Video & Transcript : 'lying in state' :

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 05:55 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Seventy-five percent of the money put into the fund in contributions came from the state.
  • But in efforts to bring peace to the family, the state council firefighters have asked me to present
  • We will then be able to use some of that excess funding for other needs in our state in the future.
  • And we closed down the division in Europe and got some of the underperforming assets in the United States
  • The moral of this story... ...some of the underperforming assets in the United States up and going.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 01:25 pm

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, we already practice telemedicine in the state of Washington in veterinarians.
  • But it does advance progress in our clean energy transformation for everybody in our state, asking for
  • And it's been a challenge of how do we do that in a state where we are the Evergreen State.
  • clean energy here in Washington State.
  • clean energy here in Washington State.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 6th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The reality is a lot of our constituents in this state can't move on passenger ferries.
  • careers in maritime or futures in maritime that are so vital to our state while we're building new vessels
  • Washington State. ...the ferry system that we do offer here in Washington State.
  • And our ferry system really functions just like our highways and bridges in our state.
  • And so I stand in support of expanding ferry services in Washington State. Thank you.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Mar 5th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Last line: corporation or association as defined in RCW 84.34.250.
  • It's a pretty simple bill that we have in front of us.
  • As many as are in favor will signify by saying aye; opposed, no.
  • We probably won't see a big difference in the immediate future because there's 100 billion pennies in
  • We probably won't see a big difference in the immediate future because there's 100 billion pennies in
Summary: The Senate considered and passed several House bills. HB 2624, relating to consumer protections for unsolicited real estate transactions for public purposes, was amended with a striking amendment from the Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee and then passed 30-18, with Senator Dozier voting no and saying the bill still needed work. HB 2104, which makes permanent aviation assurance funding for wildfire response by removing a sunset clause, passed 47-0 with two excused after Senator Short urged support based on its wildfire-fighting value. The Senate also adopted an amendment to Substitute HB 2334, which addresses cash transactions and rounding to eliminate the need for pennies, adding language that customers with exact change must be able to pay exact change. The bill passed 45-2, with Senator Frame describing it as permissive guidance for businesses and Senator Dozier supporting it humorously; Senator Gainer voted no. HB 2436, concerning requirements for oil tankers operating in restricted waters and clarifying tugboat horsepower standards to match current practice, passed 46-1 after support from Senator Lovelett and Senator King. Finally, Engrossed HB 2575, reducing certain reporting obligations under environmental or energy laws, passed 47-0 with two excused. Senator Schumaker said it would save administrative costs for the Department of Commerce and utilities and free up money for low-income energy assistance. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Transportation Funding Mar 31st, 2025

S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • In fact, TxDOT bought back State Highway 288 last fall for this very reason.
  • Fortunately for us, we think in the state of Texas, the JOBS Act allocated $66 billion. in federal grant
  • In the state of Texas, in all parts of our state, there are about 200 managed lanes.
  • This bill will increase safety for all transportation users in this state.
  • Over $24 billion from all state highway revenue sources are spent on highways in our state.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 26th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • what states they're in.
  • So other states, but not in Texas.
  • what states they're in.
  • the United States are already in the state of Texas.
  • You're essentially done in the state.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 3/3/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • athletes in the entire NCAA across all 50 states.
  • athletes in the entire NCAA across all 50 states.
  • athletes in the entire NCAA across all 50 states.
  • </c> other state law to the contrary in other state law to the contrary in athletic<01:18:53.480><c>
  • </c><01:32:53.239><c> held</c> around the state in the country are held around the state in the country
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/13/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • We operate in seven states around the country, most of the programs in the state of Utah, which is a
  • underground storage sites on state lands in the state.
  • And then also in 2021, Storage sites on state lands in the state.
  • on state lands in the state.
  • And then also in 2021, storage sites on state lands in the state.
Summary: The committee heard introductions from members and staff, then took up several water and natural resources bills. House Bill 2024 would expand Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) authority to include snowpack augmentation and related planning and permitting costs. Supporters, including a cloud-seeding company, argued the technology can increase snowpack and water supply at relatively low cost, while opponents raised concerns about weather modification, chemicals such as silver iodide, uncertainty in the science, and potential environmental effects. After debate, the committee passed HB 2024 on a 6-4 vote, with some members explaining they wanted more research but were willing to advance it for further consideration. House Bill 2053 would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources to update stormwater recharge mapping statewide, including private land, and the committee adopted an amendment extending the timeline and revising language about recharge sites and surface-water conflicts. ADWR said it could do the mapping but noted legal concerns about determining appropriable surface water rights. SRP and the Sierra Club opposed parts of the bill, arguing the language could affect existing water rights or exclude nature-based recharge areas. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee then heard a presentation from WIFA director Chelsea McGuire on the agency’s revolving funds, conservation grants, and long-term augmentation efforts, including seven proposed augmentation projects and a request for no budget cuts. House Bill 2097, which would cap groundwater pumping in irrigation non-expansion areas at six acre-feet per acre and add related reporting, exemptions, and substitution provisions, drew support from the sponsor as a conservation measure but opposition from ADWR and environmental advocates who said the cap was too high or could encourage pumping; it passed 6-4. House Bill 2116, appropriating $1 million to the Colorado River Litigation Fund, passed 8-1 amid comments that it was a precaution in ongoing Colorado River negotiations. Finally, House Bill 2117, a cleanup bill shifting environmental special plate fund authority to the new conservation district board and updating distribution rules, was presented as a technical correction and education-fund update; the transcript ends before a final vote on that measure.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - House Ways & Means

House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • The increase we saw nationwide in corporate income tax in every state is also accounted for there in
  • Arizona, but in other states.
  • In the United States.
  • You said 700,000 in the state? Thank you.
  • We passed in record speed what she asked for: in the State of the State, which was no tax on tips, we
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2785, a major Arizona tax conformity measure that would align state law with the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 2026 and apply retroactively to tax year 2025. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would make Department of Revenue tax forms legal, provide certainty to taxpayers already filing under those forms, and deliver about $440 million in tax relief through provisions such as no tax on tips and overtime, a larger standard deduction, a $6,000 senior deduction, and changes to deductions and the SALT cap. Opponents argued the bill would significantly reduce state revenue, disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers, and should not move forward without a broader budget plan. After an amendment addressing retroactivity and foreign dividend language was adopted, the committee approved HB 2785 on a 5-4 vote. The committee then heard several Arizona State Retirement System technical cleanup bills. HB 2089, clarifying the health insurance premium benefit subsidy, passed 9-0. HB 2090, changing the disability timeframe for long-term disability benefits, passed 8-1. HB 2092, allowing certain employees over age 65 to waive ASRS participation within 30 days of eligibility, also passed 8-1. These measures were described by staff and the sponsor as simple corrections, with little opposition. Finally, the committee considered HB 2477, which conforms Arizona’s 529 education savings plan to federal law, expands allowable uses, and adds rules for 529-to-Roth IRA rollovers and ABLE transfers. Supporters called it a cleanup bill that would simplify administration for families, while some members raised concerns about the Roth rollover and possible use of funds transferred from ESA accounts. The bill passed 5-3 with one member voting present. The committee then adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Committee Apr 6th, 2026

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Christopher Roya with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, in support. Good afternoon.
  • Instead, it creates a central coordinating hub so state departments can operate in alignment.
  • At the same time, the relationship between the federal and state governments is shifting in ways that
  • Testifying in support today, I have Aaron Carruthers, the Executive Director of the State Council on
  • As you mentioned, we do have a significantly aging population here in this state.
Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard several bills focused on developmental disabilities, food security, veterans, aging services, child care, and elder abuse reporting. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make remote services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities a permanent option; supporters said virtual programming improves access, continuity, and choice, and there was no opposition. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, and develop a 24-hour hotline; committee members raised questions about duplication, metrics, and oversight, but the bill advanced after discussion. SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with disabilities are not left without support if a family member becomes unavailable; supporters described immigration enforcement, illness, and family separation as reasons for the bill, and members discussed administrative burden and renewal procedures before the bill passed. SB 1077 by Senator Gonzalez would require CDSS to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency food assistance mechanism; members discussed how it would work with existing CalFresh administration, and the bill passed. SB 1201 by Senator McNerney would seek federal waivers to protect vulnerable veterans from new SNAP work requirements and require referrals to county veterans service officers; supporters said the federal cuts would harm homeless, newly discharged, and disabled veterans, and the bill passed. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource centers continue operating through partner transitions so services would not be interrupted; supporters emphasized continuity of care and the bill passed. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would revise child care subsidy funding and stabilization rules for alternative payment programs and community providers; supporters said the current reimbursement structure is outdated, and the bill passed after the author said a budget-related provision would be removed. The committee also later voted SB 969, SB 1052, SB 1077, SB 1201, SB 1261, and SB 1110 out of committee, with the bills kept on call for absent members, and began hearing SB 991 on elder abuse reporting, where supporters argued that licensing records should distinguish abuse from lesser resident-rights violations so families and policymakers can better understand facility conduct.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
  • More than 22 states have laws in place to make rental housing fees transparent, and many states have
  • deposit, all 50 states have codified language stating the time frame in which a tenant security deposit
  • Apologies if I miss this, but in your survey of other states, did you look at how other states handle
  • Depending on the state, some of the—like in Iowa, at least— Depending on the state, some of the—like
  • already own, operate, and manage properties in at least a handful of those 13 states.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 11th, 2026 at 09:05 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • is in the State Audit Act already.
  • And then in terms of other state funds, we're looking at $11 million in other state funds for recurring
  • , and $53 million in other state funds in non-recurring.
  • And then in terms of other state funds, we're looking at $11 million in other state funds for recurring
  • , and $53 million in other state funds in non-recurring.
Bills: SB152 , SB145 , SB190 , HB247 , SB152 , SB145 , HB2 , SB190 , HB247
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Human Services Committee Apr 6th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Christopher Roya with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities in support. Good afternoon.
  • "Instead, it creates a central coordinating hub so state departments can operate in alignment.
  • in a state as resource-rich as ours, should have to wonder where their next meal will come from.
  • At the same time, the relationship between the federal and state governments is shifting in ways that
  • Testifying in support today, I have Aaron Carruthers, the executive director of the State Council on
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on disability services, food security, veterans, aging services, and child care. SB 969 by Senator Reyes would make permanent the option for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive certain regional center services remotely; supporters said remote services improve access, continuity, safety, and choice, and there was no opposition. The committee initially lacked a quorum, so action on the bill was delayed until later in the hearing, when it was moved on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate state food programs, improve CalFresh enrollment, reduce duplication, and support a 24-hour hunger hotline; supporters framed it as a coordination and strategic-planning measure, while some members questioned whether existing programs should be evaluated first and whether the bill needed stronger reporting and accountability. It passed 3-0 to Governmental Organization. The committee also heard SB 1052 by Senator Gonzalez, which would allow the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to appoint contingent authorized representatives so people with developmental disabilities are not left without support if a parent or other primary helper becomes unavailable. Supporters, including families and disability advocates, described emergencies, immigration enforcement fears, and service interruptions as reasons for the bill; members asked about the current approval and renewal process and whether the annual renewal requirement could be streamlined. The bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1077, also by Senator Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to prepare for future federal shutdowns by creating a communications and contingency plan for CalFresh disruptions and a state-backed emergency benefits mechanism; supporters cited the 43-day federal shutdown and delays in benefits, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Other measures discussed included SB 1201 by Senator McNerney, the No Hungry Heroes Act, which would seek waivers and direct referrals to protect veterans from federal SNAP changes and job-search-related income calculations; it passed 3-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would let aging and disability resource connections continue operating during partner transitions so people do not lose access to “no wrong door” services; it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. SB 1110 by Senator Becker would update child care subsidy funding and reimbursement structures to better reflect direct family services and stabilize providers; the author said a provision tied to the budget would be removed, and the bill passed 4-0 to Education. Finally, SB 991 by Senator Menjivar was presented to improve how abuse and neglect findings in residential care facilities for the elderly are categorized in the licensing database, so serious abuse is not lumped together with lesser violations; testimony described examples of sexual assault and restraint being recorded as generic residents’ rights violations.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/04/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's already been done in California. It's already been done in many, many states.
