Transcript Highlights:

• So we are pulling Marine Corps personnel from reserves, as well as Army personnel from Fort Bliss, Texas
• We're going to the Indian Affairs Department, Agency Code 609.
• Do we give Indian Affairs the authorities?
• Indian Affairs. I want to see that before the session.
• But on the IGA, when does Indian Affairs start that process? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a common occurrence, but the rivers have changed. It's very minimal. It's very rare.
• This is not a common occurrence, but the rivers have changed, and so there are parts of counties that
• And so what we're asking is the Oklahoma Broadband Office to develop a plan, kind of their wind-down
• So we are sunsetting it, but we're giving them a wind-down process.
• All we're doing is extending the sunset, but also requiring a wind-down plan.

Bills: HB1782 , HB2293 , HB3176 , HB3544 , HB3546 , HB3619 , HB4358

Committee: Senate Technology and Telecommunications

Keywords: artificial intelligence, education reform, innovation, funding, advisory council, broadband, Oklahoma Broadband Office, broadband access, statewide broadband plan, internet connectivity, grant programs, expansion council, termination plan, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development

Summary: The Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee considered several House bills focused on artificial intelligence, data infrastructure, broadband, and education technology. House Bill 3176 would create an Oklahoma Gas Artificial Intelligence and Space Research Hub under the Department of Commerce and a National Laboratory Development Program to help Oklahoma pursue federal research designations; members questioned the fiscal impact, public reporting, and agency placement, and the bill passed 7-1. House Bill 3544 would prohibit minors from accessing AI social companions and authorize civil penalties; supporters cited research and safety concerns, and it passed 8-0. House Bill 3619 would modernize state geographic data collection and mapping for census and boundary purposes; members raised concerns about county boundaries, costs, and possible impacts on property and taxation, and it passed 6-2. The committee also advanced House Bill 3546, which bars artificial intelligence and other non-human entities from being granted legal personhood under Oklahoma law, passing 8-0 without debate. House Bill 1782 would create an Oklahoma AI Education Innovation Act with an advisory council and grant fund; members asked about funding formulas, membership, and dual office-holding, and it passed 8-0. House Bill 2293 would extend the Oklahoma Broadband Office sunset while requiring a wind-down plan and legislative review; members discussed the office’s consultation and termination process, and it passed 8-0. Finally, House Bill 4358 would limit screen time for pre-K through fifth grade students to one hour per school day. After questions about enforcement, classroom logistics, and special events, the author struck the title to continue working on the measure, and the bill passed 8-0. Throughout the meeting, members generally expressed support for the policy goals of the bills while flagging implementation, fiscal, and jurisdictional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• the airport right to the La Cienega community, which is then its western boundary at the Santa Fe River
• we're trying to tell that story also of what's happening with this PFAS plume as it hits the Santa Fe River
• the way the statute is written, I think it is more likely that the Oil Conservation Division will reserve
• In pit production, as you probably recall, we had a big effort last year to deliver on a war reserve
• I live in Cochiti Lake, and there is a uranium mine along the Santa Fe River below where the PFAS plume

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Snake River is actually a two-river system.
• Valley and the ongoing development of recharge sites on the Henry's Fork River, the Teton River, and
• This also commends the Upper Snake River Basin study.
• Joe River, which is quite a distance.
• Joe River, which is quite a distance.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We reserve your questions until we have finished hearing from the entirety of the panel.
• It also ends up as litter on our beaches, rivers, and parks.
• stack... ...photos, and while it does look a lot like trash floating in water in our streams, in our rivers
• Our organization has done cleanups of beaches and rivers and seen that bottles are a... ...big component
• thing that's going to stop them from throwing this material out of their car windows and letting it wind

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

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, beverage container recycling, deposit return system, container deposit, bottle bill, recycling refund

Transcript Highlights:

• The eastern half was Indian territory, and we didn't have any surface there.
• He handled solar and wind before he became assistant secretary.
• scholarships, leadership programs, and other authorized activities rather than being accumulated as reserves

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ends up generally entering into a contingency fee arrangement with their attorney, and the attorney winds
• So if you have shingles come off during a storm, that felt quickly is penetrated by any wind-driven rain
• Helene and even from Milton, you know, the interior areas from the lakes and the rivers and things like
• That is a huge... ...should definitely get the Florida wind mitigation inspection.
• The wind mitigation form and the discounts are a great way for older homeowners, or excuse me, homeowners

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because those reserves must include Treasuries, it creates a number of reserves.
• You have times when the wind is strong, lots of wind energy can be generated, but nobody's buying it
• They can monetize 100% of the excess energy from wind and solar, providing a source of revenue for wind
• And as a note, we even have a cheese reserve. So we've got a lot of different types of reserves.
• Both a Bitcoin reserve and a broader digital asset reserve were established in the Treasury, consolidating

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an informational hearing on digital asset innovation, with opening remarks framing cryptocurrencies, blockchain, stablecoins, tokenization, and decentralized finance as a growing part of the financial system. Dennis Porter of Satoshi Action Fund presented on the market size, institutional adoption, use cases such as remittances and small-business payments, and policy developments at the federal and state levels. He also discussed risks including volatility, cybersecurity, and illicit use, while arguing that clear regulation can support innovation and consumer protection. State Controller Malia Cohen then updated the committee on implementation of SB 822, California’s unclaimed digital asset law. She explained that the law applies to custodial accounts, not self-custodied wallets, and requires holders to conduct outreach before dormant digital assets are transferred to the state in native form. Committee discussion focused on how abandonment is determined, what counts as account activity, the expected timeline for notices and custodian procurement, and the administrative costs and staffing needed to run the program. Controller staff said the state is still building procedures, working with Oregon, and expects a significant increase in claims once the program is operational. Porter returned with a proposal for a California digital asset reserve fund built on unclaimed digital assets under SB 822. He argued the fund could be cost-neutral, use only high-quality digital assets, and include guardrails such as an advisory board, audits, and public reporting. Committee members expressed interest in diversification and consumer protection, but also raised concerns about volatility, documentation, and market downturns. The hearing ended after public comment from industry and advocacy representatives, including support from the California Blockchain Advocacy Coalition, the Crypto Council for Innovation, and Coinbase, all urging clear, technology-neutral policy to keep innovation and jobs in California.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Dan Pruitt, Indian River County, waiving in support. We are in debate.
• Johns River. Chair: You are recognized to present the bill. Rep.
• Tracie Case, Florida River Trust, waiving in support.
• that will benefit all 12 counties along our great rivers.
• Johns River Keeper, waiving in support. Joseph, Reunite the Rivers, waives in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Milner Dam signifies what is known as a two-river system.
• The Snake River is actually a two-river system.
• Valley and the ongoing development of recharge sites on the Henry's Fork River, the Teton River, and
• This also commends the Upper Snake River Basin study.
• Joe River, which is quite a distance.

Summary: The Resource and Conservation Committee approved the minutes from its February 23 and February 25, 2026 meetings. It then heard and advanced three Senate concurrent resolutions focused on water issues: SCR 116, which highlighted Northern Idaho water needs and projects; SCR 118, which recognized water resource, flood control, and aquifer recharge projects in District 3; and SCR 117, which supported managed aquifer recharge, storage, and infrastructure modernization in the Upper Snake River/Water District 4 area. Each resolution received a due pass recommendation and was sent to the floor. The committee also considered three code-cleanup bills introduced by Rep. Dustin Manwaring. House Bill 566 repeals outdated references to the State Trust Fund of Outdoor Recreation Enhancement (STORE) and related park recreation code provisions. House Bill 568 repeals obsolete Department of Lands provisions concerning floating timber and townsite claims, described as historical artifacts no longer used in modern practice. House Bill 774 repeals a duplicative section setting minimum fines for illegal hunting of mountain lion, buffalo, and caribou because those penalties already appear elsewhere in code. Members asked few questions, and each bill was moved by committee members and approved without opposition. All three bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to the floor. The meeting concluded after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• My background includes about 21 years of both active and reserve Navy service, and so very pleased to
• to a strategic reserve on federal missions.
• We partnered very closely with the American Indian Health Commission on this, and this is going to be
• I was surprised to discover that reserve or guard meets the definition of neither for purposes of the
• I was surprised to discover that reserve or guard meets the definition of neither for purposes of the

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• asset and a very vital utility for the city of Louisville during that rain event and during the Ohio River
• In addition, because some of the rivers and creeks that are our watersheds cross jurisdictional boundaries
• and streams fast forward local rivers and streams fast forward today<00:21:58.600><c> after</c><00:21
• We like to say there's only thing clean is wind and solar, and it's a clean energy, and it's a great
• </c> say there's only thing clean is is wind say there's only thing clean is is wind and<00:32:48.679

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing that's different, you know, we use a half mile for solar, but for wind, wind is way up
• </c><00:12:58.440><c> but</c><00:12:58.560><c> wind</c> mile for solar but or for wind but wind mile
• for solar but or for wind but wind is<00:12:58.920><c> way</c><00:12:59.399><c> by</c><00:12:59.560><
• </c><00:13:29.120><c> Wind</c><00:13:29.199><c> Mill</c> farther than uh with the Wind Wind Mill farther
• than uh with the Wind Wind Mill windmills<00:13:29.839><c> are</c><00:13:29.959><c> up</c><00:13:30.120

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsored by Senator Kauffman, concerning the statutory establishment of the Governor's Office of Indian
• This bill codifies the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet agency of the governor.
• This bill codifies the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs as a cabinet agency of the governor, sets
• This initiative process was reserved to the people. ...the ballot as well.
• I would like to reserve this very, very, very special process.

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 23, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills. The committee held SB 6035 and SB 5842 for another week, then worked through SB 5973 on initiative and referendum signature gathering rules. Members debated 12 amendments to a proposed substitute and the underlying bill, but none were adopted. The substitute would prohibit pay-per-signature and require 1,000 pre-filing signatures for initiatives; opponents argued it would burden the initiative process, while supporters said it would curb fraud and improve accountability. The committee then advanced SB 5892, SB 6081, SB 5877, SB 5968, and SB 6034, each on a due pass recommendation, with SB 6081 referred to the Transportation Committee and the others sent to Rules or Ways and Means as noted in the motions. During public hearing, the committee heard SB 5888, which would remove Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women's Commission. Senator Wellman said the change would align the commission with similar bodies and correct an inconsistency, and commission staff testified in support, saying the appointment process is already thorough and that the governor would retain appointment authority. The committee also heard SB 6123, expanding a public-records exemption for voluntarily supplied demographic information to local government employees; a Pierce County HR director supported the bill, saying it would help build trust while preserving aggregate reporting. The hearing on SB 5853, sponsored by Senator Wilson, drew strong support and no opposition; it would create a statewide emergency notification system for public officials to alert them to targeted threats, with the Secretary of State and Military Department involved in administration. Secretary of State staff said they supported the concept but wanted to work with the sponsor on implementation details, and the sponsor said he was willing to amend the bill to address those concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to provide strong support for the $25 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program
• to echo the comments of Aqua with regards to the $25 million in contingent funding for the Healthy Rivers
• I'm for the CERCO and for the Cadamo offshore wind project.
• We talk about why we do these things and why do we spend money on offshore wind when all these things

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to provide strong support for the $25 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes.
• to echo the comments of Aqua with regards to the $25 million in contingent funding for the Healthy Rivers
• I'm for the CERCO and for the Cadamo offshore wind project.
• We talk about why we do these things and why we spend money on offshore wind when all these things are

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy met for a vote-only hearing on the Senate budget plan, with the chair noting a difficult budget year and the need for continued negotiations with the Assembly and administration. Public comment focused on several budget items, including support for $25 million for the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, rejection of special fund position cuts at CDFW and the State Water Board, redistribution of Proposition 1 funds, support for local conservation corps and job projects, funding for offshore wind, and opposition to the Governor’s proposed Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit/incentive on the grounds that it would be costly and could raise fuel prices or benefit out-of-state refineries. There was also support for the safer consumer products program and for preserving vacant staff positions at CDFW. The committee then took multiple roll-call votes on grouped budget issues. It approved staff recommendations for a first large set of items by a 4-0 vote, a second set by 3-1, and a third set by 3-0. The committee also approved Part B items in three grouped motions, including a 4-0 vote on one group, and additional groups approved by 3-0 votes. During discussion of Part B, the chair expressed concern about proposed changes to the cap-and-invest program and said the budget plan withholds Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund appropriations, including continuous appropriations, until specified conditions are met, citing the need to protect legislative priorities such as transit, affordable housing, air quality, and safe drinking water. The hearing concluded with thanks to public witnesses, the LAO, and the Department of Finance, and the chair invited additional written comments for the record before adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Might have reservations that think maybe the bill doesn't go far enough.
• I saw a father trying to cross the river with his infant daughter on his shoulders.
• We saw huge alligators and crocodiles in the river as we flew over.
• We can deter that father from crossing the river with that child on his shoulders.
• We helped stop that little girl from growing up without a father or drowning in the river.

Transcript Highlights:

• , 58, Wyoming Indian Child Welfare Act, Sunset<00:29:25.279><c> Repeal.
• Repeal, an act relating to Indian child welfare.
• Repeal, an act relating to Indian child welfare.
• Repeal, an act relating to Indian child welfare.
• Repeal, an act relating to Indian child welfare.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did tap into our reserves as far as we could and still say fiscally healthy.
• Reserve. Low. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have two questions if you don't mind.
• Money sitting in reserve in our account, and we built up about $4 million dollars to be able to make
• So you have to have that $4 million or so in reserve. And we did that.
• And since they were online, we began reserving that money, thinking that our...

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FREEZING THE SURCHARGE BEFORE THE RESERVE FUND IS DIMINISHED AND INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FROM $0.25-$0.15
• I KNOW I WAS LONG-WINDED. WE JUST WANTED TO GO THROUGH THE CONCERNS THAT WE HAD WITH THE BILL.
• I COME FROM A LONG LINE OF BEEKEEPERS AND I AM ON THE APALACHICOLA RIVER.

Keywords: 999, senate, all