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• THE VOTERS OF MIAMI DADE WITH A SPRAWLING URBAN COMPLEXITY BEING FORCED INTO THE SAME AS THOSE IN RURAL

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• In many cases, the most catastrophic impact on public school budgets involves special education funding
• on public school budgets involves impact on public school budgets involves special<00:17:52.360><c>
• This is a parliamentary inquiry.” this bill will have no impact whatsoever this bill will have no impact
• Representative Luna continued: "Now, this would make a $100 million impact on our state budget.
• </c> about an alleged problem way up rural about an alleged problem way up rural Maine, Maine, Maine,

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• bill impact the boating tourism industry?
• So do we have an impact study?
• So there might be an impact.
• know, to not get impacted by municipalities?
• Does this bill have any impact on the environment?

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and heard several member introductions and recognitions. The Rules Chair moved CS/CS/SB 622 to the end of the special order calendar, which was adopted without objection. SB 80 on state land management was temporarily postponed, as were later bills SB 716 and CS/CS/CS/SB 1348. The chamber then took up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and adopting amendments before final passage. Measures approved included a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan (HB 295, 38-0), mitigation banking and land development changes with a phosphate mining lands amendment (CS/CS/SB 492, 35-3), aggravated animal cruelty with a searchable FDLE database and sentencing multiplier (HB 255, 37-0), the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism and related training/funding (HB 711, 37-0), newborn screening for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (CS/CS/HB 1089, 36-0), and revisions to the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects and adjust approval thresholds (CS/CS/HB 393, 37-0). The Senate also passed workforce education legislation allowing charter schools access to grant funding and expanding money-back guarantees (HB 1145, 37-0), a statewide study on automation and workforce impact (HB 827, 35-0), parole guideline revisions (HB 181, 37-0), court-appointed psychologist procedures in family law cases (HB 901, 37-0), sexual cyber harassment protections covering digitally forged intimate images (HB 1451, 37-0), a home health aide program for medically fragile children with training and reimbursement provisions (CS/CS/SB 1156, 37-0), substance abuse and mental health care changes including 988 oversight and involuntary examination procedures (HB 1091, 37-0), a feasibility study for a statewide pond data database (HB 1359, 37-0), and Department of Law Enforcement housekeeping changes and retired police dog reimbursements (HB 1053, 37-0). The most extensive debate centered on the charter schools bill (HB 443), which expanded charter autonomy, reporting parity, enrollment flexibility, and governance rules; after a delete-all amendment and a friendly amendment, it was placed on the third-reading calendar rather than immediately voted on. Several bills were briefly discussed with concerns about transparency, accountability, funding, and constitutional issues, but all bills brought to a vote during this segment passed.

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• It would also recognize the profound impact he had on our community and ensure that his legacy continues
• Have you requested a impact on this. Have you requested a fiscal<01:15:38.640><c> note?
• When it impacts their own conventions, but not when it comes to Minnesota's elections.
• own</c><01:44:56.000><c> conventions,</c> When it impacts their own conventions, When it impacts their
• And so what has happened is that it has a huge impact on those families' lives.

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• </c><02:12:26.560><c> This</c> may impact treatment decisions. This may impact treatment decisions.
• People in rural communities medicine.
• So, as our population continues to age, we see the impact of the disease only increasing.
• </c> are not built for higher impact are not built for higher impact activities<04:42:49.680><c> like
• So, first of all, the cost impact.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

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• With the amendments that the chair has proposed, we're even tailoring it more narrowly now to impact
• SB 1221 would also disproportionately impact people of color.
• Individuals who are eligible and... ...California, we have seen its impact in other states.
• It is also important to highlight that the CHBRP analysis determined that the premium impact...
• My concern was about the impact... ...and going in the same direction.

Committee: Senate Health

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• These are things that have deep impact for my community, the people that I represent, and also who I
• extraordinary circumstances at 100% of the current impact fee rate, phased in over four years.
• You want to make an impact on folks' lives so that they show up for you in the end.
• You want to make an impact on folks' lives so that they show up for you in the end.
• You want to make an impact on folks' lives so that they show up for you in the end.

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• You help us understand the human impact of this.
• We work to get them more socialized and healthy, and we then place them in pairs on rural farms as barn
• We work to get them more socialized and healthy, and we then place them in pairs on rural farms as barn
• </c><01:56:07.920><c> Um</c> And to consider mitigating the impact of cats and the effects upon native
• </c><01:59:47.440><c> Native</c> disproportionately impacts Native disproportionately impacts Native

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1552, which would make the attorney general the interim chief election officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying it could create a conflict of interest if the attorney general were both the state’s lawyer and the chief elections officer in any related litigation. The League of Women Voters supported having some interim backup for the office, but said it was not necessarily advocating that the attorney general fill the role. Several other testifiers, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, opposed the bill, arguing the current law already provides for a prompt commission appointment and warning about partisan bias and concentration of power. Supporters, including Indivisible Hawaii, said an interim mechanism is needed to ensure election certification in a crisis. The chair also asked whether any statutory acting capacity already exists, and the attorney general said none was known. The committee then took up House Bill 2125, which would bar corporations operating under state law from engaging in election activity. The attorney general opposed the bill, citing Citizens United and arguing that corporations have First Amendment-protected political speech rights and that the bill would likely be unconstitutional. Indivisible Hawaii supported the measure, saying it would keep elections focused on the will of the people rather than corporate influence. Libertarian Party testimony was mixed: one witness supported the goal of reducing corruption but warned the bill could suppress organized dissent and sweep too broadly by treating many associations as corporations. The bill’s introducer asked whether the legislature could still enact it as a policy matter, but the attorney general maintained federal constitutional law would control. No vote was taken on either bill during the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment, which would set procedures and compensation for people whose convictions are reversed or vacated on grounds consistent with innocence and whose charges are dismissed. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported the bill’s intent but objected to language assigning it responsibility for helping released individuals secure housing, identification, health coverage, and other reentry needs, saying it no longer has jurisdiction after release and suggesting the courts or a community-based contractor handle that role. The Office of the Public Defender strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the harm of wrongful conviction and the need for compensation, case management, and medical coverage after release. No action or vote was reported on this measure in the excerpt.

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• :09:24.640><c> understand</c><00:09:25.200><c> what</c><00:09:25.360><c> the</c><00:09:25.519><c> impact
• </c> credential to understand what the impact credential to understand what the impact of<00:09:25.959
• I'm a former ESL teacher and know the impacts of heritage language firsthand. testify in support of SF
• Now, this doesn't seem too bad in a metro area, but what about the response times in a rural outstate
• Do some places in rural Minnesota practice places that aren't at the school?

Committee: Senate Education Policy

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• report is getting at, is as we’re going forward, if there’s a lot of turnover occurring, how that impacts
• /c><01:17:05.760><c> how</c><01:17:05.880><c> does</c><01:17:06.040><c> that</c><01:17:06.239><c> Impact
• </c> to add for people how does that Impact to add for people how does that Impact Services<01:17:06.960
• So, taking in mind that we in Greater Minnesota and our rural communities are the communities that see
• People currently receiving that service wouldn't be impacted.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

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• Like many rural communities, there are very few entities with the appropriate license and even fewer
• willing to take on this responsibility, as it creates staffing challenges in our rural area.
• loss leader sales and other monopolistic practices that will destabilize the alcohol market, with impacts
• </c><01:07:38.559><c> on</c><01:07:38.760><c> both</c> alcohol Market with impacts on both alcohol Market
• with impacts on both consumption<01:07:39.480><c> patterns</c><01:07:39.839><c> and</c><01:07:40.160

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• shows specifically every MCO and it shows a variety of different provider types such as primary care, rural
• shows specifically every MCO and it shows a variety of different provider types such as primary care, rural
• But yet in rural Kentucky, which is 40% of our population, only 17% of our primary care physicians are
• How can we be at 100% when we don't have an adequate number of primary care physicians in rural Kentucky

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for Representative McCool, who was absent due to a family death, then approved the April 14 minutes and noted the agenda contained 482 items totaling about $138.6 million. The first deferred item involved the Office of the Controller and a brokerage services contract. Senators questioned why the new contract was roughly $1 million a year when a prior vendor had been paid about $300,000 annually, why the procurement was rebid after years of no-bid arrangements, and why past performance was not heavily weighted. Agency witnesses said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the new RFP drew more competition, technical evaluators did not see cost until after technical scoring, and AON received the highest technical score despite being an out-of-state vendor with its closest office in Nashville. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action, and the contract advanced to the Finance Cabinet for final decision. The committee then considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment. Members asked what funding was being redirected to cover an increase of about $265,000. DCBS explained that reduced spending on interpreter services, due to more commonly used forms being translated into other languages, freed up funds to support the contract. The committee approved the item. Next, the committee reviewed an initial contract for the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists. The board explained that its small legal staff was handling 11 active cases and needed outside counsel with investigators and additional attorneys because of ongoing litigation and disciplinary changes tied to prior legislation and a recent LOIC report. Members asked whether the contract was a not-to-exceed amount and whether the board could afford it; the board said the $50,000 was a ceiling, not an expected spend, and that the board was fully funded through licensing fees and currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing recent reforms in Senate Bills 14 and 22 and the need to help the board work through corrective action. The committee approved the contract. The Board of Pharmacy item was then deferred at the agency’s request until the June 2025 meeting, and the committee approved that deferral.

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• mystery that is called forth when we act as a community of love, can function without ever knowing the impact
• <00:03:39.120><c> ever</c><00:03:39.360><c> knowing</c><00:03:39.760><c> the</c><00:03:40.080><c> impact
• </c><00:03:40.400><c> of</c><00:03:40.560><c> our</c> without ever knowing the impact of our without
• ever knowing the impact of our words<00:03:41.120><c> and</c><00:03:41.280><c> our</c><00:03:41.440><
• who had a great impact on my service<00:13:48.639><c> here</c><00:13:48.800><c> in</c><00:13:48.959>

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• And we hope that you understand what the impact is of this discussion tonight.
• What the impact is of this discussion tonight, that you understand the impact on voters across the state
• Josiah Hardy, you made an impact on a lot of people when you came on Friday. Yes, sir.
• You're going to make an impact on a lot of people's lives. So the floor is yours. Thank you.
• it in a positive to change my district for the better and impact it in a positive way.

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I stand on my comments just for strict use, just for rural transportation, not in urban course.
• </c> devastating impacts of climate change. devastating impacts of climate change.
• </c><01:13:18.080><c> your</c> consider, how does that impact your consider, how does that impact your
• </c><01:17:23.520><c> So,</c><01:17:23.600><c> I</c> blanket, it has a real impact.
• So, I blanket, it has a real impact.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1694, which would create a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, and HB 1695, which would expand the state’s renewable fuels production tax credit. For HB 1694, supporters from the airlines, renewable fuels industry, business groups, and some environmental and youth representatives said sustainable aviation fuel is a practical near-term way to cut emissions in aviation, a hard-to-decarbonize sector, and argued the credit would send a market signal, support local production, and help meet state climate goals. Opponents, including Energy Justice Network and a taxpayer-focused testifier, argued the bill could subsidize expensive fuels that may not be truly clean, could duplicate benefits available under other tax provisions, and should not support transpacific aviation or technologies they said are unproven or harmful. The Department of Taxation stood on written testimony, and the chair later asked that all verbal testimony on remaining bills be limited to one minute because of time constraints. HB 1695 drew similar support and opposition, but focused more broadly on renewable fuels for transportation, trucking, shipping, and other sectors. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Energy Office, airlines, PAR Hawaii, the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, Pacific Biodiesel, and the RNG Coalition, said the bill would help scale local fuel production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support jobs and agriculture, and advance the state’s climate and energy goals. Several supporters emphasized that the credit would help build a local industry and that life-cycle accounting should be used to measure emissions benefits. Opponents repeated concerns that some biofuels and waste-based fuels may not be climate-beneficial, may rely on flawed modeling, and could create costly infrastructure that would need to be replaced later. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

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• It also creates the appropriation for the Rural Health Transformation Program.

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.

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• On our 60 or 80-something percent of our fatalities are on rural highways, and that's what I'm getting

Bills: SB1475 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1531 , SB80

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee considered several naming and transportation-related bills. Senate Bill 1475 renamed the I-35 Indian Hills Road interchange as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange, and House Bill 1996 was the Senate’s Memorial Bridge naming bill; both passed without substantive opposition. Senate Bill 2049 required the Department of Transportation to notify the Transportation Commission before disapproving or making a surety claim against a contractor, with supporters describing it as an accountability and transparency measure; it passed after some questions about its purpose and sponsor. The committee also approved Senate Bill 1531, a cleanup measure related to the Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics’ role in unmanned aerial systems and advanced air mobility, in anticipation of possible FAA rulemaking. The most extensive discussion centered on Senate Bill 80, a turnpike bill that updates statutory language, removes some unused or unbuilt route locations from statute, and codifies more formal communication with landowners, communities, and legislators. Members raised concerns about removing routes, the five-year design deadline for reauthorization, and whether the bill could slow future turnpike projects; OTA Executive Director Joe E. Kelly testified that the changes were based on updated infrastructure studies, that the five-year requirement only needed design to begin, and that the notification process would include mailers and digital posting. Senate Bill 80 passed after debate, and the committee adjourned, noting it was the final meeting of the session.

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• Hey, just a reminder, tomorrow we will be having Rural Caucus, Certified Angus Beef.

Bills: SB330 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1721 , SB1433 , SB1316 , SB1280 , SB1455 , SB1456 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1461 , SB1463 , SB1465 , SB1466 , HJR1088 , SB1684 , SB378 , SB1447 , SB1920 , SB1443 , HR1047 , SB1877 , SB1884 , SB1365 , SB2174 , SB1525 , SB1810 , SB1771 , SB1805 , SB1916 , SB1530 , SB1847 , SB1990 , SB2060 , SB1992 , SB1579 , SB1778 , SB2132 , SB1623 , SB2067 , SB1589 , SB1441 , SB1224 , SB372 , SB1232 , SB1264 , SB1450 , SB2011 , SB2030 , SB1980 , SB1936 , SB1477 , SB1593 , SB1725 , SB1670 , SB1480 , SB1726 , SB1633 , SB1735 , SB1632 , SB1277 , SB1217 , SB1826 , SB1824 , SB1813 , SB1326 , SB1937 , SB1641

Summary: The House convened, called the roll, offered an invocation, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also handled routine business including reassignment of Senate Bills 262 and 1618 to the Rules Committee, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Hatoum, and Nurse of the Day, Alexis Watt of Pryor. Several guest groups were introduced from the galleries, including Leadership Lawton-Fort Sill, the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, Sooner Job Challenge, Elevate Oklahoma students, and the Antlers youth leadership group from Sapulpa. The main legislative item discussed was House Resolution 1047 by Representative Sneed concerning CompSource Mutual Insurance Company. Sneed said the resolution was intended to ensure policyholders are made whole from roughly $1 billion in reserves before any reorganization or conversion, and explained that policyholders should share in the value created by their premiums. Members asked questions about CompSource’s structure, its move from mutual to stock status, whether the resolution was binding, and whether policyholders would receive cash or stock; Sneed said the resolution expresses the will of the House and that the details would be determined by the policyholders and the company. An amendment to the resolution was adopted without objection, and the resolution itself was then adopted without objection. The remainder of the meeting consisted of announcements about committee meetings and events, including devotion, Gen Gov, Post-Secondary Education, Banking, Insurance, Public Health, Rural Caucus, and Oklahoma Film and Music Day. The floor leader then moved to adjourn, and the House adjourned until Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're doing it in rural counties. We're doing it often in Maricopa County.

Bills: SB1023 , SB1145 , SB1242 , SB1247

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: optometrists, eye exams, eyeglass prescriptions, healthcare, vision care, behavior analysis, licensing, psychologist examiners, state regulations, committee authority, mental health, court-ordered treatment, outpatient treatment, audiovisual technology, secure facilities, evaluations, guardian powers, patient rights, assisted living, occupants

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• And I find it odd because the grant money for rural health is you can spend 10% of this on administering

Committee: House Health and Welfare