Transcript Highlights:

• I've been with the BSCC the last 10 years, first as general counsel, then as chief deputy director and
• general counsel.
• It's First as general counsel, then as chief deputy director and general counsel.
• And the Attorney General is back in active litigation.
• And the Attorney General is back in active litigation.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• General, Florida Commission on Offender Review, State Courts, Public Defenders, State Attorneys, Regional
• The proposed budget also funds over $53 million in key IT projects for DOC, DJJ, the Attorney General
• The judges includes the judge, the 29 judges plus the JA and the attorneys that are the complement for
• , or how they continue to lose attorneys because they're not able to pay them.
• , the state attorney, And the inspector general, the state attorney, the corrections department do not

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to review its proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget, totaling about $7.6 billion. The chair highlighted funding for the Department of Corrections, including health services, food inflation, and prison population growth; the Department of Juvenile Justice for residential beds and higher food/medical costs; FDLE for a law enforcement apprenticeship program and officer wellness services; justice administration for court-appointed attorney rates and VOCA shortfalls; major IT projects; and court operations, including funding for 29 new judges. Members asked about where the new judgeships would go and whether staffing would accompany them, and staff said the judge positions would be listed later in a conforming bill and that associated court staff were included, but not additional state attorney or public defender staffing. Several members also asked whether the budget addressed pay and staffing shortages in state attorneys’ and public defenders’ offices, and staff said those decisions had not yet been finalized. The committee then heard public testimony from several speakers who urged more funding for prison safety, medical care, and oversight. Speakers described personal experiences involving deaths or serious harm in correctional facilities and jails, alleging inadequate medical treatment, excessive force, isolation, and failures to investigate. One speaker said her son died after being beaten and denied timely medical care in a correctional facility; another said her son was not receiving adequate health care at Charlotte Correctional; and another described her brother’s death in the Marion County Jail after repeated tasing and pepper spraying. The committee adopted a motion allowing staff to make technical adjustments and then approved the committee’s budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee also took up CS for CS SB 48 on alternative judicial procedures and foreclosure sales. Senator Garcia offered an amendment to standardize judicial sales, increase transparency, limit preferences in bidding, preserve public notice requirements, restrict plaintiff credit bids to the amount of the judgment unless a deposit is posted, and prevent deviations from statutory timelines and procedures from being hidden in court orders. Garcia said the bill was intended to close loopholes and protect homeowners, especially condominium owners, from unfair foreclosure practices. A representative for Auction.com said similar laws have been used in other states and offered to provide data. After debate, the amendment was adopted, and the bill passed the committee favorably on a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have with us today, Bill Hardin, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health
• I'm Bill Harden, as you said, and I serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Substance Use and Mental
• of roughly less than 3% of the total allocations, including block grant discretionary grants and general
• For example, they think that in general, more robust controls are required to evaluate the completeness
• Stakeholder feedback, including caregivers and attorneys, also supported this concern.

Summary: The subcommittee heard two Department of Children and Families implementation updates on measures passed in prior sessions. First, DCF reviewed House Bill 633, which increased oversight of behavioral health managing entities through biennial independent audits, standardized claims-based reporting, and new monthly outcome dashboards. The department said it had awarded the inaugural audit to Ernst & Young, found no significant waste, fraud, or abuse, but identified process risks involving financial controls, claims validation, data access, and system access controls. DCF also described its transition to standardized behavioral health coding and said the new public dashboard of 11 measures is posted on its website, though members asked for easier access and for hard copies of the audit report. Members asked about how the department distinguishes Medicaid-covered services from department-funded services, how duplicate payment risks are being addressed, and whether the new reporting and audit requirements would improve oversight without disrupting services. DCF said it is the payer of last resort for uninsured or underinsured individuals, that some overlap with Medicaid is expected because Medicaid does not cover all behavioral health services, and that new claims edits and cross-checks are being built into the system. The department also said it had not found significant negative feedback from providers and that the new requirements are intended to improve transparency and accountability. DCF then updated the committee on Senate Bill 7012, covering human trafficking data collection, domestic violence center certification, limited background-screening exemptions, expanded recruitment for child welfare staff, subcontractor liability protections, a four-year treatment foster care pilot, case management efficiency recommendations, and a statewide study of residential bed capacity for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The department said several items are already complete or underway, including limited exemptions in the screening clearinghouse, while others are in procurement or rulemaking. It identified Circuits 4 and 12 as the treatment foster care pilot sites and said the pilot will launch in January 2026. Members questioned recruitment metrics, pilot timing, and report deadlines; the department said final reports are expected by January and that some dates were flexible because of procurement and implementation timelines. The meeting ended after the presentations and questions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they don't do that, those off the auditor general and a If they don't do that, the auditor general
• I have here with me today my deputies, Catherine Walker, Matthew Tracy, and Greg Senters, and my general
• Matt Tracy and Greg Senators, who are our Deputy Auditor Generals, will give us some pointers on reading
• and understanding Our Deputy Auditor Generals will give us some pointers on reading and understanding
• I'm a certified public accountant and the Deputy Auditor General over state government audits.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, then, House Bill 2530 would establish that a court may appoint an amicus attorney only after
• It would also require the Office of the Attorney General to include, in its biennial report regarding
• The chair calls as a resource Joel Rogers, Associate Deputy Attorney General for Child Support.
• I'm the Associate Deputy Attorney General for Child Support Legal Services, and I'm here as a resource
• The courts and the Attorney General support division have been little help.

Bills: HB40 , HB1916 , HB1973 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB3180 , HB3421 , HB3783 , HB4170 , HB4213 , HB40

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have an Office of Inspector General in the city of Dallas.
• Inspector General, thank you.
• If some general says that a foreign general is going to tell me what to do, I have no choice to do that
• Texas takes a more generalized approach. As a result of this generalized approach, several ...
• I never wanted to be an attorney.

Bills: HB2034 , HB2436 , HB3010 , HB3033 , HB3138 , HB3177 , HB3426 , HB3686 , HB3858 , HB4176 , HB4257 , HB4264 , HB4804 , HCR98

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The um The governor and now Attorney General and others have proposed at various times pre-trial detention
• And so do the district attorneys.
• The governor's initiatives, the former district attorney of Bernalillo, now the Attorney General, their
• But if I was a DA with any sense or attorney general, I'd be saying this is really a critical tool.
• I am an attorney. I do not represent real estate transactions.

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee first heard HB 124, which would codify the Office of New Americans within the Workforce Solutions Department. The sponsor and Workforce Solutions officials said the office has already been operating on a grant and has become a key resource for businesses and immigrant workers, especially for workforce development, credential recognition, language access, and referrals. Supporters from immigrant advocacy, child care, conservation, and civic groups argued the office would help address labor shortages, improve integration, and strengthen economic growth. Several members questioned whether the office would serve people without legal status, what services would be provided, and whether it would create taxpayer costs; sponsors said eligibility would depend on specific programs, the office would mainly provide referrals and workforce support, and it is currently philanthropic grant-funded. The bill was ultimately passed on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee then considered SJR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment to change New Mexico’s pretrial detention standards. The sponsor argued the 2016 bail reform language has contributed to a “revolving door” for repeat offenders and that the current standard is too restrictive and inconsistently applied across judicial districts. Supporters from State Police said the resolution would give clearer direction and let voters revisit the issue. Opponents from the ACLU and the Criminal Defense Lawyers Association warned it would expand pretrial detention, weaken the requirement that the state prove no release conditions are adequate, and disproportionately affect poor people and people of color. After extended debate over public safety, judicial discretion, and whether the proposal should include a clearer standard, the committee approved the resolution on a 6-4 due pass vote. The committee also passed SJR 7, a land swap between the state and the City of Santa Fe involving the DPS site and part of the Midtown campus. The sponsor, the Department of Public Safety, and the Santa Fe mayor said the exchange had been discussed for years, would allow the state to own the land under its DPS facilities, and would help the city advance its Midtown redevelopment plan, including housing and public amenities. Members asked about the parcels involved, whether both sides agreed, and whether any member had a financial interest; the sponsor said the swap was non-monetary and fully agreed to by both parties. The resolution passed without opposition. Finally, the committee heard SM 31, which creates a workgroup with LFC, DFA, and PERA to study the loss of COLAs for PERA retirees and recommend solutions. Retiree advocates said the reduced COLA has significantly eroded pension value and that retirees relied on the statutory promise of a 2% COLA. Other speakers emphasized the need to protect long-term fund solvency while addressing retiree losses. The memorial passed unanimously by roll call. The meeting then recessed, with the chair noting the next day’s agenda would be posted later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It appropriates money to the general fund for the Rare Disease Council, which we're under statute to
• to decisions in general I would say that to decisions in general I would say that in<00:35:31.760><c>
• </c> please and then also we had uh Deputy please and then also we had uh Deputy Commissioner<01:21:12.760
• </c> could indulge bringing the com Deputy could indulge bringing the com Deputy Commissioner<01:21:19.800
• </c> re-refer it I think to the general re-refer it I think to the general register<01:32:32.000><c>

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll now turn to Jesse Yoder, our assistant attorney general for this committee.
• We'll now turn to Jesse Yoder, our assistant attorney general for this committee.
• In May, our Deputy State Actuary, Lisa Wan, will share some information about our agency and potentially
• But next month, we're looking at the OPMA refresher from the Attorney General's office.
• And then also our deputy director, Lisa Wan, will be joining to provide an annual update about OSA's

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes by roll call vote, with a majority of members voting aye and some members excused. Staff then provided brief litigation updates: Fowler et al. v. Leathers remains pending in federal district court over interest calculations on transferred TERS funds, with summary judgment motions expected to be heard May 1; Dolan v. King County was decided against the state in Pierce County Superior Court on the issue of recouping attorney’s fees from a former PERS member, though no fees were assessed against the state in that case. An actuarial update noted upcoming presentations on the agency’s work and the latest valuation report, including new contribution rates reflecting updated demographic assumptions. The committee then reviewed its draft interim work plan and correspondence items, focusing on requests related to Plan 3, Plan 1 COLAs, teacher retirement age, and a missed early retirement factor. Members discussed a possible study of Plan 3’s design and outcomes compared with Plan 2, including retirement ages and benefit adequacy, and staff was asked to work with DRS on a study outline. The committee also discussed ongoing COLA requests and the need for retiree groups to bring forward a more formal proposal for the next budget cycle, with members noting that any recommendation should likely be made by October or November. Another major topic was the study of LEOFF 1 medical/disability boards, including how many boards exist, how they operate, and what costs they incur; staff said it was still gathering basic information and would provide an overview next month. Staff also explained planned changes to how correspondence will be handled and posted online due to cybersecurity concerns. The committee approved the May agenda by voice vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would still have the Attorney General's office able to bring something against them.
• Secretary Landry: Well, I think overall it's a general kind of misleading.
• Secretary Mouton, Deputy Secretary for GoBiz and the Secretary of State's office: Yes.
• So, Ann, Bill, Deputy Secretary, CFO for LED.
• So Ann, Bill, Deputy Secretary, CFO for LED.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on March 11, 2026, opened with roll call and adoption of prior minutes, interim amendments, and the committee rules for the new session. Members then took up several bills, with technical amendments adopted on multiple measures before final committee action. The committee also deferred House Bill 267 because the author was absent. House Bill 853 by Representative McMakin, dealing with misleading solicitations by non-government entities, drew the most discussion. The committee adopted technical amendments and a concept amendment tying enforcement to the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, with members and Secretary of State Nancy Landry discussing the meaning of “may” versus “shall,” the scope of “foreign” entities, and whether the bill covered mail, email, and other digital solicitations. The Secretary of State’s office supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure against deceptive government-like mailings, and the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. House Bill 618, also by Representative McMakin, would adjust Louisiana Economic Development fees and related cost provisions. Secretary of LED gave a detailed presentation on the department’s recent restructuring, investment totals, job creation, small-business support, and the Source Louisiana platform, while members questioned fee impacts, hardship waivers, competitive effects, and how LED tracks incentives and job data. After adopting technical amendments and an amendment removing biannual inflationary adjustments, the committee reported the bill favorably with amendments. House Bill 207 by Representative Henry, revising the Louisiana Auctioneer’s Licensing Board’s membership, domicile, and related provisions, was amended to keep consumer members and clarify venue in East Baton Rouge Parish before being reported favorably. House Bill 300 by Representative Riser, raising the appraisal threshold for certain state bank residential loans from $250,000 to $400,000, was reported favorably after discussion of federal alignment and appraisal safeguards. House Bill 464 by Representative Riser, requiring more centralized reporting of damaged utilities through 811 and related notifications, received support from utility and 811 representatives and was also reported favorably. The committee adjourned after adopting a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALONG WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY AND THE 13th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
• GENERAL PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWS YOU TO APPLIED TO HAVE YOUR ADDRESS BE CONFIDENTIAL.
• IT'S A FEASIBLE STUDY ALLOWING A UNIQUE PIN NUMBER OR CODE WORD TO PAIR WITH UNIQUELY GENERATED PHONE
• BILL GLADSTONE STATE ATTORNEY FOR THE FIRST CIRCUIT WAIVING IN SUPPORT.
• YOU ARE NOT A LICENSED ATTORNEY, OKAY.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislature created the Office of Inspector General in 2022.
• One that allows the Inspector General to keep these secrets.
• The Inspector General may hold a report confidential. Mr.
• You're given the authority that I-Speed Rail, I'm sorry, the Inspector General.
• Just weeks ago, the Governor and Attorney General announced that 37 missing children were found during

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 998 establishes a deputy coordinator on anti-AAPI discrimination.
• Why do we need that many deputy coordinators?
• And there are very few generic hate crimes that happen and generic discrimination that's happening on
• General just announced some decisions around.
• General just announced some decisions around.

Summary: The committee heard SB 998, which would define and expand the roles of discrimination prevention coordinators in the Office of Civil Rights, including a new disability-focused coordinator and a deputy coordinator on anti-AAPI discrimination. The authors and supporters, including representatives from LGBTQ, Black, Latino, and AAPI caucuses, argued the bill would help schools proactively address discrimination, improve student safety and belonging, and support learning. Opposition from the California Faculty Association and SEIU California focused on the appointment structure and preference for regular civil service hiring, while some members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing anti-discrimination law and whether it would add government bloat. The committee ultimately voted SB 998 out on a due pass basis to the Senate Judiciary Committee and placed it on call. SB 1082 was then presented as a measure to streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring more timely district action, allowing concurrent review, and clarifying that a district’s failure to respond is not treated as a denial. The sponsor, the Association of California County Boards of Education, and supporters from Families in Action for Quality Education said the bill would reduce delays, improve fairness, and help families make timely educational decisions without changing districts’ authority to approve or deny transfers. The California School Boards Association had previously been opposed unless amended and said it would re-evaluate after the committee changes. The committee supported the measure, and SB 1082 was voted out as amended to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed on call. The committee also took up SB 960, which would revise the rules for community college baccalaureate degrees by tying authorization to local access gaps and impacted CSU programs rather than a blanket statewide prohibition. Supporters, including the Campaign for College Opportunity and several community college and education groups, argued the bill would expand access for place-bound and adult learners and better align programs with workforce needs. CSU representatives and the California Faculty Association opposed the bill, warning it could duplicate CSU offerings, worsen enrollment and funding pressures, and affect faculty jobs. Members debated the Master Plan for Higher Education, impaction, and whether the state should instead fully fund CSU capacity; the committee nevertheless recommended SB 960 for passage as amended to Appropriations and placed it on call. Finally, SB 965 was heard, a bill to make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and supporters said the bill would remove an unnecessary barrier to educational resources while preserving local library control over checkout policies and liability rules. The California Library Association expressed support for the goal but said details matter and urged language that preserves local discretion while encouraging reduced in-person requirements where feasible. The transcript ended during that testimony, before any committee vote on SB 965.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do know that the Attorney General has requested additional funds.
• We do know that the Attorney General has requested additional funds.
• We do know that the Attorney General has requested additional funds.
• We do know that the Attorney General has requested additional funds.
• We do know that the Attorney General has requested additional funds.

Bills: SB2580 , SB2578 , SB2259 , SB3084 , SB2816 , SB2928 , SB2075 , SB3322 , SB2377 , SB2436 , SB2835 , SB3248

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee opened by reviewing hearing procedures and then took up SB 2580, which concerns Hawaii’s film production tax credit and related incentives. Testimony was strongly supportive overall, with witnesses saying the measure would help attract productions, extend the sunset date, include streaming platforms, and strengthen the state’s competitiveness. Several supporters asked for cleanup language on grant administration, tax credit management, local-hire uplifts, and limits on third-party audit requirements for smaller productions. The state film office said the bill was generally strong but suggested clarifying language and noted that DBEDT and DOTAX already provide oversight of the current credit. No vote was taken in the transcript, but the bill drew broad support with a few comments and one opposition noted later in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2578 SD1, a measure to create a film commission and related grant structure. Testifiers said the proposal would formalize industry input, improve accountability, and help the state compete globally, but they also raised concerns about how a new grant program would interact with the existing tax credit system. The film office said the grant program and tax credit should be separated operationally, that the advisory structure should include industry voices and possibly union representation, and that county film commissioner language may need technical adjustment. A testifier also suggested a Hawaii film museum and related tourism opportunities. The measure was described as having 42 supporters, one opposition, and five comments, with no final action shown. The committee next considered SB 2259, a dementia training measure. Supporters, including the bill’s drafter and the Alzheimer’s Association, described personal caregiving experiences and said free dementia training could help workers and families. Suggested amendments focused on clarifying the relationship between EOA and DBED and allowing retraining every two years because of workforce turnover. DBED said the bill is worthwhile but is not really an economic development initiative, and it should align with existing dementia programs and be easy for businesses to use, preferably online. The committee then moved to SB 3084 SD1, which HTDC said would expand its R&D matching program beyond SBIR to other federal research grants because of uncertainty at the federal level; the transcript ends as testimony begins, with no vote or final action recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is Deputy Warden Roseanne O'Donnell.
• Thank you, Deputy Warden O'Donnell.
• Correct me if I'm wrong, Deputy Warden, however...
• However, for the general population... and it is generally that program, yes, ma'am.
• $109 million is coming out of your general fund.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• passage and approval of Senate Bill 431 of the 82nd legislative session, the office established the deputy
• Two positions were approved to be funded with general fund appropriations in fiscal year 2026 to provide
• the Office of Nevada Boards, Commissions, and Council Standards account to be administered by the Deputy
• How much revenue is expected to be generated? Assembly Member Carter: Thank you.
• How much revenue is expected to be generated in total by the boards? Do we have any idea on that?

Bills: SB507

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• My witnesses, Madam Chair, are David Campos, Deputy County Executive, County of Santa Clara.
• David Campos, Deputy County Executive, County of Santa Clara, testifying as a co-sponsor of the bill.
• I am Deputy County Executive for the County of Santa Clara.
• Joining me today are Ivy Fitzpatrick, Chief Deputy District Attorney with Riverside County DA's office
• I'm a chief deputy district attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard several bills focused on Medi-Cal access, HIV prevention, death certificate amendments, caregiver certification, advance care planning, and sugar-sweetened beverage labeling. SB 1422 by Senator Durazo would restore Medi-Cal access for income-eligible undocumented adults beginning January 1, 2027. The author and many supporters argued the enrollment freeze shifts costs to counties and hospitals, worsens health outcomes, and undermines California’s prior coverage gains. County, labor, health, immigrant-rights, and provider groups testified in support; there was no opposition. Committee members generally expressed support but also raised concerns about funding and the need for new revenue sources. The bill was discussed while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time. The committee also heard SB 1023 on PrEP access, SB 1071 on death certificate amendments after homicide findings, SB 1057 on criminal-history review for CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 on POLST and advance care planning updates. SB 1023 would require insurers that cover injectable PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit; supporters said this would reduce administrative barriers and improve access, while health plans and insurers opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that could blur benefit design lines. SB 1071 would allow next of kin to amend a death certificate’s manner of death to homicide after a final court determination; families and law enforcement supported it as a matter of truth and closure, while coroners opposed it as blurring medical and legal findings and potentially distorting public health data. SB 1057 would replace automatic denial with individualized review for certain convictions in CNA and home health aide certification, and SB 1088 would modernize POLST/DNR rules, including electronic signatures, out-of-state recognition, and clarifying who may sign; both drew support, though clinical nurse specialists opposed SB 1088 because they were not included as authorized signers. Several of these bills were heard without quorum, so no votes were taken during the discussion. After quorum was established, the committee heard SB 869 by Senator Weber-Pierce, which would require large chain restaurants to display a clear added-sugar icon next to beverages exceeding 50% of the daily recommended limit. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and an emergency physician, said consumers need simple, visible information at the point of purchase to better understand health risks tied to sugary drinks. The bill was framed as a public health transparency measure aimed at diabetes, obesity, and other chronic disease prevention. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 869, before any final committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3278 is a bill we've worked with the Attorney General's office on.
• They won't have to call the sheriff's deputy or call the Highway Patrol.
• Well, many small counties, they only have one deputy on duty.
• And the same thing goes with the sheriff's deputies.
• Yes, from the Attorney General's office. Okay, thank you. Have a due pass and second.

Bills: HB2936 , HB2937 , HB2951 , HB2960 , HB2979 , HB2980 , HB3062 , HB3082 , HB3087 , HB3148 , HB3152 , HB3262 , HB3264 , HB3266 , HB3268 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3299 , HB3544 , HB3606 , HB3678 , HB3790 , HB3903 , HB3996 , HB4139 , HB4140 , HB4142 , HB4143 , HB4144 , HB4260 , HB4272 , HB4296 , HB4324 , HB4339 , HB4341 , HB4342

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, mostly on criminal justice, public safety, transportation, and administrative procedures. Measures included lowering school-zone speed issues on certain highways (HB 2979), allowing DMV staff to accept physical proof of insurance (HB 2980), barring people convicted of pedophilia from adopting children (HB 2936), allowing lawful weapon carry on boats (HB 2937), and restricting fire departments from hiring people required to register as sex offenders (HB 382). Other bills addressed warrant fee increases for counties (HB 3262), making strangulation in domestic violence cases an 85% crime (HB 3264), creating offenses for reckless driving tied to racing and collisions (HB 3266), criminalizing knowingly making or displaying fictitious license plates (HB 3268), and allowing electronic arrest warrants (HB 3269). The committee also advanced bills on Open Meetings Act enforcement, OCC port-of-entry arrest authority, expanding protections for municipal officials and notaries, creating vessel titling, and modernizing vehicle inspection/title procedures. Several members raised questions about costs, enforcement authority, and whether new penalties would shift burdens to consumers or local governments. For example, HB 3262 drew concern about passing warrant-fee costs to the public, and HB 3268 prompted questions about existing law and the need for a new felony for fake tags. The OCC port-of-entry bill generated extended discussion about whether a regulatory agency should have arrest authority, with supporters arguing it would free up Highway Patrol and sheriff resources and opponents questioning the expansion of quasi-law-enforcement powers. Other bills were presented as request bills from agencies or constituents, including the Attorney General, Oklahoma City police, the Bomb Squad, the Corporation Commission, and local residents. The committee also approved a number of bills with little or no opposition, including a domestic violence strangulation measure, a bill on Open Meetings Act remedies, a bill allowing sentence modification requests by district attorneys, and a bill requiring domestic violence incident reports and judicial training. Later, the committee considered additional public safety and criminal procedure bills such as making firearm theft a felony, increasing the damage threshold for police response in property-damage crashes, and requiring the state to pay expert witness costs in capital appeals. Most measures were reported out do pass, with several unanimous votes and a few split votes, including HB 3262 and the OCC port-of-entry bill. The meeting ended after laying over a few bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm joined by our general counsel, John Garrigan.
• We do already, in practice, give preference to barred attorneys if we can find them.
• We do already, in practice, give preference to barred attorneys if we can find them.
• Who is a barred attorney, a practicing attorney?
• We do already, in practice, give preference to barred attorneys if we can find them.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• The House General Investigating Committee on the July 2025 flooding events will now come to order.
• So not Senior Hill, so generally younger girls than Senior Hill, but cabin by cabin, Hill, so generally
• We all know that area if you're Texan, many, many generations.
• General or approval to seek outside counsel to pursue that by the Attorney General—approval to seek
• outside counsel granted by the Attorney General.