Transcript Highlights:

• So part of our job, or part of my previous work, was to look at the death certificate there and then
• </c><00:40:14.680><c> So</c><00:40:15.680><c> part</c><00:40:16.000><c> again</c><00:40:16.320><c> part
• So part again part inspecting the body.
• So part again part of<00:40:16.560><c> our</c><00:40:16.800><c> job</c><00:40:17.359><c> or</c><00:40
• <c> I</c> that's part of the part of it, but I that's part of the part of it, but I think<04:16:52.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 146, which would remove the requirement that a medical examiner physically view a body before issuing a cremation certificate. The prime sponsor, Sen. Suprentice, and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jenny Duval explained that the bill would not change the death certificate process or the existing waiting period before cremation; it would only eliminate the in-person viewing step. They said the current review of death certificates already catches the vast majority of cases that should be reported to the medical examiner, and that the physical view changes outcomes in less than 1% of cremation cases. The witnesses emphasized that the bill is intended to improve efficiency and reduce delays for families and funeral homes, while freeing deputy medical examiners to focus on homicides, suicides, accidents, and unexpected natural deaths. Dr. Duval cited an example where review of a death certificate, not the body, uncovered a long-ago strangulation-related homicide, arguing that the key safeguard is review of records and cause of death, not the physical view. She also said the change would save travel time and some costs for the department. Committee members asked about how death certificates list primary and contributing causes of death, whether the low percentage of findings means the current process has a deterrent effect, why cremation is treated differently from burial, and whether identification concerns are adequately addressed. The sponsors responded that identification is handled earlier by hospitals, families, and funeral directors, and that any questionable identification would already fall under medical examiner jurisdiction. They also said the bill would not alter the two-day cremation delay or other existing safeguards. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> woven into every part of island life. woven into every part of island life.
• Without ex for one minute, please.
• I appreciate her being a part Wyoming.
• Part of it's Congress's fault.
• </c><08:51:42.000><c> of</c> substantive action I've been a part of substantive action I've been a part

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there, and mind you, the Plaquemines Orange Festival is one of the original seven festivals and a big part
• there, and mind you, the Plaquemines Orange Festival is one of the original seven festivals and a big part
• First part of the amendment is technical. The first part of the amendment is technical.
• It's over the threshold, and you can't accept that job until you and your ex hash it out in court.
• Her district butts up to mine and actually encompasses part of this bridge.

Bills: HR42, HR43, HR44, HR45, HCR22, HCR23, HCR24, HCR25, HCR26, HCR27, HCR28, HCR29, HCR30, HB894, HB983, HB984, HR39, HR40, HR41, HCR19, HCR20, HCR21, HB2, HB3, HB15, HB441, HB976, HB977, HB978, HB979, HB980, HB981, HB982, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB521, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB670, HB672, HB797, HB854, HB952, HB207, HB300, HB331, HB428, HB464, HB587, HB618, HB629, HB801, HB853, HB891, HB474, HB487, HB503, HB606, HB633, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB846, HB852, HB856, HB868, HB875, HB112, HB657, HB221, HB149, HB901, HB148, HB354

Keywords: women, chemistry industry, Louisiana, recognition, workforce, commendation, leadership, faith, community service, Bishop Weidner, log truck drivers, transportation safety, log industry, pastor, Church of Pentecost, forestry, tree farming, W.H. Ward Properties, community support, Louisiana Forestry Association

Transcript Highlights:

• WE HAVE A STICKER OVER THE BEST PART. THERAPY GO. DON'T TREAD ON ME.
• THAT PART. AND MR. DENNIS BAKER TO NAME A FEW. GRATEFUL FOR THEIR WORK.
• SO PROMOTING FLORIDA ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS A KEY PART OF WHAT WE DO AND WE BRING THOSE FOLKS INTO THE
• THAT IS A HUGE PART OF WHAT WE WILL DO.
• THIS INCLUDE 6662 CLASSIFIED AS LOW INCOME 1421 EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS 1195 OUR EX-OFFENDERS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether it's a lack of jail, lack of enrollment, or lack of faculty available in that part of the state
• And it's a necessary part of the job.
• </c><00:43:51.839><c> It</c> it's a necessary part of the job. It it's a necessary part of the job.
• So I fully agree with the second part of it.
• I would agree, the second part of it.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we act we have part C um which &gt;&gt; Yeah.
• So we act we have part C um which is<01:44:47.679><c> with</c><01:44:47.920><c> part</c><01:44:48.159
• I think that’s another part of the equation.
• I think that's another part of there. I think that's another part of the<02:04:41.280><c> equation.
• They weren't a part of &gt;&gt; They didn't. They weren't a part of school<03:43:42.640><c> care.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to approve the May 18, 2026 minutes and then focused on how SB 57’s special education cost study should inform HB 1099, which creates a separate study committee on residential placements and related education costs. Members discussed sending the commission’s minutes and findings to that new committee, noting the short timeline for its work and the need to be specific about unresolved issues so the new group does not duplicate the same questions. A major topic was the cost and responsibility for students placed at Spalding and similar residential programs, especially transportation and whether costs are paid through the Department of Education’s episode-of-treatment (EOT) fund, local districts, DHS, or Medicaid. Staff explained that for students with disabilities, EOT funds cover special education and transportation costs tied to the placement, while students without disabilities are handled through DHS care-management and best-interest meetings. Members raised concerns about whether some students at Spalding are receiving no schooling, whether transportation costs are substantial, and whether Medicaid reimbursement could offset some expenses. The commission also discussed confusion over district responsibility when students placed in residential programs attend school in another district, using Winnisquam as an example. Several members said the receiving district was not notified that DHHS-approved programs could bring in additional students and costs, and they suggested DHHS or its care-management entity should notify both the district of residence and the receiving district when a program is approved. The group agreed this notification issue, along with transportation funding, privacy concerns in Medicaid-to-schools billing, and the distinction between special education placements, EOT placements, and other voluntary residential placements, should be passed to the HB 1099 study committee for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> play obviously as part of the amendment. play obviously as part of the amendment.
• </c> have a number of players who are ex have a number of players who are ex exceptionally<00:20:57.840
• </c><01:37:50.719><c> the</c> a recommendation to the state part the a recommendation to the state part
• Does that part of it make sense?
• </c> that does that part of it make sense? that does that part of it make sense?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law. Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut. Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not part of their job description.
• It was just part of that review process and we sent notice in December that we believed they may have
• it tabling it or, uh, uh, I, I think in order to properly address that, For lack of a better word, ex
• Certainly that'll be part of our, uh, what we'll take up. Thank you. OK, thank you. Thank you.
• Yeah, Chapter 22 was reviewed as part of the comprehensive rule review.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm so honored to be a part of this chamber and look forward to working with everybody.
• speaker</c><00:18:30.799><c> will</c><00:18:30.960><c> be</c> 7:30 program, and our speaker will be part
• Space and Rocket Center in 2009, served as an ex officio member of the Rocket Center Education Foundation

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in fact, for me, the most unproductive part of my life was when I was trying to figure out how to
• you think the only time you get a finding of family violence is if they assault you, because all my ex-husband
• a door and people shoot through the door and stop them because they've already broken through one part

Bills: HB115

Keywords: public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association

Summary: The Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence reconvened with a quorum present and announced it would likely not vote that night because of confusion over the bill list; members were told a definitive list would be circulated the next morning and a formal meeting would be scheduled later. The chair then heard a series of bills, generally taking testimony and leaving each pending without action. House Bill 1847 would set maximum caseload standards for private attorneys handling indigent criminal appointments through the Texas Indigent Defense Commission; House Bill 2417 would expand compensation eligibility for some wrongfully imprisoned people; House Bill 2813 would require earlier and more specific victim notice of scheduled court proceedings; and House Bill 2309 would expand state and local authority in certain civil asset forfeiture cases involving human trafficking, health care fraud, and organized crime. Each bill was laid out by its author or a member, with no opposition witnesses registered, and each was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 4733, which would require sealing records for people acquitted of charges when they were not convicted on the related allegation; House Bill 2328, which would modernize expunction service by encouraging electronic notice, setting a standardized fee when electronic service is unavailable, extending clerk retention of expunction orders, and preserving certain mental health commitment orders; and House Bill 115, which would revise Texas’s “junk science” post-conviction writ law by providing counsel, changing the relief standard, requiring written decisions, and easing procedural barriers. Testimony on HB 2328 was mixed: county clerks supported the bill as a cost-saving modernization, while legal advocates warned that permanent retention of expunction orders could undermine true expunction and create privacy risks. HB 115 drew support from innocence and defense organizations, with some concern about a provision affecting subsequent writs. All were left pending after testimony. Later, the committee heard House Bill 2046, which would allow affirmative family-violence findings for any Penal Code offense rather than only Title V offenses; testimony from a Dallas County prosecutor and a committee member emphasized that family violence can involve arson, burglary, fraud, and other non-Title V conduct, and the bill was left pending. House Bill 1765 would tighten restrictions on no-knock warrants by requiring higher-level approval, judicial review, and identifiable officers; members discussed the dangers highlighted by the Harding Street raid and similar incidents, and the bill was also left pending. The meeting ended with the chair noting that some bills had been removed from the agenda at the author’s request and that members should be prepared to finalize the vote list the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• They walked across, and the way it is in that part of Creek County, it was all private property.
• You can protest any part of the Capitol you want to. Senator Sequeira, thank you, Mr. President.
• The second part is it gives the way that you can disrupt that by uttering any profane discourse, committing
• But this bill is, in part, addressing and criminalizing something very different.
• It's going to show up in your ex and issues.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and recognized a doctor of the day, interns, and student groups in the galleries. The main item of business was House amendments to Senate Bill 743, a measure described by the author as a worship protection bill updating an old Oklahoma law. The bill was presented as protecting religious worship services from disruption and obstruction, especially in light of incidents the author said occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Creek County, Oklahoma. Much of the floor discussion focused on whether the bill would affect protest and speech rights on public property, with the author repeatedly saying it would not restrict speech generally, but would create an eight-foot buffer around unwilling listeners and a 100-foot zone near entrances to prevent obstruction of people entering worship services. Several senators questioned the bill’s constitutional basis and practical effect, especially its reliance on Hill v. Colorado and whether the U.S. Supreme Court might overturn that precedent. Opponents argued the measure could chill peaceful protest, sidewalk counseling, and other First Amendment activity near churches or other religious gatherings, while supporters said it was narrowly aimed at preventing trespass, harassment, and disruption of worship. The author emphasized that the bill was intended to protect congregants, including elderly worshippers, and to preserve access to services without interference. Debate also touched on the distinction between public and private property and whether the bill could apply to religious gatherings at the Capitol or other public places. After questions concluded, the Senate adopted the House amendments to Senate Bill 743 and then passed the bill on final passage by a vote of 31-15. The emergency clause also passed, 36-9. The chamber then moved to announcements, including a notice that the Energy Committee would meet the next morning, and adjourned until Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> EX OFFICIO SKIDMARK. >> HERE. >> CHAIR, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> Chair Canady: BY YOUR PRESENCE WE HAVE
• Skidmore: THE SECOND PART OF MY QUESTION WAS HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT >> Rep.
• Skidmore: THE SECOND PART OF MY QUESTION WAS HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THAT MIGHT TAKE GIVEN DCF WORK SHORTAGES
• REPRESENTATIVE SKIDMORE, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> NOT TO BE RULED OUT OF ORDER, THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE PART
• BEFORE WAS RUNNING TO OFFICE AND I CAN ATTEST THIS HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION YOU HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH A PART

Transcript Highlights:

• And this part of the statute was created in 1974, and it has been amended and changed over the period
• This amendment also requires the FSA to develop a standard form to document any ex exception is granted
• Was that a part of any of your conversations in talks about maybe finding for them to for the class more
• Senator Osgood, that has not been part of the discussion point with with this particular policy.
• You guys just discussed this part.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of the best committee in the Florida House. So welcome, welcome.
• I represent District 37, which is parts of Orange County, parts of Seminole County.
• Johns County, and parts of Marion County, from the city limits of St.
• Augustine including parts of the city of Ocala. It's a massive district.
• You're recognized to answer a two-part question. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met with a quorum and began with member introductions and remarks from the chair emphasizing the committee’s focus on government efficiency, accountability, and oversight of executive branch agencies. Members shared their districts and backgrounds, with several noting hurricane recovery in their communities and a shared interest in reducing bureaucracy and improving service to Floridians. The committee’s only presentation was from Chris Spencer, Executive Director of the State Board of Administration, who gave an overview of the SBA’s governance structure, investment responsibilities, and divestment policies. He explained the SBA’s management of more than $257 billion in assets, including the Florida Retirement System, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and Florida PRIME, and reviewed the Protecting Florida’s Investments Act restrictions covering Northern Ireland, Cuba, Venezuela, Israel, Sudan, Iran, and China. He also described the implementation of HB 7071, including the required divestment from direct holdings in Chinese companies, and said the SBA had reduced its direct Chinese holdings from 33 companies totaling over $172 million to 13 companies totaling about $64 million, with completion expected ahead of the September 1, 2025 deadline. Members asked detailed questions about the Israel boycott list, Morningstar and MSCI, how the SBA gathers information, whether Cuba’s federal designation changes affect Florida law, how companies are removed from scrutinized lists, and whether divestment timing could affect returns. Spencer said the SBA uses public and paid research sources, gives companies a 90-day cure period in some cases, and brings list changes to the trustees for approval. He also explained that the China benchmark change is intended to reduce passive exposure while still allowing active investment decisions, and said the PFIA restrictions have had a modestly positive overall effect on pension performance. The chair also asked about the Florida Retirement System funded ratio and the CAT Fund’s capacity; Spencer said the pension fund is at 80.7% funded, that actuarial assumptions are reviewed regularly, and that the CAT Fund currently has more than $10.5 billion in liquid claims-paying capacity and is expected to remain well positioned for hurricane losses. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• now</c><00:35:54.760><c> with</c><00:35:54.920><c> the</c><00:35:55.480><c> new</c><00:35:56.480><c> ex
• </c> this country now with the new ex this country now with the new ex expedited<00:35:57.240><c> removal
• She mentioned a GE issue regarding the payments to payroll companies as a part of a production.
• Thank you very much. ...regarding the payments to payroll companies as a part of a production.
• We also want to amend the bill and the appropriation section to add another part, which is to require

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• 03:17.840><c> credit</c><00:03:18.200><c> definitions</c><00:03:19.159><c> for</c><00:03:19.440><c> ex
• </c><00:03:19.760><c> and</c> in the uh credit definitions for ex and in the uh credit definitions for
• ex and and<00:03:20.080><c> we</c><00:03:20.239><c> have</c><00:03:20.480><c> pointed</c><00:03:20.840
• It was part of the women's caucus bills in 2012 that passed with the Justice Reinvestment Initiative,
• It was part of the women's caucus bills in 2012 that passed with the Justice Reinvestment Initiative,

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• state assessment of certain properties, which is utilities, pipelines, and railroads for the most part
• railroads for is utilities pipelines and railroads for the<00:02:05.759><c> most</c><00:02:06.039><c> part
• and</c><00:02:07.479><c> usually</c><00:02:07.920><c> the</c><00:02:08.160><c> county</c> the most part
• and usually the county the most part and usually the county assesses<00:02:09.720><c> most</c><00:02
• </c><00:53:39.119><c> exempt</c> properties for for uh their ex exempt properties for for uh their ex

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The writing assessment is not currently part of the school.
• I agree that definitely resiliency as part of the process.
• I think that's really part of the work that we do.
• Part of what we have at the department.
• I'm the first the first part of your question.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are the things that you described in the last part of your statement things that do not occur as part
• Of electricity for our state, for a large part of our state.
• Part of my concern is that we're looking at two agencies.
• The control issue, you know, that's going to be part of this study.
• But it was the substitute, because we wanted to be part of that.

Bills: HB303, SB96, HM6

Keywords: public utility, certificate of public convenience and necessity, certificate of need, Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility regulation, ratemaking, energy storage, battery storage, grid reliability, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation plant, utility expansion, service territory, mutual domestic water consumer association, economic development department, clean energy, fossil fuel reduction

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like me to walk through it right now or as part of my argument?
• And there's actually three parts to it dealing with elections or appointments.
• This provision is part of the checks and balances and separation of powers.
• This provision is part of the checks and balances and separation of powers.
• I don't remember if it's part D or C, but it's at the bottom.

Summary: The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting to address several candidate contests and related procedural matters. After roll call and opening remarks, counsel explained the hearing procedures, burden of proof, and possible outcomes. Several cases were noted as resolved or withdrawn, including Timmons v. Jones, Banning v. Sutterfield, and Roberts v. Gaw. In Ranson v. Riley, the board accepted constructive service after the respondent did not appear, heard that Riley was not a registered voter in the required district for the required period, and voted 3-0 to sustain the petition and strike him from the ballot, with costs assessed to the petitioner. The board then heard Hasenbach v. Pugh, a contest challenging Senator Adam Pugh’s candidacy for Superintendent of Public Instruction under the Oklahoma Constitution’s emoluments ineligibility clause. The petitioner argued that Pugh was a sitting legislator whose office’s salary and benefits had increased during his term, relying on stipulated facts, a compensation commission order, and prior case law. The respondent argued the salary increase came from an independent commission that expressly excluded current legislators and that benefit changes were automatic under a preexisting statute, so no qualifying increase applied to Pugh. The board resolved several procedural issues first, including striking a reply brief as beyond the original petition and admitting joint stipulations into the record. After a recess and executive session, the board returned to open session and voted 3-0 to deny the petition in Hasenbach v. Pugh, retaining Pugh as a candidate on the ballot and assessing costs to the petitioner. The meeting concluded with closing remarks from the secretary and a unanimous vote to adjourn.