Transcript Highlights:

• For this hearing, registration has closed, but again, everyone is welcome today, regardless of whether
• It's important to remember that when you are called on to testify, you should mute or close your live
• It came through southwest Fort Worth and ended up in Arlington, close to UTA.
• I closely watch the...
• I live in Bastrop currently, kind of close to Columbus and Rosenberg.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought a few years ago they were getting close to being able to to test without killing.
• As the constitutional bond issuance cap is close to being reached.
• And then funds delivered closings from $499 million to $1.5 billion.
• I've heard estimates close to $80 billion for our state. infrastructure needs.
• Okay, we'll close public testimony members. I can click our business for the day.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Close your ears. Unbelievable. Oh, thank you, Madam Chair.
• And I have not seen an ocean very close to where I live.
• And I have not seen an ocean very close to where I live.
• </c> Please close the machine. Please close the machine.
• </c> secondary contract to your primary secondary contract to your primary contract. contract. contract

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• session, Abundant Housing Massachusetts strongly supports the legalization of tiny homes as both primary
• I'm a close friend of Jerry Halberstadt, and I would guess that it's going on 12 years now that I have

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on a wide range of housing bills focused on manufactured housing, condominiums, public housing, tiny homes, and protections for elderly and disabled residents. Chairs Haggerty and Cyr opened by emphasizing the importance of these housing types and the need to hear from many speakers. Testimony on manufactured housing was especially extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of bills such as H. 1475, S. 990, and H. 1513 argued that out-of-state corporate owners are buying communities, raising rents and fees, reducing services, and exploiting legal gray areas. Residents and lawmakers from affected communities like Taunton, Middleborough, Attleboro, and Oak Point described steep rent disparities, fear of displacement, and the need for stronger protections, while Representative Hawkins urged an omnibus approach and said the bill would create a local board to ensure compliance with existing law. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Association and Hometown America’s counsel, argued that current law already provides protections, that the bills would create uncertainty or unfairly restrict owners, and that H. 1475 was intended to clarify the post-Blake legal landscape. The committee also heard testimony on condominium reform through S. 980, with owners describing lack of transparency, surprise assessments, and limited accountability, and urging updates to Chapter 183A and more owner rights. Public housing bills also drew support from housing authority advocates. MassNAHRO backed S. 955, H. 1517, H. 1512, H. 1550, and H. 1551, saying housing authorities need more flexibility to preserve and expand affordable housing. Witnesses supported tax relief for replacement public housing units and streamlined procurement rules, arguing these changes would help projects move faster and make better use of capital funds. Committee members asked questions about PILOT agreements, tax treatment of new developments, and whether state and federal public housing would be treated similarly. The committee also heard from Senator Lovely and advocates for S. 1007/H. 1525, which would prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in housing. Supporters described the bills as a long-needed response to harassment in senior and public housing, calling for building-level plans, staff training, and AG oversight; Jerry Halberstadt said the measure should be strengthened with enforcement and tenant advocacy support. Pamela and other witnesses described severe personal impacts from bullying and management retaliation. Another major topic was S. 1474/H. 1474 on movable tiny houses as permanent dwellings and accessory dwelling units. Supporters, including Representative DeCoste, Vera Struck, Kaylee DeCrease, and Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said tiny homes are a safe, affordable, sustainable option for seniors, workers, and others facing the housing shortage, and urged the committee to legalize them and align state rules with emerging standards. They also discussed tax classification and the need for a clear building code and DMV category. Finally, H. 1476 on pet-friendly elderly housing drew support from animal welfare groups, who said the bill would restore and modernize a prior pet program, expand access across state-aided housing, limit pet deposits, and reduce pet surrender caused by housing barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Transit ridership is closely tied to population trends, economic activity, and community development.
• disabilities, residents who choose transit for convenience, and residents who rely on transit as their primary

