Transcript Highlights:

• Members, SB 2155 is an update to the Route 66 Commission and the grant program, which has been widely

Bills: SB1327 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2159

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, Route 66, revolving fund, commission, cultural heritage, funding applications, official crop, wheat, Oklahoma

Summary: The committee first considered SB 265, which would restore full authority to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Board. The bill establishes listed qualifications for board members, keeps the board at eight members with five needed for a quorum, and preserves the governor’s authority to appoint the chair, vice chair, and secretary. After a brief question about the rationale for the change, the committee moved the bill and passed it by a vote of three ayes and one nay. Representative Eves then presented SB 265 as a state pollinator act, with 15-year-old 4-H State Ambassador Lucille Moorhouse explaining the bill and her pollinator project. She described pollinator decline and its importance to agriculture, ecosystems, and grocery prices. Members praised her presentation, and the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. She also shared pollinator seeds with members. The committee next heard SB 2155, which updates the Route 66 Commission and its grant program by allowing memoranda of understanding with state agencies, mainly to hire a project manager to keep multiple projects on schedule. It passed by three ayes and one nay. Finally, SB 2159 designated wheat as Oklahoma’s official crop, citing the state’s large annual wheat acreage and more than $1 billion in yearly economic impact. After a question about whether Oklahoma already had a state grain, the bill passed unanimously, four ayes and zero nays. The chair then noted it was the last meeting and adjourned the committee.

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission Shift Action is the advocacy partner of Commission Shift Action, which mobilizes the public
• The Railroad Commission regulates propane gas distribution.
• He has worked with the Commission as well as the Public Utilities Commission to allow them to work together
• I don't want to help the Railroad Commission.
• Under current law, the Railroad Commission and Railroad Commission rules allow an operator to keep a

Bills: HB2766 , HB2891 , HB3334 , HB3791 , HB3911 , HB4021 , HB4041 , HB4042 , HB4384 , HB4426

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, 2155 is an update to The Route 66 Commission and the grant program, which has been widely successful

Bills: SB1327 , SB2065 , SB2155 , SB2159

Committee: House Tourism

Keywords: tourism, recreation, economic development, Oklahoma Commission, executive director, pollinator, state symbols, agriculture, insects, environment, Route 66, revolving fund, commission, cultural heritage, funding applications, official crop, wheat, Oklahoma, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That would shift that burden to the citizens that are actually citizens of the city of Birmingham.
• That would shift that burden to the citizens that are actually citizens of the city of Birmingham.
• That would shift that burden to the citizens that are actually citizens of the city of Birmingham.
• they</c><00:11:55.920><c> are</c><00:11:56.079><c> not</c><00:11:56.240><c> a</c><00:11:56.399><c> citizen
• </c><00:11:56.800><c> of</c> asserting that they are not a citizen of asserting that they are not a citizen

Bills: SB182 , SB251 , SB252 , HB74 , HB159 , HB292 , SB182 , SB251 , SB252 , HB74 , HB159 , HB292

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabis, beverage prohibition, criminal penalties, youth access, Jefferson County, pistol permit, gun permit, concealed carry, firearm permit, sheriff fee, permit fee, weapons license, gun licensing, school security, Jefferson County Sheriff's Fund, retirement system, Gardendale, Birmingham legislative office, local bill

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2467 addresses a pay disparity for peace officers commissioned by the state.
• Okay, thank you, but I would ask you to ask the Sunset Commission when I come up. Yes, ma'am.
• The Interagency Data Transparency Commission, we'll call IDTC today.
• Look, our agencies and commissions should be lean, active.
• Commission so there's no like what gap is is this bill intending to?

Bills: HB 111 , HB1545 , HB2145 , HB2467 , HB2520 , HB4136 , HB4181 , HB4214 , HB4218 , HB4219 , HB4359 , HB4437 , HB4822 , HB111

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: Texas Public Information Act, open records, public records, government transparency, confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, governmental body, Chapter 552, public information law, nonprofit association, quasi-governmental entity, economic development, trade secrets, proprietary information, commercial financial information, Alamo restoration, local workforce board, TDCJ contract facility, civil commitment facility, water supply corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• Not everybody's gonna be able to serve on the commission, although I'm very proud of them.
• Now, the commission continues on through the next legislative session.
• Proposed Texas Commission on Texas Job Satisfaction and Retention.
• And I want this commission yield results.
• And I show you registered as Lee Spiller, testifying on behalf of Citizens Commission on Human Rights

Bills: HB367 , HB497 , HB549 , HB983 , HB 1188 , HB 1290 , HB1368 , HB2243 , HB2310 , HB2849 , HB3099 , HB3546 , HB3629 , HB3627

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• life transition points such as aging out of special education. at the age of 18 are moving toward independent
• House Bill 2310 brings together the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Workforce Commission and the Health
• and Human Services Commission to create the Texas Plan for Children. a plan to support children with
• and the Texas Workforce Commission to develop and implement a strategic plan aimed at improving early
• substance. that other developed nations have deemed either unhealthy or dangerous for their own citizens

Bills: HB367 , HB497 , HB549 , HB983 , HB 1188 , HB 1290 , HB1368 , HB2243 , HB2310 , HB2849 , HB3099 , HB3546 , HB3629 , HB3627

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• How would you define registered independent?
• How do I see independent? It is unaffiliated? Independent?
• How do I see independent? It is unaffiliated? You're recognized. Thank you very much.
• So I wanted to make sure that we were protecting our citizens.
• The independent or unaffiliated continues to rise.

Bills: HB2938 , HB2939 , HB3306 , HB3722 , HB4113 , HB4123

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Keywords: elections, national elections, state elections, voter intent, election reform, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, campaign finance, ethics, political contributions, candidate committee, Oklahoma legislation, voter registration, political party affiliation, Independent designation, Oklahoma, voter eligibility

Summary: The Ethics and Elections Committee heard several election-related bills. HB 2938, as amended by PCS, would restrict certain overseas voters who are not military or dependents from voting in Oklahoma state and local elections unless they were bona fide residents with an intent to return, while still preserving federal voting rights where applicable. The Secretary of the State Election Board explained the measure as a tightening of existing law and said counties would flag affected voters for federal-only absentee ballots. After questions about how intent would be determined and how ballots would be administered, the committee passed the bill 5-1. HB 2939 would remove outdated references to fax machines from election law at the request of the State Election Board. Testimony noted fax returns are now rare, limited to a very small number of military and overseas voters, and are less secure than current electronic and mail options. The committee passed the bill 6-0. HB 3306, as amended, lowers the threshold for requiring a candidate committee filing from $1,000 to $400, with the author describing it as a transparency measure to ensure more candidates disclose fundraising and spending. The committee passed that bill 6-0. The committee also passed HB 3722, with a PCS clarifying that voter registration applicants must actively choose a party affiliation rather than being defaulted to unaffiliated if they leave the field blank. The bill passed 5-1. HB 413, with an amendment, clarified that people with felony convictions regain voting rights once all incarceration, parole, supervision, probation, and related obligations, including fines and fees, are completed; the committee passed it 6-0. Finally, HB 4123, which would bar former school employees terminated for cause from running for school board in the same district, drew concerns about fairness and the breadth of “for cause.” The author said the bill was aimed at serious misconduct cases and agreed to work on clarifying language, and the bill was laid over until the next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• If they were to donate to other groups or subsidiary groups of a PAC or independent expenditure group
• If they were to donate to other groups or subsidiary groups of a PAC or independent expenditure group
• and move those into a political fund that's for independent expenditures.
• and move those into a political fund that's for independent expenditures.
• </c> what I call the uh somewhat Independent what I call the uh somewhat Independent School<00:59:39.400

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• , which generally speaking, independents probably outnumber both Democrats in the vote.
• ><c> and</c> &gt;&gt; Independent can go in and &gt;&gt; Independent can go in and &gt;&gt; I<00:27:20.799
• I started as an independent candidate running for state legislature.
• I'm the author of Unshackling Democracy, Racing Term Limits, and Powered Citizens.
• I'm the author of Unshackling Democracy, Racing Term Limits, and Powered Citizens.

Bills: HB541 , SB194 , HB541 , SB194

Committee: House Ethics and Campaign Finance

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, primary elections, party registration, party affiliation, open primary, closed primary, runoff election, crossover voting, voter registration, Secretary of State, absentee ballot

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just a concerned citizen who happens to be a pilot, so I want to kind of give you a little background
• thank you mr. chairman for taking the time to listen about this two minutes I'm just a concerned citizen
• And you know that independently; you didn't check with ChatGPT making your opinion?

Bills: HB2003 , HB2063 , HB2111 , HB2116 , HB2210 , HCM2007

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Keywords: driver education, instruction permit, underage drivers, motorcycle licenses, traffic regulations, corrections oversight, appropriation, independent office, public safety, funding, driver license, examinations, motorcycle awareness, traffic laws, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation

Bills: HB2035 , HB2041 , HB2611 , HB2860 , HB4004 , HB4049 , SCR1032

Committee: Senate Government

Keywords: kinship care, child welfare, foster care, relative placement, child protection, child neglect, financial resources, behavioral health, Christian Science treatment, parental rights, group homes, children's rights, safety protocols, employee training, mental health, child safety, oversight, independent committee, transparency, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• A person who is born to United States citizens overseas but who himself or herself have never resided
• Is independent a political party?
• How do I see 'independent'? Is that it is unaffiliated? You recognize. Thank you very much.
• And so I wanted to make sure that we were protecting our citizens.
• The independent or unaffiliated continues to rise.

