Transcript Highlights:

• This map depicts our 60 Army facilities located throughout the state.
• Centers located at the Arden Hills Army Training Site are 75% federal, 25% state split, and all field
• maintenance shops and Army aviation support at Camp RECEIVES ROUGHLY 30 MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR IN
• I enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2019 before commissioning in 2022.
• So this is an Army-specific Mission. This is a picture of our computer lab.

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt. The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity. Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> coordinator position at the Tripler Army coordinator position at the Tripler Army Medical<00:43:
• </c> health officer for the Hawaii Army health officer for the Hawaii Army National<00:44:14.560><c>
• So it's in the VA wing of the Tripler Army Medical Center.
• </c><00:46:22.560><c> Medical</c> question is, does Tripler Army Medical question is, does Tripler Army
• So it's in the VA wing of the Tripler Army Medical Center.

Bills: SB2421 , SB2690 , SB3103 , SB3137 , SB3164 , SB3206 , SB2933 , SB3133 , SB3315

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army War College with a focus on strategic discussion? Go ahead, Senator Boy. discussion?
• degree</c><00:11:34.079><c> from</c><00:11:34.320><c> the</c><00:11:34.480><c> US</c><00:11:34.800><c> Army
• </c><00:11:35.200><c> War</c> master's degree from the US Army War master's degree from the US Army War
• c><00:14:48.720><c> from</c><00:14:48.959><c> the</c><00:14:49.279><c> Hawaii</c><00:14:49.680><c> Army
• </c> and anyone here from the Hawaii Army and anyone here from the Hawaii Army National<00:14:50.320>

Summary: The Senate convened, took roll, approved the previous day’s journal, and spent much of the first portion of the meeting recognizing Education Week honorees. Senators introduced students and coaches from the LifeSmarts Consumer Education Competition, including first-place Iolani School, second-place Kahalani High School, and Oahu teams placing third and fourth. The Senate also recognized 2025 Senate Youth Delegate Wilson Chow and thanked staff and community partners for supporting Education Week 2025. The chamber then moved to executive business, adopting standing committee reports 1210 through 1349 and confirming Governor’s Message No. 644, Steven Logan, as Adjutant General of the Department of Defense by unanimous consent. Senators spoke in support of Logan’s military and public safety experience, and he was confirmed with 23 ayes. The Senate also confirmed Governor’s Message No. 645, Mike Lambert, as Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, with senators citing his HPD background, work on homelessness, vice, agricultural crimes, and school enforcement; the confirmation passed with 22 ayes. After the confirmations, the Senate recognized the newly appointed officials and their families and guests. The body then passed House Bill 991, Senate Draft 1, relating to criminal history record checks, on third reading by unanimous consent with 22 ayes. The session concluded with announcements, including a YWCA clothing drive, a personal letter from Representative Gene Ward announcing his resignation from the House effective at the end of the month due to health issues, and a motion to adjourn until Monday, March 24th at 11:30 a.m., which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is a daily communication with the Army Corps.
• And so we are working every day with Army Corps.
• Army Corps of Engineers is in the acquisition process.
• Our colleagues in leadership at the Army Corps know that.
• Our colleagues in leadership at the Army Corps know that.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Corps of Engineers. Page 7.
• Army Corps of Engineers. your attention and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
• Those activities are necessary to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to award construction contracts.
• We have special counsel on Army Corps of Engineers contracts. engineers who are working on the design
• The Army Corps? Yes. In partnership. Okay. So you're kind of at the whim of them as well.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the course of his career, he held numerous leadership roles to include US Army sniper, air assault
• He's earned six meritorious service medals, five Army commendation medals, and three Army Achievement
• His late wife, Staff Sergeant Jerry Hudgkins or JJ, served honorably for 10 years in the Oklahoma Army
• As part of that journey, Aaron was appointed to the Survivor's Advisory Working Group by the Army Chief
• currently married to his amazing wife, who has 20 years and still counting of service in the Oklahoma Army

Bills: HB3522 , HB4300 , HB4359 , HB4363 , HB3467 , HB2987 , HB3076 , HB4427 , HB3026 , HB3288 , HB3315 , HB3711 , HB3885

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, ABLE Commission, licensing, regulation, annual reporting, child care, criminal history, background checks, child safety, Oklahoma laws, advisory committees, statewide assessments, student testing, testing window, end-of-year testing, Oklahoma Academic Standards, Oklahoma School Testing Program, State Board of Education, grade 3-8, alternate assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• Kenny Staley, Facility Management Officer, Kentucky Army National Guard.
• </c><00:08:56.640><c> National</c> Army National Army and Air National Army National Army and Air National
• Project Six is the future home of the Kentucky Army National Guard band.
• Army Corps of Engineers. I'm sorry. The next 2026–28 reflects it's been across three by so far.
• </c><00:15:42.160><c> The</c> army corps engineers. I'm sorry. The army corps engineers. I'm sorry.

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the May 21 minutes, and welcomed a new executive branch member, Secretary Keith Jackson of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The board also received two informational items: agency responses to prior questions and amendments made to capital plans after the last meeting. It then heard the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s report on executive branch IT capital project scoring, which reviewed 16 IT requests totaling about $330.5 million. COOT said projects were ranked through an independent panel using standardized criteria focused on feasibility, statewide alignment, readiness, impact, and risk; the CIO recommended moving an enterprise application and artificial intelligence inventory system from rank 11 to rank 4 because of its enterprise-wide impact and connection to Senate Bill 4. The Department of Military Affairs presented its capital plan, describing 43 million in projects for the current period and 13 projects totaling $65 million for 2026–2028, with most funding coming from federal sources and restricted agency funds and no general fund request in the latter period. Its projects included maintenance pool adjustments, a statewide Army master plan, the Somerset readiness center, Shelbyville and Ashland armories, a future home for the Kentucky Army National Guard band, and other facility upgrades. Members asked about the Somerset project’s cost growth and federal delay; the department said the project remains in conceptual design, is awaiting federal MILCON action, and would require a state match of about $9.8 million against $29.6 million federal funding if it is approved. Members also asked about staffing levels, and the department said state employee and Title 32 numbers have been relatively steady, while technician positions have declined. The Department of Veterans Affairs outlined seven projects for 2026–2028, led by a Radcliff Veterans Center HVAC replacement that needs an estimated additional $16 million to finish phase two after phase one was already funded. Other requests included a maintenance pool increase, renovations and exterior upgrades at Eastern and Western Kentucky veterans facilities, a cooling tower replacement at Thompson Hood, and parking lot and lighting improvements. The department said some projects were already in the six-year plan and that the Radcliff phase two could be bid in June 2026 if funded. Members confirmed that a columbarium wall project at Grayson is federally funded. The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented its six-year capital plan, citing more than $3 billion in loan commitments since 1988 and over $5 billion in supported infrastructure projects. KIA requested $298.439 million in the first biennium, including $27.742 million in state match for federal clean water and drinking water revolving funds, $25 million for its state Infrastructure Revolving Fund, $185.697 million in federal capitalization grants, and $30 million in leverage bond authorization for each year of the two federally assisted loan programs. Members asked about drinking-water quality, and KIA said that function is handled by the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Water, not KIA. KIA also said its loan rates currently range from 0.5% to 2.25%, averaging just under 1%, and that its revolving loan programs have had no defaults. The Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet began its presentation at the end of the transcript, with staff identifying themselves, but no project details or board action from that presentation were included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army and was used by the military from 1873 to around 1892. 1873 to around 1892.
• Army and the Marine Corps in both the Atlantic and the Pacific war fronts.
• Army, the M24, it's the sniper rifle for the U.S. Army, it's called M24.
• Arizona is the Colt Single Action Army. Indiana is some rifle that I've never heard of.
• I really like the Single Action Army. It's a soft spot in my heart. Senator Shippy, follow up.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Army guys speak. Army guys on the right. Thank you. I don't know, General. Army guys speak.
• Army guys aren't the right. Well, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
• Army guys speak. Army guys on the right. Thank you. I don't know, General. Army guys speak.
• Army guys aren't the right. Well, I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
• Go Army, beat me. Thank you, Dennis. God bless you, sir. Take care.

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on Florida’s space economy and related infrastructure. SpaceX Vice President Kiko Donchev described the company’s Florida operations, launch cadence, reusable rocket program, Starlink service, and plans for future Starship activity at the Cape. Senators asked about Florida employment, expansion plans, satellite lifetimes, disaster-relief uses of Starlink, and recreational connectivity; members also praised SpaceX’s hurricane response and broader public benefits. Donchev said SpaceX’s Florida workforce has grown to about 1,600 and that the company hopes to add Starship pads and continue expanding in the state. The committee then recognized Commander Dennis Baker for his military service and veteran advocacy, including his leadership of the Florida Veterans Foundation, grant work, the Walk of Honor, and the Gadsden Flag license plate program. Members highlighted that revenue from the plate helps fund veterans’ dental care and noted upcoming dental services for veterans in Volusia County. Baker received a flag flown over the Capitol and a framed gubernatorial proclamation. Newview CEO Clint Grumman presented the company’s commercial satellite LiDAR mapping system, describing its Lake Nona headquarters, Florida ownership, planned jobs, and applications for infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. He said the company’s satellite data could improve accuracy and lower costs, and noted partnerships including a Department of Defense contract and a European Space Agency moon-mapping effort. Space Florida then outlined its role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority, emphasizing its pipeline of projects, spaceport improvement program, workforce academy, and efforts to address infrastructure constraints and seek tax-exempt bond authority for spaceports. NASA’s Kelvin Manning closed with an update on Kennedy Space Center, highlighting Artemis progress, rising launch demand, commercial partnerships, economic impact, and the Florida University Space Research Consortium. No bills were voted on, and the meeting adjourned after comments from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This map depicts our 60 Army facilities locations throughout the state.
• This map depicts our 60 Army facilities locations throughout the state.
• Army National Guard<00:36:01.280><c> budget.
• </c><00:36:25.200><c> roughly</c><00:36:25.680><c> $30</c> Army National Guard receives roughly $30 Army
• So our recruiting is doing very well and the Army National Guard we're sitting at 107% strength.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Gabbard has served in our Army for more than two decades.
• We've worn the same uniforms, serving in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves, leading Battalions
• I enlisted in the Army because of the horrific terrorist attack on September 11th, and volunteered to
• Army, your answer, yes or no, is Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America?
• House and in the Army, you've been both a... ...consumer of intelligence and a policymaker.

