Transcript Highlights:

• That is actual, I don't know, items that truly control our economy especially here in Texas.
• Philip, I'm going to ask Philip Ashley, Associate Deputy Controller for Tax.
• Yes, Philip Ashley, Associate Deputy Controller for Tax Administration.
• to the six statutorily designated regional poison control centers.
• We are also working with the Texas Poison Control Network.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also moves the requirement for mandatory alcohol evaluation from a BAC of 0.18 to a BAC of 0.1.
• Alcohol evaluation from a BAC of 0.18 to a BAC of 0.16.
• And the last section I have, Chair, and thank you so much, is regarding a blood alcohol content.
• But I do want to point out that the alcohol evaluation is our attempt there as well, right?
• Because the addiction is in control of what they're doing.

Bills: SB60, SB85, SB323, SB309, SB465

Keywords: elderly, vulnerable persons, criminal penalties, theft, civil penalties, criminal justice reform, traffic stops, law enforcement, data recording, public safety, racial profiling, SB323, Nevada, Department of Corrections, offenders, inmates, incarcerated people, prison phone calls, free phone calls, family communication

Transcript Highlights:

• celebrations oftentimes involve alcohol celebrations oftentimes involve alcohol and<00:32:12.480
• <00:35:32.640> and<00:35:32.960> alcohol declining uses of alcohol and alcohol declining
• uses of alcohol and alcohol impaired<00:35:34.000> driving<00:35:34.400> violations.
• Is there a level meter, I alcohol?
• for controlled substances. for controlled substances.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 236, an act relating to venous beverage manufacturers and fourth class licenses.
• S. 236, an act relating to venous beverage manufacturers and fourth class licenses.
• S. 236, an act relating to venous beverage manufacturers and fourth class licenses.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Retailers must age-verify diet pills that contain ephedrine group alcohol. opioids.
• And it's not retinol, a derivative of an alcohol? So retinol, you are correct.
• Specifically, burdensome fees imposed by the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
• In sum, we have to. practice source control in every way we can.
• Well, it's pure alcohol, okay?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Equipment like wind-resistant clothing be provided for workers, requires warm beverages be provided.
• It's there for anybody who feels less than fully powerful or in control of their workplace, or who knows
• They're in total control of the painters, but they can say, 'Well, you're an independent contractor,
• There was no age verification, no parental controls, and no real moderation access across free-to-play
• We have a controlled environment where abuse thrives and the truth gets buried.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a lengthy hearing on June 18 focused on workers’ compensation, independent contractor and classification issues, workplace safety, warehouse worker protections, extreme temperature protections, retaliation against injured workers, and workplace bullying. Committee chairs outlined procedures for the hybrid hearing and noted that members would be leaving intermittently for floor votes. Testimony also touched on a bill to expand workers’ compensation disfigurement benefits by removing the current $15,000 cap and extending coverage beyond scars on the hands, neck, and face. A major theme was workplace safety in warehouses and in extreme heat or cold. Teamsters, warehouse workers, and labor advocates described high injury rates, strict quotas, lack of water, inadequate ventilation, frozen or missing safety equipment, and pressure to work through heat waves and snowstorms. Supporters urged favorable reports on bills protecting warehouse workers and requiring employers to adopt heat- and cold-safety plans, while the NFIB opposed the temperature bill as overly prescriptive and burdensome for small businesses. Sen. Edwards, Sen. Roche, Rep. O’Day, and others argued that the measures are needed to prevent heat illness, provide shade, water, rest breaks, training, and emergency plans, and to cover all workers regardless of immigration status. Another major subject was the “Act to Protect Injured Workers,” backed by labor groups, immigrant worker centers, legal services organizations, and individual workers. Witnesses said employers often retaliate after injuries by threatening deportation, lying about how injuries occurred, delaying care, or firing workers, and they supported stronger anti-retaliation enforcement, multilingual notices, and a rebuttable presumption of retaliation within 90 days of protected activity. The Mass AFL-CIO and immigrant advocacy groups supported the bill and opposed measures they said would weaken employee classification standards. Testimony also supported a funeral-benefits bill to raise workers’ compensation death-benefit reimbursement for burial and funeral costs, based on a family’s experience after a workplace fatality. The committee heard additional testimony on workplace bullying bills, with some witnesses urging a new legal duty for employers to prevent and respond to bullying, while others described the harms of toxic workplaces and the lack of effective remedies.

