Transcript Highlights:

• Somebody's got to pay for that.
• We saw the last broad pay raise in 2019.
• I understand that there are pay raise bills out there.
• They actually have to pay to get into the system.
• So they are paying back, but it's about when they're going to pay back, right?

Bills: SB134 , SB1356 , SB1407 , SB1611 , SB1639 , SB169 , SB1722 , SB182 , SB1870 , SB2039 , SB432 , SB609 , SB715 , SB716

Committee: Senate Retirement and Government Resources

Keywords: retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, state government, OMES, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation Services, civil service, human capital management, state employee disputes, whistleblower, veterans employment, veterans placement, fleet management, state fleet, motor vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• It's part of a global education agreement with the Senate of increasing teacher pay by $2,000 by increasing
• Is the wording for only classroom teachers still intact, and we're excluding all admin from this pay
• raise?
• Present Senate Bill 169 is to increase the longevity pay awarded to state employees by 50% for all designated

Bills: SB169 , SB201 , SB1290 , SB1377 , SB1991 , SB2060

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, minimum salary, education funding, teacher compensation, Oklahoma education, salary schedule, 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, foster care, duffel bags, personal belongings, children's welfare

Bills: HB3880 , HB3263 , HB2970

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, rural counties have a hard time finding law enforcement and keeping their officers, as their pay
• Okay, whenever you rehire a retired officer, what is the rate of pay that you rehire them at?

Bills: HB5097 , HB5513 , SB523 , SB857 , SB964 , SB1101 , SB2143 , SB2332 , SB2383 , HB 1108

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: criminal history, background checks, government code, licensing, information access, rural law enforcement, child care grants, community support, law enforcement retention, advisory committee, SB 523, Texas driver’s license, alternative address, residential address, confidential address, address confidentiality, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Transportation Code, Section 521.1211

Transcript Highlights:

• And that also includes a $2,000 teacher pay raise. Are you in support? Thank you.
• Are you in support of the teacher pay raise?
• And I've publicly stated my support for this budget and for The teacher pay raise.
• And for those 10 sessions of sessions, this would be the fourth teacher pay raise.
• Did you vote for the budgets to pay for those teacher pay raises?

Bills: HB2210 , HB2398 , HB2959 , HB3006 , HB3026 , HB3151 , HB3315 , HB3372 , HB3467 , HB3590 , HB4268 , HB4359 , HB4427

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: youth apprenticeship, career education, workforce development, high school programs, mentorship, vocational training, state oversight, credential of value, education, labor market, government reporting, school abuse reporting, child abuse, neglect, mandatory reporting, student safety, school employee misconduct, administrator reporting, superintendent, law enforcement notification

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m in here asking and trying to get pay raises for everybody.
• I never left. asking and trying to get pay raises for everybody.
• raise or the pay increase in pay is too far off from each other.
• raise the pay for anyone, knowing we're going to have to raise it for everyone.
• I am sick of the pattern of pretending that people don't need pay raises that keep up with the cost of

Bills: HB2207 , HB2225 , HB2602 , HB2641

Committees: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement , House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 3941 Codifies the pay raise for court secretarial Baylis.
• amount of growth, if they choose to participate in this program, would be eligible to receive additional pay
• You know, in the domestic violence case, what is also frustrating for the prosecutor is the case where
• Tomorrow we will be raising awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault.
• I am not moving to suspend the rules for Denim Day, but please wear blue tomorrow in honor of raising

Bills: HB2894 , HB3418 , HB3415 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB1739 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB2941 , HB2992 , HB3075 , HB3086 , HB3177 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3497 , HB3644 , HB4432 , HB3720 , HB3849 , HB3882 , HB3919 , HB3941 , HB4118 , HB4141 , HB4268 , HB4342 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Transcript Highlights:

• It is reinstating the half pay that. was taken away back in 2012.
• And that, couldn't they just ignore this notice requirement and pay the fine?
• They only have four on staff, and we did a raise for the ones that are district courts.
• the state is paying for it, etc.
• So they don't even pay into the tax pool that is covering for this.

Bills: HB2894 , HB3418 , HB3415 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB1739 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB2941 , HB2992 , HB3075 , HB3086 , HB3177 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3497 , HB3644 , HB4432 , HB3720 , HB3849 , HB3882 , HB3919 , HB3941 , HB4118 , HB4141 , HB4268 , HB4342 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434

Keywords: HB2894, Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act, rural jobs, rural investment, tax credit, capital investment tax credit, state tax credits, economic development, rural fund, rural investor, qualified investment, eligible business, Department of Commerce, rural business, investment certification, tax liability, credit cap, workforce development, small business finance, rural development

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes sir, if you rent these units you are paying the margin.
• My colleagues have spoken very well on all the other issues raised.
• The one that kind of raised a red flag that I haven't seen anyone bring up yet is...
• I've been married for 25 years and we've raised three adult children.
• So he found the time to come down here because of this moral panic that's been raised.

Bills: HB45 , HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: flooding, disaster response, emergency preparedness, state guidance, public safety, housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay dues, and we know what they do; they pay dues to associations.
• Are the folks causing the problem paying that cost?
• The Attorney General in this case is another prosecutor.
• . ...raised.
• Those retail electric providers pay us, whether you pay them or not.

Bills: HB45 , HB755 , HB 1232 , HB1555 , HB2460 , HB2702 , HB2973 , HB3120 , HB3225 , HB3314 , HB3356 , HB3371 , HB3634 , HB3638 , HB4247 , HB4283 , HB4290 , HB4302 , HB4503 , HB4511 , HB4565 , HB4581 , HB4627 , HB4632 , HB4660 , HB4668 , HB4960 , HB5042 , HB45

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, rent control, landlord-tenant laws, housing rights, lobbying, public entities, expenditures, government code, transparency, Texas Ethics Commission, government regulation, lobbying restrictions, government accountability, taxpayer money, HB 1232, whistleblower, whistleblower protection, public employee, retaliation

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of you remember we moved the pay that an officer could make to be an SRO because we had shortages
• What this does is it raises the threshold on personal property taxes for businesses from $40,000 to $100,000
• Next bill, Harper 542 by Representative Shaver, District Attorneys, Prosecutors, Office of Prosecution

Bills: HB227 , HB556 , HB543 , HB542 , HB482 , HB483 , HB484

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• example, UT partnering up with ACC, where those students could use their financial. aid to actually pay
• That's what they would like to see for tuition, their grants. would be an allowable expense for them to pay
• You're supposed to pay the price. It's supposed to be torturous.
• In working through the RFP process, a statutory issue was raised.
• Uh, the issue was raised that in, in kind of the development of these activities, the ability to acquire

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• I raised the same question when I was looking at the amount of the fee.
• But as far as overall, it would be very small because they pay a higher, if they pay out-of-country or
• Generally, it's more than double what an in-state resident, Texas resident would pay. Okay.
• We were able to raise $150 million in a little less than two years in our last campaign.
• But at any rate, you know, when you are raised that way, it means something to you.

Bills: HB42 , HB 125 , HB 1233 , HB2853 , HB3148 , HB3326 , HB3701 , HB4066 , HB4361 , HB4762 , HB4909 , HB4912 , HB42 , HB125

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• therapies, coordinate medical appointments, and provide critical daily support, often without additional pay
• family providers would create new administrative costs, tracking, compliance, etc., and would likely pay
• What is the cost and who is paying the cost of the courses?
• And the state is paying for people to provide for and care for our family members with developmental
• to say you need some minimum level of ongoing education and training when the state is essentially paying

Bills: HB2337 , HB2311 , HB2088 , HB2148 , HB2132

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: training requirements, caregiving, family member, individual providers, home care, workforce education, investment accountability, administrative changes, oversight, education policy, nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation, education, pay it forward program, tuition, student loans, financial aid

Bills: SB337 , HB520 , HB75 , SB337 , HB520 , HB75

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: SB337, Montgomery County, probate judge, judge of probate, county officer compensation, salary increase, circuit judge parity, local legislation, county commission, general fund, public official pay, judicial compensation, Montgomery County Legislation, discrimination, immunization, facial coverings, healthcare rights, religious convictions, civil rights, Attorney General

Transcript Highlights:

• The question is who pays, and the answer is clear: Washington taxpayers.
• The question is who pays, and the answer is clear, Washington taxpayers.
• recipients, and the distributor may not collect payments, which means taxpayers are going to have to pay
• We have to have prosecutors.

Bills: SB5917 , SB6080 , SB6085 , SB5940 , SB5945 , SB5957 , SB5966

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: abortion medications, reproductive health, mifepristone, misoprostol, abortion access, medication abortion, early pregnancy loss, miscarriage management, Department of Corrections, Department of Health, health care providers, health care entities, Indian health care providers, pharmacy distribution, wholesale distribution, reproductive rights, women's health, emergency clause, immediate effect, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• These are good quality, high-paying jobs for Texans.
• I'm not paying any attention to the cameras. You're paying attention to the cameras.
• I'm paying attention to you. Mr.
• Most elected prosecutors were...
• Act, which provides pay equity with district judges in exchange for prohibiting the prosecutor from

Bills: HB4922 , HB4713 , HB4256 , HB872 , HB1571 , HB4266 , HB4559 , SB251 , SB441 , SB1719

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm trying to get to raise the flag. You miss all the shots you don't take.
• But I'm trying to raise the flag that we could have an industry that we could use.
• One of the things that we haven't kept up with was just paying them a fair rate.
• This bill doesn't even pay them a fair rate. It just pays them a more fair rate.
• We've heard this argument, and year after year we're paying them $29.39 a day to hold an inmate.

Bills: HB82 , HB143 , HB145 , HB160 , HB222 , HB430 , HB445 , HB490 , HB603 , HB619 , HB670 , HB672 , HB763 , HB773 , HB781 , HB810 , HB874 , HB981

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: DWI, driving under the influence, vehicular homicide, penalties, criminal justice, inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, firefighters, law enforcement, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, domestic violence, domestic abuse, battery of a dating partner, domestic abuse battery, strangulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> help me raise $10,000 help me raise $10,000 because<00:17:23.919><c> I'm</c><00:17:24.240><c> hearing
• The urban areas were able to pay more than what we were to keep our employees.
• The urban areas were able to pay more than what we were to keep our employees.
• When you raise the commercial rate, then you're raising the limit that Medicaid can use from the provider
• When you raise the commercial rate, then you're raising the limit that Medicaid can use from the provider

Bills: HB424 , SB63 , SB269 , HB424 , SB63 , SB269

Committees: House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce , House Insurance

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens

Transcript Highlights:

• requires that your testimony before this committee be under oath or affirmation, so would you please raise
• I'm an African-American woman, born and raised in my early years in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood.
• You know, I may represent Northeast Seattle, but I was born and raised east of the mountains.
• Please raise your right hand. Dear Reedy Muko Padai—I'm going to... Hukopati. Thank you.
• Please raise your right hand.

Bills: HB2309 , HB2249 , HB2417 , SGA9066 , SGA9246 , SGA9268

Committee: Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Keywords: state employment, classified service, civil service, job qualifications, degree requirements, postgraduate degree, master's degree, doctorate, higher education, Office of Financial Management, OFM, classification plan, salary survey, market rate pay, compensation, workforce diversity, hiring reform, employment eligibility, work authorization, DACA