Transcript Highlights:

• dissolution of marriage, the adoption of a child, or through a name change conducted with a marriage certificate
• kind of still in this range of questioning, if parcels are certified before the sunset, do those certifications
• parcels are certified before the sunset do those those do those certified parcels um do those certifications
• Florida firefighters face the highest occupational cancer risks of any profession.
• their employer-sponsored health insurance to receive the one-time payment when diagnosed with occupational

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage. Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program. Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are some occupations that are prevalent within Oklahoma that, with the experience and the opportunity
• Um, so those are, those are, uh, some, some occupations that are prevalent within Oklahoma that. um,
• To me, it's that certificate that everybody gets a trophy... You know, to go earn it.
• Why would they want to go get that certificate when we're just going to hand them the money?
• cause a lack of motivation for a lot of workers to want to go out and better themselves, earn a certificate

Summary: The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs. A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness. Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate also repealed the general knowledge test for educator certification, effective upon enactment
• The Senate also repealed the general knowledge test for educator certification, effective upon the Act
• has been created, will the School of Hope have an enrollment requirement in order to maintain its occupancy
• So my question was, will they have an enrollment requirement in order to maintain their occupancy of
• Related to the removal of certificates of completion, a requirement for the DOE to create a document

Summary: The House took up a series of Senate messages and concurred in several amendments before passing multiple bills. Early actions included unanimous passage of CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after removing a Senate-added trust-account provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties in business ownership after trimming registration requirements. The chamber also insisted on its housing amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 after the Senate refused to concur. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation. The House adopted an amendment restoring two teacher-prep courses, preserving the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College in partnership with USF, and modifying the teacher candidate testing framework and mentor qualifications. Supporters said it reduced barriers while keeping standards; opponents raised concerns about the remaining “identity politics” language and other provisions. The bill then passed 91-22. The House also passed HB 1101 on out-of-network providers after adopting a House amendment that kept the original bill’s notice and referral provisions with a good-cause exemption, despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. Later, the chamber approved CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, with members highlighting debris management, emergency planning, crane safety, and hurricane recovery provisions; it passed unanimously. The House then rejected concurrence in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration, and later spent substantial time debating CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, especially Schools of Hope, expanded co-location authority, funding, transportation, and school-district agreement terms. Critics argued the language was added late and could disadvantage traditional public schools, while supporters said it would expand options for students; the debate continued with the bill still under consideration at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate also repealed the general knowledge test for educator certification, effective upon enactment
• The Senate also repealed the general knowledge test for educator certification, effective upon the act
• your bill, that the School of Hope will have an enrollment requirement in order to maintain its occupancy
• So my question was, will they have an enrollment requirement in order to maintain their occupancy of
• Related to the removal of certificates of completion, a requirement for the DOE to create a document

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's it. just want the occupancy.
• c><02:45:48.880> is the training and certification is the training and certification is affordable
• certification requirements are minimal certification requirements are minimal and<02:50:37.840><
• certification, are very small.
• <02:57:44.080> for and and the costs for certification for and and the costs for certification

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, our, uh, they're commissioned under, uh, 17, Chapter 1701 of the occupations code, uh, to.
• House Bill 4956 creates a certification requirement for police officers conducting polygraph examinations
• Who will provide the training and the certification? So the training happens in a couple of ways.
• So it's basically giving those individuals some level of certification or.
• But in order to get the certification that TCO would provide, we would base that on.

Bills: SB 36

Keywords: transportation, regional authorities, mobility, infrastructure, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• To do that, we're going to need people who are able to teach the certificate programs, associate's degrees
• to be impacted by healthcare workforce shortages, and the hardest positions to fill require a certification
• Successfully fill these roles by relieving the cost burden of degrees or certifications and providing
• We hope to hire them as they complete their certification or degree.
• In lines 5.19 and 5.25, it talks about how they make the distribution, and it's basically self-certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Certificate Title for Vessels Act, which is already in place in Florida.
• incorporating TDLR's recommendations to streamline TBVME operations and align its structure with the Texas Occupations
• All right, TDLR's proposed legislative changes to Occupations Code 801.
• It says, "Occupations Code is amended to read as follows."
• The committee substitute requires that fire marshals in counties hold several fire certifications and

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• is on page two, line 15—it meets certification.
• Safety and Health Administration certificate.
• 15 um it meets certific 15 um it meets certific ification<01:22:26.280> um<01:22:26.920><
• and health occupational safety and health administration<01:25:01.119> certificate administration
• certificate administration certificate okay<01:25:03.960> we're okay we're okay we're happy<01

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a House Bill 2 amendment to remove a bail-related section that had already passed in another bill and was now considered duplicative. Members discussed the earlier change to how bail commissioners are reimbursed, concerns that the Judiciary was losing money collecting the fees, and whether the magistrate-related language would still be needed. They noted the bill had already crossed over to the Senate, that the section was obsolete, and that any remaining issue about magistrates’ five-year terms might need to be raised with the Criminal Justice Committee. Amendment 997H, deleting section one, was moved, seconded, and adopted unanimously. The committee then reviewed a package of HB 1 position transfers involving the Department of Environmental Services, Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Staff explained that several positions were being shuffled to correct position numbers and align permitting functions, including one Fish and Game position moving back to Fish and Game, one DEES position remaining funded after ARPA money ends, and adjustments to hours for permitting and environmental services positions. Members discussed whether the Fish and Game position had been intended to be temporary, but ultimately agreed to accept the first four Environmental Services items and the last two Natural and Cultural Resources items as a package; that motion passed unanimously. They then also accepted sections 2 through 8 of HB 1 with the related amendments and footnote language. The committee next turned to dredge-and-fill fee changes in section 11, where one member objected to a 50% fee increase for seasonal docks, arguing it could discourage permitted work and might apply to repairs that only require notification. Staff said the increase was intended to help cover the cost of additional positions in future biennia, but members decided to hold that section for more information, including how many seasonal dock repair fees are actually collected. Finally, the committee began discussing HB 215 and a proposed tipping-fee/surcharge structure to make a solid waste accounting unit self-funded, with members saying the fee could offset about $2.9 million in general fund costs and support the grant program, but no final action was taken on that item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vehicles and the type of vehicles, whether it's volume, speeds, occupancies, or classifications, are
• Operations, instant notification on the occupancy or vacancy associated with available parking.
• associated with the devices—it's surveillance systems, whether it's monitoring systems associated with occupancy
• I know this is very important to the state of New Mexico in terms of electrification. certification of

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:35:33.680> you<00:35:33.800> know<00:35:33.960> Health<00:35:34.200> occupation
• <00:35:34.680> class<00:35:34.880> in had you know Health occupation class in had you
• know Health occupation class in 10th<00:35:35.359> Grade<00:35:35.960> and<00:35:36.079
• <01:04:01.760> now<01:04:02.079> the able to to get the certification now the able
• to to get the certification now the kids<01:04:03.240> can<01:04:03.520> go<01:04:03.839

Bills: HF110, HF111, HF263, HF105

Keywords: HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a needed and widely supported change for Their certification.
• I looked it up in 2011 to have that dual certification requirement.
• Senator Howard: The dual certification requirement was changed, I believe.
• I looked it up in 2011 to have that dual certification requirement.
• They don't count any graduation certificates.

Bills: SR44, HCR1027, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53, HB1185, HB1937, HB2035, HB2137, HB2166, HB3148, HB3323, HB3466, HB3498, HB3661, HB3678, HB3710, HB3977, HB3986, HB4104, HB4108, HB4142, HB4191, HB4274, HB4275, HB4322, HB4336, HB4484, HB3880, HB1687, HB3673, HB1170, HB2959, HB3718, HB3021, HB3443, HB3501, HB4143, HB4326, HB2992, HB3660, SB171, SB1325, SB1980, SB2045, HB4422, HB4423

Keywords: SR44, Senate Resolution 44, Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers, educators, Oklahoma educators, public schools, K-12 education, pre-K, school recognition, education resolution, appreciation week, National PTA, Eleanor Roosevelt, teacher recognition, school staff, classroom, Oklahoma Legislature, concurrent resolution, sine die adjournment

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized a doctor, a nurse, and a student hero who rescued a driver from a burning vehicle. The chamber also welcomed a new group of pages and adopted a motion to reject House amendments to Senate Bill 1546 and request conference. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 44 recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week, and heard remarks honoring educators in the gallery. Senator Goodwin also announced the death of former Representative Don Ross and offered condolences to his family. The Senate then took up House Concurrent Resolution 1027, setting a target sine die date of May 14 at 5 p.m. The resolution drew opposition from Minority Leader Kurt and Senator Jett, who argued the chamber still had unfinished business, but it passed 28-17. The Senate also passed SJR 50, SJR 52, and SJR 53, all related to agency rules, including expanded provider types, removal of a physician-visit cap, and medical marijuana packaging requirements. Additional measures passed included HB 1185 on preserving military and historic firearms for honor guards and museums, HB 1937 on student-employee communications and due process, HB 2035 on funeral transportation protection agreements, HB 2137 on involuntary medication procedures for competency restoration, and HB 2166 on legal newspaper distribution without a USPS permit. Later, the Senate approved a series of bills on business, licensing, public safety, and state operations. These included HB 3148 on VIN inspections by dealers, HB 3323 on removing notarization for certain electronic Service Oklahoma documents, HB 3466 eliminating petty cash at the Corporation Commission, HB 3498 updating corporation and LLC statutes, HB 3661 extending a forestry equipment sales tax exemption, HB 3678 expanding the definition of public official for electronic harassment protections, HB 3710 revising the Rising Scholars Award Program, HB 3977 updating state veterinarian qualifications, HB 3986 expanding a tax exemption, HB 4104 strengthening penalties for repeat voyeurism-related offenses, HB 4108 adding airport operational areas to critical infrastructure, HB 4142 covering conspiracies to use bombs or explosive devices, HB 4274 allowing military children to attend non-zoned schools, HB 4275 allowing case managers and peer support specialists to work for local public agencies, HB 4322 removing dual certification for funeral directors in charge, HB 4336 updating interventional pain management rules, HB 4484 allowing certain state vehicles to be used between home and work, HB 3880 on Tourism Department compensation and Oklahoma Today publication discretion, and HB 1687 creating the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act with an amended effective date. The chamber also passed HB 2959 requiring school administrators to report abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours and before school questioning, with emergency passage approved. HB 3718 was then taken up with an amendment clarifying timelines for special education evaluations tied to the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarship; discussion centered on the new 15-school-day meeting timeline and the 45-day evaluation period. The transcript ends during questions on that amendment, before final action on HB 3718 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• issue of the private providers, there is still oversight by the building official; they issue their certificate
• of occupancy.
• Without the training and certifications, I absolutely vote against this bill, and I urge you to vote

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees determined to be in targeted occupation fields, as identified and run by the Texas Workforce
• THC-B doesn't recognize accrediting agencies that offer more degrees and certificates, so massage will
• Their rigorous certification programs and on-the-job training equip them with the core competencies assessed

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• single parents can focus on raising their children while getting a college degree or vocational certificate
• And our community colleges have aviation tech industry certification classes and training for aviation
• qualified and is installed in an individual's residence or homestead by a person licensed under the Occupational

Bills: SB214, SB935, SB1030, SB1901, SB2018, SB2020, SB2066, SB2206

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• committee on Higher Education, HB 3702 by Alma Allen, regarding the applicability of educator certification
• For the Committee on Ways and Means, HB 3710 by Drew Darby concerns the effect of the tax certificate
• HB 3838 by Curry relates to the limitations on the enforcement of certain occupational regulations for

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Public Education, HB 759 by Bump Garner relating to the creation of temporary educator certificate
• relationships HP seven nine four by Harrison Relating to limitations on the enforcement of certain occupational
• Programs for Certification in Marketing Education and Certification in Health Science Technology Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certificate could be issued at 60 days. certificate could be issued at 60 days.
• Certification will cost $100 and will be valid for two years.
• Certification will cost $100 and will be valid for two years.
• For instance, when we were doing the organic certifications, we were ignoring many other things.
• For instance, when we were doing the organic certifications, we were ignoring many other things.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also allows DCF to issue a provisional certificate for new domestic violence shelter, ensuring continuity
• Residents cannot go into a condo association unless it occupies has full occupancy.
• physician should not preclude anyone from not being able to use the title if they don't have the certification
• So with the certification with the laser, there is no certification that exists.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can provide that, it makes our occupation so much better, because we can get timely vaccination
• Certification is required in some situations.
• Standards for seed potato certification are standardized among potato-growing states, and those standards
• The requirements for seed potato certification are contained in the statutes referenced here.
• me to adopt proven soil health practices through results-based incentives and straightforward certification