Summary: The committee met as a study subcommittee on fixed-route public transportation and first approved the December 11 minutes. It then heard detailed presentations from transit leaders in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, and Fargo about their systems, including route structures, paratransit service, ridership trends, fare changes, funding sources, fleet replacement needs, and operational challenges. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s 17 routes, university shuttle service, expanded paratransit coverage, a 2025 fare increase, and rising costs for labor, fuel, parts, and new buses. Bismarck/Mandan’s Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions approved for April 1, fare structure, ridership recovery since COVID, and major funding streams including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue. Fargo’s MATBUS representative emphasized the importance of continued state support for urban fixed-route transit. Members asked extensive questions about cost per ride, fare increases, school transportation, veteran service partnerships, app-based ticketing, local funding formulas, and whether ride-share or microtransit could replace fixed routes. Transit officials said fixed-route service remains essential because it provides reliable capacity, supports jobs and access to services, and preserves federal funding tied to public transit operations. They also said paratransit is costly but necessary for riders with disabilities, and that vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Minot’s transit superintendent added context on the state’s existing transit aid formula, explaining that it is weighted more toward rural and paratransit providers and that urban fixed-route systems are seeking a separate, dedicated funding source rather than changes to the current formula. The committee also heard public testimony from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy supporting both fixed-route and paratransit service for disabled riders, and from Minot staff on refurbished buses, CDL driver recruitment, and why the agency is not pursuing full electric buses. Near the end, members discussed whether to recommend additional state funding for the four urban fixed-route systems. A motion passed to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of the subcommittee’s activities for inclusion in the Government Finance Committee’s report to Legislative Management. Members then continued discussing possible recommendations, including a separate funding source for urban fixed-route transit and whether the four urban systems should meet to develop a proposed amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would recommend that you notify them that you're getting real close to the date where none of your
• Then when you get close to the town, there's another 45.
• You had a business close or property or what? No, we had a death. Our police chief died.
• Subsequent to the issuance of the prior report, the district closed this fund and sold 46 trailers to
• And the judge, and of course, Judge Hyde sadly lost his primary.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would recommend that you notify them that you're getting real close to the date where none of your
• Then when you get close to the town, there's another 45.
• You had a business close or property or what? No, we had a death.
• Subsequent to the issuance of the prior report, the district closed this fund and sold 46 trailers to
• And Judge Hyde sadly lost his primary, so there will be a new person representing Pulaski County in 2027

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, while not on this slide, I will close with 3.2.1, statewide funding for community wildfire mitigation
• And now with that, I'll turn it back to Tom to close us out.
• So in closing, I'd like to reiterate that CPUC is grateful for the opportunity to share our perspective
• Energy Safety's primary mechanism for doing so is the wildfire mitigation plan.
• In closing, we ask this committee and the Legislature to ask this very question: What really warrants

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the primary function of Senate Bill 153 is to address some of the fraudulent activities involving
• This bill closes the current gaps in the consumer protection code.
• This<00:03:05.040><c> bill</c><00:03:05.440><c> closes</c><00:03:05.840><c> the</c><00:03:06.080><c>
• current</c><00:03:06.319><c> gaps</c><00:03:06.879><c> in</c><00:03:07.120><c> the</c> This bill closes
• the current gaps in the This bill closes the current gaps in the consumer<00:03:07.840><c> protection

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:29 Discussion SB 153 01:25 Vote SB 153 10:35 Discussion SB 118 11:36 Vote SB 118 12:48 Discussion HB 380 13:40 Vote HB 380 40:12, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're close to having 400 school districts participating in that, which allows them to purchase food
• We also have about 740 schools and almost 200 producers participating in a closely related program called
• So we work closely with the county...
• remember, the Workforce Commission was created by the legislature so that there was one single place, primary
• immediately bring the most relevant jobs into their profile so that they can see what is available close

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><01:12:04.440><c> are</c> A shortage of challenges that they are facing, but the MSA works very closely
• extensively with six legislative work groups or task forces since 2008, identifying capacity as the primary
• that</c> They do and will continue to affect the safety of our community members, and I'd like to close
• Approximately 15 agencies have closed down over the past three years simply because they could not find
• We recognize that there's facilities around the state that are currently closed that seem like it would

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held its first meeting of the session, opened with a quorum present, and reviewed basic decorum expectations and committee procedures. Members and staff introduced themselves and described their districts and backgrounds. The chair said the committee would focus on protecting victims and preventing crime, and that the first presenters would be law enforcement groups as subject-matter experts. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association testified first, warning of serious recruitment, retention, and retirement pressures in law enforcement. The group cited survey data showing most members would not recommend the profession to family, rising assaults on officers, a shortage of roughly 1,000 officers statewide, and more than 2,000 officers nearing retirement eligibility. They also urged continued funding for POST Board training reimbursements and described broader concerns about anti-police rhetoric and public policy. The presentation was interrupted by a disruptive outburst in the room, after which the committee returned to order. The Minnesota Sheriffs Association then outlined its 2025 priorities: expanding mental health treatment beds and revisiting the 48-hour law, making the Fandino-Castile training fund permanent, updating drone/UAV statutes for missing-person searches, training, and evidence preservation, requiring permit-to-carry holders to report name changes, expanding BCA authority for sexual assault investigations on state-owned military facilities, replacing aging public safety radios in the ARMER system, and strengthening employer background-check response requirements. Members asked questions about mental health capacity, UAV uses, and officer assaults; witnesses said the state needs more beds, staff, and support for both short-term crisis stabilization and longer-term treatment. The Minnesota Police Chiefs Association closed by echoing concerns about recruitment and retention, supporting the $6 million POST training reimbursement fund, and calling for tougher penalties for fleeing police, auto theft, and violent crime. No votes or formal actions were taken."}】【。assistant to=final 天天中彩票大奖json 天天中彩票追号json ఇలా to=final 彩神争霸快三 to=final 手机天天彩票 ்ந்து result 彩票平台招商 ્યો क्ता ંડ {

