Transcript Highlights:

• the grant amounts by a cost-of-living adjustment, a COLA.
• This also reflects the 2.41% cost-of-living adjustment and 88% change adjustments.
• At the time... ...cost-of-living adjustment and 88% change adjustments.
• I'm not aware, for example, of some kind of inflationary adjustment that adjusts for declining enrollment
• And then those adjustments would then be captured within their...

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> let's go to um appropriation adjustments let's go to um appropriation adjustments on<00:30:04.399
• </c><01:45:50.239><c> uh</c> the the MET estimate adjustments uh the the MET estimate adjustments uh
• </c> department is basically 89% um salaries department is basically 89% um salaries and<02:00:59.199
• Uh the prior adjusted authorized.
• adjustments were higher, revenue adjustments were higher, probably<02:58:56.720><c> about</c><02:58:

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I did codify the legislative intent on page 14 as well that has been in the bill related to salary adjustments
• , prohibition on using the direct distribution for salary adjustments, personnel and increased personal
• , prohibition on using the direct distribution for salary adjustments, personnel and increased personal
• , prohibition on using the direct distribution for salary adjustments, personnel and increased personal
• , prohibition on using the direct distribution for salary adjustments, personnel and increased personal

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• If you adjust for inflation from what they proposed at that time to where we are today, you'll see that
• And I know school districts consistently wait to have that adjustment in order for them to go ahead and
• You've raised salaries to increase recruitment and also to some teachers.
• Are we looking at teacher salaries? We're looking at, yeah.
• For adjustment.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• There's not a specific on-the-dollar amount, but within the funding formula, there is an adjustment on
• So there is an adjustment made to their point totals in that index based on that.
• So there is an adjustment made to their point totals in that index based on that.
• You mentioned salary increases. And we'll utilize medical sanctions for the rest of it.
• You mentioned salary increases in that $46 million.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first considered revisions to the JBC rules, which staff said were all prompted by acts passed in the 2025 legislative session. The rules were adopted without objection. Members then received a balanced budget presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s FY27 proposal, which he said was built around three priorities: limiting state government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income tax cuts. He highlighted major additions for education funding, EFA growth, pay plan costs, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, corrections medical costs, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction, and Medicaid sustainability, while also explaining a new A/B funding category structure intended to prioritize recurring costs and preserve room for tax cuts. Members questioned Hudson about the cost of income tax reductions, the constitutional balanced-budget requirement, education funding, the Educational Adequacy Fund, Medicaid trust fund balances, and the impact of federal changes on Medicaid and SNAP. Hudson said each tenth of a percent income tax cut would cost about $58 million, the budget remained balanced, public education would still receive historic increases, and the Medicaid trust fund would be monitored closely with additional set-asides proposed. He also said the FY27 SNAP administrative cost increase would be about $18 million. The committee then heard from the Division of Higher Education, which reported institutions were 2.61% more productive overall and that the budget recommendation followed the statutory productivity formula. Questions focused on why some institutions were receiving decreases or large increases, how the formula works, and how the new return-on-investment metric and committee composition would affect future funding. The committee approved several higher education-related actions, including personnel changes for nine institutions and special language for North Arkansas College’s move into the University of Arkansas system. Staff then walked members through the higher education appropriation summary, explaining large percentage increases at several institutions were tied to federal funds or corrected carry-forward issues, including the U of A School of Mathematical, Sciences and the Arts, South Arkansas College, SAU Tech, ASU Mountain Home, and ASU Newport. Members also discussed UAPB’s 1890 extension program and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s land-grant matching funds; officials said UAPB’s recommendation was being aligned with actual spending and that the Division of Agriculture’s Smith-Lever and Hatch matches were included within its overall appropriation. The committee ultimately adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions and then moved on to the Department of Corrections section, with the chair outlining how the committee would proceed through those appropriations by section.

