Transcript Highlights:

• The Local Economic Development Act was established in 1992 as a constitutional amendment to Article 9
• , Section 14 of the New Mexico Constitution that allowed local governments to invest in land, building
• It's my constitutional duty to do those jobs, and it's the way I still think about the Fed.
• And that's from the crane operators, because they're all coming from Oklahoma and Texas, whether it's
• They're getting their checks and they're going back to Oklahoma and Texas.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not constitutional, it's not legal.
• That happens in Texas, in Illinois, California, New York, Oklahoma.
• As a veteran, I swore an oath in uniform to defend the Constitution.
• And many of us as elected officials swore to defend the Constitution.
• A constitution that guarantees equal protection, a constitution that guarantees equal voice, a constitution

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB4 , HB1 , HB3 , HB20 , HB22 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB4 , SB2 , SB5

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• In Virginia's colonial constitution, which was ratified before the declaration, they proclaimed powerfully
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1323 by State Affairs Committee, an act relating to the Idaho Constitutional
• This summer, she will go to Oklahoma City to work in sales.

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, approved the journal, and received communications including the designation of Brian Merrill as a substitute senator for District 23. Senators also adopted a consent request to read petitions, resolutions, and memorials by number and title only, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 120 was introduced and referred to Judiciary and Rules for printing. Committee reports were received on several measures, including enrolled Senate Bill 1222 and Senate Joint Memorial 108, and multiple bills were reported out for second reading or referral, such as SB 1276, SB 1291, SB 1292, SB 1293, and HB 613. The Senate also received House-passed bills and referred them to the appropriate committees, including HB 528, 521, 498, 539, 516, 522, 635, 594, and 610. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1242, a cleanup bill for the Idaho Potato Commission, by a 35-0 vote, and SB 1243, which removed obsolete references to the Idaho One Plan, also by 35-0. The Senate then passed HB 514, allowing cosmetology students to take licensing exams after completing 80% of required hours, and HB 515, which removed an unused state bullying-reporting requirement while strengthening parent notification when suspensions occur; both passed 35-0. The chamber also passed SB 1244, repealing outdated regional library system statutes, by unanimous consent using the same roll call vote. The Senate next took up SB 1261, which revises PERSI re-employment rules so retired members appointed or elected to certain offices can serve without losing benefits; it passed 35-0 and was declared an emergency measure with an effective date. After the floor business, the Senate recessed for page graduation and held a lengthy recognition program for the pages, including remarks about their future plans and a musical performance. The meeting concluded with announcements and adjournment until 11:00 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Virginia's colonial constitution, which was ratified before the Declaration, they proclaimed powerfully
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1323 by State Affairs Committee, an act relating to the Idaho Constitutional
• This summer, she will go to Oklahoma City to work in sales.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ohio recently updated their law to ensure students could participate in release time programs, and Oklahoma
• this, if a parent wants this, this is uh correct and this is you should allow it correct this is constitutional
• this bill, um, addresses that, and, uh, in closing, is is consistent with the requirements of the Constitution

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you will join the states of Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia...
• States of Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, now Arkansas.
• orders and four rape kits... ...in Oklahoma.
• released under the Oklahoma Survivors Act.
• Today, I've been at the hearing of April Wilkins in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• shows all the transmitters across the state, and you can see that we're the only broadcaster in Oklahoma
• Outdoor Oklahoma is with Wildlife. We've been showing their show for 50 years.
• Oklahoma Gardening is an OSU show. Same thing that's been on the air for 50 years also.
• In Oklahoma, a unit can have 20 wells, and as long as one is still producing, operations can continue
• He said that in Oklahoma, a unit can have 20 wells and, as long as one is still producing, operations

Summary: The Senate Education Committee’s Appropriations Subcommittee met to hear budget presentations from OETA, the Commissioners of the Land Office, and the Oklahoma Educational Quality and Accountability Commission (OEQA). The chair asked witnesses to stay focused on budget requests and agency operations rather than policy, unless policy affected the numbers. OETA reported no request for additional funding. Director Sean Black highlighted the agency’s 70th year of continuous broadcasting, completion of transmitter replacements, conversion to fiber, and lower electricity costs from more efficient equipment. He said OETA would offset the loss of federal CPB funding through donations, events, and partnerships, and described its statewide reach, educational programming, and multiple broadcast and streaming channels. Members asked about energy use and were told the new transmitters had reduced power costs. The Commissioners of the Land Office discussed record distributions to schools, a flat budget, and planned spending on invasive woody species, implementation of SB 951, IT modernization, and possible changes to mineral management and staffing. The secretary requested funding for a revenue compliance director, field services manager, internal auditor support, and other adjustments, while explaining the agency’s use of stabilization funds and carryover. Senators questioned orphan and abandoned wells, AI use, and staffing efficiency; the secretary said the agency was trying to work more closely with operators, use AI and in-house software where possible, and manage wells and land in ways that protect school revenue. OEQA presented its priorities for teacher quality, including Teach Forward apprenticeship pilots, dashboard expansion, accreditation review, statutory cleanups, and continued monitoring of cell phone-free zones. The agency described a small, stable budget, five unfilled positions, and a proposed $100,000 reduction for FY 2027 based on efficiencies. Members asked about Teach Forward applications, multilingual testing, and the broader quality of teacher preparation programs; OEQA said it had received three Teach Forward applications and that translating certification tests would raise cost and validity concerns. Senators urged OEQA to play a stronger role in connecting teacher preparation programs with classroom needs, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Data brokerage can present serious risk to the exercise of constitutional rights, including making the
• of Oregonians, whether they're seeking health care services, expressing their First Amendment constitutional
• Data brokerage can present serious risk to the exercise of constitutional rights, including making the
• of Oregonians, whether they're seeking health care services, expressing their First Amendment constitutional
• The Oklahoma Senate has a bill that would prohibit new construction until November 2029, and the main

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oklahoma, 43%. Nevada, 39%. South Dakota, 59%. Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from...
• Oklahoma, 43%, Nevada, 39%. South Dakota, 59%. Iowa, 60.9% of their energy comes from Thank you.
• And so you, just like the Constitution, you build good fences to protect civil liberties and protect
• So I think you can put those to one side because of constitutional superiority of the club.
• They have some constitutional authority at the state level, but we'll put that to one side.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It sets the minimum age for marriage at 18 in Oklahoma.
• Senate Bill 1679 is intended to preserve Oklahoma values. I yield for questions.
• We're just revalidating that that's still the intent of the state of Oklahoma.
• So anyway, this is a request bill by the Oklahoma County Clerk.
• Last year we passed the Uniform Trust Code, the Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code.

Summary: The Civil Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up a long series of Senate bills, adopting a committee substitute for SB 1716 as a working draft before hearing the bill. SB 1716 clarified data privacy language as it applies to utility companies, and it passed on a recorded vote with one nay. The committee then heard and advanced SB 1303, transferring property and records from the Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation to the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and SB 2180, the Foreign Principal Lobbying Oversight Act, which requires agents of foreign principals to register with the Secretary of State subject to stated exceptions. Both measures passed without opposition. Members also approved SB 504 setting the minimum marriage age at 18, SB 1209 changing eviction timing to exempt only Sundays and holidays, SB 1448 as a Consumer Protection Act cleanup bill, and SB 1597, a mirror CASA bill clarifying that it does not affect receipt of national funds. SB 1679, described as preserving Oklahoma values and protecting against foreign law overriding Oklahoma contracts, also passed after questions about constitutional and interstate issues. SB 2182, creating a Uniform Civil Remedies Act for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, was adopted after a committee substitute was filed. Later, the committee adopted an amendment to SB 2112 and advanced it as an open-pastures bill for certain county roads in western Oklahoma, then passed SB 2170 requiring supervised visitation for individuals with substantiated DHS findings of sexual abuse. Additional measures approved included SB 2084 limiting settlements in wrongful termination suits involving higher education faculty to two years’ salary, SB 1496 updating OSBI authority and information-sharing rules, SB 1595 restricting state agencies and contractors from steering commercial driver training school choices, SB 1655 expanding post-adoption services through the Children’s Specialty Plan Program, SB 1876 modernizing service of process for foreign insurance companies, SB 1621 allowing county district attorneys to defend county law libraries, SB 1944 clarifying agricultural payroll and independent contractor thresholds, SB 1266 on notary accountability, SB 2072 expanding title-theft investigations and fee waivers, SB 2104 cleaning up the Uniform Trust Code, SB 1769 allowing short-term rental owners to require photo ID from renters and guests age 18 or older, and SB 1827 removing certain University Hospital Trust physician faculty and staff from the Government Tort Claims Act. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• type of law passed in Oklahoma.
• I was a key advocate here in the state of Oklahoma on the Oklahoma Survivors Act.
• We have very long sentences here in the state of Oklahoma.
• Here in Oklahoma, this has been in effect for about 18 months.
• We've had six hearings here in the state of Oklahoma.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2209 would add 12- or 24-month sentencing enhancements for theft-related offenses when the value of stolen, possessed, or trafficked property exceeds $20,000 or $50,000, respectively. Rep. Mari Leavitt said the bill targets organized retail theft and related violence, emphasizing business losses, worker safety, and links to broader criminal activity. Supporters included prosecutors, retailers, law enforcement, and city officials who described organized retail crime as coordinated, underreported, and harmful to employees and communities. Opponents argued theft trends are declining, existing penalties are sufficient, and sentencing enhancements would worsen incarceration and racial disparities. The hearing on HB 2209 was left open for additional testimony. House Bill 2403 would revise penalties for failure to register as a sex offender or kidnapping offender, including lowering the seriousness level for second and subsequent offenses from level 2 to level 1 in the proposed substitute. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive or neutral. Proponents from the Sex Offender Policy Board, sentencing commission, public defenders, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ representatives said the bill reflects long-negotiated recommendations, better matches the offense’s administrative nature, and may improve compliance by pairing shorter prison terms with community custody and supervision. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 2403. House Bill 1591, in a proposed substitute, would create a sentencing alternative, resentencing option, and conviction-vacation process for defendants who are verified survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or human trafficking, where abuse was the primary and proximate cause of the offense. Supporters, including survivor advocates, prosecutors involved in diversion programs, and researchers, said many incarcerated women are survivors and current law often fails to account for coercion and trauma. Some witnesses urged broader eligibility and less reliance on formal documentation. Prosecutors and sheriffs’ representatives expressed concerns about discretion, potential public-safety impacts, and whether existing sentencing factors already address these cases. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2526, which would rename patronizing a prostitute as commercial sexual exploitation, expand the offense to include providing anything of value, elevate it from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony, and increase associated fees. Supporters framed it as a response to trafficking, exploitation, and violence against women and children, while opponents—many of them sex workers or survivors—argued it would criminalize consensual adult sex work, push the industry further underground, and reduce safety and income for vulnerable people.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you get in Oklahoma or, say, Tulsa County. Oklahoma County has 284, I believe, precincts.
• So really, your motivation is Oklahoma and Tulsa counties; is that it?
• So, but like I said, this mostly affects Oklahoma and Tulsa County, but it should not negatively impact
• So really, your motivation is Oklahoma and Tulsa counties? Is that it?
• So, but like I said, this is, this mostly affects Oklahoma and Tulsa County, but it should not affect

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Summary: The Ethics and Election Committee opened with prayer and then took up House Bill 3852, presented by Representative Roberts with a proposed committee substitute. Roberts described the measure as a clarification bill addressing gray areas in how county political parties submit nominee lists to county election boards and how precinct workers are selected from those lists. He said the bill also changes appointment terms for precinct workers from four years back to two years, citing the difficulty many older poll workers have serving longer terms. Secretary of the State Election Board Paul Zirix testified in support, saying the bill could help alleviate shortages of precinct officials by making it easier for county parties to comply with nomination requirements. He explained that the PCS reduces the required nominee list from three times the number of precincts to two times the number of precincts, which he believed would improve compliance. Representative Dollens questioned why the bill would reduce the pool if the goal was to increase candidates, and Roberts responded that the change was meant to address practical problems in larger counties like Oklahoma and Tulsa, where the current requirement can be difficult to meet, while still allowing counties to submit more names if they choose. After discussion, the committee moved a due pass motion, seconded it, and proceeded to a vote. The bill passed the committee by a vote of 5-1. The chair then adjourned that portion of the session and noted that additional action would likely come from the Senate in coming weeks.

Transcript Highlights:

• quick search to go look at some of these other states, and the very first one I came across was Oklahoma
• quick search to go look at some of these other states, and the very first one I came across was Oklahoma
• We know it's a constitutional obligation as public schools that we meet the individualized education

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee approved the minutes from February 4 and 5, 2026, then heard RS 3327 on Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA). The sponsor said the proposal would reduce state funding for several areas viewed as scope creep or double funding, including private school, homeschool, and some virtual school enrollments, LaunchPad literacy, urban custom sections, and a limit of three IDLA enrollments per student per year, along with a per-enrollment reduction. Members raised concerns about impacts on rural schools, the three-course cap, and whether the bill would hurt IDLA’s core mission, but the RS was introduced and sent to print. The committee then heard RS 33027, a proposal for a moment of silence in schools. The sponsor said it was intended to improve classroom behavior and could include prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection. Members debated whether the silence should be required at the beginning of the school day or left to teacher discretion. Two substitute motions to alter the timing language failed, and the committee then approved the original RS to be printed and introduced. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 588, a virtual education bill for Idaho Home Learning Academy and similar programs. Sponsors and supporters said it would codify standards for virtual schools, require board approval of education service provider contracts, clarify residency and curriculum requirements, require Idaho teaching certificates, and define supplemental learning funds and eligible expenses with local control and State Board guidance. Testimony from virtual school leaders and district superintendents generally supported the bill as improving transparency and accountability, while one former legislator cautioned that it could limit innovation. After discussion, the sponsor asked to hold the bill in committee while a clarifying RS was introduced; the committee agreed to hold HB 588, then introduced RS 33283 and sent it to second reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• is necessary to prevent a lapse in funding and to ensure continued statewide services until the Oklahoma
• Without this supplemental appropriation, nearly 4,000 Oklahoma mothers and babies will lose access to
• Is the Oklahoma Pregnancy Care Network a state agency? No, it is a pass-through.
• These programs are going to be administered under the Oklahoma State Department of Health based on the
• Is the Oklahoma Pregnancy Care Network a 501(c)(3), and do they access private dollars?

Bills: HB2786 , HB2787

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: mental health, substance abuse, appropriation, state funding, emergency declaration, healthcare, State Department of Health, childbirth program, emergency funding

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 2786, with Representative Stinson presenting a PCS as the working draft. He explained the bill as supplemental funding for the Department of Mental Health to close out its 2025 budget and pay obligations the department had fallen short on. The committee moved quickly to a do pass vote, and the bill was reported out 31-0 with no nays. The committee then took up House Bill 2787, with Representative West presenting a PCS as the working draft. She described the bill as a one-time $2 million supplemental for previously established costs tied to the Choosing Childbirth Program, saying the funding was needed to avoid a lapse in services for nearly 4,000 mothers and babies until the Oklahoma Pregnancy Care Network can re-enter bidding in 2028. She emphasized oversight and transparency measures, including provider vetting, invoice review, annual evaluations, and a reported 97% of expenses going to client services. Members raised concerns about accountability, transparency, and why the funding should come from state general revenue rather than private sources, noting prior audits and news reports. Representative West said the network is a 501(c)(3), uses private dollars as well, and that the program is a public-private partnership already established by law. She also said she would share the 2025 tax return information with the committee. The committee then voted to report HB 2787 out do pass by a vote of 26-5, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• where they issued a license to Oklahoma where they issued a license to everybody.<00:20:30.400><c> Uh
• </c> who tends to rule on the constitution who tends to rule on the constitution without<01:05:10.559
• The Constitution says we can't do that. We're not going to do that.
• Constitution says we can't applicants. Constitution says we can't do<01:19:03.920><c> that.
• , like you had in you had in Oklahoma, like you had in Oregon,<01:29:36.800><c> like</c><01:29:37.040

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:20 Approval of June 4, 2026 Minutes 00:03:09 Prioritizing Kentucky Agriculture: Medical Cannabis 00:03:38 Prioritizing Kentucky Agriculture: Bourbon 01:41:03, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but it was Oklahoma, and they basically were trying to vote in both places.
• , but it was Oklahoma, and they basically were trying to vote in both places.
• Item one discusses the constitutional debt limit at the end of fiscal year 2024.
• Well, as far as the name is concerned, it's in the Constitution, so...
• Well, as far as the name is concerned, it's in the Constitution, so...

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused. The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action. Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• shows All the transmitters across the state, and you can see that we're the only broadcaster in Oklahoma
• Outdoor Oklahoma is with the wildlife. We've been showing their show for 50 years.
• Oklahoma Gardening is an OSU show.
• We have, I think, one of the issues in Oklahoma is some states when a well ceases to produce.
• You have 90 days to plug it in Oklahoma.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether we make those changes, that's what we're after and making sure that the citizens of Oklahoma
• She's been a part of this team with Oklahoma now for 6 years and she's also been on our project teams
• And we also do external stakeholder meetings that have been very helpfully organized by the Oklahoma
• And Oklahoma was one of several states that took them up on that.
• In fact, Doctor Eenharpoll was involved in the process here in Oklahoma at the start of that.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma and Texas with the two other federally recognized tribes, tribal
• Members, Texas has the constitutional duty to protect its citizens and maintain sovereignty over its
• Uh, maybe this is too simplistic, but we swear to uphold, uh, state officials, the Constitution of the
• United States, Constitution of Texas.

Bills: HB176 , HB180

Committee: House S/C on State-Federal Relations

Keywords: tax, ad valorem, voter-approval, local government finance, property tax, repeal, tax rates, school finance, tax reduction, compressed tax rate, education, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Goodman has been able to coordinate with other states that have implemented this type of legislation: Oklahoma
• We have rights enshrined in the Constitution, rights enshrined in statute, and it's the state's obligation

Summary: Sen. Manka Dhingra held a press conference focused on Washington’s ongoing efforts to support survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, trafficking, and other gender-based violence, while warning that state victim-services funding is at risk amid budget pressures. She highlighted past legislative actions such as extending sexual-assault statutes of limitation, keeping firearms from abusers, protecting survivors from discrimination, improving civil protection orders, and addressing female genital mutilation, and said the state must continue funding trauma-informed, victim-centered services. Several advocates and service providers testified that the system is at a breaking point without restored funding. Colleen McIngles of the Children’s Justice Center said programs statewide could close if the Legislature does not restore roughly $10 million in additional victim-services funding, while Kate Garvey of KSARC said $21.38 million is needed just to maintain current services after federal VOCA cuts and staff layoffs. They argued that losing forensic interviewers, advocates, and coordinated response teams would leave survivors without support and increase harm. Legislators also discussed several bills. Sen. T’wina Nobles described SB 5169, aimed at protecting children from having to relive trauma in court. Rep. Jamila Taylor and Rep. Roger Goodman discussed HB 1591, which would address “defendant survivors” by recognizing coercion and allowing mitigation, resentencing, and vacatur in some cases. Rep. Chris Stearns and Sen. Tina Orwall discussed a bill to make court proceedings less retraumatizing for sexual-assault survivors and to address female genital mutilation, and Dhingra noted the Senate had unanimously passed the Ebony Alert bill. Rep. Lauren Davis shared her personal experience relying on victim services and said the state must fully fund both community-based and system-based advocacy. In response to a question, Dhingra said funding discussions were ongoing but emphasized the need to secure about $21.5 million for survivors and to create a more stable statutory funding mechanism.