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very close to 2028, mind you. We understand the urgency on this.
• We're very close to 2028, mind you. We understand the urgency on this.
• But those are the three primary actors: the government, Hawaiian Telcom. resolution is brought to resolution
• But those are the three primary actors: the government, Hawaiian Telcom. Thank you.
• In fact, I worked with Senator McKelvey in drafting this, and we modeled this very carefully and closely

Bills: SB2960 , SB2347 , SB2272 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2271 , SB2804 , SB2175 , SB2487

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: homeowners insurance, disaster recovery, replacement cost value, state of emergency, policyholder rights, insurance extensions, tenant rights, landlord obligations, housing crisis, eviction prevention, multilingual access, SB2272, Act 105, home health licensing, home health agency, home health services, Department of Health, DOH, CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we work in close partnership with Grand Farm.
• As you can see the number right now, there's close to 4,400 data centers nationwide. wide. close to 4,400
• They use this closed-loop cooling method.
• I was curious about the closed-loop cooling system.
• I know that for the data center itself, there's a closed-loop system.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:47.199><c> enough</c> in and most of them are close enough in and most of them are close enough
• So with that, we'll close the work Okay.
• I'll close that, and I think we're done with the meeting unless there's any further...
• And with that, I'll close the meeting. concert weekend in New York.
• </c> that, I'll close the meeting. that, I'll close the meeting. All<00:50:17.920><c> right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on SB 145, which would require sexual assault evidence kits to be delivered to the state forensic lab within seven business days and analyzed more promptly. Pamela Kyle of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence said the bill was developed after survivor concerns and extensive discussions with the Departments of Safety and Justice. She explained that most agencies already deliver kits quickly, but some kits sit for months, and the bill is intended to add structure without penalties while preserving chain of custody. Members discussed the use of common carriers or courier services for transport, the need for clear rules, and whether carriers would know what they were transporting. Representative Papovich offered amendment 2025-2301H to remove the reimbursement program for police shipping costs, arguing it would add administrative overhead and was unnecessary. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, and the committee then voted OTPA on SB 145 as amended, with members voting yes on the roll call. The committee then opened a work session on SB 295, and the sponsor presented a replace-all amendment intended to simplify and clarify the Education Freedom Account bill without changing its purpose. The amendment would remove income-cap language, define priority enrollment groups, establish an enrollment cap for the EFA program, and create rolling enrollment rules. It would set a 10,000-student cap for the 2025-2026 school year, allow the cap to increase by 25% if enrollment exceeds 90% of the prior cap, and ensure current participants can remain enrolled. The amendment also provides that certain sections would later be repealed once the Department of Education certifies that applications have not exceeded the cap for two consecutive school years. The sponsor walked through the amendment section by section, explaining that the bill is structured in two phases: one while caps exist and another after they are no longer needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I argued for it in closing.
• I think that's close, but I can— I think I've got it, and I can provide it.
• So let me ask this question in closing.
• In almost any closing argument, the state violates this.
• Invited testimony is closed.

Bills: HB4806

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair is preparing to close. The chair is preparing to close. Close the roll.
• Chair is preparing to close. Close the roll.
• Chair is preparing to close. Yeah. Chair is preparing to close. Close the roll.
• preparing to close. Close the roll.
• Chair is preparing to close. Chair is preparing to close. Close the roll.

