Transcript Highlights:

• Investment and Jobs Act programs, and also for the Inflation Reduction Act.
• Those are all of the IIJA, the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act funds that we received, again, by formula
• Next, under the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA regulates the injection of fluids underground
• One, it acts as a layer of insulation so that we all don't fry up like popcorn. kernels on a skillet,
• and it also acts as a planet-sized battery where we can access this heat as it's stored in the crust

Committee: House Energy Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Our ambassadors bring a security and hospitality focus to Oklahoma airports, acting as another set of
• we've been printing driver's licenses, albeit under different names because there's been a lot of mergers

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The committee held an interim study on airport security vendors, prompted by Representative Hayes’s earlier House Bill 1271, which would have restricted Oklahoma airports from contracting with third-party identity verification companies such as Clear. Hayes explained the bill stemmed from concerns raised after a December 2022 TSA letter and broader questions about whether these vendors create security risks or bypass TSA screening. The committee heard first from Clear, then Idemia, and then Tulsa International Airport, with members focusing on how identity verification works, whether it differs from TSA screening, and whether the state should regulate these services. Clear’s representative said the company provides an opt-in biometric identity verification service at airports, not physical screening, and that every passenger still goes through TSA screening. He said Clear operates in about 60 airports in roughly 40 states, has about 40,000 members in Oklahoma, and has paid more than $1.1 million to Oklahoma airports since launching in the state. Members questioned how Clear verifies IDs, whether Real ID is required, whether the company can manually override biometric checks, whether it shares data, and whether it has had security issues. Clear said it uses source corroboration with state DMV systems, does not sell data, has no manual override, and has worked with TSA on security upgrades after earlier concerns. Idemia’s representative described the company’s broader biometrics work for Oklahoma and the federal government, including fingerprint systems for the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation, civilian background-check enrollment, TSA checkpoint credential authentication technology, and TSA PreCheck enrollment. She said Idemia’s role stops at identity verification and that TSA retains responsibility for screening and for decisions about who enters trusted traveler programs. Tulsa International’s COO said Clear does not replace TSA, that TSA retains exclusive authority over screening, and that the airport leases space to Clear and receives revenue from the arrangement. No vote was taken, and the meeting ended after questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• but they do have debt, and they end up paying an interest rate, whether they’re borrowing it from a bank
• communications, we negotiated major affordability and infrastructure commitments in the Verizon-Frontier merger
• And so then we can act because we have the power to bring people to the table.
• honest with you, to do the things that you're doing, but we certainly have the time and wherewithal to act

Summary: The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications held an oversight hearing focused on electric rates, utility regulation, affordability, reliability, and wildfire-related costs. The chair framed the discussion around the challenge of transitioning to a cleaner grid while keeping bills affordable and the system reliable, and noted the hearing also served as the annual update from the CPUC and Public Advocates Office. Professor Severin Borenstein gave a primer on utility regulation, explaining the split between deregulated generation and regulated transmission/distribution, the basics of cost-of-service regulation, and the role of return on equity. He argued that high allowed returns can encourage capital-intensive spending and that many public policy costs now embedded in rates would be better funded through the state budget, while warning that price caps or performance-based regulation are not silver bullets. CPUC President-designate Alice Reynolds described the commission’s role as economic regulator of investor-owned utilities and said affordability is being addressed through rate case scrutiny, reasonableness reviews, and legislative direction. She said wildfire mitigation and insurance costs have been major drivers of rate increases, but some wildfire-related costs are time-limited and will roll off rates over time. She also highlighted progress on clean energy procurement, battery storage growth, and integrated resource planning to meet climate goals while maintaining reliability. Reynolds said the CPUC is reviewing utility spending, disallowing imprudent costs where appropriate, and litigating at FERC to challenge transmission costs. Members pressed both witnesses on several issues, including whether rates are being inflated by legislative mandates and balancing accounts, whether utility returns are too high, and whether the state should shift more public-policy costs off electric bills and into the General Fund. Senators also raised concerns about load growth from data centers and ports, gas-system stranded assets as electrification advances, and whether the CPUC is over-regulating or discouraging innovation. Reynolds said the CPUC is working with the Energy Commission, CAISO, and the Air Resources Board on a holistic planning process, and pointed to tools such as interconnection reforms and demand flexibility. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with several follow-up requests for reports and data.

Transcript Highlights:

• but they do have debt, and they end up paying an interest rate, whether they’re borrowing it from a bank
• communications, we negotiated major affordability and infrastructure commitments in the Verizon-Frontier merger
• And so then we can act because we have the power to bring people to the table.
• honest with you, to do the things that you're doing, but we certainly have the time and wherewithal to act

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:24.200><c> Establishes</c><00:32:24.800><c> a</c> Acting Chair, Vice Chair, members of the
• ><c> members</c><00:32:57.120><c> of</c><00:32:57.160><c> the</c> Acting chair, vice chair, members of
• , and we would Ratepayer Protection Act, and we would be<01:18:00.000><c> stuck</c><01:18:00.320><c>
• actually acting and what builds<01:22:49.400><c> them</c><01:22:49.600><c> up.
• Our office was both for the Act 5 deliberations and on the implementation for DNO 37507.

Bills: SB2960 , SB2347 , SB2272 , SB3137 , SB3132 , SB2271 , SB2804 , SB2175 , SB2487

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parcels are no longer affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, or there are mergers where one affiliate
• acre or half acre may have multiple housing units built on it under zoning and the Growth Management Act
• I'm joined today by Remito Cantu, who's the Acting Assistant Secretary over the Health Systems Quality

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. Members elected Representative Pollitt as chair, Senator Wagner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary, all by roll call vote. The committee then approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously, and Chair Pollitt noted plans to strengthen bipartisan input and coordination on future audit scopes and agendas. Staff then presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreational boating programs. They said six agencies collect or spend boating-related funds, that the state collected $108 million in boating-related revenue during the 2021-23 biennium, and that $86 million was spent on boating-related activities. Most spending went to infrastructure and water access, with additional amounts for environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff also summarized a survey of other states showing Washington’s boating laws are broadly similar to those elsewhere. The committee spent most of the meeting on preliminary tax preference reviews. JLARC staff reviewed preferences for natural gas used for transportation, travel agents and tour operators, nonprofit low-income housing development, multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for certain pesticides, and energy sold to silicon smelters. Recommendations ranged from continuing preferences, modifying reporting or performance metrics, and in some cases allowing preferences to expire. Members raised questions about emissions benefits, missing employment data, low utilization by veterans, housing reporting gaps, and whether some preferences still fit current policy goals. The committee also adopted the proposed final cannabis market study. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s reporting system is incomplete and unreliable. LCB said it is working toward a new system and concurred with JLARC’s recommendations, though it said the timeline may extend beyond 2026. The committee then began the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints, with staff saying DOH was late on most acute care hospital inspections and does not consistently verify third-party inspections or fully review complaint and reporting issues; DOH concurred with the recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:39:44.079><c> to</c> right if Congress will not act to right if Congress will not act to propose
• So the state has the authority to act.
• Senator, that's a hard act to follow.
• Congress will pass an enabling act.
• </c><04:28:08.720><c> being</c> of resolutions uh the Jones act being of resolutions uh the Jones act

Committee: House State-federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This would exclude from a Climate Commitment Act compliance obligation...
• I'll note that removing this cause of action does not affect how the Minimum Wage Act, Wage Payment Act
• Wage Act, as well as potentially through the Wage Payment Act.
• Or a bank or something else.
• This Wage Recovery Act is a bipartisan bill.

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said sometimes those increases are from mergers or acquisitions of other companies, and sometimes
• We organized a demonstration right there on that bank.
• </c><01:09:26.240><c> We</c><01:09:26.359><c> brought</c><01:09:26.640><c> together</c> on that bank.
• We brought together on that bank.
• Every person standing on that bank drank the water that had come straight out of the Ohio River.

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a senator bring a bill yesterday updating the rian Development Act.
• Senate Bill 1433 is the Guidance Transparency Act.
• By placing this Guidance Transparency Act within the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act, agencies
• And so the pets that don't like it, what how do they act? Thank you for the question.
• Governing bodies would do such an act. Senator Thompson, for a follow-up.

Bills: SB1627 , SB227 , SB366 , SB1193 , SB1433 , SB1450 , SB1481 , SB1749 , SB1810 , SB1812 , SB1921 , SB1948 , SB2044 , SB2178 , SB169 , SB1877 , HB1409 , SB1266 , SB1432

Keywords: criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1326 is the Self Storage Modernization Act.
• It updates and modernizes Oklahoma's Self Service Storage Facility Act and ensures consistency with surrounding

Bills: SB1732 , SB1217 , SB1443 , SB1455 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1465 , SB1944 , SB1946 , SB1218 , SB1942 , SB1352 , SB2132 , SB1920 , SB1285 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1326 , SB1590 , SB1767

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees, renewal fee, reciprocity, poultry house contractor, poultry house wiring, environmentally controlled poultry house

Transcript Highlights:

• The violation of this act is increased from $5,000 to $25,000, and the ongoing violation is increased
• House Bill 7 is called the Woman and Protection Act, but make no mistake this bill does not protect women
• And I'm glad we talked about Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act, the legislature... came together

Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27

Keywords: sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee amendment is to harmonize your bill with the Coastal Act.
• The California Coastal Act just turned 50.
• Chair, I'm pleased to present AB 2074, the Downtown Revitalization Act.
• The Coastal Act and other regulatory requirements for fuels reduction.
• The CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions in the bill remain incredibly broad.

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 2026 on groundwater recharge. The author and supporters said the bill would streamline permitting for recharge projects, codify long-standing CEQA exemptions for flood diversions to recharge, and add tribal consultation and other guardrails. Water agencies and local districts supported the measure as a way to capture high-flow water and reduce groundwater subsidence, while environmental groups and some irrigation districts opposed it, warning that the bill’s exemptions and broader diversion authority could harm rivers, Delta resources, and public trust values. The bill was discussed but not voted on because the committee lacked a quorum at that point. The committee then took up AB 1577 on data center energy accountability, which would require monthly reporting of energy-use data and permit-related estimates of energy and water demand. The author and the Little Hoover Commission argued the bill would improve transparency, help protect ratepayers, and give regulators better information for grid planning. Data center industry representatives opposed it as duplicative, burdensome, and uniquely targeted, while local governments, environmental groups, and some utilities supported it or supported it if amended. The bill was later reported out with a due pass recommendation once a quorum was established. Members also heard AB 2245 on a producer responsibility program for lubricant products and containers, AB 2170 on CEQA language-access and environmental review protections for overburdened communities, AB 2059 on rural transportation and VMT mitigation, AB 1808 on Western Joshua tree permitting and fee relief, AB 2182 on industrial energy efficiency program changes, and AB 2231 on streamlining two hospital projects. Testimony was mixed on most of these bills: supporters emphasized affordability, local control, environmental justice, or project urgency, while opponents raised concerns about CEQA scope, regulatory duplication, costs, and environmental impacts. Several measures received due pass recommendations and roll-call votes, including AB 2170, AB 2059, AB 1808, AB 2182, and AB 2231, with some members voting no or not voting and some bills left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Superintendent or Miss Superintendent, get your act together, [snorts], and I think that has occurred
• </c> Miss Superintendent, get your act Miss Superintendent, get your act together.<01:25:11.678><c> [
• And in doing debt restructures and workouts with banks.
• </c><03:56:51.920><c> So</c><03:56:52.720><c> I</c> amendments if necessary and acting.
• So I amendments if necessary and acting.

Committee: House Education Funding

Bills: SB1323 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1970 , SB1599 , SB1312 , SB1776 , SB1858 , SB1985 , SB1302 , SB1809 , SB1401 , SB2053 , SB1503 , SB1553 , SB1427 , SB1642 , SB1421 , SB1837 , SB1566 , SB1567 , SB1794 , SB1484 , SB1557 , SB1564 , SB1591 , SB1395 , SB1456 , SB1562 , SB1613 , SB1983 , SB1550 , SB2065 , SB2152 , SB2159 , SB2172 , SB2110 , SB2111 , SB2114

Keywords: memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing, legal representation, corporate liability, aviation, aircraft, surveillance, regulations, fees, Oklahoma statutes, memorial, highway designation

Transcript Highlights:

• Title 19 section 1505, unless that procedure is already exempted from the Central Purchasing Act of 1974

Bills: SB1265 , SB2154 , SB1775 , SB2139 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB1198 , SB2135 , SB2118

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Keywords: municipal ordinances, local government, ordinance publication, posting requirement, public notice, municipal law, city ordinances, town ordinances, county government, newspaper publication, effective date, Oklahoma statutes, 11 O.S. 14-106, ordinance notice, government oversight, municipalities, city government, town government, property maintenance, nuisance abatement

Transcript Highlights:

• The chair said the body had passed the John Wesley Act in 2024, which required all K-12 schools to have
• 00:04:45.360><c> in</c><00:04:45.600><c> 2024</c><00:04:46.160><c> which</c> passed the John Wesley Act
• in 2024 which passed the John Wesley Act in 2024 which required<00:04:46.720><c> all</c><00:04:46.960
• Today we've got the TRAIN Act, which is part of the Speaker's career and technical education package.
• . >> That's right. >> Tell me what that means. >> Uh, well, they wouldn't fall under the Ethics Act as

Bills: HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354 , HB517 , HB520 , HB233 , HB354

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: underground damage prevention, one-call notification system, utility locating, excavation safety, dig safe, call before you dig, utility lines, underground utilities, pipeline safety, gas pipeline, electric utility, telecommunications, water utility, wastewater, cable television, locate request, premark, tolerance zone, positive response, contract locator

Transcript Highlights:

• A license to align with the 2025 Uniform Accountancy Act.
• House 3239 modernizes the veterinary practice act to yield to questions. Move adoption.

Bills: HB2445 , HB2123 , HB3048 , HB3176 , HB3239 , HB3263 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB4265 , HB4266 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3673

Committee: House Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Keywords: HB2445, Route 66, Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Forward Commission, centennial, historic highway, preservation, tourism, historical society, scenic byway, National Historic Trail, Route 66 Alliance, Route 66 Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public-private partnership, sunset extension, commission extension

Transcript Highlights:

• With the 2025 Uniform Accountancy Act changes, it creates three structured pathways to becoming a CPA
• House Bill 3239 makes updates to the Veterinary Practice Act. Yield to questions, move adoption.

Bills: HB3239 , HB4317 , HB4321 , HB4322 , HB3832 , HB3673 , HB3783 , HB3800 , HB2956 , HB3960 , HB2471 , HB3338

Committee: House Business

Keywords: veterinary medicine, definitions, animal husbandry, board of veterinary examiners, telemedicine, veterinarian-client relationship, accounting, CPA, licensure, educational requirements, reciprocity, professional conduct, elevator safety, inspections, Department of Labor, safety standards, regulatory compliance, funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370 , HB2937 , HB3419 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3267 , HB3268 , HB3310 , HB4311 , HB3841 , HB3024 , HB3075

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit