Bills: SF626 , HF873 , HF908 , SF620 , SF621 , SF622

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: federal funding, block grants, substance abuse, mental health, community services, energy assistance, city regulations, foster care, adoption services, chemical dependency, reimbursement, human trafficking, juvenile protection, child exploitation, restitution, stakeholder meeting, victim support, legal reform, health services, dependent adult abuse

Bills: HB1590 , HB1242 , HB3818 , HB4305

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: education funding, linked deposits, education infrastructure, charter schools, nonprofit organizations, Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Program, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, Oklahoma Tax Commission, agriculture, producer sales, private treaty

Bills: HSB514 , HSB524 , HSB603 , HF781 , SF572

Committee: Joint Commerce

Keywords: expungement, investment adviser, commissioner of insurance, regulatory process, financial services, loans, interest rates, consumer credit, regulations, debt management, debt settlement, debt relief, consumer finance, credit counseling, creditor negotiation, fee regulation, third-party compensation, trust account, dedicated account, licensee requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• have become so numerous that recreational hunting is not a workable solution.
• widespread deer culling.
• While we previously worked with a contractor to harvest deer for deer surveillance under a Texas Parks
• concluded, leaving us without a safe, effective mechanism to manage the deer population.
• Our bill is $50,000 to fix that bearing at John Deere.

Bills: HB43 , HB519 , HB 1275 , HB1592 , HB2842 , HB3088 , HB3479 , HB4163 , SB823 , HB609

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies. HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bullard, Senator Weaver, Senator Yak, en Guthrie, en Macintosh, entrellner, ens Deer, sent, stewart
• Senate Bill 2069 provides state language that mirrors federal code prohibiting the use of bait to hunt
• the ground, but all of the grain must be removed, have eating or been removed for 10 days prior to hunting
• Senate Bill 2095 provides language that sets fees and fines for hunting outfitters and guides operating
• Oklahoma is the top five destination state for waterfowl hunting.

Bills: SCR17 , SB2104 , SB2155 , SB1428 , SB1250 , SB1651 , SB1794 , SB444 , SB1061 , SB1327 , SB1425 , SB1455 , SB1458 , SB1460 , SB1480 , SB1530 , SB1543 , SB1555 , SB1593 , SB1209 , SB1730 , SB1733 , SB1769 , SB1805 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1503

Keywords: Oklahoma Ireland relations, Ireland, Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day, Choctaw Nation, Choctaw famine relief, Irish-American, cultural resolution, concurrent resolution, ceremonial resolution, economic development, trade commission, international relations, Tulsa IrishFest, ShamROCK the Gardens, Oklahoma City St. Patrick's Parade, Irish ancestry, Senate of Ireland, Aubrey McCarthy, Phil Thompson

Bills: SCR17 , SB2104 , SB2155 , SB1428 , SB1250 , SB1651 , SB1794 , SB444 , SB1061 , SB1327 , SB1425 , SB1455 , SB1458 , SB1460 , SB1480 , SB1530 , SB1543 , SB1555 , SB1593 , SB1209 , SB1730 , SB1733 , SB1769 , SB1805 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB1503

Keywords: Oklahoma Ireland relations, Ireland, Irish heritage, St. Patrick's Day, Choctaw Nation, Choctaw famine relief, Irish-American, cultural resolution, concurrent resolution, ceremonial resolution, economic development, trade commission, international relations, Tulsa IrishFest, ShamROCK the Gardens, Oklahoma City St. Patrick's Parade, Irish ancestry, Senate of Ireland, Aubrey McCarthy, Phil Thompson

Bills: SSB3011 , SSB3174 , SF2197

Committee: Joint Technology

Keywords: chatbot regulation, transparent communication, civil penalties, user safety, legal compliance, internet accessibility, litigation, abusive litigation, Attorney General, Americans with Disabilities Act, civil action, public accommodation, app store, app developer, minor users, children online safety, parental consent, age verification, age rating, content rating

Bills: HB426 , SB24 , SB106 , SB254 , HB505 , HB458 , HB535 , HB509 , HB320 , HB518 , HB261 , HB426 , SB24 , SB106 , SB254 , HB505 , HB458 , HB535 , HB509 , HB320 , HB518 , HB261 , SB316 , HB228 , SB318 , SB260 , HB132 , HB347 , HB405 , HB86 , HB263 , HB302 , SB336 , SB316 , HB228 , SB318 , SB260 , HB132 , HB347 , HB405 , HB86 , HB263 , HB302 , SB336

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee, ad valorem taxes, property tax, real property, personal property, tax assessment, tax collection, county tax officials, Department of Revenue, Commissioner of Revenue, taxpayer representation, resident taxpayers, local government, property tax administration, Association of Alabama Tax Administrators, tax policy, advisory committee, public input, governance reform, body-worn camera

Bills: SSB1173 , SSB1165 , SSB1189

Committee: Joint Workforce

Keywords: unemployment insurance, unemployment tax, employer contributions, Iowa Code chapter 96, taxable wages, experience rating, benefit ratio, reserve fund ratio, contribution rate table, unemployment compensation fund, seasonal unemployment, construction employers, landscaping employers, payroll tax, state unemployment tax, SUTA, reciprocity, comity, employer tax relief, wage base reduction

Bills: SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB255 , SB199 , SB47 , HB605 , HB216 , HB621 , HB148 , HB389 , HB509 , HB248 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11 , SB336 , SB293 , SB43 , HB420 , HB60 , HB188 , HB106 , HB105 , HB11

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: SB255, cannabinoid, hemp, hemp-derived THC, THCa, delta-8 THC, HHC, CBD, THC, novel cannabinoid products, hemp products, intoxicating hemp, delta-8, retail license, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture and Industries, testing and labeling, third-party laboratory, product safety, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• That Concordia Parish deer was a hunter-harvested deer harvested on Richard K.
• The deer was a hunter-harvested deer harvested on Richard K.
• of our hunting heritage.
• The NDA's mission is to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat, and hunting.
• wild deer and deer hunting that we face today.

Summary: The task force met to review chronic wasting disease (CWD) developments and related management actions. After adopting an amended agenda and approving prior minutes, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries presented an update on the new CWD control area expansion triggered by a positive deer sample from Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish. Staff explained the emergency declaration, the enhanced mitigation zone and buffer zone rules, baiting and feeding restrictions, carcass transport limits, and the taxidermy waiver process. Members asked about where the deer may have been exposed, how sampling and surveillance are targeted, how the control area boundaries were drawn, and how the department tracks harvest and sample data. LDWF said the disease appears to be at low prevalence, that the emergency declaration lasts 180 days unless changed, and that a formal notice of intent will follow; the commission may act on the emergency and later rulemaking in time for the next hunting season. The committee also heard from the National Deer Association, which stated that CWD is the most serious long-term threat to wild deer and deer hunting and urged hunters, landowners, scientists, and agencies to work together to slow its spread. The task force then discussed its legislatively assigned report under H.R. ACR 75, with staff outlining five required areas: testing and tracking practices, information sharing and public notification, monitoring captive and wild herds, containment protocols, and needed regulatory updates. Members clarified the timing for recommendations and noted the report is due before the 2027 session, though recommendations can be made earlier. Later, LDWF staff provided retail sales figures showing significant declines in corn and rice bran sales in late 2025 compared with the prior year, attributing the drop to the baiting restrictions in CWD areas and noting impacts on small businesses and local economies. Members discussed the need to present harvest, sample, and DMAP data separately and in map form, while also cautioning that detailed property-level data could create legal or economic concerns; LDWF said it can stratify data by parish, public/private land, and DMAP status without identifying individual hunters or properties. The meeting ended with a public comment thanking Governor Landry for assistance after an ice storm, and the task force adjourned with the next meeting date to be announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, Senate Bill 1247 is common sense... ...and consolidates non-resident hunting licenses.
• TPWD currently offers this option for harvested deer, turkey, and red drum.

Bills: SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , SCR25 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB2185 , SB552 , SB664 , SB40 , SB9 , SJR1 , SJR5 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , SB27 , SB207 , SB2938 , SB1901 , SB1227 , SB1248 , SB912 , SB1321 , SB2143 , SB2145 , SB1497 , SB1239 , SB2180 , SB1388 , SB1762 , SB1662 , SB1951 , SB1537 , SB493 , SB378 , SB1020 , SB1018 , SB992 , SB958 , SB920 , SB1350 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141 , HCR46 , HCR109 , HCR10 , SCR25 , HB2525 , HB142 , HB140 , HB29 , HB451 , HB3809 , HB3307 , HB 1130 , HJR1 , HB9 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB2308

Keywords: Texas courts, judicial officers, associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, hearing officer, court administration, Government Code Chapter 54, Government Code Chapter 54A, bail training, Article 17.024, Article 15.17, local administrative judge, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Office of Court Administration, county courts, criminal justice, criminal jurisprudence, judicial qualifications

Bills: SF24 , SF27 , SF51 , SSB1045

Committee: Joint Transportation

Keywords: railway, crossing, repairs, upgrades, penalties, public safety, transportation, driver improvement, remedial driver improvement action, driver improvement course, driver education, traffic safety, DOT database, Iowa Department of Transportation, district court clerk, driver license records, registration records, titling records, law enforcement database, moving violation

Bills: SB683 , SB1579 , SB1389 , SB1387 , SB1390 , SB1391 , SB2063 , SB1829 , SB2060 , SB1842 , SB1398 , SB1212 , SB2158 , SB102 , SB1772 , SB1958 , SB2010 , SB1595 , SB1687 , SB1684 , SB2049 , SB1966 , SB1989 , SB1191 , SB1258 , SB1920 , SB1936 , SB2143 , SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157 , SB1806 , SB1430 , SB206 , SB1547 , SB1849 , SB1428 , SB1653 , SB1984 , SB1644 , SB1561 , SB1813 , SB1570 , SB1796

Keywords: education, tax credit, student support, private school, Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, financial assistance, homeschooling, qualified expenses, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, school choice, tuition assistance, income limits, parental choice, accreditation, sales tax, motor vehicles

Bills: HF4261 , HF4263 , HF4264 , HF4787

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: natural resources, motorboat, boating safety, personal watercraft, PWC, watercraft operator permit, boater safety exam, off-road vehicle, ORV, ATV, snowmobile, state trail pass, cross-country ski pass, horse pass, state park permit, game and fish, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife permit, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• That Concordia Parish deer was a hunter-harvested deer harvested on Richard K.
• “It just caught the more deer.
• of our hunting heritage.
• The NDA’s mission is to ensure the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat, and hunting.
• wild deer and deer hunting that we face today.

Summary: The task force met to handle routine business, including roll call, adoption of the amended agenda, approval of prior minutes, and withdrawal of one agenda item because a presenter could not attend. The main presentation came from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the recent chronic wasting disease (CWD) emergency declaration and control-area expansion after a positive deer was confirmed in Concordia Parish, including on Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area. LDWF explained the expanded control area, the enhanced mitigation zone where baiting and supplemental feeding are prohibited, the buffer zone rules, carcass transport restrictions, and the taxidermy waiver process. Officials also said the emergency declaration lasts 180 days unless extended or replaced by formal rulemaking, and that the department will pursue a notice of intent process that may or may not mirror the emergency rules. Members asked detailed questions about where the positive deer may have been exposed, how the control-area boundaries were drawn, how many deer were sampled, and how surveillance targets are set. LDWF and Dr. Roberts said the positive likely reflects prior exposure but the source is unknown, that the map follows roads, waterways, and processor locations, and that the deer was sampled through a hunter check-in process with a large sample size from the WMA. They also explained that surveillance goals are based on risk models and that sample collection is voluntary, with costs covered by the department and some federal research funds, not by hunters. Several members asked for better public-facing maps and parish-level data showing harvest, sample goals, and actual samples, while staff noted the information exists and can be stratified, but some harvest totals are delayed by DMAP reporting. The National Deer Association then read a statement saying CWD is the most serious long-term threat to wild deer and deer hunting and that hunters, landowners, scientists, and wildlife agencies must work together to slow its spread. The task force also discussed its legislative charge under HR/ACR 75, with staff outlining five areas for recommendations: testing and tracking practices, interagency information sharing and public notification, monitoring captive and wild herds, containment protocols, and needed statutory or regulatory updates. Members discussed the timeline for recommendations relative to the commission’s April notice-of-intent process and the 2027 reporting deadline. Near the end, two members reported large declines in retail sales of deer feed products since CWD feeding restrictions, and a public comment thanked the governor for assistance after a severe ice storm. The meeting adjourned without any votes beyond adopting the agenda and approving minutes.

Bills: SSB1007 , SSB1005 , SF32 , SSB1006 , SF18 , SSB1001

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Keywords: juvenile justice, delinquency petition, consent decree, supervised apartment living arrangement, foster care, group home, family foster care, least restrictive option, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, juvenile court, youth placement, state-funded placement, juvenile offender, community-based placement, rehabilitation, court-ordered placement, taxpayer rights, litigation costs, administrative hearings

Transcript Highlights:

• know the same issues that we're dealing with across all of our sporting activities, whether that's hunting
• Uh, South Dakota, North Dakota, I believe Iowa, I believe Wisconsin all allow you to use multiple lines
• or fishing, uh, whether that's hunting or fishing, uh, the<00:01:57.280><c> average</c><00:01:57.600
• I like anything that's going to get kids outside hunting, fishing, uh, more regularly.
• Um, would you consider looking at it sort of like deer hunting zones?

Transcript Highlights:

• You find one of these deer, and it is tested. You find one of these deer, and it is tested for CWD?
• It could apply to adult deer.
• I hunt here, I go to Canada.
• hunt ducks in it.
• hunt ducks in it.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which was presented as a narrowly focused ban on climate-change damages lawsuits rather than a measure affecting emissions claims, pollution claims, or private property rights. The author and supporters said the bill was intended to stop speculative suits targeting energy producers, farmers, truckers, manufacturers, and other businesses for global climate impacts, while preserving claims for actual legal violations under state or federal environmental and safety laws. After a substitute amendment was adopted to clarify and streamline the bill, the committee heard extensive support from oil and gas, chemical, business, port, and legal reform groups, along with a few opposition speakers who argued the bill could still be read to shield industry too broadly or weaken climate accountability. HB 804 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 802, as amended, which creates a watershed conservation fund tied to the Amite River Basin. The author explained that the bill was narrowed from a statewide proposal to a basin-specific program to reduce flood risk and restore watershed areas using existing severance revenue from sand mining, modeled in part on coastal restoration funding. Supporters from the concrete industry, landowners, levee boards, and conservation groups described it as a practical, low-cost, non-government solution to help remediate old sand and gravel pits and improve flood control. With no opposition cards and no objections, HB 802 was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HB 934, as substituted, which would allow licensed wildlife rehabilitators to possess white-tailed deer fawns under specific conditions, including disease monitoring, release only within the same management zone, and other handling requirements. The author said the bill was meant to prevent the euthanizing of orphaned fawns that could be rehabilitated and to create a lawful pathway for licensed care. A supporter described her experience rescuing an orphaned fawn that was later confiscated and killed, while the Louisiana Wildlife Federation opposed the measure, warning it could effectively create a captive deer program, undermine wildlife conservation principles, and lead to dangerous or inhumane facilities. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 934, before final committee action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not aware of taxes on those hunts.
• I'm not aware of taxes on those hunts.
• I'm not aware of taxes on those hunts.
• I'm not aware of taxes on those hunts.
• I'm not aware of taxes on those hunts.

Bills: HB2385 , HB3349 , HB3962 , HB3883 , HB4396 , HB4811 , HB5088 , HB4588 , HB4867 , HB4895 , HB5398 , HB5616

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo