Transcript Highlights:

• , and this bill is an excellent example of what happens when people who are affected by gun violence
• There's no place to... ...their widows are left with the guns and there's no place to place them.
• And the goal here is simple: with more guns safely stored and fewer guns accessible during moments of
• Jamie Miner passing on our support for our colleagues over at Everytown for Gun Safety. Thank you.
• This bill is a step in the right direction in ensuring waste is properly categorized, regulated, and

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Let the free market decide who to hire free of burdensome government regulations.
• We have industry come in front of us and ask for regulation.
• I'm not saying that government, there's no regulation that would be helpful.
• I'm not saying that government, there's no regulation that would be helpful.
• It is a violation of safety and FAA regulations. But pilots are doing it.

Bills: S0198 , S0422 , S1236 , S1356 , S1456 , S1722

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first postponed SB 1456, then heard SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibit neutrality agreements. The sponsor argued the bill protects workers from coercion and applies only to companies receiving taxpayer-funded incentives; opponents said it was government interference, likely to hurt contractors, apprenticeships, and business growth, and raised concerns about federal preemption and Attorney General enforcement. After debate, the committee reported SB 1236 favorably on a recorded vote. The committee then considered CS/SB 198, a measure to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring operator registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, blockchain analytics, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions tied to fraud. Supporters from the banking industry, AARP, and others said the bill would help stop scams that are targeting seniors and vulnerable adults; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrowing the limits for existing users and shortening the new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor said the bill is intended to curb puppy mills, improve animal welfare, and add consumer protections, while an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported much of the bill but objected to the three-day waiting period for financed purchases, expanded reimbursement, and unfair trade practice penalties; others argued the bill would add red tape and litigation. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, which would require age verification, parental consent for minors, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said the bill would help parents protect children online; opponents warned it could force collection of sensitive personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate existing parental tools. Members debated the balance between child safety and privacy, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation data, which would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate certain landing or access fees; an amendment added departures to the restriction. Pilots supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport representatives opposed it as undermining airport finances and shifting costs. The amendment was adopted, and the hearing on the bill began with testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [clears throat] But then how are you going to draw a fine line where we have drug-infested and gun
• . >> [clears throat] But then how are you going to draw a fine line where we have drug-infested and gun
• . >> [clears throat] But then how are you going to draw a fine line where we have drug-infested and gun
• . >> [clears throat] But then how are you going to draw a fine line where we have drug-infested and gun
• <01:12:42.880><c> but</c> regulations but regulations but am<01:12:44.320><c> I</c><01:12:44.400><c>

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint hearing covered HB 1976, relating to dementia training for law enforcement, and HB 2443, relating to disaster services for people with disabilities and access or functional needs. For HB 1976, the Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board opposed the bill’s process and cost, arguing there was no documented training gap because existing CALEA accreditation already includes mental illness response training that covers dementia. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, disability advocates, caregivers, and several individuals, said dementia-specific training would help first responders better handle real-world encounters and avoid harmful misunderstandings. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including changing mandatory language to permissive language in several places and removing a deadline for the first annual training cycle; the recommendation was adopted unanimously. For HB 2443, testimony was strongly supportive. The Disability Communication Access Board, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and individual testifiers said the bill would strengthen emergency planning and response by adding a Disability Integration Specialist and better integrating people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into disaster preparedness, sheltering, and FEMA coordination. Several speakers emphasized recent storms and rescues as evidence of the need. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including changes based on Attorney General comments and adding specialized communications and comprehensive communications planning provisions previously contained in another bill; that recommendation was also adopted unanimously. The transcript then moved to a separate mini hearing on HB 1768, relating to immigration enforcement. Supporters, including the ACLU of Hawaii, the Legal Clinic, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would prevent local law enforcement from entering 287(g)-type agreements or otherwise participating in federal immigration enforcement, citing civil rights concerns, community trust, and the need for police to focus on local public safety. One testifier raised concerns that local cooperation could help avoid mistakes in enforcement, while supporters responded that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and that local agencies should not be deputized for civil immigration arrests. The excerpt ends amid extended member questions and discussion, without showing a final vote on HB 1768.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bardstown's Fund B loan in the amount of $3,200,000 is for the Gunning sewer pump station and force main
• </c><01:15:20.560><c> sewer</c><01:15:20.960><c> pump</c> $200,000 for the Gunning sewer pump $200,000
• for the Gunning sewer pump station<01:15:21.679><c> and</c><01:15:21.920><c> force</c><01:15:22.320>
• So, I appreciate that answer and I understand that there, when you get federal regulations involved,
• </c> when you get federal uh regulations when you get federal uh regulations involved,<01:26:14.880><