Committee: Senate Intelligence (Select) Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• But instead, he held firm and was able to reconstitute his army and saved the day there.
• But instead, he held firm and was able to reconstitute his army and saved the day there.
• But instead, he held firm and was able to reconstitute his army and saved the day there.
• But instead, he held firm and was able to reconstitute his army and saved the day there.
• But instead, he held firm and was able to reconstitute his army and saved the day there.

Bills: HF1458 , HF2063 , HF2164 , HF1377 , HF927 , HF1059 , HF1910 , HF2232

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: CPA, certified public accountant, public accounting, accountancy, licensure, license mobility, substantial equivalency, interstate practice, out-of-state accountant, NASBA, Uniform CPA Examination, board of accountancy, attest services, audit, tax preparation, financial advisory, consulting, accounting education, master's degree, bachelor's degree

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband is an Army veteran and a New Mexico Army National Guard veteran, Gulf War, serving in the
• The Army pays for it. Can we go work with you?"
• I'm currently the outgoing senior enlisted member of the Army ROTC program and the Army National Guard
• The Army, it varies from year to year.
• I do know the Army National Guard and the Army as a whole do have different programs separate for the

Transcript Highlights:

• Whatever branch you served: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, or the
• I'm an Army veteran, resident of South Central California, and I support the bill. Thank you. Hi.
• My name is Janelle Gordon, and I'm an Army veteran, and I'm in support of this bill, 623, I believe.
• William Taylor, I'm also a 23-year Army veteran in support of SB 623 and better access for veterans.
• like to thank you, and again thank our veterans in the room, and certainly Tom Umberg, who is our Army

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Army.
• But in our community, we know him as just a great guy and a great human being, an Army veteran who served
• But in our community, we know him as just a great guy and a great human being, an Army veteran who served
• But in our community, we know him as just a great guy and a great human being, an Army veteran who served
• Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 collided mid-air outside of DCA, and 67

Bills: SB2503 , HB5235 , HB6329 , HB3679 , HB2600 , HR390

Keywords: aviation safety, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, air traffic management, pilot training, regulatory compliance, contracting, education requirements, federal contracts, workforce development, bidder eligibility, artificial intelligence, small business, technical standards, best practices, cybersecurity, satellite technology, scientific research, space exploration, data access, innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• I served in the Army for 21 years. Having deployed three times...
• When I retired from the Army, my wife, Joanne, and I decided to retire here in Idaho.
• Our son is currently serving in the Army.
• The Army doesn't always line up with the school calendar.
• I'm also an Air Force wife, and I'm the daughter of a career Army officer.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Army. Corps of Engineers, the Coastal Texas Project, and the Sabine to Galveston Project.
• Army Corps of Engineers-led Coastal Texas and Sabine to Galveston Bay projects.
• We then went with the GCPD to Army Corps Galveston, Colonel Blackmon, Army Corps Dallas, Colonel O'Sullivan
• Then we went to D.C. and met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army.
• In 2019, Houston Pilots joined the Galveston Pilots in an Army Corps of Engineers study.

Bills: SB410 , SB795 , SB2510 , SB728 , SB2689 , HB143 , HB143

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Major General Rob Austinburg, Association of the United States Army, we support. Thank you.
• Major General Rob Austinburg, Association of the United States Army, we support. Thank you.
• I'm also an Army veteran, a member of the VFW, the American Legion, and the IAVA.
• I’m a 25-year Army veteran. I’m opposed to this bill in its current form.
• I’m an Army veteran, and I oppose the current bill as it is.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs met as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially lacking, and heard six bills. AB 81 by Assemblymember Ta would require CalVet to study the mental health needs of women veterans; supporters from county veterans service officers, veterans organizations, and behavioral health groups said women veterans face higher rates of military sexual trauma, PTSD, depression, and suicide, while no opposition appeared. The bill was later passed 7-0 and re-referred to Appropriations. AB 826 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would prohibit unaccredited individuals or businesses from charging veterans fees to file or assist with VA benefits claims, impose a civil penalty, and direct penalty revenue to veterans services and district attorneys. Supporters argued the bill would curb predatory “claim sharks” and protect veterans from exploitation, while opponents from private claims consulting firms and several veterans said the measure could restrict access to legitimate help and should be narrowed to target bad actors instead of banning paid assistance broadly. After extensive testimony and discussion about federal law, accreditation, and possible amendments, the committee passed the bill 8-0 and re-referred it to Judiciary. AB 556 by Assemblymember Patterson would clarify that campus-level mandatory fees are covered under the CalVet fee waiver for dependents of certain veterans and Medal of Honor recipients. Supporters said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to veterans’ families, while concerns were raised about fiscal impacts on CSU campuses and the need for more precise cost estimates. The bill was passed 6-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its rules 7-0 and approved the consent calendar, which included AB 264, AB 1508, and AB 1509, all re-referred to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army in 1971. Ralph was surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness.
• Army in 1971. After attending college in Florida, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1971.
• He received an honorable discharge as an Army specialist fourth class.
• He received an honorable discharge as an Army specialist fourth class.

Summary: The Senate took up several committee reports and House and Senate bills, including a proposal to repeal archaic law criminalizing pregnancy, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee, and Senate bills designating October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, which were advanced through procedural steps. The chamber also passed to be engrossed local and special legislation, including changes to the Tewksbury town charter, a Boston Police Department age-waiver bill for Lewis Cabral, a Nantucket charter bill making the county charter gender neutral, and a sick leave bank bill for Sally DeRosia of the Department of Correction. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 on a House petition concerning the taxation of certain foreign government pensions and referred it to the Committee on Revenue. In addition, the Senate adopted an emergency preamble for a Warren election-validation bill. The chamber then considered final passage of several bills, including measures affecting the Cotuit Fire District, the Historical Society of Sandwich and Cotuit, and the Salem licensing board compensation, all of which were enacted and sent to the Governor. A separate election-validation bill for Bourne required a two-thirds vote and was enacted by standing vote, with two members in favor and none opposed. The session also included a motion to adjourn in memory of Ralph Edward Pascarelli, which was adopted after a brief tribute and moment of silence. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed until the next formal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army and Army Reserves.
• Most recently, he served as the Eighth Army wartime Chief of Staff at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea
• Immediately prior to retirement, he served as the Eighth Army wartime Chief of Staff at Camp Humphreys
• In this capacity, he served as the liaison between the Eighth Army Commander, Combined Forces Command
• Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Southwest

Bills: HR1038 , HB3263 , HB3127 , HB2997 , HB3115 , HB2123 , HB3587 , HB3028 , HB2035 , HB3369 , HB3620 , HB3621 , HB3622 , HB3624 , HB3175 , HB3173 , HB3178 , HB1979 , HB4476

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Major General (ret.) Tony L. Wright, Doctor of the Day Dr. Jeanette Kelly, Capitol Day students, Girl Scouts, and family members of legislators. Members also adopted House Resolution 1038 honoring the Oklahoma Youth Expo and its agricultural education and scholarship impact, including recognition of top ag mechanics exhibitors. The chamber then considered and passed several bills, including HB 3263 designating the morel mushroom as the state mushroom; HB 315 setting qualifications and a term limit for the Department of Corrections director; HB 2123 revising authorization for an Arkansas River bridge project near Bigsby; HB 3587 allowing court-ordered outpatient mental health treatment; HB 3028 allowing career techs in public schools to pass along credit card surcharges; HB 2035 clarifying transportation protection agreements related to funeral services; HB 3369 allowing food trucks to use two fire extinguishers and training in lieu of an automatic suppression system; and a series of census-related bills creating a census count committee, reestablishing a state data center function, and updating Commerce technology for census address work. The House also passed HB 3624 to standardize county boundary mapping, HB 3175 creating an Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 3173 allowing repurposing of orphaned and abandoned wells for geothermal or energy storage uses, and HB 4476 creating a revolving-fund rebate program to help smaller communities compete for music events and tourism. Two measures failed on final passage: HB 3178, which would have created a standard depreciation table for county assessors to value farm equipment, and HB 1979, which would have created an Early Childhood Task Force. In both cases, members later served notice of intent to reconsider the failed votes. The House also reconsidered and passed previously failed motions on HB 3127 and HB 2997. Most bills that reached final passage were approved by recorded vote, with HB 3178 failing 43-45 and HB 1979 failing 46-43. The House adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.