Transcript Highlights:

• To make some adjustments.
• adjustment.
• This increase reflects the 2.41% cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, as well as ADA percent change adjustments
• We are in a period of low to normal cost-of-living adjustments.
• “Let’s make some adjustments.

Summary: The subcommittee opened with remarks on the state budget and K-12 education, noting the large increase in the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee, the use of deferrals and reserves in the prior budget, and the challenge of balancing education funding against other state priorities. Superintendent Tony Thurmond described California education as improving overall, citing gains in test scores, graduation, and college readiness, but said major gaps remain for low-income students, students of color, agricultural communities, English learners, foster youth, and students with disabilities. He praised recent investments in universal meals, transitional kindergarten, community schools, arts, broadband, and special education, while warning that declining enrollment, chronic absenteeism, and the proposed $5.6 billion Prop. 98 settle-up create uncertainty for districts. He also urged a long-term literacy plan, expanded tutoring, universal kindergarten, and continued protections for students and families affected by immigration enforcement, including ICE-related fear and attendance loss. The committee then heard a detailed presentation on Proposition 98 from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Finance explained that the Governor’s budget projects the minimum guarantee will rise by about $21.7 billion over three years, with a $5.6 billion settle-up obligation in 2025-26 intended to avoid overappropriation if revenues weaken. Finance also described revised reserve deposits and withdrawals, ending with about $4.1 billion in the Public School System Stabilization Account by 2026-27. The LAO said recent revenue collections were stronger than expected in the current year but warned that the outlook for 2026-27 is weaker and that stock-market-driven revenues remain volatile. The LAO supported maintaining reserves and one-time spending buffers, but recommended fully funding the guarantee and using other budget solutions rather than shifting the settle-up into future deficits. Members asked about the settle-up process, certification timeline, the effect of attendance declines tied to immigration enforcement, and wildfire-related impacts, including Pasadena Unified’s $4 million special appropriation. On LCFF and necessary small schools, Finance proposed a 2.41% COLA and about $2.2 billion in additional LCFF funding for districts and charters in 2026-27, plus a $30.7 million ongoing increase to raise the necessary small schools allowance by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA but said the small-school increase was not tied to a specific cost study and could be redesigned to better target small districts, noting that only a fraction of very small districts would benefit. Questions focused on how small schools access supplemental and concentration grants and how attendance recovery programs are being implemented. The Department of Education said only 130 LEAs had reported attendance recovery so far, likely because it is a new program with compliance requirements, though interest appears to be growing. FICMAT then reviewed the fiscal health of local districts, reporting an uptick in qualified and negative certifications, though still far below Great Recession levels. It said declining enrollment, rising special education costs, and higher labor and insurance costs are the biggest fiscal pressures, and that some districts are using fiscal stabilization plans and staff reductions ahead of second interim reports. FICMAT also discussed wildfire impacts on Pasadena Unified and Los Angeles Unified, explaining that Pasadena’s $4 million state appropriation was based on an early post-fire assessment and that the district is being monitored with the county office of education. Members raised concerns about Pasadena’s leadership, special education staffing shortages, AB 218 sexual abuse litigation costs, insurance premium increases, and the need for stronger prevention and training measures. FICMAT said SB 848 and related policies address some of those concerns by strengthening standards, training, and reporting requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have adjusted the agenda more than once already this morning.
• If a position is vacant, that adjustment continues to happen.
• There were exclusions and things done that adjusted down from there.
• The request is for $96.5 million in addition to some operational adjustments.
• They are paying themselves large salaries or executive officers, etc.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don’t necessarily need legislation to...” “...adjust that to a permit.
• It was in South Texas and West Texas where the EPA made their adjustments on pressure.
• It was in South Texas and West Texas where the EPA made their adjustments on pressure.
• I mean, is there anything that needs to be adjusted there?
• So instead of suspending a rule, it goes in and makes adjustments to the administrative code.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• at the appropriate time and yield for questions. $142,137 to the Supreme Court to be used to fund salary
• We all know that people don't expect public servants to make corporate salaries, but we do expect them
• Will this be adjusted if the number of school districts changes? Thank you for the question.
• We had to adjust. We had to be sensitive to what was going on around us.
• We adjusted, and it caused us to make important decisions about tightening our belt, adjusting for reality

Bills: HB3257 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3619 , HB3546 , HB1782 , HB2293 , HB4358 , HB3081 , HB3983 , HB3790 , HJR1023 , HB4139 , HB3297 , HB3041 , HB3673 , HB4105 , HB3338 , HB3048 , SR33 , SCR21 , SCR20 , HB4030 , HB4031 , HB4032 , HB4034 , HB4036 , HB4037 , HB4038 , HB4040 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4043 , HB4045 , HB4046 , HB4047 , HB4048 , HB4044 , HB4050 , HB4051 , HB4052 , HB4053 , HB4054 , HB4056 , HB4057 , HB4071 , HB4065 , HB4067 , HB4072 , HB2992 , HB4338 , HB4170

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and several gallery introductions recognizing guests and honorees, including the Medford Cardinals football team for their academic and athletic success, Guthrie Day, the Oscar J. Upham post office designation, the OKC Spark professional softball team, the Elks organization, and the YMCA’s 175th anniversary. Senators also welcomed a new intern and acknowledged Senator Carl McDowell’s return to the chamber. Most of the early floor time was devoted to ceremonial citations and concurrent resolutions, all of which were adopted without recorded opposition. The chamber then moved through a series of Joint Committee Reports and third-reading votes on appropriations and related measures. HB 4031 reauthorized $41 million for previously approved ODAA projects and passed 36-8, declared an emergency. HB 4032 redirected industry fees to the Department of Mines and passed 34-11, emergency. HB 4034 appropriated $142,137 for salary increases for certified shorthand reporters and passed 45-0, emergency. HB 4036 transferred $5 million from the Film and Oklahoma revolving fund to a new sitcom-related revolving fund and passed 30-15. HB 4037 raised the Ethics Commission Fund retention cap from $150,000 to $250,000 and passed 45-0, emergency. Several transportation, health, and public safety measures also advanced. HB 4038 moved $5 million for the eight-year road plan and additional project funding, passing 28-17 and then as an emergency measure after vote changes. HB 4040 set up cash-flow funds for the State Department of Health’s $223 million federal award and passed 45-0, emergency. HB 4041 appropriated $2.25 million to the Attorney General, including $2 million for a trafficking victim pilot program and $250,000 for a public safety technology fund, and passed as an emergency. HB 4042 appropriated $500,000 for the Commerce census revolving fund and passed 35-9. HB 4043 transferred $1 million to Emergency Management for Oklahoma Task Force 1 and passed 44-0, emergency. The most extended debate centered on HB 4045 and HB 4046, which expanded and funded the Military Readiness, Innovation, Education, and Aviation program. Supporters said the measures would help military bases, schools, infrastructure, simulation training, and defense-related economic development; critics questioned the broad language, lack of detail, and whether the projects fit a broader strategy. HB 4045 passed 37-7 and HB 4046 passed 39-7, both as emergency measures. HB 4047 funded Commerce projects including housing for aged-out foster youth, the State Fair, a university upgrade, and a COG-related economic development request; it passed 30-16 and then 40-6 as an emergency. HB 4048 appropriated $13 million for transportation infrastructure, drew criticism for bypassing the eight-year plan, and passed 36-10 before being declared an emergency. Finally, HB 4030, the Education Budget Limits Bill, was explained in detail, including $43.75 million for the Strong Readers formula, $5 million for literacy coaches, and $5 million for a charter school revolving loan fund; after questions about bonds, charter schools, and the revolving fund, it passed 39-5 and was declared an emergency measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• contracts, employers have demanded that departing employees pay them the cost of their replacement salary
• , replacement salary, liquidated damages, costs<00:13:45.279><c> related</c><00:13:45.680><c> to</c><
• So potentially adjusting that moving forward.
• So uh potentially<00:19:21.200><c> adjusting</c><00:19:21.600><c> that</c><00:19:21.840><c> moving</c
• > potentially adjusting that moving potentially adjusting that moving forward. forward. forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• to ask what today's $500 would have been worth in 1986, and I was actually shocked to find that adjusted
• and I was actually shocked to find 1986 and I was actually shocked to find that<00:05:01.919><c> adjusted
• for inflation that's only that adjusted for inflation that's only $172<00:05:06.039><c> 56</c><00:05
• </c><00:19:39.480><c> DPA</c> the work for much less than a salary DPA the work for much less than a
• salary DPA with<00:19:40.159><c> benefits</c><00:19:40.960><c> and</c><00:19:41.120><c> they</c><00:19

