Bills: HB3522, HB4300, HB4359, HB4363, HB3467, HB2987, HB3076, HB4427, HB3026, HB3288, HB3315, HB3711, HB3885

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, ABLE Commission, licensing, regulation, annual reporting, child care, criminal history, background checks, child safety, Oklahoma laws, advisory committees, statewide assessments, student testing, testing window, end-of-year testing, Oklahoma Academic Standards, Oklahoma School Testing Program, State Board of Education, grade 3-8, alternate assessment

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Aaron Hudkins, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Emily Corley, Doctor of the Day Dr. Jason Reagan, and a proclamation recognizing Brain Injury Awareness Month. Members also honored the Edmond Santa Fe Palm Squad and Ava Garrett for assembling and funding 100 overnight bags for children entering foster care in memory of fallen Oklahoma service member Serena Butcher. On legislation, the House considered and passed House Bill 3522, a transparency measure requiring alcoholic beverage licensees to report disciplinary actions annually, and House Bill 4300, a Department of Human Services request bill aligning child-care worker assessment language with federal requirements. Both bills advanced without debate; HB 3522 passed by recorded vote and HB 4300 passed 94-0. The chamber also recognized 17 Pages of the Week and heard multiple announcements, including caucus and birthday notices, a planned Jeans Day request tied to Bob Wills Day, and the introduction of Oklahoma Task Force One members and a search dog. The House then adjourned until Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Bills: HB 148, HB 334, HB 554, HB 762, HB 1520, HB 1593, HB 3526, HB 3810, HB 5092, SB 2215, HB 2607

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Will the clerk call the roll?
• If there is no other business before the Senate Committee on State Affairs, any other business for the
• The Committee on State Affairs stands in recess until the call of the chair. I thank each one.

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs met with a quorum present and considered several pending measures. On Senate Bill 1868, Senator Perry explained a committee substitute that would keep kratom in its natural state legal while continuing to ban 7-OH and other synthetic derivatives, and would also add three synthetic opioids from another bill. The substitute was adopted, and SB 1868 was reported favorably to the full Senate and certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted a committee substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 39, Senator Birdwell’s proposed constitutional amendment related to veto overrides after a regular session, and reported it favorably to the full Senate; members noted a floor amendment would also be offered later. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1184, relating to the age of wine authorized to be sold by a wine collection seller, and reported it favorably to the full Senate. After some procedural discussion and a revote to clarify members’ positions, SB 1184 was also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 1194 was likewise certified for the local and uncontested calendar without objection, though the transcript does not include its substantive discussion. Senate Bill 1577, relating to the temporary sale of alcoholic beverages at certain racing facilities, was reported favorably to the full Senate and then certified for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 42, by Chairman Hughes, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-1 vote. The committee then recessed until called back by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Will the clerk call the roll?
• I am currently in Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs, and so there's a lot going on there right now
• So if there's no other business to come before the committee, the Committee on State Affairs stands in
• So if there's no other business, they come before the committee, the committee on state affairs stands

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:21:45.799><c> committee</c><00:21:46.120><c> for</c><00:21:46.279><c> the</c> the government Affairs
• committee for the the government Affairs committee for the Minnesota<00:21:46.840><c> mortgage</c><00
• </c><00:22:14.320><c> for</c> president of governmental Affairs for president of governmental Affairs
• </c><01:04:37.160><c> tribes</c><01:04:37.559><c> tribal</c> recognized American Indian tribes tribal
• recognized American Indian tribes tribal housing<01:04:38.920><c> corporations</c><01:04:39.920><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ten million of that will be allocated to school districts, charter schools, Bureau of Indian Education
• School districts, charter schools, Bureau of Indian Education schools, and tribally controlled schools
• Ranking Member, those dollars are available for the Bureau of Indian Education schools and tribally controlled
• To make sure that we're all on the same page that this is for tribally controlled schools, Indian education
• Chair, members of the committee, Lindsay Bachman, Director of Legislative and Executive Affairs for the

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, my name is Jessica Hoffy, and I'm the Director of Government Affairs at the Washington
• Lowe, and I'm Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam First Nations, here on behalf of the American Indian
• This coverage helps tribal programs stretch limited dollars for care received outside of the Indian health
• Members, my name is Adam Zeran, Director of State Government Affairs for Blood Cancer United, and I'm
• For the record, I'm Curtis Knapp, Public Affairs Manager for Life Science Washington, representing over

Bills: SB5877, SB5904, SB5988

Keywords: anesthesiology, medical personnel, surcharges, licensing, healthcare regulations, nursing titles, licensure, healthcare professionals, patient safety, professional standards, opioid treatment, accreditation, health department, fee authority, substance abuse, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs. will meet today upon final adjournment
• H.R. 765 by Lujan recognizing April 14, 2025, a San Antonio Michigan Indian Descendants Day at the State
• Members, today we are proud to recognize the San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day at the Texas
• Indian Descendants Organization brings together individuals whose ancestors live on mission lands before
• These are San Antonio Mission Indian Descendant Organization members. Thank you.

Bills: HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB2143, HJR2, HB147, HJR6, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB 124, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB1587, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• committee, Frank Molin, on behalf of Yehavitham of Saminwell Nation, the San Anas Band of Shumash Indians
• , the Cocoon-Turuk Band of Oloni, Koston, and Mesh Indians, the Cocoon-to-Rook Band of Oloni, Kostona
• , and Indians of the Bigser Rancheria, the California Indian Environmental Alliance, the Cisco Inter-Tribal
• Klamath Indigenous Land Trust, Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, California Rural Indian
• To the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm excited to start here with the Department of Cultural Affairs Secretary.
• I am Secretary Garcia Griego from the Department of Cultural Affairs.
• We opened "MACOA: The World's Above Us" at the Museum of Indian Art and Culture.
• You didn't have as many fans as Cultural Affairs. You got to start getting a fan base like them.
• Indian Affairs was asleep at the wheel and never reported it.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you all may know, I've been very involved in comprehensive Everglades restoration, and also the Indian
• River Lagoon and Northern Everglades Restoration and also the Indian River Lagoon and Northern Everglades
• Thank you. restoration and also the Indian River Lagoon and northern Everglades protection plan to make
• We're going to take up tab 14, CS for SB 474 on military affairs.
• Colonel Jason Hunt, Department of Military Affairs, waves in support. Any debate?

Summary: The committee first confirmed six appointees on a single roll-call vote, then took up a series of bills, many of them on land use, housing, public safety, child welfare, education, and professional licensing. Early debate centered on CS/SB 208, which would require development fees to better reflect review costs and impose objective compatibility findings for residential projects. An amendment folded in additional housing-related provisions, including manufactured housing and a study of urban development boundaries, prompting extended discussion about Miami-Dade’s Everglades protection area and local control. A late-filed rural-boundary amendment was withdrawn. The bill was reported favorably after support from business, housing, and advocacy groups, with some senators voicing district-specific concerns. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 686 on agricultural enclaves after amendments added conservation easement, wildlife corridor, and critical state concern protections, plus a further Everglades-related amendment. Members discussed balancing smart growth, infrastructure costs, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas. Other land-use and growth bills also advanced, including CS/SB 1434 on infill redevelopment, CS/SB 1138 on qualified contractor pre-application review, and SB 218 limiting the reach of prior hurricane recovery zoning protections in counties not affected by the 2024 storms. SB 1474 on biosolids management was amended to reduce the distance threshold for land application restrictions and delay the effective date, and SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement removed a three-year recent-practice requirement to address shortages. Several public safety, health, and family-related measures also passed. CS/CS/SB 436 expanded felony battery enhancement to include resisting an officer with violence and certain law-enforcement battery offenses. SB 830 extended public-records protections to county and city administrators and related family information. CS/CS/CS/SB 600 revised bail bond rules, and an amendment preserved the current treatment of charitable bail funds and nonprofits; the committee heard testimony from The Bail Project and others on both sides. CS/SB 914 expanded dry-needling supervision options for occupational therapists, CS/SB 1092 clarified podiatric use of certain cellular/tissue products, and SB 1504 and SB 1718 updated insurance licensing and educator certification pathways. On the education side, CS/CS/SB 7038 made broad postsecondary changes, including tuition waivers, residency clarification, and licensure rules, while CS/SB 186 required seizure-response training and action plans in schools. The committee also advanced multiple child welfare and health bills. CS/CS/CS/SB 560 streamlined psychotropic medication procedures for children in state custody and added youth-voice and insurance-review provisions. CS/CS/CS/SB 902 combined several Department of Health changes, including medical marijuana distance rules, autism microcredential eligibility, a neurofibromatosis grant program, and NICU nutrition information. SB 1002 expanded child welfare definitions to address parental drug abuse and neglect, and SB 1708 eased endorsement licensure for out-of-state veterinarians. Most bills were reported favorably on roll-call votes, with several amendments adopted along the way and limited opposition or abstentions noted on some measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office in various leadership positions, including senior counselor, cabinet secretary, and legal affairs
• Office in various leadership positions, including senior counselor, cabinet secretary, and legal affairs
• I'm also grateful for the California Indian Nations College receiving a funding allocation, which will
• I'm also grateful for the California Indian Nations College receiving a funding allocation, which will

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Manager for the Washington State Women's Commission, and
• support of this bill and want to thank Representative Lekanoff for her previous amendment to make sure Indian
• health providers and urban Indian health organizations were included in the bill.
• I'm the deputy director of government affairs at the Washington State Labor Council, here today to ask

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee held a public hearing on several bills and a joint memorial. SB 5915 would update the health technology assessment program by adding technologies recommended for Medicare populations or in national guidelines to the review priority list, requiring broader evidence review for life-threatening or rare diseases, and setting timelines for posting and deciding review requests. Supporters, including rare disease advocates and providers, said the current process is outdated and too rigid; the bill was then held for later action. SJM 8002 urged Congress to strengthen original Medicare, oppose privatization, add benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, and reduce Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud. Supporters from labor and senior groups argued it would protect beneficiaries and send a message to federal officials; the memorial was also held after testimony. The committee also heard SB 5395 on prior authorization. Staff explained it would tighten notice requirements, require a licensed clinician—not AI alone—to deny requests based on medical necessity, add transparency around policy changes, and change how retrospective denials are treated. The prime sponsor and provider groups said the bill was a negotiated compromise meant to reduce delays and inappropriate denials, while insurers were generally neutral but sought a narrow amendment. Testifiers described prior authorization as a major source of delay and administrative burden, and the bill was held after public testimony. SB 5845 would require carriers to pay or deny clean claims within 30 days, set timelines for non-clean claims and information requests, and allow penalties for repeated noncompliance. Hospitals, physicians, and health systems supported it as a way to improve predictable payment, while insurers were neutral and asked for a narrow amendment; the bill was also held. The committee heard SB 6025, which would change the definition of fetal death so gestational age is calculated using the best clinically accurate age rather than the last menstrual period. Obstetric and nursing witnesses said the current law can force inaccurate records and unnecessary burdens on grieving families, while opponents objected to the bill’s abortion-related definitions. The bill was held after testimony. Finally, SB 5988 would authorize the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge fees to support that work. The department and the sponsor said the measure would preserve a patient-centered accreditation option amid budget pressure, and the committee closed testimony and held the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Services program, also known as ECLIPSE; is eligible for special education due to a disability; or is Indian
• services program, also known as Eclipse, is eligible for special education due to a disability, or as Indian
• I'm Molly Poffender, Government Affairs Director for the Washington Food Industry Association, representing
• I'm Molly Poffender with Government Affairs Director for the Washington Food Industry Association, representing

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> summation um of the impact of Indian summation um of the impact of Indian gaming<00:55:38.400><c
• Indian gaming and tribal gaming where Indian gaming and tribal gaming where those<01:01:31.720><c> can
• It was like, Indian country, right?
• </c> of Indian gaming, it was all under IGRA. of Indian gaming, it was all under IGRA.
• </c> And if it couldn't be done on Indian And if it couldn't be done on Indian lands,<01:08:57.839><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No changes for Indian rural and cultural services. affairs in Judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lorelai used Indian Education Initiative grant funds to review the curriculum through a culturally relevant
• Senator Coonerty**, I move that the bill is ordered printed and referred to the **Senate Health, Public Affairs
• *, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the **Senate Health Public Affairs
• , having been read twice by title, is ordered printed. and referred to the **Senate Health Public Affairs
• *, having been read twice by title, is ordered printed and referred to the **Senate Health Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, under consideration House
• I move the following amendment to House Bill 2875, to the Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
• I move the following amendment to House Bill 2875, as the Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
• President, your Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, having under consideration
• Seeing none, the question before you is the adoption of the Regulatory Affairs Committee amendment to

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recognized guests including participants in the Southern Arizona Water Leadership Institute and the Doctor of the Day, and then moved through a series of procedural actions, committee reports, and Committee of the Whole calendars. The chamber considered several House bills dealing mainly with water policy, air quality, local regulation and airport buffers, timeshare sales, advertising/digital goods refunds, elections, probation, radiologic technologies, firefighters, health care, property tax, state agencies, tourism, employment relationships, motor vehicle warranties, the State Fire Marshal, education, and retirement system provisions. Several floor and committee amendments were adopted, including amendments to HB 2428, HB 2875, HB 2877, HB 2029, and HB 2010; one amendment to HB 2029 failed on a 13-14 vote. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2006, HB 2050, HB 246, HB 262, HB 2089, HB 2090, HB 292, HB 298, HB 2122, HB 2126, HB 2138, HB 2176, HB 2177, HB 2173, HB 2178, HB 2179, HB 2258, HB 2310, HB 2323, HB 2324, HB 2395, HB 2010, HB 2029, HB 2132, HB 2261, HB 2428, HB 2875, and HB 2877, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous or near-unanimous support to more divided outcomes on HB 2026, HB 2132, HB 2261, and HB 2877. HB 2026 drew criticism over assured water supply and commingling concerns, while HB 2029’s statewide water-conservation analysis amendment was defended as a responsible use of public funds. HB 2177 drew supportive explanations from senators noting its importance for tribal waiver-related services. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to SB 1092, SB 1430, and SB 1479, then adopted final readings on those measures. SB 1092, dealing with dangerous crimes against children probation, passed 18-10 after debate over judicial discretion and sentencing policy; SB 1430 passed unanimously; and SB 1479 passed 20-1. The session concluded with the Senate adjourning until April 8, 2026, at 10 a.m.