  • And this has been being done for many decades in many other states.
  • And this is a good idea, tried and done in other states. And so I'm so glad to see you.
  • You know, I've worked in almost every rural facility as an RN in the operating room in the state of Arizona
  • Police are required to wear body cameras in most states.
Bills: HB2049 , HB2178 , HB2179 , HB2307 , HB2322
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Not sure if y'all know a lot about it, but it was a nuisance to the state of Texas.
  • There is going to be a law on the books in September stating that you cannot tamper with it.
  • This resolution is rooted in a simple but profound truth: God keeps His promise.
  • Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
  • in military capability and aerospace technology.
Bills: HCR10 , HCR9
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 13th, 2026 at 08:39 am

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • United States in education.
  • The sponsor said the state believes in democracy and in federal rules and norms, and that the administration
  • There are currently Marines in Venezuela that are guarding the embassy, the United States Embassy in
  • add chief of mission of the United States Embassy in Venezuela.
  • in the courts because he was poisoning and killing people in the United States with the drugs that they
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 20th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Coach Whittington led Holy Savior Menard to its first-ever appearance in the state finals and a state
  • Led Holy Savior Menard to its first-ever appearance in the state finals and a state runner-up finish
  • It's recognized as the oldest fair in the state and is built to promote agriculture, state involvement
  • It's recognized as the oldest fair in the state and is built to promote agriculture, state involvement
  • Something amazing happened in this state, and it stays with us.
Bills: HR308 , HR309 , HR310 , HR311 , HR312 , HR313 , HR314 , HR315 , HR316 , HR317 , HR318 , HR319 , HR295 , HR296 , HR297 , HR298 , HR299 , HR300 , HR301 , HR302 , HR303 , HR304 , HR305 , HR306 , HR307 , HCR115 , HCR116 , HCR117 , SCR71 , SCR72 , SCR73 , HR73 , HR118 , HR144 , HR196 , HR237 , HR249 , HR260 , HR267 , HR272 , HR273 , HR276 , HR278 , HCR85 , HCR100 , HCR105 , HCR107 , HCR113 , HCR114 , SCR5 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SCR37 , SCR63 , HB255 , HB378 , HB509 , HB1090 , SB80 , SB131 , SB143 , SB251 , SB254 , SB279 , SB367 , SB384 , SB388 , SB389 , SB398 , SB408 , SB431 , SB468 , SB469 , SB496 , SB25 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB295 , SB433 , HR179 , HR223 , HR225 , HR274 , HCR89 , HR252 , HR253 , HCR96 , HCR103 , HCR108 , HCR26 , HB250 , HB265 , HB339 , HB427 , HB445 , HB463 , HB468 , HB606 , HB639 , HB649 , HB665 , HB746 , HB781 , HB853 , HB861 , HB872 , HB886 , HB916 , HB937 , HB1054 , HB1068 , HB1117 , HB1237 , HB74 , HB108 , HB956 , HB1085 , HB1137 , HB62 , HB193 , HB210 , HB220 , HB246 , HB364 , HB420 , HB475 , HB584 , HB622 , HB772 , HB784 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1092 , HB1134 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1199 , SB268 , SB283 , HB782 , SB149 , HR84 , HB646 , HB998 , SB56 , SB163 , SB197 , SB97 , SB326 , SB341 , SB518 , SB123 , SB353 , SB479 , SB495 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HR168 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB302 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB217 , SB274 , SB300 , SB379 , SB382 , SB441 , SB449
Summary: The House convened with prayer, pledge, and a quorum, then spent much of the day on recognitions and commemorative resolutions. Members honored coach Jeffrey Craig Whittington, tourism and the Louisiana Oil Makers Association, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Tangipahoa Parish Fair, Washington Parish festivals, ACOG’s 75th anniversary, Louisiana Tech women’s basketball, and Memorial Day. A major Memorial Day presentation commended Lane Frenchy Boudreau for helping recover the body of Army Sgt. First Class James H. Moore in Vietnam; the House observed a moment of silence and presented a flag to Moore’s family. The chamber also received Senate messages, enrolled bills, and committee reports, and introduced several new resolutions on topics including Pope Leo XIV, orphan wells, scenic rivers, Teche water quality, and the LaMelle family’s pilgrimage to Rome. The House then took up numerous resolutions and bills, often adopting them without objection. Among the measures adopted or advanced were studies on neighborhood crime prevention districts, parish solid waste and disaster resiliency in Washington Parish, the Louisiana Climate Action Plan, the Louisiana Maneuvers museum/trail, cash-rounding practices after penny production ends, residential construction costs and inspection practices, roundabout education, Taiwan relations, TSA worker loan assistance in Shreveport, human growth and development standards, and the state income tax credit for water utility customers. The chamber also adopted or concurred in several Senate amendments on bills dealing with financial disclosure, video voyeurism, personal information protections, online child safety, STEM advisory council changes, dual enrollment tuition, fleet vehicle registration, menhaden fishing rules, recording fees, amusement ride insurance, drone footage authentication, garbage and trash contracts, insurance prescription periods, retirement system changes, juror qualifications, fireworks, inspection stickers, employment discrimination, and inactive boards and commissions. Several measures drew discussion or division. H.B. 1199, requiring coverage for genetic testing and treatment for SCN2A-associated disorders, passed 94-0 after being discharged from Appropriations. H.B. 302, which would prohibit vape sales within 300 feet of schools, passed 86-4. H.B. 84, encouraging an interest-free loan program for TSA workers at Shreveport Regional Airport, passed 64-27. H.B. 1054 on self-authentication of law enforcement drone footage passed 78-12, and H.B. 1137 limiting employment discrimination protections to state employees passed 71-23. The House rejected Senate amendments on H.B. 468 (residential real property wholesaling), H.B. 1117 (insurance contractual payments and prescriptive periods), H.B. 956 (fireworks dates), and H.B. 74 (Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism), while concurring in or adopting amendments on many other bills. The session ended amid continued consideration of Senate Bill 56 on the West Bank/Lafitte levee governance structure, including an adopted amendment to ensure Lafitte-area representation on the board, with extended remarks about the history and accomplishments of the existing levee authority.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/14/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The fact that we had a child that was raised in the State of New York, that wanted to commit mass murder
  • office campus in New York State.
  • OFFICE CAMPUS IN NEW YORK STATE.
  • We need to build a clean energy economy here in the State of New York, first because we need to protect
  • WE NEED TO BUILD A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approved the prior journal, and processed several messages from the Assembly, including motions to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills for Assembly bills on the calendars. The chamber also reconsidered and restored Senate Print 1788, an act amending the Real Property Tax Law, to the third reading calendar. The Rules Committee reported Senate Print 10324, the state budget appropriations bill, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the message of necessity and laid the bill aside before taking it up on the controversial calendar as a budget extender. A lengthy debate followed on the budget extender, with Senator O’Mara and others criticizing the continued delay in finalizing the state budget, the lack of public details, and the absence of a schedule for joint budget committee meetings. Senator Serrano responded that the extender was necessary to keep state government operating while final budget negotiations continued, but could not provide specifics on policy items such as Tier 6 pension changes, New York City aid, local government support, or school aid. The extender was ultimately passed 56-2, with Senators Rhoads and Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted several previously adopted resolutions, including a memorial resolution for former Congressman Eliot Engel and a resolution marking the fourth anniversary of the Tops Friendly Markets mass shooting in Buffalo. The Buffalo resolution prompted extensive remarks from multiple senators about racism, gun violence, community trauma, and the need for policy responses; it was adopted with broad support. The chamber also passed a series of bills on the third reading calendar covering highway, municipal, environmental, banking, veterans, education, public health, and public service matters, with most passing overwhelmingly and a few drawing minority opposition. Notable floor debate occurred on a study bill regarding battery energy storage systems, where senators raised concerns about fire safety and siting; the bill passed 45-13. The Senate adjourned to reconvene on Monday, May 18 at 11:00 a.m.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 14th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • state of Texas to be shot and murdered in her school.
  • in the state of Texas.
  • And unsurprisingly, gun violence in this state has increased; gun homicides have increased 60% in the
  • This is in the wake of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruin.
  • In our state, in just the past five years, a thousand Texans have been murdered, primarily women, primarily
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Although I will tell you in several states, they do allow that.
  • I think we are one of maybe two states in the nation that do not have this provision in place.
  • Let's say we have someone who currently is a resident here in the United States.
  • Are there any other qui tam actions in state law right now?
  • I'm not aware whether it is otherwise used in state law.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills covering property, criminal justice, public safety, courts, insurance, housing, and family law. Early measures included HB 4343, which would let district courts set appraiser fees in condemnation cases at levels more comparable to private appraisers, and HB 4125, restoring firearm rights to certain nonviolent felons after meeting requirements. The committee also approved HB 4126 on liability protections for dirt bike tracks, HB 3471 expanding information protections for ongoing investigations by OBN, ABLE, and the Corporation Commission, and HB 3407 clarifying the process for abandoned manufactured homes on private property. Several bills were advanced on recorded votes, generally with strong support, including HB 2933, an omnibus insurance consumer protection bill, and HB 3453, which shifts the burden of proof in eminent domain cases to the condemning authority after amendment. A major point of debate was HB 3094, which would allow SDA license holders to carry firearms in the Capitol. Representative Jenkins argued the bill would align Oklahoma with other states and protect constituents who must leave firearms in vehicles; Department of Public Safety Director Tipton opposed it, citing safety, threat-assessment, and manpower concerns. Committee members questioned the bill’s practical effects, including screening, tracking, and whether the Capitol is truly a gun-free zone. The motion to advance HB 3094 failed on a 4-5 vote. The committee also rejected HB 3727, which would impose a four-year waiting period before former legislators could register as lobbyists, after members raised constitutional and free-speech concerns and the sponsor defended it as a revolving-door restriction. Other notable measures included HB 3845, restoring a driver’s license revocation tool for chronic child-support delinquency; HB 1453, barring foreign entities and individuals tied to designated countries from owning Oklahoma real property or agricultural land and requiring divestment; HB 387, extending garnishment timelines to 30 days; HB 2941, creating overdose reporting and fentanyl-related death presumptions; HB 2959, tightening mandatory child-abuse reporting from schools to law enforcement; and HB 2945, creating a civil qui tam action against trafficking in abortion-inducing drugs, which drew extensive questions about standing, privacy, enforcement, and intent but ultimately failed 3-5. The committee also advanced bills on child custody interview standards, workplace violence protective orders, utility debt collection through tax refunds, eviction mediation to stabilize housing for children, AI chatbot protections for children, supported decision-making for adults with disabilities, commercial receiverships, charitable reporting protections, notice publication errors for municipalities, uniform wage garnishment procedures, and ending cost arrest warrants for unpaid court fines and fees. Most bills were reported out by recorded vote, often with sponsors noting they would continue working on language with stakeholders.