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss the guardian ad litem system, including appointment qualifications, training, payment, and whether any changes are needed. Roll was called, the February 25, 2025 minutes were approved, and the chair emphasized that the meeting was informational only and no vote would be taken. Representatives from the Court of Justice, including Chief Justice Deborah Henry Lambert and several family and district judges, testified about how the system has evolved since concerns raised in 2019 about overappointment and fees. Court witnesses said the judiciary responded to earlier concerns by requiring open appointment lists of trained and qualified attorneys, improving training, and increasing oversight of fee orders. They reported that statewide GAL fees have fallen from a little over $14 million in 2019 to about $12 million, even as caseloads have grown, and said the average payment works out to about $650 per case, with the statutory cap for trial-level GAL fees still set at $500 since 1986. They argued that the current local appointment model works well, especially in rural areas, and warned that moving to a DPA-style regional model would create serious scheduling and conflict problems because of overlapping dockets and related criminal cases. Judges from rural districts described shortages of available attorneys, high burnout, travel burdens, and the difficulty of finding enough counsel in smaller counties. They also said the Court of Justice cannot seek certain federal Title IV-E reimbursements, but urged the legislature to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to pursue that funding through an MOU. One judge noted that some appointed attorneys are effectively underpaid relative to private rates and that better compensation would help attract and retain lawyers. The discussion also covered training standards adopted after the 2019 audit. Witnesses said Rule 37 now requires initial training and four hours of multidisciplinary continuing training every two years, with topics including child development, trauma-informed care, substance use, child welfare, forensics, ethics, and communication with clients. They said the Court of Justice has offered in-person regional trainings and remote options, and that the goal is to keep qualified attorneys on the appointment lists while improving representation for children and parents in dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination-of-parental-rights cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• The same report format used by the agencies, with adjustments made to account for committee needs, could
• made to account for adjustments made to account for committee<01:44:37.280><c> needs</c><01:44:38.400
• It also doesn't raise our taxes by like giving us a salary or anything like that.
• It also doesn't raise our taxes by like giving us a salary or anything like that.
• It also doesn't raise our taxes by like giving us a salary or anything like that.

