Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Karen Weiss, Thurston County Public Works Director, in support of Senate Bill 6154.
• Trisha Yonkey: Hi, Trisha Yonkey, Public Works Director at the City of Shoreline.
• I'm the Deputy Director of Public Works and the county engineer for Snohomish County, and I am signing
• My name is Slavonna Niehauser, and I serve as the director for Parks, Arts, and Recreation here in Olympia
• My name is Slavonna Niehauser and I serve as the director for Parks, Arts, and Recreation here in Olympia

Bills: SB6132 , SB6181 , SB6154 , SB6189 , SB5903 , SB6037 , SB5983 , SB5995 , SB6016 , SB5820 , SB6064 , SB6077 , SB6101 , SB6013 , SB6066

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit

Bills: HB198 , HB303 , HB1535 , HB2742 , HB3305 , HB3348 , HB3505 , HB3711 , HB4753 , HB2715 , HB21 , HB30 , HB21 , HB198 , HB303

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening, fire protection personnel, local government, political subdivision, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, NFPA standards, occupational medical examination, public safety, firefighter health, cancer prevention, annual health screening, confidential medical exam, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, blood test

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard and discussed a series of House bills dealing with municipal structure, tax payment timing, local provider participation funds, firefighter cancer screenings, sunset review of the Trinity River Authority, replacement certificates of occupancy, and open meetings enforcement. HB 303 would remove the 501-resident floor so very small type A and B municipalities can convert to type C cities; HB 2742 would give property owners a later first split-payment deadline when tax bills are mailed after November 30; HB 3305 and HB 3348 were local provider participation fund measures with committee substitutes; HB 198 would require political subdivisions to offer occupational cancer screenings for firefighters; HB 1535 was a sunset bill for the Trinity River Authority; HB 4753 would allow a municipality-issued proof of a certificate of occupancy to substitute for a lost original; and HB 3711 would treat certain Open Meetings Act violations as offenses against public administration and require public explanation when prosecutors decline to act. Testimony was generally supportive or limited, with several witnesses and senators emphasizing practical fixes, firefighter health and cost savings, local government transparency, and administrative cleanup. For HB 198, firefighter representatives gave emotional testimony about cancer deaths and the value of early screening. On HB 3711, a witness supported the bill but urged stronger enforcement and broader application. Several senators raised policy concerns on HB 2715 about routing removal proceedings through a regional presiding judge rather than the local county, arguing it could politicize the process. The committee took no public testimony on most bills and repeatedly left them pending subject to call of the chair before later voting them out. HB 21, HB 30, HB 1535, HB 1520, HB 198, HB 303, HB 2742, and HB 4753 were reported to the full Senate, generally by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. HB 30 passed on a 5-1 vote, while the other reported bills were approved unanimously or with no recorded opposition. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: SB378 , SB540 , SB1061 , SB1475 , SB1531 , SB1534 , SB1684 , SB1824 , SB1826 , SB2049

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: bail bondsman, bondsman license, multicounty agent bondsman, surety bondsman, Insurance Commissioner, bail bond regulation, bond deposit, forfeiture, deposit ratio, writing capacity, license transfer, power of attorney, surety bond, bail industry, Oklahoma insurance law, financial solvency, administrative action, dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry

Bills: HSB679 , HF2122 , HSB646 , HSB610 , HSB683 , HSB681 , HF2124 , HSB607 , HSB682 , HSB714 , HF2003

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: HSB679, HF 2508, Iowa education, extracurricular activities, interscholastic athletics, noncontact period, dead period, student-athlete, coaches, teachers, directors, high school students, school activities, athletic association, band, show choir, theater, dance team, cheerleading, spring break

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jennifer Allman, and I'm the executive director of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
• I'm the Senior Executive Director of Baptist Retirement Community, and I’m testifying for Senate Bill
• I am a resident at Baptist Memorial, and my director did not know that I was doing all of this until
• Board directors. If not, we'll make sure you get it. I think we took it, sorry, Senator Nichols.
• I'm the Director of Policy and Governmental Relations for the City of Gallaudet.

Bills: SB467 , SB325 , SB867 , SB994 , SB1052 , SB1237 , SB1449 , SB1531 , SB2063 , SB2172 , SB2173 , SB2520 , SB2529 , SB2538 , SB2541 , SJR46 , SJR84

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 467, Texas property tax, ad valorem tax, homestead exemption, residence homestead, fire damage, house fire, destroyed home, temporary tax relief, appraisal district, chief appraiser, local taxing unit, tax rollback, tax refund, Tax Code Chapter 11, prorated exemption, homestead improvement, disaster relief, property tax exemption, residential property

Summary: The committee heard several local government and property tax bills, with most testimony focused on appraisal disputes, tax administration, and development rules. Senate Bill 1052 by Senator Hinojosa would address coastal county appraisal litigation by requiring property owners in certain large-value disputes to report an uncontested taxable value while appeals are pending, so taxing units can base truth-in-taxation calculations on more realistic revenue. Nueces County, Del Mar College, and Corpus Christi ISD testified in support, describing major budget shortfalls caused by refinery valuation disputes; the committee substitute narrowed and clarified the bill’s scope. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1052 was left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1531, which would require local tax collectors to accept common electronic property tax payments such as credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. Witnesses supported modernizing payment options and the committee substitute removed ACH/electronic funds transfer language to avoid bank-account disclosure concerns. Public testimony closed and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 325, by Senator Perry, would restore platting and groundwater-certification requirements that were unintentionally weakened by prior legislation; supporters from county government, water groups, and builders’ representatives debated whether the real issue was groundwater protection or road standards for private roads. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony and no vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 994 and SJR 46, which would exempt certain livestock feed inventory from property tax and provide the constitutional amendment needed for that change. Feed store and Farm Bureau witnesses supported the measure as relief for seasonal inventory taxes, and the bills were left pending. Senator Paxton presented SB 467 and SJR 84 to create a temporary property tax exemption for homes completely destroyed by fire, with refunds or corrected bills based on the date of loss; both were left pending. SB 1237 would clarify charitable property tax exemptions for senior housing and retirement communities, with testimony from Catholic and Baptist retirement organizations and a resident describing rising costs and exemption revocations; it was also left pending. The committee later voted 6-0 to report SB 2073, a pending bill on appraisal district authority to purchase or finance real property, and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar. Finally, the committee heard SB 2172, SB 2173, and SB 2063, all related to property tax administration. SB 2172 would limit when appraisal districts can require homeowners to reapply for homestead exemptions, requiring a specific reason and written notice; SB 2173 would protect new homeowners from surprise tax liabilities caused by prior owners’ erroneous homestead exemptions, with testimony describing large back-assessment bills; both were left pending. SB 2063 would bar appraisal districts from using market-value evidence in unequal appraisal protests, and testimony sharply divided between taxpayer advocates, who said market data improperly overwhelms equity claims, and appraisal district representatives, who argued market value is inherently tied to equal-and-uniform taxation and cited a recent Texas Supreme Court decision; the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you may have seen them wandering the halls, but we have the assistant director of our legislative
• He is the executive director of the PGA Sun Country; Josh Salman, who's president of PGA Sun Country;
• Madam Speaker and gentlemen, I would like to introduce my experts today: Leo Castagnada, who is the director
• of this office at Workforce Solutions, and Jessica Martinez, who is the Policy Director and Immigration

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB109 , HB128 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB49 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB124 , HB145 , HB154 , HB158 , HB164 , HB180 , HB291 , HJR6 , HJR7 , HR1 , HJM1 , HM13 , HM47

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Bills: HB2299 , HB2939 , HB2941 , HB2960 , HB3062 , HB3087 , HB3114 , HB3244 , HB3262 , HB3304 , HB3345 , HB3386 , HB3431 , HB3498 , HB3581 , HB3645 , HB3648 , HB3764 , HB3852 , HB3974 , HB4141 , HB4144 , HB4227 , HB4237 , HB4343 , HB4425

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Article V, convention, amendments, criminal penalties, legislative authority, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, firearm liability, tort reform, manufacturers

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3260 simply allows continuing education credits to be approved by the Oklahoma Funeral Directors
• Dorothy Wilson, all directors of the state 4-H. We appreciate you all.

Bills: HB3834 , HB3940 , HB4346 , HB2947 , HB3257 , HB3264 , HB4326 , HB4421 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB4118 , SCR22 , SB169 , HB1047 , HB2123 , HB2650 , HB3260 , HB3403 , SR41 , HB3649 , HB3742 , HB3831 , HB3996 , HB4321 , HB4339

Keywords: HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs, clinical trials, FDA approval, breakthrough therapy designation, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, mental health, neurological disorders, drug development, public-private partnership, State Department of Health, intellectual property, revolving fund, research funding, medical licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctor Campbell currently serves as a director of the emergency department and chief medical officer
• Also on the floor are the directors, Mary Jane Burton and Sierra Posadon.

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Keywords: Oklahoma, House Resolution, HR1041, Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, Department of Energy, DOE, advanced nuclear, nuclear energy, small modular reactors, SMRs, microreactors, energy innovation, advanced energy, energy security, economic development, job creation, workforce training, research and development, nuclear supply chain, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• introduce our psychologist of the day, Doctor Mary Shepherd, who currently serves as the training director

Bills: HR1041 , SB137 , SB1255 , SB1226 , SB1238 , SB1258 , SB1325 , SB1460 , SB1543 , SB1730 , SB1921 , SB1733 , SB1216 , SB1256 , SB1061 , SB1534 , SB1873 , SB1653 , SB540 , SB1948

Keywords: Oklahoma, House Resolution, HR1041, Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, Department of Energy, DOE, advanced nuclear, nuclear energy, small modular reactors, SMRs, microreactors, energy innovation, advanced energy, energy security, economic development, job creation, workforce training, research and development, nuclear supply chain, clean energy

Bills: SB2065 , SB1641 , SB1642 , SB1589 , SB1597 , SB1216 , SB2173 , SB2028 , SB2117 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2014 , SB1805 , SB2044 , SB1836 , SB1380 , SB2179 , SB1436 , SB1558 , SB933 , SB1651 , SB1328 , SB1572 , SB1966 , SB175 , SB1475 , SB1950 , SB2049 , SB2052

Keywords: pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, business entities, limited liability company, LLC, foreign LLC, domestic LLC, limited partnership, foreign limited partnership, registered agent, Secretary of State, annual certificate, good standing, certificate of authority, designated office, email address, electronic mail

Bills: SB62 , HB361 , HB244 , HB377 , HB411 , HB422 , HB423 , HB425 , SB16 , HB452 , HB354 , SB62 , HB361 , HB244 , HB377 , HB411 , HB422 , HB423 , HB425 , SB16 , HB452 , HB354

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: SB62, Alabama, conservation and natural resources, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife heritage license, license identification, government-issued ID, residency determination, in-state residency, student residency, tuition classification, public higher education, domicile, resident status, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, Section 9-11-32, Section 9-11-33, Section 16-64-3

Transcript Highlights:

• Further, the bill authorizes the director to digitally scan and store records, and finally, the bill
• The director can accept gifts, bequests, contributions, and grants, and deposit these funds into the

Bills: SB1638 , SB504 , SB2072 , SB1283 , SB1216 , SB1655 , SB2011 , SB1643 , SB1446 , SB1256 , SB1258 , SB1441 , SB1224 , SB1448 , SB1496 , SB1597 , SB1621 , SB1827 , SB2066 , SB2104

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Governmental Tort Claims Act, liability limits, claims, medical negligence, tort reform, state liability, public health, claims adjustment, compensation limits, SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license

Bills: HSB217 , HSB218 , HSB219 , HSB220 , HSB147 , HF331 , HSB105 , HSB137 , HSB108 , HSB106 , HF149 , HF334 , HSB155 , HF284 , SF8 , SF265 , SSB1076 , SSB1092 , SSB1100 , SSB1135

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: redundancy, school policy, teacher evaluation, employment termination, educational workforce, religious instruction, academic credit, absenteeism, compulsory education, civil action, mathematics education, advanced curriculum, algebra readiness, school enrollment, state education standards, concussion, brain injury, coaches training, athletic association, youth sports

Bills: HSB217 , HSB218 , HSB219 , HSB220 , HSB147 , HF331 , HSB105 , HSB137 , HSB108 , HSB106 , HF149 , HF334 , HSB155 , HF284 , SF8 , SF265 , SSB1076 , SSB1092 , SSB1100 , SSB1135

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: redundancy, school policy, teacher evaluation, employment termination, educational workforce, religious instruction, academic credit, absenteeism, compulsory education, civil action, mathematics education, advanced curriculum, algebra readiness, school enrollment, state education standards, concussion, brain injury, coaches training, athletic association, youth sports

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Joey Sanchez, who is a foundation board director.
• We have Betty Valdez, who is also a member of the board of directors.
• Jim Stromberg, also a member of the board of directors.
• Jennifer Maldonado Greenwood, who is the ARCA Foundation Executive Director and Chief Development Officer
• and Michelle Harmon, ARCA President and CEO, and Aaron Cook, ARCA, sorry, Clinical Rehabilitation Director

Bills: HB111 , HB103 , HB60 , HB108 , HB120 , HB145 , HB154 , HB164 , HB291 , HJR6 , HR1 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB38 , HB47 , HB63 , HB64 , HB127 , HB165 , HB184 , HB200 , HM20 , HM51

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctor Cross serves as the director of OU Health's American College of Surgeons verified level one trauma
• In addition to our clinical work, Doctor Cross serves as an associate program director for the general
• He's the executive director and founder of the NACL, the National Association of Christian Lawmakers.

Bills: HB4248 , HB4429 , HB2588 , HB3472 , HB4317 , HB3462 , HB2035 , HB3501 , HB3127 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3260 , HB4321 , HB3011 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043 , HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246 , SJR49 , HB3281 , HB4319 , HJR1086 , HJR1024 , HJR1087

Keywords: HB4248, hemp beverage, hemp drinks, THC beverage, cannabis beverage, intoxicating hemp, age restriction, under 21, minor possession, youth access, public health and safety, Title 63, Oklahoma Statutes, retail sales, alcohol-style regulation, controlled substances, beverage regulation, proxy advisory services, shareholder rights, financial transparency

Bills: SB504 , SB844 , SB1209 , SB1266 , SB1303 , SB1448 , SB1496 , SB1595 , SB1597 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB1621 , SB1716 , SB1769 , SB1827 , SB1876 , SB1944 , SB2072 , SB2084 , SB2104 , SB2112 , SB2170 , SB2180 , SB2182

Committee: House Civil Judiciary

Keywords: SB504, marriage, child marriage, minor marriage, age of consent, minimum marriage age, underage marriage, teen marriage, parental consent, judicial approval, marriage license, Oklahoma Title 43, family law, juvenile justice, Department of Human Services, DHS custody, incestuous marriage, pregnancy exception, paternity, seduction

Transcript Highlights:

• This also fixes a scenario that we had with a certain agency director signing contracts and then going

Bills: HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• to know that every hospice has to have a licensed medical professional to serve as their medical director
• Members, house House Bill 3260 allows courses approved by the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association
• Right now, it's the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association and the Academy of Professional Funeral Practice
• So, what we're doing now is just adding the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association to that list of the
• Your question: is this a request bill from the Funeral Directors Association?

Bills: HB4104 , HB3722 , HB3787 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3310 , HB3404 , HB2964 , HB2398 , HB3024 , HB3499 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3645 , HB3649 , HB2293 , HB3260 , HB3176 , HB3177 , HB3114 , HB3172 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB4248 , HB3720 , HB2210 , HB1322 , HB1937 , HB3301 , HB4107

Keywords: Oklahoma criminal law, felony classification, Class B5, Class D1, sentencing enhancement, repeat offender, domestic violence, stalking, voyeurism, peeping tom, clandestine recording, hidden camera, privacy offense, sex offender registry, Sex Offenders Registration Act, protective order violation, animal cruelty, cockfighting, dogfighting, public safety