Transcript Highlights:

• Own illegal acts.
• and workforce development.
• We've heard that the Dream Act acts as an incentive that motivates people to come to Texas.
• So the Texas Dream Act is a strong workforce development law and allows for the same economic contributions
• So the Texas Dream Act is a strong workforce development law and allows for the same economic contributions

Bills: SB1798 , SB1835 , SB1319 , SB2942 , SB2928 , SB784 , SB1049

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it also specified insurance act.
• </c><00:37:42.640><c> Louisiana</c> fraudulent insurance act. Louisiana fraudulent insurance act.
• </c><01:15:36.719><c> and</c> beta stage of trying to develop and beta stage of trying to develop and
• </c> those losses aren't fully developed those losses aren't fully developed until<01:15:52.000><c> you
• and single family affordable developers and single family affordable housing<01:34:06.480><c> developers

Transcript Highlights:

• Castilian takes the same hardware-first, rapid-development approach, which we need: rapid development
• the University of Oklahoma.
• An act relating to firearms, enacting the Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act,
• of qualified expenditure in the Technology Jobs and Research and Development Tax Credit Act to include
• An act relating to property, exempting jetty jacks from the provisions of the Cultural Properties Act

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be cardiac events while you're responding or in the act of doing your job. Okay.
• And also the professional development piece here.
• Acting Chair. I just wanted to get this program out there.
• Giving its good name to a vendor that's acting independently.
• You should also let me be the Mississippi guy and the Oklahoma guy.'

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 350, which would extend the grade levels at Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade. The sponsor and several members emphasized the school’s importance to Terrebonne Parish, French immersion, and school choice. An amendment was adopted making the bill subject to appropriation, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. Members then approved House Bill 749, which authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for certain savings programs, including ABLE, START, and START K-12, in response to a prior cyber incident and to improve security and customer service. An amendment simplified the bill’s effective-date language so provisions would take effect upon execution of the contract. The bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee also advanced House Bill 979 to increase the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000. Testimony from the governor’s office said the increase could be covered within existing appropriations and that the amount was consistent with inflation since the benefit was last set. The bill was reported favorably. Later, House Bill 42 creating a phased retirement option for public post-secondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System was reported favorably, and House Bill 205 to allow local clerks of court to supplement election commissioner pay by up to $100 per election was also reported favorably after extensive testimony about staffing shortages and stagnant pay. The committee additionally reported favorably House Bill 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, and House Bill 324 on judicial salaries, after amending it to remove future COLA provisions and leave only the permanent stipend increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• It could be cardiac events while you're responding or in the act of doing your job. Okay.
• Mandy Mitchell, Lafayette Economic Development Authority. Man, you got a lot of support here.
• Acting Chair. I just wanted to get this program out there.
• You should also let me be the Mississippi guy and the Oklahoma guy.'
• It's ensuring that they're acting responsibly.

Bills: HB12 , HB42 , HB205 , HB222 , HB324 , HB325 , HB350 , HB416 , HB482 , HB610 , HB749 , HB797 , HB807 , HB821 , HB979 , HB992 , HB1193

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• would allow that all state agencies, boards, commissions, departments, or any entity within the Oklahoma
• This feature is specifically designed to allow individuals to donate to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans
• that we're fully staffed and that we can provide them the best service possible for the state of Oklahoma

Bills: HB3940 , HB3078 , HB3043

Committee: Senate Veterans and Military Affairs

Summary: The committee took up three Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs-related House bills. House Bill 3940 was presented as a modernization and cleanup of Guard retirement-related provisions, with a confusing pay language removed; members noted it was similar to prior versions and that any fiscal impact would not occur until after 2027. After brief questions, the bill was advanced unanimously, 7-0. House Bill 3078 would allow state agencies and executive-branch entities to add voluntary donation options to payment forms so people could contribute to the ODVA Revolving Fund when paying for items such as licenses, registrations, and tax forms. Members clarified the donations would be extra, strictly voluntary, and not tied to tax proceeds. The bill passed 7-0. House Bill 3043 would authorize ODVA to hire PRN/as-needed staff as seasonal employees under defined limits to help staff veterans homes. Supporters said it would improve flexibility and staffing during peak periods, while the minority leader raised concerns about expanding temporary employment and reducing access to stable, benefit-eligible jobs. The bill passed 5-2. The committee then laid over another item pending Senator Woods’ availability and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• spacing and alignment, and the ability to read and apply cursive writing so as to support literacy development
• But this year, I took a trip to Oklahoma City to go to the education... ...field in the legislature.
• But this year, I took a trip to Oklahoma City to go to the education conference out there and really
• This is why I am so passionate about this holistic development of not just the child, I am so passionate
• about this holistic development of not just the child, but the entire family unit.

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee heard and passed HB 921, which adds cursive writing to required instruction for grades 2 through 5 and requires students to demonstrate proficiency by the end of fifth grade. The bill sponsor argued cursive is important for historical literacy, everyday signatures, and possible early identification of learning differences. Opponents and several members supported teaching cursive but objected to the testing/proficiency requirement, saying students and teachers are already overburdened and that reading cursive is not currently part of the standards. Some members also raised concerns about fairness to charter schools and the bill’s application only to public schools. Despite those concerns, the bill passed 21-0 and was reported favorable. The committee then took up PCS for HB 1405, a major rewrite of Florida’s juvenile prevention and truancy statutes in Chapter 984, covering children in need of services/families in need of services. The bill updates definitions and procedures, strengthens truancy intervention, requires earlier and more detailed school reporting, adds parent involvement through child study teams, allows virtual participation, and sets review timelines for shelter placement. Sponsors said the goal is prevention and family support rather than punishment, with court involvement only after school-based intervention. Members asked about school compliance, court capacity, parent accountability, and whether all counties have child study teams; the sponsors said the bill expects CSTs in every school and can escalate cases to court and, if needed, to prosecutors for noncompliant parents. Public testimony on the juvenile justice bill was supportive, including from the Department of Juvenile Justice, youth services groups, and juvenile justice advocates. In debate, members praised the modernization effort and the emphasis on early intervention and family participation, while also noting the bill’s size and suggesting further attention to attendance thresholds. The PCS for HB 1405 was then approved unanimously and reported favorable. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4193 seeks to do one simple thing: to be certain that Oklahoma taxpayer dollars do not flow
• again that because you're requiring the entity that if they're doing business with a company here in Oklahoma
• Our Oklahoma taxpayer dollars making their way to our foreign adversaries?

Bills: HB4193

Committee: House State Powers

Transcript Highlights:

• So this just makes sure that our municipalities follow the law and it is supported, of course, by Oklahoma
• cities and towns and the Oklahoma Press Association.
• Chairman, and thank you committee, Senate Bill 1198 would direct the Oklahoma Health Authority to file

Bills: SB1265 , SB1198 , SB2046

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• This act shall become effective June 1, 2026. That's pretty cut and dry.

Bills: HB415 , HB419 , SB219 , SB170 , HB415 , HB419 , SB219 , SB170

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: police abuse registry, law enforcement registry, officer assault, assault on police, resisting arrest, battery on law enforcement, law enforcement injury fund, Back the Blue Act, Attorney General, clemency, pardon, commutation, rehabilitation costs, medical costs, public safety, criminal records, background checks, registry removal fee, privacy, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• There is $40 million in additional funding in the Climate Commitment Act account, we call it the CCA
• I'm signed in others since I'm testifying specifically on Climate Commitment Act revenue, which we need
• , is here today saying thank you and supporting this budget as it relates to the Climate Commitment Act
• PSRC is currently developing a new regional transportation plan, and this fall we spoke with residents
• In their section, they have $12.2 million from the Climate Commitment Act carbon emissions reduction

Bills: SB6225 , SB6005 , SB6354

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation bonds, general obligation bonds, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway funding, road construction, infrastructure financing, motor fuel tax, gas tax, vehicle fees, bond authorization, state finance committee, highway bond retirement fund, corridor projects, interstate improvements, right-of-way acquisition, public-private partnerships, transportation capital projects, local matching funds, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• jurisdiction and mobile sources for the purpose of regulating those sources as prescribed by the Clean Air Act
• The amendment outlines duties of the Arizona Corporation Commission in enforcing this act.
• It supports ag and energy development and ensures local governments stay within their legal lane.
• County supervisors appreciate the importance of economic development, and that's why such development
• Communities and energy developers coordinate on large-scale energy infrastructure.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2113 , HB2145 , HB2331 , HB2340 , HB2389 , HB2400 , HB2401 , HB2428 , HB2494 , HB2696 , HB2756 , HB2795 , HB2955 , HCM2008

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Transcript Highlights:

• but the FDA does enforce certain quality assurance requirements under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• but the FDA does enforce certain quality assurance requirements under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• that is likely preempted by federal law, specifically Section 503A of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
• Section 503A of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
• 2613 includes three major provisions in conflict with Section 503A of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Bills: HB2545 , HB2613 , HB1496 , HB2155 , HB2283 , HB2340 , HB2425 , HB2437 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, patients, cardiovascular procedures, outpatient services, surgical facilities, HB2613, compounded medications, compounded drugs, pharmacy compounding, bulk drug substances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, API, drug safety, patient safety, pharmacy license, Washington pharmacy law, RCW 18.64, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA, pharmaceutical compounding

Transcript Highlights:

• For a little bit of background, the National Voter Registration Act requires states to provide the opportunity
• By way of background, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, requires each state agency
• And for those who were able to, at that moment in time, have some professional development, they actually
• Running Start has helped me develop skills that are crucial for education beyond high school, including

Bills: SB6130 , SB6247 , SB6260 , SB6268 , SB6278

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: voter registration, elections, national holiday, civic engagement, government initiative, school funding, financial management, budgeting, transparency, district governance, SB 6260, public education, K-12, Washington State, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, education finance, school transportation, school buses, zero-emission bus

Bills: SB100 , SB122 , SB127 , HB182 , HB275 , SB100 , SB122 , SB127 , HB182 , HB275

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, real property assessment, assessment cap, county-wide reappraisal, CPI-U, Consumer Price Index, tax assessor, Class II property, Class III property, local government revenue, property tax relief, reappraisal, tax increment district, retroactive tax law, Alabama Code 40-7-2.2, appropriation, education funding, Southern Preparatory Academy, fiscal responsibility

Transcript Highlights:

• The following peace officer immunity will establish a study commission to study the effect of the act
• I read it that a post would develop a policy and everyone in the state of Alabama's got to go by it.
• that... ...at the effects of the acts that have already happened and then to go forward from there and
• But, representative, isn't the cause of some of these acts by some law enforcement people because they
• So, HB7, so this is called the Lake and Riley Act. So, it actually predates Riley Act.

Bills: HB202 , HB42 , HB146 , HB492 , HB285 , HB7 , HB454 , HB42 , HB7

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: law enforcement, immunity, civil liability, use of force, recruitment, bail reform, cash deposit, judicial discretion, criminal justice, Alabama law, youthful offender, capital murder, public safety, victims' rights, juvenile offenders, delinquent acts, juvenile court, nonfelony offenses, water safety offenses, HB285

Transcript Highlights:

• And so you see Oklahoma, they're competing for our veterans. They're saying, come move here.
• And so you see Oklahoma, they're competing for our veterans. They're saying, come move here.
• It doesn't cost us anything, and it brings economic development back to the state.
• This bill forces police officers to act as bathroom monitors and potty police and check the gender of
• This is truly a workforce development type of bill because it's going to increase the opportunity for

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in Oklahoma or in Louisiana. in Oklahoma or in Louisiana.
• </c><00:32:01.679><c> the</c> capture there. and as we develop the capture there. and as we develop the
• Um, his intensive development.
• </c><01:05:37.119><c> our</c> and more just like let's develop our and more just like let's develop our
• Structuring is a person that is not acting alone, that they're acting with or in behalf of other persons

Bills: HB0120 , HB0043 , HB0128

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• this just makes sure that our municipalities follow the law, and it is supported, of course, by Oklahoma
• Cities and Towns, OML, and the Oklahoma Press Association.
• Senate Bill 1198 would direct the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to file a release of liens on any property

Bills: SB1265 , SB1198 , SB2046

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Summary: The Senate Local and County Government Committee met and first announced that Senate Bill 1619 would be laid over to a later date. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1265, which would extend the deadline for municipalities to publish ordinances from 15 days to 30 days, with supporters citing the decline of daily newspapers and the need to help cities meet publication requirements. The bill received a due pass recommendation and advanced on an 8-0 vote. The committee next considered Senate Bill 1198, which would require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to release liens on property owned by a city or county when requested by the local treasurer. Senator Mann explained that the measure is intended to help local governments reuse tax-delinquent or code-violation properties for affordable housing, since liens can exceed the value of the property. The bill advanced on a 7-1 vote. After a brief recess, the committee took up Senate Bill 2046, as amended by committee substitute, which would allow the Department of Environmental Quality to determine the legality of campsites and evaluate whether sanitary and environmental standards are met. Members questioned the bill’s definitions, reporting thresholds, timelines, fiscal impact, and the role of DEQ and the Department of Public Safety in notifying counties and ordering removal of camps. Following debate, the bill advanced on a 6-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill outlines that agencies have to develop a plan, then execute upon it.
• economic development for the cheese plant.
• And so now, because of this... ...bring in economic development.
• They have it developed, but is it really ready? It wasn't quite really ready.
• They have it developed, but is it really ready? It wasn't quite really ready.

Bills: SB132 , SB241

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee first heard HB 158 as amended, which would require state agencies receiving appropriations from the Grow Fund to submit accountability and evaluation plans to the State Budget Division and the Legislative Finance Committee. LFC staff said the bill would put existing practice into statute and formalize agency reporting and evaluation responsibilities. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and after questions about whether agencies or LFC would do the evaluations, it passed on a 9-0 due pass vote. HB 255, the Public Safety Workforce Building Program, was then presented as a bipartisan measure to consolidate public safety workforce funding into a competitive grant program for local law enforcement, fire, detention, and public attorney offices. The sponsor said it would not require a new appropriation. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee approved it on a 9-0 due pass vote. The committee then took up SB 309, which would replace the lottery’s 30% return requirement with a fixed floor return for several fiscal years, with a reversion to the current law if the floor is not met. Lottery officials and supporters argued the change would let the lottery offer more competitive prizes, including higher-value scratchers, and potentially increase scholarship revenue; opponents, including Think New Mexico and a nursing student, warned it could cap long-term growth and reduce scholarship funding. After extended debate, the bill passed on a 7-2 due pass vote. Later, SB 79, creating a statewide mosquito-borne disease prevention program through the Department of Health, was presented by its sponsor as a response to West Nile virus and warmer winters. Testimony from the sponsor and the state entomologist emphasized rising mosquito risk and the need for county grants and statewide coordination. Although the committee initially moved to table the bill because funding had already been included in the budget, that motion failed and the bill ultimately received a due pass vote. The committee also heard HB 295, which would create a centralized accessibility reporting position in the Department of Health; after testimony for and against, an amendment stripping the appropriation was adopted, and the bill passed 5-3. The committee then heard HB 124, establishing an Office of New Americans within Workforce Solutions to coordinate workforce integration for immigrants with lawful status. Supporters described barriers faced by immigrant workers and the need for bilingual training and centralized assistance, while the sponsor said the office would have no first-year budget impact. The bill passed 6-4. Finally, the committee considered SB 273 and SB 274, both involving state financial support for affected entities and the Patient Compensation Fund. SB 273, which would provide temporary state assistance to communities affected by economic disruption, passed after debate about precedent and economic recovery. SB 274, which sought repayment from the Patient Compensation Fund for prior state infusions, drew opposition from hospitals and physicians who warned of higher surcharges and questioned the timing and legality; discussion continued around the committee substitute and the fund’s statutory restrictions.