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of our intelligence analysts has linked just one crime gun from shooting incidents from Farmington
• This would matter, particularly if there are guns present in the home.
• They had guns, and they were We were able to notify APD because we're monitoring the cameras.
• If that gentleman pulled a gun on her, probably not.
• An admin person with a gun and badge.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• children, then I would like to remind you that the number one killer of children in this country is gun
• children, then I would like to remind you that the number one killer of children in this country is gun
• The number one killer of children in this country is gun violence in the current administration.
• Regulating scientifically and evidence-based medical care is a slippery slope to all of us.
• </c><03:05:43.000><c> scientifically</c> Professionals regulating scientifically Professionals regulating

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, you have students who are unable to self-regulate their behavior, and their behavior at that
• But they need to know what they can do when children are unable to self-regulate, when things happen
• These individuals do not carry a gun, and they do not have authority to arrest.
• They're not going to carry a gun. They're not going to make arrests.
• Misdemeanors that don't take a gun.

Bills: SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2340 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2254 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB2441 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB1069 , HB2104 , HB2624 , SB6061 , SB6234 , SB6176 , SB6335 , SB6047 , HB2235 , HB2464 , HB2619 , HB1376 , HB1796 , HB2091 , HB2249 , HB2353 , HB2431 , SB5808 , SB5949 , HB2124 , HB2104 , HB2624 , HB2510 , HB1347 , HB1759 , HB1983 , HB2120 , HB2264 , HB2338 , HB2385 , HB2436 , HB2495 , HB2521 , HB2604 , HB2610 , HB2675

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of those people, they follow government for a variety of reasons, whether they're interested in gun
• A lot of those people follow government for a variety of reasons, whether they're interested in gun rights
• 23.440><c> know,</c> whether they're interested in, you know, whether they're interested in, you know, gun
• 25.360><c> parents'</c><00:18:25.760><c> rights</c><00:18:26.320><c> or</c><00:18:27.120><c> first</c> gun
• rights or parents' rights or first gun rights or parents' rights or first amendment<00:18:27.679><c>

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 714 removes commercial driving from programs that may be exempted from regulations by the Bureau for
• AB 714 removes commercial driving from programs that may be exempted from regulations by the Bureau for
• the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. ...that commercial driving programs are properly regulated
• After enduring an unimaginable loss of her two sons due to gun violence, Kathy chose to transform her
• You see, when a family suffered gun violence, she was dispatched to that family right then and there.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the session on guest introductions recognizing visitors, community college delegations, students, caregivers, a retired Assembly staff member, and a championship high school football team. Members also observed an adjournment in memory for Alex Preddy, a VA nurse killed in Minnesota, and later for Kathy Wooten and Rowena Ramos. The chamber then moved through the daily file and third reading file, with several items passed, retained, or continued. Among the bills taken up, AB 34 on renewable portfolio standard exemptions for publicly owned utilities passed 55-0; AB 35 to accelerate implementation of Proposition 4 climate resilience funds passed 62-0; AB 52 on food and agriculture equity passed 50-6; AB 72 creating an EV economic opportunity zone passed 58-0; AB 96 removing a diploma requirement for Medi-Cal peer support specialists passed 55-0; AB 230 extending Pierce’s disease control programs passed 64-0; AB 277 requiring background checks for behavioral health employees passed 59-0; AB 647 clarifying a county RV disposal pilot passed 54-0; AB 664 authorizing limited bachelor’s programs at Southwestern Community College passed 60-1; AB 673 creating a support grant for unaccompanied homeless youth passed 55-1; AB 710 on dynamic electricity pricing passed 54-0; AB 748 streamlining pre-approved housing plans passed 65-0; AB 767 expanding protections around sexually violent predator placements near schools and daycares passed 65-0; AB 883 protecting officials’ personal information from data brokers passed 66-0; AB 946 expanding 30x30 conservation efforts to urban areas passed 65-0; AB 1054 creating a deferred retirement option program for CHP and Cal Fire passed 61-1; AB 1070 on missing middle housing code simplification passed 66-0; AB 1159 strengthening student data privacy passed 54-4; AB 1204 revising the Local Control Funding Formula passed 54-1; AB 1265 extending the historic building tax credit passed 64-0; AB 1349 banning speculative ticketing passed 61-0; AB 1359 allowing seniors 80+ to opt out of jury service without a doctor’s note passed 67-1; AB 643 on organic waste procurement credits passed 48-4; AB 685 creating a small business resiliency fund passed 63-0; AB 714 tightening oversight of commercial driving programs passed 65-1; and AB 805 establishing a youth apprenticeship bridge program passed 66-0. Several other items were passed and retained or continued without debate. Debate on AB 1054 drew the sharpest disagreement, with opponents warning about pension costs and supporters arguing it would help retain experienced CHP officers and firefighters. AB 767 also prompted strong comments about public safety and placement of sexually violent predators in rural communities. On AB 1349, supporters from both parties backed the anti-speculative ticketing bill as consumer protection, while AB 664 drew support from members emphasizing access to higher education in underserved regions. The Assembly then adjourned until January 29, 2026, after announcing upcoming session dates and recording a few vote changes from the dais.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 714 removes commercial driving from programs that may be exempted from regulations by the Bureau for
• The Bureau oversees ...regulations by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
• We must ensure that commercial driving programs are properly regulated to ensure drivers are properly
• After enduring an unimaginable loss of her two sons due to gun violence, Kathy chose to transform her
• You see, when a family suffered gun violence, she was dispatched to that family right then and there.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:47.760><c> and</c><00:18:48.080><c> changes</c><00:18:48.480><c> or</c><00:18:48.640><c> regulations
• </c> organization and changes or regulations. organization and changes or regulations.
• I do think you might want to put an amendment in there saying when they do this no guns are allowed.
• they</c><00:33:33.279><c> do</c><00:33:33.440><c> this</c><00:33:33.760><c> no</c><00:33:34.000><c> guns
• </c> there saying when they do this no guns there saying when they do this no guns are<00:33:34.399><

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• A few years ago we had a bill to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
• Chair, Representative Garrett, yes, we do have the Office of Gun Violence and Prevention.
• If you want to get into that, I'm trying to save John. like to regulate.
• We reviewed existing food regulations.
• We touched base with FDA, and we made the determination. food regulations.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Regulation is harm reduction.
• Who will regulate? Who will pay for the regulation? Who will regulate?
• House Bill 28 aims to regulate these substances, but regulation is not enough.
• They want regulation.
• : regulation.

Bills: HB28 , SB3 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• mental health matters or for the Committee on Public Health HB 2406 by Reynolds relating to the regulation
• vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, or for the Committee on Energy Environmental Regulation
• development of certain environmental remediation benchmarks for the Committee on Environmental Regulation
• the Committee on State Affairs, HB 2464, by having a relating to the authority of municipality to regulate
• Refer to the Committee on Environmental... environmental regulation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone received summaries and live links to the regulations that have been proposed by the psychology
• Kelly Gunning, who many of you know, is a family member and a longtime leader of NAMI Lexington and a
• </c><00:36:33.200><c> and</c><00:36:33.359><c> the</c> On behalf of Kelly Gunning and the On behalf of
• Kelly Gunning and the thousands<00:36:34.000><c> of</c><00:36:34.240><c> Kuckians</c><00:36:34.880><
• We have some really loosely regulated supportive housing in Kentucky right now that needs to be improved

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a gun or you know showed their firearm. a gun or you know showed their firearm.
• </c><00:45:59.520><c> It'll</c> gun out and defend yourself. It'll gun out and defend yourself.
• </c> same action every time you have a gun. same action every time you have a gun.
• So, what this does is draw a gun."
• I'm a gun owner. I've owned guns all my I'm a gun owner. I've owned guns all my life. life. life.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• . - So, - So any insertion of a state of mind into an administrative agency regulation is troubling for
• well then does this rise - So, - So any insertion of a state of mind into an administrative agency regulation
• - If there are any fruits of crime on the person upon the arrest—drugs, weapons, a gun—all of that would
• haven't arrested him, - If there are any fruits of crime on the person upon the arrest, drugs, weapons, a gun

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, you know, a lot of people in Oklahoma have guns, and if they've got a problem, they don't pick
• But a lot of people in southeast Oklahoma just take their gun out, gut-shot that thing, let it wander
• It allows regulators to approve only reasonable and prudent costs, and it eliminates any language that
• What we're trying to do is put some common-sense regulations in place for wind, solar, and battery storage

Bills: HB4246 , HB4230 , HB3617 , HB3657 , HB2976 , HB3391 , HB4459 , HB4128 , HB3989 , HB2989 , HB4060 , HB3145 , HB2992 , HB3464

Committee: House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, pardon me, Chairman Burtenshaw, Senator Guthrie jumped the gun. I don't know.
• front of you today are three rules dockets, all brought forward through the Governor's zero-based regulation
• front of you today are three rules dockets, all brought forward through the Governor's zero-based regulation
• And 100.01, aerof guns was added as an unallowed activity, primarily due to the litter it creates, in

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, our model for regulating these products, which we passed in 2023, has become a model...
• In fact, our model for regulating these products, which we passed in 2023, has become a model...
• In fact, our model for regulating these products, which we passed in 2023, has become a model... will
• In fact, our model for regulating<01:01:48.640><c> uh</c><01:01:48.799><c> these</c><01:01:49.119><c>
• products,</c><01:01:49.440><c> which</c><01:01:49.599><c> we</c> regulating uh these products, which