Transcript Highlights:

• I totally agree that we need to get control of that. So this puts some of that in place.
• control some of those Medicaid issues. control some of those Medicaid issues.
• <00:09:41.440> of agree that we need to get control of agree that we need to get control of
• It is needed to control who's a peer and how many, what work they're doing.
• The board of alcohol and regulation.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 24, 2026, with a quorum present and took up one bill, House Bill 470. The bill sponsor and supporters described it as a cleanup measure to House Bill 505 that would extend the deadline for peer support specialists in the substance use field to become registered, because the earlier regulations were not promulgated in time and employers and workers were left in limbo. Supporters said the bill includes an emergency clause to stabilize the workforce and creates a working group to recommend a more effective oversight structure, possibly a new board, by November 1. They argued the extension would preserve access to services, allow providers to continue billing for peer support, and give the state time to address regulatory backlogs and workforce shortages. Several supporters emphasized that peer support is a critical part of recovery services and that the current system needs better infrastructure, accountability, and uniform standards. They said the bill would help prevent fraud and abuse by tightening guardrails while allowing qualified peers to keep working. One supporter said the bill would close the door on higher-level billing abuses and that other Medicaid-related efforts were also underway to address improper billing practices. Another witness said the bill would allow people who completed certification to continue serving and would help providers retain staff and get reimbursed. Senator McDaniel raised concerns that the bill might simply extend the period during which abuse of the peer recovery model could continue, rather than fixing the underlying problems. In response, the sponsors said House Bill 505 already imposed tighter training requirements and that this bill only extends the registration deadline while other efforts, including managed care organization limits and broader Medicaid reforms, are addressing abuse. Senator Howell asked about barriers to registration, and witnesses said the problem was a mix of supply-demand issues, workload, and some applicants’ reluctance to take the test. Senator Berg supported the bill as necessary to ensure proper billing and accountability, while Senator Meredith said the committee was missing key information from the cabinet and suggested it may be premature to act without hearing from the agency. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also provides the Department of Toxic Substances Control...
• So it is a large waste stream that we need to get under control.
• In sum, we have to practice source control in every way we can.
• beer, but it's actually got like 0.05% alcohol.
• ounce and now you've got one ounce pure alcohol.

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• "Through the proper controls of what the FDA has.
• And so the community was ravaged by alcoholism, and that community... ...ravaged by alcoholism, and that
• They stopped selling alcohol, but there's a new...
• So... ...you of the impact of alcohol within those communities.
• So with that, I do not support this bill or any bill as it pertains to alcohol. Thank you.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• get along very, very well—and every interim we get together over a coffee or a more entertaining beverage
• over a coffee or a<00:07:44.960> more<00:07:45.120> entertaining<00:07:45.680> beverage
• <00:07:46.080> and<00:07:46.280> talk a more entertaining beverage and talk a more
• entertaining beverage and talk about<00:07:47.479> what<00:07:47.599> we<00:07:47.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Black: The CS for HB 1003 follows the model from alcohol.
• This is what we do with alcohol.
• We're doing exactly what we're doing already with the alcohol laws.
• Florida already prohibits open containers of alcohol in vehicles, even though alcohol is legal for adults
• Open containers are not, just like alcohol.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've reached out to the poison control center.
• We've reached out to the poison control center.
• I'm a little fuzzy about the control of the buyers.
• Is it the same as alcohol, 21?
• I know what it is in alcohol.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• court-ordered alcohol court-ordered alcohol treatment,<00:04:44.080> you<00:04:44.320>
• incentivizes getting help for alcohol incentivizes getting help for alcohol abuse<00:04:59.280><
• have to be testing clean for alcohol.
• compliance with the core ordered alcohol compliance with the core ordered alcohol treatment<00:05
• court's um alcohol mandated treatment. court's um alcohol mandated treatment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The underlying bill itself, Senate File 2370, has to do with beverages, the low-potency cannabinoid beverages
• This is about local control, members.
• This does allow our control members.
• Um, and I would ask about local control.
• I encourage this is about local control.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "Through the proper controls of what the FDA has.
• And so the community was ravaged by alcoholism, and that community...
• Ravaged by alcoholism, and that community does not have resources.
• They stopped selling alcohol, but there's a new...
• So... ...you of the impact of alcohol within those communities.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and routine journal and communication actions, including a temporary committee replacement appointment and confirmation of Todd D. Haney to the State Board of Education. The chamber then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 4001, which concerns vaping/nicotine product regulation. Members debated a committee amendment and a floor amendment offered by Senator Bolick; supporters described the bill as a first step toward regulating harmful products and keeping them away from children, while opponents argued it was too weak, lacked retail licensing and enforcement, and did not adequately protect public health. The Committee of the Whole adopted the amendments and recommended the bill do pass, and the full Senate later passed HB 4001 on a 24-0-1 vote after additional debate on the same public health and enforcement concerns. The Senate then took up several other measures on final reading. House Bills 2720, 2078, 2501, 2686, and 2574 all passed, with votes ranging from 17-7 to 26-0. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to several Senate bills, including SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1214, and SB 1478. During debate on HB 2078 and other bills, members used points of personal privilege to recognize staff and explain votes, but no additional amendments were adopted on those measures. On final readings, SB 1566, dealing with residential construction and delay enforcement, passed 17-9 despite concerns that its definition of malicious delay was too broad and could invite litigation. SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1426, and SB 1478 also passed, with some members speaking in support of homeowner protections, administrative changes, or liquor policy updates, while others opposed the liquor bill and raised public health concerns about alcohol access in border communities. The Senate concluded by announcing party caucuses and adjourning until June 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• On the history of the caucus in control of this building. Further debate.
• So, we protected that local control of those approved courses.
• and basically in that affidavit, you're saying that you're not Foreign owned, you're not foreign controlled
• coming from the federal government I'm really concerned that we are moving these substances to the controlled
• If there's alcohol involved, for instance, that would be one offense.

Bills: HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HB1370, SB2154, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1099, HJR1100, HB3021, SB893, SB206, SB248, SB259, SB423, SB563, SB604, SB633, HJR1077, SB667, SB1224, SB1257, SB1264, SB1319, SB1360, SB1437, SB1531, SB1543, SB1806, HB3004, SB1572, HB4342, SB1618, SB2, SB237, SB1632, SB1687, SB1726, SB1859, SB1894, SB1461, HB4432, SB1948, SB1589, SJR52, SR46, HCR1030, SB2071, SB2182, SB1451, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100, SB2185, SB893, HB3021, SR46, SB206, SB237, SB248, SB259, SB423, SB563, SB604, SB625, SB633, SB667, SB1224, SB1257, SB1264, SB1319, SB1360, SB1378, SB1437, SB1531, SB1543, SB1572, SB1618, SB1632, SB1687, SB1726, SB1806, SB1859, SB1894, SB1948, SB2071, SJR52, HB1370, HJR1077, SB2, SB1451, SB2182, HCR1030

Keywords: education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

Transcript Highlights:

• So we protected that local control of those approved courses.
• So there's really not much change at the local level. ...local control of those approved courses.
• I'm really concerned that we are moving these substances to the controlled dangerous substances list
• That's one offense if there's alcohol involved, for instance.
• If there's alcohol involved, for instance, that would be one offense.

Bills: HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HB1370, SB2154, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, HJR1099, HJR1100, HB3021, SB893, SB206, SB248, SB259, SB423, SB563, SB604, SB633, HJR1077, SB667, SB1224, SB1257, SB1264, SB1319, SB1360, SB1437, SB1531, SB1543, SB1806, HB3004, SB1572, HB4342, SB1618, SB2, SB237, SB1632, SB1687, SB1726, SB1859, SB1894, SB1461, HB4432, SB1948, SB1589, SJR52, SR46, HCR1030, SB2071, SB2182, SB1451

Keywords: education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and recognition of two student pages before taking up a long agenda of House joint resolutions and bills, mostly related to administrative rules and agency approvals. The chamber advanced and passed H.J.R. 1088, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1095, 1099, and 1100, which approved permanent rules for education, energy and agriculture, business and commerce, building code, health-related agencies, general government agencies, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and OMES. Several senators criticized the process for moving rule resolutions quickly and without committee vetting, while supporters said the calendar delays required direct consideration. The Senate also adopted conference committee reports and passed SB 206, SB 248, and HB 3021, with HB 3021 making small changes to graduation requirements, including science/math course language, Oklahoma history flexibility for some military families, and personal financial literacy counting toward math in some cases. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 1370, which was described by its author as repealing an automatic state trigger that would replace any federal gasoline tax if the federal government suspended it. Supporters argued the bill would prevent Oklahoma drivers from paying more if the federal gas tax were repealed and framed it as tax relief; opponents argued it could reduce highway and bridge funding and create a budget hole. The Senate suspended several rules to bring the bill up, but rejected a motion to suspend the fiscal-impact rule for a proposed amendment. After debate, the chamber passed the measure 41-7 and then approved it as an emergency measure. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 893, a conference report dealing with foreign ownership near critical infrastructure and agricultural land. The bill would restrict certain foreign adversary ownership or leasing within 10 miles of critical infrastructure, add training zones and other protected areas, delay implementation until July 1, 2027, and create an enforcement process involving Attorney General review and whistleblower-style reporting. Senators raised concerns about enforcement, possible misuse, and profiling, while the author said the bill was aimed at national security and infrastructure protection. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. Later, the Senate received notice that the House was ready to convene in joint session, and the chamber briefly stood at ease before returning to continue its work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have trailer bill language for the State Water Resources Control Board for water quality control planning
• For the Department of Toxic Substances Control, $837,000.
• Hazardous Waste Control Account in 25-26 and ongoing.
• And $1.7 million from the Toxic Substances Control Account in 25-26.
• Department of Toxic Substances Control as well, $2,000,000 from the Hazardous Waste Control Account in

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mouse River flood control.
• House Bill 2232 is relating to prenatal exposure to controlled substances or alcohol misuse and reporting
• Century Code relating to reporting requirements for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol
• House Bill 2232 is relating to prenatal exposure to controlled substances or alcohol misuse and reporting
• substances and alcohol.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a Senator Weisenberg bill 4246 that just is an extension for Little Falls for their food and beverage
• It's basically up to a 3% gross receipts tax on food and beverages, lodging, and places of amusement.
• :32:27.720> and That is the city of Wayzata food and That is the city of Wayzata food and beverage
• That includes retail on-sale of intoxicating liquor and fermented malt beverages.
• Food and beverage or something? Is that Taylor Falls? No. Or... Uh, Little Falls. Oh. Okay. And Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all