ineffective; several speakers urged local authority because statewide action has been slow. Opponents included Molly Moran of the New England Pest Management Association, who argued regulation should remain at the state level through MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted the agency is already reviewing the issue. Additional testimony from Stephanie Ellis, Laura Kelly, Chris Powicki, Cecily Miller, and others supported Eastham and Truro pesticide-reduction petitions, citing wildlife losses, groundwater concerns, and the need for local control. Finally, the committee heard S. 2961 from Dighton town counsel Matthew Costa, which would authorize use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes tied to replacement of the Pleasant Street Bridge. Costa said the easements are needed for safety improvements, including a wider bridge deck, sidewalk, guardrail replacement, and erosion controls, and that the affected conservation area is limited and of little natural-resource value. The hearing ended after testimony on these bills, with no votes taken during the session and the committee adjourning at the close of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources, thanked everyone for joining and said she was pleased to chair today's hearing on late files
• It also has the support of DCR with whom I started working with right after I filed the bill and you
• Thank you so much for making this hearing for these late files, and to your staff as well on this.
• And so there are currently 19 home rule petitions filed for this restriction.
• And so there are currently 19 home rule petitions filed for this restriction.

Bills: H5113 , H5076 , H4972 , H4917 , H4700 , S2896 , S2961 , S2933 , H5141 , H5140 , H5139 , S2877 , H3920

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: Marion Stoddart, riverwalk, J. Harry Rich State Forest, Groton, Nashua River, Nashua River Watershed Association, Massachusetts Clean Waters Act, Department of Conservation and Recreation, DCR, trail designation, state forest, conservation, environmental recognition, commemorative naming, signage, public lands, toxic pesticides, Eastham, environmental regulation, local control

Transcript Highlights:

• This is due to an increase in civil case filings over the last couple of years.
• They are seeing a very unexpected increase in civil filings.
• The dedicated fund is seeing a very unexpected increase in civil filings.
• Chairman Tanner, the source of that fund is a filing fee that, when someone files certain types of filings
• Oh, it's a $6 filing fee. Okay, thank you. Representative Harris. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee reviewed the Judicial Branch budget, beginning with the Court Operations division. Legislative staff outlined the branch’s structure, recent spending trends, technology upgrades funded with ARPA dollars, and FY26/FY27 budget changes, including judicial compensation increases, added judges in several districts, and a late request for $800,700 from a dedicated fund to cover senior magistrate retirement and purchase-of-service costs. Court officials explained that the retirement request was driven by an unusual number of magistrate retirements announced too late to include in the original budget, and they also described the impact of declining federal support and the need to shift some treatment-court and technology costs to other funding sources. Members asked about the holdback, the court’s cloud and network modernization, the purpose of senior judge purchase-of-service payments, and the effect of treatment courts on public safety and incarceration; no vote was taken. The committee then heard the Second Judicial District CASA/Guardian ad Litem request for $77,900 in general funds. The program said the money would support a trainer/recruiter/data supervisor position, required office and record space, annual financial review, and liability insurance, citing rural service needs, declining VOCA and grant funding, and the need to recruit and support volunteers across a large district. The executive director described the program’s statutory role in child protection cases and said fundraising now covers about 30% of the budget, taking time away from direct services. Members asked about the decline in VOCA funds, the number of children served, and examples of the program’s impact; the director gave a detailed success story about helping a family reunify. The hearing ended with no recorded appropriation action, and the chair adjourned the meeting until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice last week in the State of the Judiciary address, this is due to an increase in civil case filings
• This is due to an increase in civil case filings over the last couple of years.
• At that time, the court had been experiencing a drop in civil case filing such that the court technology
• Chairman Tanner, the source of that fund is a filing fee that, when someone files certain types of filings
• Oh, it's a $6 filing fee. Okay, thank you. Representative Harris. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: A joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee heard presentations on the Idaho judicial branch budget, beginning with court operations. Legislative staff reviewed the branch’s structure, staffing, recent technology upgrades funded with ARPA dollars, and prior budget enhancements, including support for court technology, judicial compensation, and additional judges in several districts. Court officials explained a late budget request for an additional $800,700 from a dedicated magistrate retirement fund to cover unexpected retirement bonuses and purchase-of-service costs for seven magistrates, as well as the impact of a governor holdback and reduced federal support for some treatment and domestic violence court-related services. Committee members asked about the timing of the revised retirement request, the purpose and success of the magistrate retirement bonus program, the court’s technology modernization, and the effect of losing federal and other outside funding. Court officials said the retirement timing could not be known earlier because magistrates had until January to notify the court, and they described the bonus as helping judges complete their terms. They also said the court had moved case management and recording systems to the cloud and built a statewide network, and that cuts to treatment court and peer support funding would likely force reductions in non-constitutional services. The committee then heard the Guardian ad litem division request, including a $77,900 general fund enhancement for the Second Judicial District CASA program. The CASA director said the money would support a recruiter/trainer/data supervisor position and required compliance costs such as financial review, office space, and liability insurance. She described volunteer shortages across a large rural district, declining VOCA and grant funding, and the need to spend more time fundraising instead of serving children. Members asked about the decline in VOCA funds, the share of funding coming from donations and fundraising, the number of children served, and the role of CASA for older youth. The director said about 30% of the program’s funding comes from fundraising, that the district serves children over age 12 and some older youth, and she gave an example of a case where CASA helped stabilize a family and reunify children with their parents. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's House File 4, and that would propose a constitutional amendment that if our surplus after the
• He is the chief author of House File 4.
• um</c><00:01:32.680><c> and</c><00:01:32.880><c> that</c><00:01:33.000><c> would</c> that's house file
• four um and that would that's house file four um and that would propose<00:01:33.720><c> a</c><00:01
• Johnson he is the chief author<00:02:56.440><c> of</c><00:02:56.640><c> house</c><00:02:57.000><c> file

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, it was not, which would like to Okay, that amendment was not filed, so we'll have to amend it here
• in committee, but it hasn't we My experts are telling me it hasn't been filed.
• Point of interest is that something I file or did the staff, and that's why I think it thought because
• All right, so you were wanting to adopt that as an untimely filed amendment.
• have an automatic cancellation process if a person moves from one area to another area where they filed

Bills: SB1491 , SB1581 , SB1286 , SB1451

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Keywords: presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, initiative petitions, signature gathering, protest period, grand jury, Oklahoma legislature, polling place, polling locations, voter access, county election board, precinct, municipal building, school building, school district, municipality, political subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we updated the version and reported it and filed it two sessions ago.
• Senate 50, filed with Representative Cruz and Senator Payano.
• This would then prevent the million-dollar lawsuits that have been filed.
• In support of H. 678, filed by Representative Ramos, S. 388 filed by Senator Kennedy, thank you.
• H. 678, filed by Representative Ramos; S. 388, filed by Senator Kennedy; and S. 400, filed by Chair Lewis

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conference Committee report on House File 2115, an act relating to human services.
• Third reading, House File 2115 as amended by conference.
• </c> File 2115 say I. I. Those opposed, nay. File 2115 say I. I. Those opposed, nay.
• :47.800><c> 2115</c><00:04:48.800><c> as</c> reading, House file number 2115 as reading, House file number
• Third reading, Senate file number bill. Third reading, Senate file number 2884. 2884. 2884.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going to get started with House File 3030.
• Yes, I move the A1 amendment to House File 3030. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Want to make sure we cover that with that as amended House File 3030.
• I urge you to support House File 3030.
• The bill in front of us today gives three things agenda house file agenda house file 3023<00:47:51.440

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3030 was taken up for discussion and amended with the A1 author’s amendment before moving forward. The bill was presented as an Iron Range package with three parts: a 26-week unemployment insurance extension for workers laid off by Cleveland-Cliffs, and two mining-related provisions dealing with safe storage of reactive mine waste and a site-specific sulfite standard. The authors said the bill was intended both to help laid-off workers immediately and to support the long-term future of mining jobs in the region. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive of the unemployment extension and the broader goal of preserving Iron Range jobs and communities. Representatives of affected workers, union leaders, a county commissioner, a tribal elder, and RAMS all described the layoffs as potentially long-term and warned of broader economic harm to families, local businesses, schools, and the region if mining jobs continue to decline. Several testifiers emphasized that mining is central to the Iron Range economy and argued that the bill would give workers time and hope while also helping keep people in the region. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency testified that it generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about the environmental rulemaking language in Article 2, Section 2. MPCA said the provision would amount to a new major rulemaking, would require significant time and resources, and should be reviewed by the Environment, Natural Resources, Finance and Policy Committee. During member questions, one legislator said there was strong support for the UI extension in Article 1 but expressed concern about the environmental issues in Article 2 and asked why those provisions were not being reviewed by the environment committee. The meeting ended with public testimony closed and member questions beginning; no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 2370, which is the program payments being withheld.
• House File 2370, which is the program payments being withheld.
• House File 2370, which is the program payments being withheld.
• House File 2429 was identified as the data-sharing portion, and House File 2370 was identified as the
• The chair said that Representative Elkins has House File 2429 and that the chair is carrying House File

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• your campaign finance report, the Secretary of State's Office, or whoever your filing officer is, must
• publish a list of all active committees that owe penalties for late filing reports.
• made no expenditures, and if the committee subsequently received contributions and expenditures, it filed
• a proper report with that, and then also that the committee filed a termination statement before the
• Committee filed a termination statement before the end of this year.

Summary: The caucus reviewed several bills and Senate or conference committee amendments, with members generally noting whether the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2749 would let courts enter a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction for certain lower-level felony convictions, with the Senate amendment requiring at least five years since completion of sentence before eligibility. HB 2082 would create a childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research commission and adjust funding rules, including a five-million-dollar threshold tied to appropriations or federal grants. HB 2096 would allow counties to seek WIFA assistance for cesspool remediation, with the Senate adding an alternative compliance path using ADEQ’s nonpoint source management plan. HB 4001 would regulate alternative nicotine products through the Department of Liquor Licensing and Control; members discussed whether some tobacco-related products remain outside the bill, tribal enforcement limits, and the absence of a tax provision. The presenter said the AG and governor support the bill. The caucus then shifted to conference committee bills. HB 2003 would lower the learner’s permit age from 15.5 to 15 and increase supervised driving time, but several members raised safety concerns and questioned whether the change was needed; the conference amendment would let current instruction permit holders qualify for a license after six months, while still requiring age 16 for licensure. HB 2133 would impose content-verification requirements for commercial websites publishing sexual material, with conference changes exempting pre-effective-date motion pictures and television programming. Members noted the Motion Picture Association still had concerns, though the changes addressed some retroactivity issues. HB 2874 would change campaign finance penalty rules, including a five-day publication requirement for committees owing late-filing penalties, a $5,000 cap on penalties per late report, and retroactive relief for certain inactive committees that filed no-contribution/no-expenditure reports and later terminated; one member said they still had not received the outstanding fee totals requested on the floor. HB 2010 would regulate digital goods sellers and refunds for revoked access to licensed digital content; the conference version kept a five-year refund structure but changed the refund amount to 20% per year, clarified refund procedures, and removed the refund requirement if alternative access is provided. The caucus took no votes in the transcript and ended after the bill presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you're an attorney and you file a lawsuit, you have to name every party.
• When you're an attorney and you file a lawsuit, you have to name every party.
• opportunity to opine a little bit more, but I'm trying to imagine what if a climate change lawsuit were filed
• that's sufficient, and the problem is, as soon as that judgment is settled, there'll be another one filed
• If you file a lawsuit and You obtain a judgment, someone tomorrow could then file the same lawsuit and

Committee: House Energy

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, without objection, we'll file the report.
• Seeing none, without objection, we'll file the report.
• So without objection, we will file that report. Seeing none. Okay. The remaining 52 reports.
• 52 reports listed on the last two pages are audits with no findings, and staff recommends these be filed
• We just file these all together. All right, without objection, we will file these reports.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The Legislative Audit Education Institution Subcommittee met to adopt the previous minutes and review 57 education audit reports, 52 of which had no findings and were filed as reviewed. The committee heard several findings involving school district spending and internal control issues, including Camden-Fairview’s use of operating funds for an employee awards banquet and unauthorized credit card charges, Forest City’s use of operating funds for an end-of-year celebration and entertainment event, Nettleton’s fraudulent vendor payment scheme involving $1.9 million in attempted transfers, Cedar Ridge’s misallocation of Title I funds and payroll/bank reconciliation errors, and Green County Technical’s diverted vendor check that was recovered. Three of the reports had been referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general. Members asked questions about whether district officials were present, how the questionable expenditures were broken down, and whether school boards had prior knowledge or approval. The committee deferred the Camden-Fairview, Forest City, and Nettleton reports to the June meeting and requested district representatives attend to answer questions. Cedar Ridge and Green County Technical were not deferred; Cedar Ridge was filed, and Green County Technical was reviewed without further action. Staff also discussed recurring fraud and banking-control issues seen in school audits, including altered checks, email-based banking changes, and the use of positive pay and in-person verification for deposit changes. Members encouraged better communication with school districts and noted that clean audits should be recognized. The committee then filed the remaining no-finding reports and adjourned with no new business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, do you have that H.J.R. filed then?
• When I first filed this four years ago, I was told it had to be two separate and had to be run at different
• We do not have an amendment filed. Might I propose an amendment? Please hold. Stand by.
• There has been an amendment filed. I'm going to ask the excellent clerk...
• There has been an amendment filed.

Bills: HJR1074 , HB3501 , HJR1070

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: Oklahoma veterans lottery, veterans trust fund, constitutional amendment, lottery proceeds, veterans services, military families, veteran assistance, emergency relief, indigent veteran funerals, veterans outreach, service organizations, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Guard, Air National Guard, Purple Heart, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma Veterans Council

Summary: The committee began with HJR 1074, a proposed Veterans Lottery Trust Fund measure. After adopting a scrivener’s-error amendment, the author explained it would create a veterans lottery game as a two-step process: first establishing the trust fund and board structure, then returning later to authorize the game itself. Members questioned how the money would be appropriated and whether the legislature could direct spending, as well as whether the lottery would compete with existing education lottery revenue. The author said the intent was for the funds to go to the Veterans Lottery Trust Fund and then be distributed by the board, and argued it would create recurring revenue for veterans without relying on annual appropriations. The committee approved the measure 7-1 and reported it do pass. Next, the committee considered HB 3501, which would allow the ABLE Commission to issue multiple manufacturing licenses for one premises. A PCS was adopted as the working draft without objection, and the bill passed 8-1 after brief discussion and no substantive debate. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1070, which would require the Attorney General to be a licensed attorney. An amendment was adopted to change the required practice threshold from 10 years to 5 years to align with requirements for district judges and Supreme Court justices. Members asked about residency, whether the requirement would apply to current candidates, and why the change was needed now. The author said it would not affect current candidates but was intended for future elections so the chief law enforcement officer would be an actual attorney. The resolution passed unanimously, 9-0, and was reported do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm going to move that House File 2574 be laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 tax bill.
• House File 2574 be laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 tax bill.
• With that, I will renew my motion that House File 2574 be laid over for possible inclusion in our 2025
• <c> be</c><00:05:15.440><c> laid</c><00:05:15.680><c> over</c><00:05:16.320><c> for</c> that House File
• 2574 be laid over for that House File 2574 be laid over for possible<00:05:17.120><c> inclusion</c><

Keywords: 1183, house