Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, unlock the machine. The members will vote. Clerk, lock the machine.
• Unlock the machine and members will vote. The clerk locked the machine.
• Clerk will unlock the machine and vote. The clerk locked the machine.
• Clerk, lock the machine and the members vote. Clerk, lock the machine.
• Clerk, lock the machine and the members will vote. Lock the machine.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that slot machines understanding that slot machines<01:12:45.760> have<01:12:45.920> a
• would regular HHR machines the revenue would regular HHR machines the revenue would go<01:12:
• <01:13:14.320> at<01:13:14.480> a our machines up to 5,000 machines at a our machines
• <01:16:12.199> versus understanding of slot machines versus understanding of slot machines
• <01:16:30.360> so 18% of their cost for the machines so 18% of their cost for the machines

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Clerk, activate the machine. The sergeant at arms announced the roll call.
• The clerk will activate the machine and start the roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machine for a recorded vote. Aye. Aye.
• The clerk will activate the machines. The Sergeant will announce roll call.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant will announce roll call.

Bills: SB1090, SJR49, SB633, HR1059, SB650, SB2063, SB122, SB1614, SB1884, SJR52, SJR53, HJR1101, SJR50, HB3021, HR1058, SB514, SB382, HB3320, SB740, SB833, SB2143, SB1209, SB244

Keywords: SB1090, Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act, home repair, home solicitation contract, cooling-off period, right to cancel, consumer protection, contract rescission, certified mail cancellation, home solicitation sales, contractor regulation, home improvement scams, public finance, State Treasurer, Invest In Oklahoma, OCAST, venture capital, private equity, growth funds, direct investment

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including the Nurse of the Day and a guest pastor, on the National Day of Prayer. Members also made announcements about prayer activities in the Capitol and welcomed former Speaker Charles McCall to the gallery. The chamber then moved through a long floor calendar of Senate bills, joint resolutions, and a conference committee report, with several measures amended on the floor before final passage. Among the bills passed were SB 1090, a consumer protection measure aimed at giving homeowners time to cancel contracts with predatory door-knocking roofers and contractors; SJR 49, repealing a Wildlife Conservation Commission rule on surety for oil and gas leases; SB 633, a juvenile code measure described as protecting children from fentanyl poisoning; SB 650, a public utilities bill tied to transparency and accountability for state employee salary increases; SB 263, amended to include a “lemonade stand” provision; SB 122, a transportation-related bill on proof of insurance; and SB 1614, creating a teacher induction program, which also received emergency passage. SJR 52 and HJR 1101, both dealing with agency rules, also passed, as did SJR 53 on Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority rules. The most debated item was SB 1884, which would strengthen equal access for school employees to teacher professional organizations and related membership/dues procedures. Supporters argued it would clarify existing law, ensure fair access, and give teachers more choice and legal support; opponents said the problem was compliance with current law, not a need for new statute, and warned against duplicating existing protections. After extended debate, the bill failed 47-44. Members then took up SJR 50, a major Medicaid expansion-related resolution revising earlier trigger language; supporters said it preserved expansion unless federal funding changed and gave lawmakers flexibility, while opponents argued the state had not done enough fiscal analysis before proposing changes. SJR 50 passed 69-18. Finally, the House adopted a conference committee report on HB 3021, consolidating graduation requirements into the ICAP framework and clarifying related school rules, and the bill passed with emergency status.

Transcript Highlights:

• <05:09:12.400> guns, endgame, regulation for machine guns, endgame, regulation for machine
• Speaker, if I know that this amendment would set our state down the path where we'll see machine guns
• Thank you. ...set our state down the path where we'll see machine guns on our streets with no laws to
• We also adjust the revenue sharing from the slot machine operations, increasing the state's share from
• to VTS at the governor's level machines to VTS at the governor's level because<05:45:00.718> it

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if the makers of Genki ball came up with an amount of what it would cost us to test, say it was,
• <00:31:43.519> Gen<00:31:44.000> the<00:31:44.159> Genki<00:31:44.720> ball
• makers of Gen the Genki ball makers of Gen the Genki ball um<00:31:46.880> came<00:31:47.120
• You know, I would like to add into the committee report that they consider using the Genki ball as part
• would be able saying that the Genki ball would be able to<00:35:00.720> apply<00:35:00.960>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard House Bill 643, House Draft 2, which would create short-term management initiatives and appropriate funds for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Committee discussion focused on biocontrol efforts, including fungus and virus-based treatments, the need for a biosecure facility, and the timeline for testing and range studies. Department of Agriculture officials said initial testing is underway at the University of Hawaii, but full testing requires a higher-biosafety facility that is not yet available on island. Members also discussed funding levels, the possibility of a mobile facility, and whether the work could be accelerated. The committees later voted to pass HB 643 unamended. The committees also heard House Bill 736, House Draft 1, which would establish a three-year wastewater system and individual wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center. Supporters said the bill could help certify new, lower-cost decentralized wastewater technologies and reduce the cost of cesspool upgrades while improving water quality. University of Hawaii witnesses explained that the center would test technologies, collect samples, analyze results, and provide reports to the Department of Health for certification. Members raised concerns about whether the program would help communities facing immediate wastewater issues, the length of the testing timeline, and whether technologies like the Genki ball could be included. The committee was told the pilot would likely test one technology at a time over about nine months each, though multiple tests could run in parallel later. The committees voted to pass HB 736 unamended. After those measures, the joint committee moved to an AEN-only agenda and began hearing STR 111 / SR 92, which declares a public health emergency relating to climate change and calls for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Testimony in support came from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others. Supporters said climate change affects public health through heat, wildfire risk, invasive mosquitoes, and other impacts, and argued that the response should involve agriculture, planning, transportation, and emergency management, not just the Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote.
• If all members have voted, the clerk will lock the machine.
• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will proceed to vote.

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• , you know, down to where the machines were, who had the cards, where they were sealed.
• Unlike the other machines, the other machines by law cannot be connected to the Internet.
• And these are the machines that tell the clerks who is and is not eligible to vote.
• If you're going to have the machines, you need to ensure that they actually work.
• And for my part, good riddance to those machines.

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

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4 prohibits the possession of machine guns under Vermont law.
• machine guns under Vermont law. machine guns under Vermont law.
• The<00:50:35.160> bill<00:50:35.560> defines<00:50:36.160> machine<00:50:36.560>
• gun in the same The bill defines machine gun in the same way<00:50:37.440> it<00:50:37.560>
• a semi-automatic weapon into a machine a semi-automatic weapon into a machine gun,<00:51:10.360>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Rabbi Toby Weisman, who spoke about Passover, the obligation to remember liberation from slavery, and the Torah’s repeated command to love the stranger. He connected that theme to immigrants and the need for community, courage, and small acts of kindness. After the devotional, the chamber took up three Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 179 on the Uniform Disclaimer of Property Interests Act to Judiciary, S. 212 on potable water supply and wastewater system connections to Environment, and S. 227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools to Education. The House also referred H. 558, relating to the Medicaid School-Based Services Program, to Appropriations, and H. 937, reported favorably by Ways and Means, was also sent to Appropriations under House Rule 35a. The House adopted JRS 45, a joint resolution on weekend adjournment for March 20, 2026, by voice vote. It also read and adopted several concurrent resolutions, including HCR 187 congratulating Village Garage Distillery of Bennington for a silver medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, HCR 213 recognizing March 2026 as Social Work Month in Vermont, and HCR 224 congratulating Vermont athletes at the 2025 National Senior Games and designating March 18, 2026, as Vermont Senior Games Day at the State House. Members made remarks in support of the resolutions, including praise for the distillery, social workers, and senior athletes, and guests in the gallery were recognized. The House then took up H. 887, which would amend the Fair Employment Practices Act to align documentation rules for crime victims with the protections already available to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking under the safe leave law. The committee and sponsor described it as a modest but important fix to ensure survivors can access both leave and anti-discrimination protections without conflicting paperwork requirements. The House agreed to the committee amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. Next, the chamber began H. 917, an omnibus military affairs bill combining several measures: correcting the Adjutant General title, defining Gold Star family member, creating a hiring preference for military spouses in state government, and providing free parking for disabled veterans. The sponsor outlined the bill’s purpose and sections, and discussion began on the title correction and related provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant's announced roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant's announced roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machines. Sergeants, and now roll call in the halls.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeant's announced roll call.
• The clerk will activate the machines.

Bills: HB4358, HB2398, HB3557, HB3129, HB3312, HB2210, HB1937, HB3021, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457, HB2947, HB2951, HB2980, HB3082, HB3519, HB3644, HB3882, HB3661, HB3996, HB4335

Keywords: screen time, education, public schools, child development, digital learning, youth health, academic performance, credential of value, workforce development, labor market, government reporting, Oklahoma Agricultural Extension, local funding, financial institutions, county extension services, state funds, free expression, colleges, security fees, public forums

Transcript Highlights:

• These illegal gambling businesses, scam patrons, no oversight, Rick machines and 0 consumer protections
• of gaming a second degree felony for running an illegal slot business or possessing more than 5 machines
• , first degree felony for trafficking illegal slot machines with fines up to $500,000 and then explicit
• Thank you, Aaron. >> We have David Robert from the amusement Machine Operators Association of Florida
• This cash go into these machines that you're saying from using purposes only. >> Some.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the machines are programmed and maintained by company employees, it is only right to have every
• that their machines are processed by vetted employees.
• that their machines are processed by vetted employees.
• in the software code of the machines in the software code of the machines that<01:06:30.359>
• It's like when you have a machine town or machine location, you'll see small changes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, just to make you know that point back before we had vote counting machines, tabulating machines,
• Um, just to make you know that point back before we had vote counting machines, tabulating machines,
• Um, just to make you know that point back before we had vote counting machines, tabulating machines,
• Are you also aware that the polling... counting machines, tabulating machines, counting machines, tabulating
• Now, HB 154 said if you have a machine in your town, you must use it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:40.760> that I think uh but there are machines that I think uh but there are machines
• ><01:38:54.000> the to buy them the machine it's the to buy them the machine it's the maintenance
• The training is fairly simple, and the machine is the smart part, not the people.
• The training is fairly simple, and the machine is the smart part, not the people.
• There is a significant investment for these machines, a minimum of $75,000.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 144 and House Bill 145, both related to professional licensing for dietitians and dental hygienists. HB 144 was described as a technical fix to align statute with existing Board of Dental Examiners rules allowing dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide and local anesthesia, with supporters saying the bill would add needed training and examination requirements to statute. A dentist and dental society representative testified that the practice is already being done safely within scope, and committee members discussed whether nitrous oxide is still used and whether the bill was mainly to keep the paperwork and law consistent. The committee moved HB 144 forward on a 12-0 vote and placed it on consent. HB 145 would join New Hampshire to a dietitian licensure compact and add a criminal history check for initial licensure to match compact language. The sponsor and board witnesses said the compact would improve portability, support telehealth, help military families and spouses, and maintain public safety by ensuring qualified practitioners and information-sharing among member states. Committee members asked about withdrawal from the compact, the difference between single-state and compact licensure, and why a background check was included; the witness said the compact is not yet active, with four states enacted and seven needed, and that the background check is required by the compact language. Additional testimony from a private-practice dietitian supported the bill, citing continuity of care, rural access, and workforce mobility, while some members raised concerns about telehealth across state lines and the practical effect of the background check.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:52.599> that licensed to operate the machines that licensed to operate the machines
• They're still operating the same machines that they're allowed to operate in a different facility.
• We just happen to have a fluoroscopy machine and an MRI machine in our building that we're not asking
• They're still operating the same machines that they're allowed to operate in a different facility.
• We just happen to have a fluoroscopy machine and an MRI machine in our building that we're not asking

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:05 HB 566 Discussion 01:34 HB 566 Vote 16:42 HB 39 Discussion 19:15 HB 39 Vote 23:10 HB 70 Discussion 24:48 HB 70 Vote 27:36 HB 72 Discussion 28:58 HB 72 Vote 39:45 HB 79 Discussion 41:45 HB 79 Vote 42:58 HB 223 Discussion 45:34 HB 223 Vote 46:24 Adjournment 47:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 566, which would implement the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation created last year. Chairman Cook described major provisions affecting charitable gaming, horse racing, sports wagering, and quarter horse racing, including locking charitable gaming fees in statute at a slightly lower rate, expanding charitable gaming board representation, preserving existing gaming technology, allowing school districts to hold charitable gaming licenses, and setting up self-funding for the new corporation through administrative set-asides from gaming-related funds. The bill also addresses uncashed vouchers, cross-training of investigators, ethics and employment provisions, and a three-year quarter horse breeding incentive intended to grow the industry. A committee substitute made two technical changes: clarifying voucher money stays with the track facility and making the school district itself the license holder. The substitute and then the bill both passed favorably, with several members noting concerns from last year but supporting the revised structure. The committee then heard House Bill 70, an interstate compact for dietitians. Sponsor Representative Vanessa Grossl and witnesses said the measure would allow reciprocity with other compact states, improve workforce mobility, help military families, expand patient access and telehealth, and reduce administrative burden on the licensing board. The committee substitute created a third license category for educational interpreters, but that language actually belonged to the next bill; for HB 70, the committee voted the bill favorably without reported amendments. The bill passed unanimously or near-unanimously and was sent to the House floor. Next, House Bill 72 was presented by Representative DJ Johnson to amend the law governing limited x-ray machine operators. The sponsor explained that current law effectively prevents limited x-ray operators from working in the same facility as other imaging equipment, which he said creates compliance problems, disrupts training, and can force practices to move equipment or lose employees. The bill would allow limited x-ray technicians to operate in the same facility as other imaging equipment. During discussion, some members noted opposition from students and others in the field, and the sponsor invited industry witnesses to explain their concerns. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 72 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will unlock the machine and the members will record their presence.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.
• The clerk will unlock the machine, and the members will proceed to vote.

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will activate the machine.
• The clerk will activate the machine. Sergeants, announce roll calls in the hall.
• Clerk will activate the machine for a recorded vote on the emergency.
• Book machine service snails. Roll call is now in progress.
• Clerk, please activate the machine service to announce roll call in the hall.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Toss me the ball. Yes. Um, this bill is pretty pretty pretty.
• Port Authority, the >> Toss<00:11:38.000> me<00:11:38.079> the<00:11:38.240> ball
• ><00:11:39.920> this<00:11:40.160> bill<00:11:40.320> is >> Toss me the ball
• Um, this bill is >> Toss me the ball. Yes.

Bills: HB139, HB220, SB274, SB282, SB277

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we, you know, wait two years or wait four years, there's the risk of getting behind the eight ball
• And what I said earlier, too, is absolutely Behind the eight ball in that sense.
• We're trying to advance the ball on those things.
• We want to advance the ball.

Bills: SB2339

Keywords: wildfire mitigation, utility liability, strict liability, electric utility, public service commission, PSC, rural electric cooperative, municipal utility, transmission provider, vegetation management, power lines, reclosers, electrical safety, wildfire prevention, grid reliability, public safety, first responders, ANSI A300, National Electrical Safety Code, community outreach

Summary: The Energy and Natural Resources Committee continued work on House Bill 1459, which concerns rare earth and critical mineral recovery from North Dakota lignite coal. Testimony from UND researcher Dan Ludo and industry representative David Straely focused on the urgency of developing the process quickly, the technical differences between extracting minerals from coal versus ash, and the potential value of elements such as terbium, dysprosium, gallium, germanium, and synthetic graphite. Straely argued the bill is constitutional, limited to minerals within the coal seam, and needed to avoid years of quiet title litigation and provide certainty for development and compensation to royalty owners. Committee members raised questions about landowner rights, compensation levels, possible amendments from the Department of Trust Lands, and whether the bill should be modified to address constitutional concerns or sunset provisions. No final action was taken on HB 1459; the chair said parties could work on language until Monday before the committee revisits it. The committee then returned to House Bill 1579, a high-load study bill with a possible energy infrastructure investment amendment. Jody Smith of the Retirement and Investment Office presented updated language adding guardrails for in-state infrastructure investing, including requiring approved projects to be underwritten and managed by a qualified investment manager or financial institution and to follow the Legacy Fund investment policy. Members discussed whether the amendment had been shared with the House sponsor and noted that the related bill 1330 was still pending, so HB 1579 was being held for the time being. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1566, which had an amendment from the Agriculture Commissioner’s office. The committee adopted the amendment 7-0, then passed a due-pass motion on the amended bill and referred it to Appropriations, also by a 7-0 vote. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal impact, including an estimated $580,000 for two FTEs over two years, and clarified that the study component remains in the bill. Senator Gerhardt was assigned to carry the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• gun conversion devices. regarding machine gun conversion devices.
• Under federal law, a machine gun...
• Under federal law, a machine gun conversion device is already illegal.
• but more appropriately referred to as machine gun conversion devices.
• A machine gun, in the bill, is defined as a pistol that is designed to...

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Transcript Highlights:

• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. As everyone indicated their presence.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Members, everyone voted.
• Prepare the machine, Madam Clerk. Question before the House is the passage of Senate Bill 13.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 98 members present, and granted leave for Representative Jack Ladyman. The chamber then received committee reports from the Joint Budget Committee recommending passage of several appropriation bills, and the Governor’s communication noting approval of House Bill 1001 (Act 2). The Speaker also recognized guests in the galleries, including law enforcement personnel, doctors, students visiting for STEM Day, line workers, and representatives from the Council of State Governments. The bulk of the meeting was devoted to budget amendments and appropriation bills. The House adopted amendments to House Bills 1018, 1023, 1036, 1041, 1055, 1068, and 1077, covering items such as title changes at East Arkansas College, DHS and Department of Health staffing adjustments, Capitol Police positions for the Winthrop Rockefeller Building, transfer of the early childhood nutrition program to the Department of Agriculture, DFA position changes and the Rural Health Transformation Program, and DHS county office reductions. The chamber then passed House Bill 1060 for the State Library, and Senate Bills 5, 13, 39, and 56, which funded the Tobacco Settlement Commission, Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, Arkansas State University, and Auditor of State continuing education/local offices. Most measures passed with strong support, though Senate Bill 56 drew 14 nays. Before adjournment, the Speaker announced the House was ahead of schedule and planned to move the following week’s calendar earlier, with a possible sine die adjournment on Wednesday if business proceeded as planned. Representative Meeks moved to adjourn until 1 p.m. the next day, and the motion carried without objection.