Bills: HB2938 , HB2939 , HB3306 , HB3722 , HB4113 , HB4123

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Keywords: elections, national elections, state elections, voter intent, election reform, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, campaign finance, ethics, political contributions, candidate committee, Oklahoma legislation, voter registration, political party affiliation, Independent designation, Oklahoma, voter eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, my name is John Burt, Vice President of the Keller Independent School District Board of
• I understand why the State Board of Education would be better than the commission.
• We are here because the citizens of Keller... ISD want to be able to vote.
• These are feeder patterns with four independent high schools.
• But the problem I am trying to address is that I believe that the citizens served by the Keller Independent

Bills: HB4 , HB54 , HB775 , HB850 , HB 1122 , HB 1249 , HB1405 , HB2336 , HB2757 , HB3372 , HB3622 , HB4442 , HB4687 , HB4893 , HB5089 , HB5515 , HB5606 , SB10 , SB24 , HB1573 , HB3369 , HB4 , HB54 , SB 10 , SB 24

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: non-human behaviors, education, Texas schools, policy, regulation, funding, teacher salaries, school districts, state budget, non-enrolled students, University Interscholastic League, participation, eligibility standards, school participation, academic standards, Texas education, interscholastic league, extracurricular activities, academic proficiency, AED

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Stephanie Elisa. and I serve as superintendent for Dallas Independent School District.
• You could make that same argument against putting the Declaration of Independence on the wall.
• Well, the Declaration of Independence is a foundational document that we all share as Americans.
• The Declaration of Independence, our nation's birthright... certificate acknowledges this.
• Pretty hard earlier if you went to every single citizen of the state of Texas. Do you believe?

Bills: HB4 , HB54 , SB 10 , SB 24 , HB4 , HB54 , HB775 , HB850 , HB 1122 , HB 1249 , HB1405 , HB2336 , HB2757 , HB3372 , HB3622 , HB4442 , HB4687 , HB4893 , HB5089 , HB5515 , HB5606 , SB10 , SB24 , HB1573 , HB3369

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, citizenship, U.S. citizen, non-citizen, public office, advisory board, task force, state government, local government, political subdivision, commission board, appointment eligibility, officeholder qualifications, public service, naturalization, Texas Government Code

Bills: HB3622 , HB3621 , HB3151 , HB3882 , HB3661 , HB4273 , HB3644 , HB3706 , HB3708 , HB2021 , HB3986 , HB3972

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Bills: HB3622 , HB3621 , HB3151 , HB3882 , HB3661 , HB4273 , HB3644 , HB3706 , HB3708 , HB2021 , HB3986 , HB3972

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: HB3622, 2030 Census, Decennial Census, U.S. Decennial Census Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Commerce Department, census preparation, federal census, state treasury fund, revolving fund, continuing fund, deemed appropriated, technology upgrades, census outreach, redistricting, population count, Title 74, OMES, State Treasurer, budgeting

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with HB 3622 and HB 3621, both related to census and state data functions. HB 3622, as amended, removed direct appropriation language and would let Department of Commerce staff carry out census-related duties such as updating local census addresses and upgrading technology. HB 3621 would recreate the State Data Center at the Legislative Service Bureau to coordinate census-related programs across agencies such as Commerce, Tax, and others; both bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support and were reported out due pass. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on HB 3151, which would redefine instructional days so that only time students are actually in the classroom counts toward the instructional minimum, excluding professional development and parent-teacher conference time. The author argued the bill would close Oklahoma’s instructional-time gap and improve outcomes, while members raised concerns about funding, teacher pay, contract negotiations, and how districts would absorb the change. After debate, the bill passed 19-7. The committee also advanced HB 3706, which sets minimum elementary math instruction standards and expands math screening requirements, and HB 3708, which would allow private schools to use scholarship-granting organization funds for capital improvements to increase instructional capacity; both drew questions about funding, scheduling, and the scope of the programs but were reported out due pass. Other measures approved included HB 3661, extending a sunset on a timber equipment tax provision; HB 3882, creating a revolving fund for ODOT’s lake access and industrial access grants; HB 4273, extending a tax credit to certain aerospace engineers at an ARM 1 higher education institution; HB 3644, tied to medical training and best practices after a fatal misdiagnosis; HB 2021, creating a DHS grant program for out-of-school programming, with discussion centered on whether it would effectively favor Boys and Girls Clubs and exclude other providers; HB 3986, extending a sunset; and HB 3972, cleanup language related to the Comanche County prison purchase. Most bills passed with strong support, and the meeting adjourned after the final votes.

Bills: HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB20 , HB19 , HB18 , HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council

Transcript Highlights:

• All the lawmakers and citizens, Father, who represent this wonderful, beautiful building, Father, in

Bills: HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20 , HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB20 , HB19 , HB18 , HB4 , HB1 , HB2 , HB18 , HB19 , HB20

Keywords: redistricting, congressional districts, Texas Legislature, elections, 2020 Census, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council