Transcript Highlights:

• And Ranking Member Steinhoff to comment on the bill.
• Representative Jacobs: The board is not their employee.
• Representative Steinhoff: ...board.
• We'll go to the ranking member first. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you, members of the committee.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Summary: The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education met in executive session and first took up House Concurrent Resolution 31. A committee substitute was adopted after the sponsor explained revisions to the proposed civics and patriotism work group, including clearer qualifications, DESE’s role in producing seals, recognition levels for gold/silver/bronze, and a special recognition letter for students entering military service. Ranking member Steinhoff supported the substitute, saying the changes improved implementation and likely reduced fiscal impact. The substitute was then passed do pass, and the committee later corrected the recorded vote on HCR 31 from 15-0 to 16-0. The committee then considered a combined substitute for House Bills 21, 26, and 2197, focused on building-level administrator evaluations and nonrenewal procedures. The substitute required administrators to be evaluated at least once per contract year, required written notice of renewal or nonrenewal by March 1, and gave nonrenewed administrators the right to request written reasons and a closed-door hearing before the school board. Members discussed the removal of earlier language that would have created automatic renewal if deadlines were missed and the decision not to create tenure for principals. Concerns were raised about whether the hearing right gave administrators more protection than other employees, but sponsors said the intent was to ensure annual evaluations and transparency without granting tenure. The committee adopted an amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and passed the substitute do pass by a 17-0 vote. After leaving executive session, the committee heard House Bill 3489 from Representative Hurlbert. The bill, patterned after Arkansas legislation, would expand access to workforce development assessments such as WorkKeys and allow up to nine hours of college credit for demonstrated workplace skills as recommended by the American Council on Education. Testimony from ACT, the Missouri Chamber, and DESE supported the goal of elevating career readiness, noting employer demand for skilled workers, existing use of WorkKeys in Missouri, and its role in career and technical education and accountability systems. Members asked about the bill’s relationship to the governor’s workforce executive order, whether the language should be mandatory or permissive, and how the credits would transfer. The hearing on HB 3489 concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, members. Thank you, no. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, members.
• Thank you, members.
• Chairman, thank you, members. Members. Are you ready to present your bill? 3648?
• Chairman and members.
• Members, can you hear me? I've got to scoot this closer. Members, House Bill 3497...

Bills: HB1322 , HB2015 , HB2933 , HB2941 , HB2959 , HB2977 , HB2981 , HB3040 , HB3055 , HB3062 , HB3087 , HB3115 , HB3134 , HB3244 , HB3297 , HB3298 , HB3299 , HB3304 , HB3319 , HB3321 , HB3322 , HB3323 , HB3345 , HB3407 , HB3471 , HB3497 , HB3500 , HB3505 , HB3544 , HB3581 , HB3648 , HB3755 , HB3764 , HB3765 , HB3767 , HB3906 , HB3974 , HB3982 , HB4104 , HB4105 , HB4106 , HB4107 , HB4108 , HB4126 , HB4130 , HB4139 , HB4144 , HB4170 , HB4202 , HB4226 , HB4227 , HB4236 , HB4260 , HB4343

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a large number of bills, mostly by unanimous or near-unanimous due-pass votes. Early measures included HB 34, expanding “zones of safety” to include places like skating rinks, youth centers, pools, arcades, amusement parks, and water parks to bar sex offenders from loitering; HB 3407 on abandoned personal property and manufactured homes; HB 43 on rates for court-appointed property appraisers; and HB 2981 requiring school board meeting minutes to be posted online. Members also considered criminal justice and public safety bills such as enhanced penalties for people on the DOJ terrorist list (HB 3764), updating controlled dangerous substances schedules (HB 3767), and a bill to allow first responders to notify law enforcement after responding to suspected overdoses, with immunity for good-faith reporting and a fentanyl-related presumption in fatal overdoses (HB 2941). Several bills were laid over, including HB 2015, HB 2959, HB 3087, HB 3581, and HB 4227. The committee also advanced bills affecting courts, property, and administrative procedures. These included HB 3321 ending cost-arrest warrants for unpaid court fines, HB 3322 codifying rules for interpreting multiple versions of statutes, HB 3323 moving notarization requirements for electronic documents submitted to Service Oklahoma, HB 3497 clarifying appeals of pretrial orders in criminal cases, HB 3500 removing a nine-month deadline for successor affidavits after transfer-on-death property transfers, and HB 3505 creating a uniform wage garnishment law. Other measures addressed workers’ compensation and public employment, including HB 4260 creating a rebuttable presumption for first responders in workers’ comp, HB 4202 aligning radiology reimbursement with other specialties, and HB 3055 and HB 315 setting qualifications for the CLEET and DOC directors. Later in the meeting, members approved bills on consumer protection, technology, and public safety. HB 2933 tightened insurance claim timelines and penalties and made mediation mandatory for carriers; HB 3544 targeted AI chatbots that simulate emotional relationships with children; HB 3299 created a criminal offense for creating or disseminating digitized or synthetic media using another person’s name, image, voice, or likeness; HB 4107 criminalized misuse of outdoor tornado sirens; HB 4108 expanded critical infrastructure protections to airports; and HB 4139 revised home service contract rules to require truthful offerings and qualified service providers. The committee also passed HB 1322 creating a public domestic violence offenders registry, HB 4104 adding certain voyeurism-related crimes to the sex offender registry, HB 4106 lowering the grand larceny threshold to $900 and making a third petty larceny offense a felony, and HB 3974 addressing liability in shared inmate housing facilities. The meeting ended with HB 4144, which revises Open Records Act language for arrest and incident reports, and the committee adjourned with plans to meet again Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Down the far right is our ranking member, Representative Berthume.
• Chair Day, Chair Edwards, and members of the Committee.
• and continued re-qualification of officials.
• Good afternoon, Chair Edwards, and members of the committee.
• Thank you, Chair Day, Chair Edwards, members of the committee.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any member wishing to change their vote, ta f f closed the vote.
• Great job on your first at the helm, and thank you, members.
• Any member wishing to vote or change their vote?
• Chairman, members.
• Thank you, members. This is our last committee. Sorry about that.

Bills: SB1824 , SB1813 , SB1326 , SB1277 , SB1937 , SB1217 , SB1826 , SB1641

Committee: House Business

Keywords: corporation, corporate governance, business entities, Oklahoma General Corporation Act, limited liability company, LLC, shareholder rights, beneficial owner, controlling shareholder, control group, interested director, fiduciary duty, books and records inspection, corporate records, ratification, defective corporate acts, putative stock, stock issuance, treasury shares, rights and options

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any House members?
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair, committee members.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• Thank you, Madam Chair and members.
• “Jen Marston, thank you, Madam Chair, members.

Bills: HB2109 , HB2168 , HB2198 , HB2226 , HB2415 , HB2440 , HB2665 , HB2805 , HB2811 , HB2825 , HB2857 , HB2874 , HB2966 , HB4067 , HB4117 , HCR2001 , HCR2016 , HCR2051

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks

Transcript Highlights:

• The member for the 21st District, Representative Ortiz-Self. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Member from the 20th District, Representative Abbarno. Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• A good member from the 21st District, Representative Ortiz-Self. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• A good member from the 35th District. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats will caucus immediately.
• A good member from the 35th District, Representative Griffey. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• For members' information, floor action has concluded for the day.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2681 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SB5863 , SB5892 , SCR8406

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee members, basically what this is, is a cap.
• Thank you, members. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Members, House Bill 3522 is a transparency bill.
• Members, House Bill 3530 is simply a convenience and clarity bill.
• Thank you, members. Have a great weekend.

Bills: HB2947 , HB2964 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3342 , HB3344 , HB3519 , HB3522 , HB3530 , HB3645 , HB3647 , HB3834 , HB4300 , HB4422 , HB4423

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Leaves the board intact. Don't touch a board.
• Leaves the board intact. Don't touch a board. We have an entity do that.
• Leaves the board intact. Don't touch a board. >> I'm with you.
• these boards.
• But the administrative functions for those boards that, at least I'm envisioning as one member of Sunset

Bills: HB163 , HB344 , HB163 , HB344 , SB11 , SB92 , SB164 , HB22 , HB89 , SB227 , SB6 , SB11 , SB92 , SB164 , HB22 , HB89 , SB227 , SB6

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: income tax, research expenditures, economic development, tax deductions, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Alabama tax law, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, property improvement, private financing, energy efficiency, capital expenditure, local government, volunteer fire departments, federally insured financial institutions, fund management

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jason Lambers, board member of the Cannabis Alliance, Chair of the Sustainability Committee
• The bill expands each board to consist of five members and requires the two boards to jointly employ
• I just feel like we needed a change from the current three-member board.
• They would be five members each, trying to again separate boards.
• There would be five members each, trying to create an emphasis for each of those boards on the areas

Bills: SB6053 , SB6134 , SB6147 , SB6106 , SB6045 , SB6135 , SB6128 , SB6282 , SB6068 , SB6303 , SB6290

Committee: Senate Labor & Commerce

Keywords: SB 6053, domestic workers, domestic worker rights, labor protections, minimum wage, overtime, private household employment, nanny, home care worker, personal care provider, housekeeper, cleaner, cook, gardener, household manager, wage theft, retaliation, anti-discrimination, immigration status, privacy rights

Transcript Highlights:

• January 22nd, gubernatorial appointment 9313, Shannon Braddock, as a member of the Seattle College District
• Board of Trustees, referred to the Committee on Higher Education.

Bills: SB5068 , SB5109 , SB5188 , SB5223 , SB5280 , SB5420 , SB5467 , SB5581 , SB5649 , SB5705

Keywords: employment eligibility, firefighters, law enforcement, citizenship, legal authorization, public safety, mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, criminal offense, fingerprinting, state regulations, SB 5280

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an amendment that I think is in your packet, members.
• All right, we're adding two other members. So, 15 in favor, 0 nays.
• Members, this is the companion bill to Senate Bill 184 we passed earlier addressing the shortage of athletic
• Thank you, members. And like I said, just be on the lookout.

Bills: SB213 , HB24 , HB163 , HB226 , HB271 , HB288 , HB319 , HB24

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: utility tax, poultry industry, energy consumption, agricultural exemption, tax exemption, HB24, Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program, EMS, emergency medical services, EMSP, paramedic training, EMT training, tuition reimbursement, scholarship, workforce development, volunteer rescue squad, volunteer fire department, ambulance service, nonprofit ambulance, Alabama Department of Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members.
• Chair and members.
• Members any questions?
• Chairman, thank you members.
• Members, the committee substitute will require the Texas Education Coordinating Board to make a report

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• to recruit and bring on new members.
• Chairman, members. I do believe.
• Do you have a board member in charge?
• So with that, members and Mr.
• Members, be..."

Bills: HB173 , HB184 , HB484 , HB678 , HB 1211 , HB1507 , HB1705 , HB1868 , HB2290 , HB2851 , HB2856 , HB3041 , HB3204 , HB173 , HB184

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute members this bill relates to a report by the Texas higher education coordination board regarding
• Members, questions? Yes, Representative Davis.
• Thank you members. Any further questions? Thank you. So Texas is a member of Southern Association.
• Our board has voted to do so all of those accreditors on our board approved list are recognized. by the
• Members, let me make just a few comments.

Bills: HB173 , HB184 , HB484 , HB678 , HB 1211 , HB1507 , HB1705 , HB1868 , HB2290 , HB2851 , HB2856 , HB3041 , HB3204 , HB173 , HB184

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• A member of a buyer's co-op could pick up 50 quarts of milk for 50 members, but all of the Those members
• But let's say there's 50 members or however many members there are.
• Thank you, members.
• Have CSG come to one of our board members to speak?
• Chairman, members.

Bills: HB3000 , HB2622 , HB2283 , HB541 , HB1776 , HB1803 , HB1669 , HB2588 , HB220 , HB3415 , HB50 , HB1314 , HB 107 , HB220 , HB50 , HB107

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: ambulance service, rural healthcare, grants, financial assistance, qualified counties, mental health, patient transport, female attendants, security measures, healthcare regulation, epinephrine, anaphylaxis, health care, school safety, training, emergency response, direct patient care, healthcare, physicians, medical services

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, committee members, good morning.
• Thank you very much, members.
• Members, if you like variety, get ready.
• Members, questions for Chair Ashby? OK.
• Thank you, Chairman and members.

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, questions for the witness?
• Chairman and members.
• Chairman, and members.
• Questions, members?
• Family members usually...

Bills: HB139 , HB1818 , HB1942 , HB1959 , HB2221 , HB2254 , HB2563 , HB2067 , HB2275 , HB3211 , HB139

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members.
• Member: Yes, ma'am.
• The board members of local HFCs are typically associated with the governmental entity that created the
• Chairman and members.
• I'm now the president of an organization, I'm a board member for my neighborhood association, and I volunteer

Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223 , HB323 , HB524 , HB530 , HB636 , HB762 , HB21 , HB211 , HB223

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, just...
• The board answers to... okay, but not okay.
• The board members of local HFCs are typically associated with the governmental entity that created the
• Chairman and members.
• I am now the president of an organization, a board member for my neighborhood association, and I volunteer

Bills: HB21 , HB211 , HB223 , HB323 , HB524 , HB530 , HB636 , HB762 , HB21 , HB211 , HB223

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation