Transcript Highlights:

• Rule three deals with the nomination of new candidates.
• Candidates recommended by the RCAC are automatically nominated.
• </c><00:02:02.399><c> additional</c> automatically nominated additional automatically nominated additional
• </c> invite all of the arak nominated invite all of the arak nominated students<00:05:05.840><c> to</
• </c><00:05:14.360><c> for</c><00:05:14.639><c> further</c> any nominations for further any nominations

Transcript Highlights:

• On page one, Governor's Message No. 684 transmits the nomination of Stephanie RS Char as judge for the
• Governor's message number 684<00:04:24.400><c> transmits</c><00:04:24.880><c> the</c><00:04:25.120><c> nomination
• </c><00:04:25.520><c> of</c> 684 transmits the nomination of 684 transmits the nomination of Stephanie

Bills: SB2042 , SB2892 , SB1163 , SB2076 , SB2116 , SB2122 , SB99 , SB2088 , SB2114 , SB2117 , SB2118 , SB2245 , SB2386 , SB2079 , SB2043 , SB2155 , SB2268 , SB2932 , SB3240

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for the nominating petition for presidential candidates. Thank you. Rep.
• It makes the nominating petitions for PPP, which have always been in the law.
• when we changed nominating petitions for closed party primaries and made all these changes about nominating
• petitions, we did not change them for the nominating petitions for the PPP.
• And so this just makes the nominating petitions for PPP consistent with the nominating petitions for

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee met on April 23 and advanced several bills dealing with judicial vacancies, travel reimbursement, election administration, public records, and board transparency. Senate Bill 397 by Chairman Reese was reported favorably without objection; it allows the Supreme Court to reappoint a retiring judge on an ad hoc basis to finish cases or provide urgent coverage, while not changing other laws that prevent a judge from returning to the same seat after retiring or resigning. House Bill 398 by Representative Zerang was reported as amended after the committee adopted a new amendment removing lodging from the bill, leaving only meal reimbursement limits tied to the federal GSA rate. House Bill 1201 by Representative Ilk was also reported favorably; it would create per diem pay for legislators doing legislative business outside session and raise statewide elected officials’ salaries using a formula tied to university president pay. The committee deferred Senate Bill 41, which would have extended the deadline for public bodies to publish open-meeting minutes from 20 to 45 days, after the author said he wanted more time to work with opponents. Senate Bill 289 by Senator Abraham, which would have created public-records exceptions for certain university searches, research, and donor information, drew substantial questioning and testimony from the press and members; after amendments narrowed the scope, the committee ultimately held the bill for further work rather than voting it out. Senate Bill 47 by Senator Mizell, as amended, was reported favorably; it requires public boards and commissions to provide contact information, including at least two contacts, a mailing address, email addresses, a website if available, and a phone number, without requiring public funds for member phones. On election-related bills, Senate Bill 248 by Chairman Miller was reported favorably as amended. It allows precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters to be consolidated with another precinct at the same polling place when both use the same ballot, with Secretary of State Landry saying it would preserve voter privacy, reduce costs, and be seamless for voters. Senate Bill 210 by Senator Klein-Peter was also reported favorably; it increases the number of election commissioners allowed in closed party primaries to match staffing needs created by the new system. Senate Bill 106 by Senator Klein-Peter, which makes certain crime-scene photos, audio/video recordings, and digital images nonpublic except by court order or clerk access, was reported favorably after a roll-call vote of 8 yeas and 2 nays. House Bill 906 by Representative Billings was reported favorably as amended; the amendments let party state central committees decide whether unaffiliated voters may participate in party primaries, require notice to the Department of State, and make participation rules consistent across the party’s related races, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The committee also deferred Senate Bills 218 and 220 to the following week before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for the nominating petition for presidential candidates. Thank you. Rep.
• It makes the nominating petitions for PPP, which have always been in the law.
• we changed nominating petitions for closed party primaries and made all these changes about nominating
• petitions, we did not change them for the nominating petitions for the PPP.
• And so this just makes the nominating petitions for PPP consistent with the nominating petitions for

Bills: HB398 , HB906 , HB1201 , SB41 , SB47 , SB106 , SB210 , SB218 , SB220 , SB248 , SB289 , SB397

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: nominating petitions, unaffiliated voters, party primaries, political participation, elections, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, boards and commissions, public records, contact information, email addresses, phone numbers, website disclosure, official journal, Louisiana public bodies, parish board of election supervisors, Department of State elections hotline

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to emphasize that I'm so delighted that Rose is being nominated for this position.
• So, um, I encourage you to approve her nomination. Thank you.
• , um, I encourage you to<00:02:22.640><c> approve</c><00:02:22.959><c> her</c><00:02:23.200><c> nomination
• </c> to approve her nomination. All right. to approve her nomination. All right.
• I'm so honored to be nominated for this position with the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 666, the nomination of Rose Kea to the Commission on the Status of Women for a term ending June 30, 2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from business and community members, and Kea described her background as a real estate broker, small business owner, and nonprofit volunteer leader, saying her experience with workplace equity and women-owned businesses would help the commission. Senators questioned her about the connection between her background and the commission’s work, and about how she would respond to current threats to women’s rights; she said the commission should serve as a unifying and leading force for gender equity. The committee later voted to advise and consent, with the chair’s recommendation adopted. The committee also considered SCR 128 and SR 107, which sought information on state lands leased to the federal government. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the resolutions as drafted, saying the AG does not maintain the lease inventory and that the request should instead go to the agencies that manage the land, such as DLNR, DOE, and DOT. The committee amended the measures to ask the AG to determine whether there are constitutional or other legal impediments to continued leasing or new leases, including whether nominal lease amounts violate law, and then passed both with amendments. Next, the committee took up STR 153 and SR 123, which request the County of Maui to complete the transfer of the Hoie roads, including Hoie Road F, to resolve jurisdictional ambiguities. The judiciary administrator testified in support, and the measures were passed, with the committee adopting the chair’s recommendation. Finally, the committee heard STR 179 and SR 149 on reviewing the Hawaii Revised Statutes for gender-neutral language. The LGBTQ+ Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women supported the effort, though the women’s commission asked for more time and a set date to dissolve the work group. The committee amended the resolutions to assign the review to the Legislative Reference Bureau, with consultation from the LGBTQ+ Commission, the Commission on the Status of Women, civil rights experts, and law-related organizations, and set interim and final reporting deadlines before passing the measures with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, HJR 1024 modifies the judicial nominating committee to remove the restrictions on the members
• Finally, the measure, if approved, applies to any position on the judicial nominating committee that
• the field and or already in the field to be actually on the commission when we're talking about nominating
• Got to remember that the six members nominated by the bar association have always been politically neutral
• So, how does this impact the perception of impartiality in judicial nominations?

Bills: HJR1024 , SB1316 , SB1491 , SB1552 , SB1679 , SB1877 , SB2040 , SB2133 , SB2153 , SB2174 , SB2180 , SB227 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SJR48

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: Judicial Nominating Commission, congressional districts, terms of office, Oklahoma Constitution, legal qualifications, political party restrictions, family ties, administrative rules, sunset provision, state agencies, regulatory review, legislative oversight, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, county home rule charter, home rule, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• item here reflects that the major parties that are eligible to participate in the presidential nomination
• Um we do have uh um the presidential nomination primary as many will recall was something that the parties
• nomination primary would would<00:03:39.200><c> be</c><00:03:39.360><c> build</c><00:03:39.599><c> in
• Um we do have uh um the presidential<00:04:34.880><c> nomination</c><00:04:35.440><c> primary</c><00:
• 04:36.080><c> as</c><00:04:36.479><c> many</c> presidential nomination primary as many presidential nomination

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• message having read is ordered journalized and the appointment will be referred to the executive nominations
• referred to the appointment will be referred to the executive<00:02:56.000><c> uh</c><00:02:56.160><c> nominations
• </c><00:02:58.480><c> This</c> executive uh nominations committee.
• This executive uh nominations committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nominated by the minority leader after consultation with the Speaker: Miss Cheryl Lynn Johnson of Maryland
• </c> Nominated<00:07:47.199><c> by</c><00:07:47.360><c> the</c><00:07:47.520><c> minority</c><00:07:48.000
• ><c> leader</c><00:07:48.400><c> after</c> Nominated by the minority leader after Nominated by the minority

Transcript Highlights:

• Weekenra Pugugh, you're recognized for an executive nomination. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• I'd like to remind you that although the governor made the nomination, it should not be considered for
• The vote will now occur on the nomination of James Burlson to serve on the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
• Ever seen 10 aye votes and zero nay votes are declared the nomination to have passed.
• And the nomination will proceed to the Senate. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB1590 , HB3075 , HB3548 , HB3661 , HB3986 , HB4273 , HB4346

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, youth entrepreneurship, tax exemption, small business, income tax, Oklahoma Youth Entrepreneurs Promotion and Development Act, HB3661, Oklahoma sales tax, sales tax exemption, revenue and taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen, I respectfully submit the following nominations for your advice and consent.
• There are 76 nominations listed herein.
• President, I move the consideration of the nominations here and before reported be made a special order
• The Junior Senator from the 17th moves that consideration of the nominations here and before reported
• Consideration of nominations here and before reported will be a special order of business today at 4

Transcript Highlights:

• So it sounds like it's more transactional. No. Yes, we give them money.
• Transactions, but they're also paying for those that are getting the free ride.
• Containing medication and you sell in the state of Texas, you've got to pay for your product transactions
• Whether it's a sale or a block sale, you've got to pay for that transaction.
• contract with Equifax, and I would be paying them on a monthly basis for all the boxes that are transacted

Bills: HB46 , HB35 , HB4490 , HB4454 , HB2188 , HB3078 , HB4743 , HB2556 , HB46 , HB5342 , HB4783 , HB3785 , HB5278 , HB1639 , HB2581 , HB4224 , HB4070 , HB4099 , HB4882 , HB3794

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much, and we have received many comments and emails concerning your nomination, and I'd
• I received many comments and emails concerning your nomination, and I'd like to ask a couple questions
• So I would highly commend his nomination to you and urge that you accept it. Thank you very much.
• So I would highly commend his nomination to you and urge that you accept it. Thank you very much.
• Of course, his appointment and nomination has become so toxic it's actually radioactive.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jared Lyman, Michael Cravens, Nathan Reese, and Richard Williams have been nominated to serve on the
• Jared Lyman, Michael Cravens, Nathan Reese, and Richard Williams have been nominated to serve on the
• Jared Lyman, Michael Cravens, Nathan Reese, and Richard Williams have been nominated to serve on the
• You've approved the nomination of Michael L.
• Caroline Radajack and Stephanie Tetsky have been nominated to serve on the board as members, and with

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there's a nomination made of each of those individuals, and that's voted on as such.
• I don't know if we've ever had a situation where others are nominated. No.
• And then, if there is a vacancy, it's been a name forwarded or suggested by the secretary for nomination
• And the chaplain is an elected officer, and that comes from a nomination from the majority leader. that's
• </c><00:20:42.200><c> from</c> and that comes from a nomination from and that comes from a nomination

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• And let me just address the nominal amount. You're a lawyer, you know, nominal amount.
• amount. you're a lawyer, you nominal amount. you're a lawyer, you know,<03:25:15.120><c> nominal</c>
• </c><03:25:16.000><c> It</c><03:25:16.640><c> nominal</c><03:25:17.120><c> amount</c> know, nominal amount
• It nominal amount know, nominal amount.
• If a obviously a nominal amount.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I see aorm Senator Wingard, you are recognized to present the nomination of Rebecka Hartfield to the
• has actually three different practices now across the state, and she is just back up for another nomination
• And let me say, if it wasn't for the senator carrying your nomination, it wouldn't be moving forward.
• Senator Murdock, you're now recognized to present the nomination of James Hrell to the Oklahoma State
• Jimmy, I'd remind you that if It was not for Senator Murdock, your nomination would not advance.

Bills: HB3239 , HB3391 , HB3557 , HB4128

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: veterinary medicine, definitions, animal husbandry, board of veterinary examiners, telemedicine, veterinarian-client relationship, animal welfare, commercial pet breeders, licensing, advertising, animal cruelty, Oklahoma Agricultural Extension, local funding, financial institutions, county extension services, state funds, wildlife conservation, hunting regulations, mountain lions, black bears

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, Senator Gall moves the nomination. Is there a second to the nomination?
• And by your action, the nomination is approved and will be forwarded to the full Senate.
• And by your action, the nomination is approved and we'll be forwarded to the Vol Senate.
• If not, is there a debate on the nomination? Senator Polsky. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And by our action, the nomination is approved and will be forwarded to the full Senate.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several executive appointments, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his long law-enforcement career, social work background, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, reclassifying juvenile detention and probation officers as officers under statute, adding beds to move youth from detention into residential programs, and increasing per diem funding. Members asked about detention “dead time” and the need to get adjudicated youth into programming sooner. Public testimony included support from Barney Bishop and Christian Minor, and the committee voted unanimously to approve Walsh’s nomination and forward it to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee for the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background as CEO of CDR Health, her education, and extensive nonprofit and board service, including leadership roles with the Florida Grand Opera, the Homeless Trust of Miami-Dade County, FAU, and the Hope Florida Foundation. Senators questioned her about free speech issues involving FAU faculty, her relationship with the new FAU president, student diversity, AI and workforce planning, and her prior role on Hope Florida. She also answered questions about her company’s work at the Everglades detention center and the bidding process for state contracts. Public testimony opposed her nomination, citing concerns about her business ties, Hope Florida, and detention-center contracts. Debate split largely along partisan lines, and the committee approved her nomination on a recorded vote. Afterward, the committee took up the remaining nominations in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, and approved them as a group by voice/recorded vote for forwarding to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, Senator Gaetz moves the nomination. Is there a second to the nomination?
• And by your action, the nomination is approved and will be forwarded to the full Senate.
• If not, is there a debate on the nomination? Senator Polsky. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• If not, is there a debate on the nomination? Senator Polsky. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• And by our action, the nomination is approved and will be forwarded to the full Senate.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider several gubernatorial appointees, beginning with Matthew Walsh, Secretary of Juvenile Justice, for confirmation. Walsh outlined his law enforcement background, social work training, and priorities at DJJ, including staff wellness, seeking statutory recognition and training standards for juvenile detention and probation officers, and increasing bed capacity so adjudicated youth can move from detention into residential programming sooner. Members asked about the impact of detention “dead time” and the need for more beds; Walsh said DJJ is evaluating ways to let youth begin programming earlier while in detention. Public support was noted, and the committee voted unanimously to confirm Walsh and forward his nomination to the full Senate. The committee then heard from Tina Vidal-Duarte, nominee to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. She described her business background, service on multiple boards, and prior service on FAU’s board pending confirmation, emphasizing governance, accountability, and strategic planning. Senators questioned her about FAU’s handling of faculty social media controversies, the university’s relationship with its new president, student and faculty engagement, AI planning, diversity, and her role on the Hope Florida board and with CDR Health’s state contracts, including work related to the Everglades detention center. Public testimony included strong opposition from one speaker who criticized her ties to state contracts and Hope Florida, while another senator spoke in support, citing her community service and business experience. The committee voted 5-2 to confirm her, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. Afterward, the committee considered the remaining nominees in Tabs 2 through 15, excluding Tab 10, en bloc. No separate votes were requested, and the committee approved the group of nominees by voice roll call to be forwarded to the full Senate. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be a nomination process and some sort of vetting process to make sure that they are only
• The nomination process is a little bit...
• The nomination process is a little bit not necessarily delineated at this point, so we'd have to do some
• background work on the best way to figure out how a potential member would even be nominated.

Bills: HB41

Committee: Senate Retirement

Keywords: Firefighters' Retirement System, FRS, retirement board, board of trustees, firefighter pension, public pension, retirement system governance, active members, service credit, Professional Fire Fighters Association, PFFA, Louisiana Fire Chiefs Association, fire chiefs, retirees, beneficiaries, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, board elections, vacancies, Louisiana retirement law