Bills: SB65 , SB248 , SB330 , SB378 , SB844 , SB1330 , SB1410 , SB1475 , SB1476 , SB1565 , SB1618 , SB1623 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB2084 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB2174 , SB1775 , SB1873 , SB1204 , SB1884 , SB1916 , SB1937 , SB1447 , SB1500 , SB2007 , SB2074 , SB1944 , SB2018 , SB1984 , SB2026 , SB2045 , SB2049 , SB2062 , SB2112 , SB2118 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2135 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1195

Keywords: SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid

Summary: The Senate first considered Senate Bill 1623, a measure updating the state charter for state-regulated credit unions to make them more competitive with federal credit unions. Two amendments were adopted: one changing certain board authority language from “shall” to “may,” and another restoring the title. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of negotiation with bankers and credit unions and would not affect national banks; after questions about membership expansion and census-tract service areas, the bill passed 44-0. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would send to voters a constitutional amendment lowering annual caps on assessed-value growth for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 1%, and for other property from 5% to 3%. Proponents argued it would slow property-tax growth, help seniors and fixed-income homeowners stay in their homes, and not reduce government revenue but only slow future growth; opponents warned it would reduce local revenue growth for schools, counties, infrastructure, and bonding capacity, and would disproportionately benefit higher-value property owners. The resolution passed 38-8, and the special-election referral also passed 38-8. Senate Joint Resolution 47, which would place current voter ID requirements into the Constitution, also advanced and passed 39-8, with the special-election provision passing by the same margin. Supporters said it simply constitutionalized existing law requiring proof of identity and would preserve election security; critics said Oklahoma already has voter ID rules, the measure was unnecessary, and the language could create uncertainty for absentee voters and future changes. Debate also touched on provisional ballots, military and overseas voting, and whether the measure would make future adjustments harder. Later, Senate Bill 2084 passed 35-7 and as an emergency measure. The bill limits wrongful-termination settlements for faculty members at higher education institutions to two times annual salary, including pay and accrued benefits. Supporters said it would provide certainty for universities and regents; questions focused on tenure, free-speech claims, and how the cap would interact with existing tort limits. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1655 unanimously to allow Oklahoma Complete Health’s Children’s Specialty Program to contact adoptive parents and offer continued voluntary services for post-adoption children, and Senate Bill 1679 was introduced as the “Preserving Oklahoma Values Act,” aimed at codifying adherence to the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions and rejecting foreign law, with debate beginning over its enforcement and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• or assisting with a criminal investigation, except at the request of a law enforcement agency with primary

Summary: The committee took executive action on a series of bills, beginning with Engrossed House Bill 2445 on heir finder services and probate. Members adopted Striking Amendment Alpha, which added definitions and guardrails for heir finder agreements, including written filing and court oversight requirements, and then advanced the bill as amended to the Rules Committee. A second proposed striker, Bravo, was rendered out of order after Alpha was adopted. On Engrossed House Bill 1574 concerning access to life-saving care and substance use services, the committee considered several competing amendments. Amendment Charlie was rejected, while Amendment Delta was adopted to narrow protections and add public health and syringe service program provisions. Amendment Echo, which would have limited distribution of drug testing equipment to health care facilities and excluded syringe and smoking equipment, was rejected. Amendment Foxtrot, dealing with fentanyl endangerment and parenting sentencing alternatives, was withdrawn after discussion and then incorporated into a new striking amendment; the bill as amended was sent to the Rules Committee. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on Second Substitute House Bill 2333, expanding protections for elected officials and prosecutors, including security provisions, address confidentiality, residential address redaction, and limited criminal history information sharing, and sent it to Ways and Means. The committee next acted on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care market standards, adopting Amendment Hotel to exempt state-owned or state-operated entities and public hospital districts from filing fees, rejecting Amendment India on fee calculations and refunds, and then sending the bill as amended to Ways and Means. On Engrossed House Bill 2156 regarding Attorney General investigators, the committee rejected several amendments that would have limited criminal investigations, required additional certification, redirected recovered funds, or narrowed the definition of economic and financial crimes, then advanced the bill as amended to the Rules Committee. It also adopted striking amendments on Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a court unification task force and Substitute House Bill 2203 creating reckless interference with emergency operations, sending both bills onward. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2508 on the Office of Independent Investigations and Substitute House Bill 2248 on corporate filings were advanced without amendments, and the committee removed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways from the day’s exec list. The meeting ended with final votes, committee recommendations, and adjournment, marking the last Law and Justice Committee meeting of the 2026 session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The primary concerns of the majority of commenters focused on ensuring that the revised wastewater rules

Summary: The committee met to review several Idaho Department of Environmental Quality rule dockets. It first considered docket 58-0102-2501 on water quality standards, which DEQ described as an administrative cleanup to align state rules with EPA disapprovals of prior temperature and arsenic-related provisions. Members asked why EPA rejected parts of the earlier rule, and DEQ explained that EPA wanted stricter temperature criteria rather than the variability language Idaho had proposed. The committee voted to approve the docket. The committee then heard docket 58-0106-2501 on wastewater rules. DEQ said the rulemaking was part of zero-based regulation and aimed to streamline, clarify, and reduce burden, including updates to gray water, material modification, wastewater system definitions, and sludge disposal/use plans. Aquaculture commenters raised concerns that municipal wastewater standards might be applied to fish production facilities, and DEQ responded by adding clarifying language and references specific to aquaculture. A separate testimony issue arose from a participant who could not be heard on the webinar, and the committee voted to hold the docket at the call of the chair for reconsideration at a later meeting. The committee next approved docket 58-0105-2501, DEQ’s annual hazardous waste incorporation by reference, which updates federal hazardous waste regulations through July 1, 2025 and adds Part 271 for state program authorization. DEQ said no comments were received and that the change helps maintain state primacy and avoid conflicting state and federal requirements. It also approved docket 58-0106-2501 on solid waste management rules, another zero-based regulation cleanup that removed duplicative language, updated definitions and applicability sections, and deleted a violations section already covered in statute; members discussed how strikeouts indicate moved versus deleted language and how definitions should be cross-referenced to Idaho Code. Finally, the committee approved docket 58-0101-2501 on air quality rules, an annual incorporation by reference of federal air regulations through July 1, 2025. DEQ highlighted EPA actions affecting Idaho, including updates to SIP-related provisions, sulfur dioxide standards, modeling guidance, NSPS/NESHAP changes, and a Congressional Review Act disapproval affecting certain hazardous air pollutant sources. Members asked where to access the federal regulations, and DEQ said they are available online through the CFR and linked references in the rule materials. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now he looks like a governor desperate to shore up his base before he's primaried in 2028.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability on the second day of the 60-day legislative session, reacting to Governor Ferguson’s State of the State address and outlining their priorities. They said the top issue is affordability, and argued the governor and Democratic majority are responding with more taxes, regulation, and government spending rather than restraint. They criticized the prospect of a state income tax, calling it unconstitutional, politically unpopular, and likely to expand beyond high earners over time. They also said the state should avoid raiding the rainy day fund and instead look for savings through tighter budget management, reduced middle management, and a focus on core services. The leaders also discussed public safety, immigration enforcement, child care oversight, transportation, housing, and the Climate Commitment Act. On immigration, they said law enforcement coordination is essential and criticized mixed messages from state leaders about federal enforcement and sheriffs. On child care, they said allegations of fraud in subsidy programs should be investigated through audits and oversight, and rejected the idea that looking for fraud is offensive to honest providers. They said there is some bipartisan agreement on using Climate Commitment Act revenue for the Working Families Tax Credit, transportation, and wildfire prevention, but argued the tax itself is regressive and should be redirected to better uses. On the budget, Republicans said the current deficit will not be solved by a future income tax and that the state will likely need spending cuts or savings. They said there is some limited agreement with moderate Democrats against further tax increases and against using the rainy day fund as a first step. On housing and transportation, they said the real solutions are permitting reform, changes to the Growth Management Act and energy code, and more stable transportation funding, rather than more state spending on affordable housing or piecemeal fees. No votes were taken, and the event ended as a press availability with questions from reporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2108 by Hughes relates to the inclusion of direct primary care fees as qualified medical

Bills: SCR8 , SCR24 , SCR25 , SB1 , SB65 , SB315 , SB371 , SB372 , SB379 , SB400 , SB402 , SB406 , SB427 , SB487 , SB502 , SB509 , SB535 , SB610 , SB707 , SB740 , SB761 , SB840 , SB875 , SB893 , SB918 , SB925 , SB965 , SB987 , SB990 , SB995 , SB1006 , SB1018 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1121 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1300 , SB1343 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1532 , SB1555 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SJR57 , SCR25 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SCR8 , SB565 , SB372 , SB765 , SB62 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB847 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB925 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB815 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB621 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB24 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB1527 , SB125 , SB599 , SB1330 , SB53 , SB916 , SB896 , SB1352 , SB973 , SB785 , SB710 , SB472 , SB1450 , SB1502 , SB1566 , SB414 , SB1062 , SB1547 , SB961 , SB1038 , SB513 , SB578 , SB711 , SB746 , SB942 , SB1404 , SB1448 , SB1738 , SB108 , SB8 , SB318 , SB507 , SB533 , SB689 , SB1026 , SB1349 , SB1355 , SB1433 , SB1434 , SB1596 , SB1403 , SB1198 , SB1146 , SB763 , SB667

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