Committee: House Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• What it involves is this: it is basically remaking, adjusting the way in which the Board of Governors
• We'll see if maybe we can adjust some of that language.
• The salaries are reasonable. All the above. Financially, you're close to the financial district.
• It will add two full-time employees for approximately $300,000 for salary, benefits, and pension.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2896, sponsored by Rep. Brown, which would change how boards of governors for state universities are selected. Brown said the bill, developed with input from the governor’s office, would simplify appointment rules by removing service-area and congressional-district requirements and instead limiting board membership so no more than half of the voting members come from the county where the institution is located, with a St. Louis exception. Members asked about Missouri residency requirements, the effect on Missouri State University and Southeast Missouri State University, and whether university presidents would recommend candidates to the governor. Brown said he would follow up on questions and was open to discussing possible adjustments, especially regarding geographic representation. One witness spoke in favor, arguing that boards should reflect a cross-section of the state. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on HB 2896 was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 1659, the Missouri Defense and Energy Independence Act, sponsored by Rep. Steinmeyer. The bill would create a grant program to help Missouri manufacturers convert facilities to produce strategic materials tied to national defense and energy resilience. Steinmeyer described it as a private-capital-first program requiring at least $500,000 in private investment, with grants capped at $1 million per project per year, subject to appropriation, annual reporting, and repayment provisions if projects fail. He said the bill is intended to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen supply chains while keeping taxpayer risk limited. Members raised concerns about environmental and public safety risks, the bill’s placement in the higher education committee, whether it should instead be funded federally, and whether the program would mainly benefit large companies rather than small businesses. Questions also focused on the bill’s workforce-development component, the lack of detail on training and public-health protections, and the budget impact of creating a dedicated fund that would retain money and interest rather than sweep it to general revenue. Steinmeyer said the bill is meant to support existing Missouri companies or companies establishing headquarters in Missouri, and that universities had been involved in discussions about workforce needs. A representative from the API Innovation Center testified in favor, saying the bill could help develop key starting materials for pharmaceuticals and support reshoring. One witness testified in opposition, arguing the state should not subsidize private industry and warning about fiscal strain and environmental oversight. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without a rate adjustment, expansion is not financially viable in rural markets.
• The 555 goes with the verified household adjusted income federal poverty level.
• You're looking at $107,110,000 a year salary for that one individual. Right?
• Per the author's statement, that's over a million dollars a year right there, just in salaries.
• Of course, they would love to jump to $1,000 a year salary.

Bills: HB2268 , HB3000 , HB3043 , HB3066 , HB3078 , HB3143 , HB3144 , HB3244 , HB3298 , HB3320 , HB3467 , HB3321 , HB3329 , HB3431 , HB3464 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3586 , HB3590 , HB3650 , HB3671 , HB3695 , HB3700 , HB3701 , HB3764 , HB3767 , HB3834 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB3985 , HB4113 , HB4294 , HB4302 , HB4317 , HB4324 , HB4359 , HB4426 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4434 , HJR1077 , SR42 , SR35 , HJR1023 , HB1225 , HB1374 , HB1381 , HB1590 , HB1675 , HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Transcript Highlights:

• What you usually see is the seasonally adjusted rate.
• </c> seasonally adjusted unemployment rate. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate.
• </c><00:21:17.520><c> The</c><00:21:17.760><c> seasonally</c><00:21:18.159><c> adjusted</c> adjusted
• The seasonally adjusted adjusted rate.
• That's a seasonally adjusted it is 2022.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2672, small school adjustment. HB 2681, employee mayor community. HB 2688, budget.
• HB 2883, small school adjustment. HB 2885, cultural impact.
• HCR 2025, salary. HCR 2026, controlled substances. HCR 2036, ratification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Relating to the Cost of Living Adjustment Provisions for Qualified Pension Recipients, providing cost-of-living
• adjustments that are equal to Social Security and supplemental services.
• Educational Retirement, increasing the salary a retired member may earn without a suspension of the member's

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Well, how much is your total vacancy in salaries? >> Salaries.
• see a base salary for 2026 goes up, and then for 2027 base salaries are going up. >> It will be based
• </c> you know you've got these base salaries you know you've got these base salaries for<01:10:08.560
• </c> &gt;&gt; and at this high level of salary. &gt;&gt; and at this high level of salary.
• </c> getting paid very generous salaries. getting paid very generous salaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:45.240><c> but</c> maybe some language adjustments but maybe some language adjustments but
• If the law were different, then the budget rule would need to adjust to accommodate that change.
• If the law were different, then the budget rule would need to adjust to accommodate that change.
• If the law were different, then the budget rule would need to adjust to accommodate that change.
• If the law were different, then the budget rule would need to adjust to accommodate that change.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on the next page... ...$14 in adjusted gross proceeds.
• And from the adjusted gross, when I say adjusted gross, this is in our reporting.
• The salary portion is based on a calculation of estimated salary expenses using the total hours employees
• So first is to... ...explore adjusting the fee structure.
• Let me try to adjust that. Hopefully, I do this first.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee