Transcript Highlights:

• We have 74 bills, I believe, to go through today.
• because I don’t normally hear him speak like that, but we’re very professional in what we’re saying today
• I used to work in a state in Oklahoma where they have a 12-year lifetime legislative limit.
• I used to work in a state in Oklahoma where they have a 12-year lifetime legislative moment.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a large number of bills and resolutions across education, federalism, government, health, commerce, and judiciary-related topics. In education, members heard bills on moving the statewide testing window later, allowing paper-based testing in more cases, posting school administrator compensation data, expanding who may receive student directory information, reviewing duplicative ADE reporting requirements, requiring religious excusals, creating a school fitness recognition program, and a proposed ballot measure on sex-designated school sports and private spaces. In federalism, the committee discussed banning foreign nationals from funding ballot-measure committees and a proposal to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting. Other items included memorials urging the U.S. to withdraw from the United Nations and the IMF, and a government bill penalizing agencies that fail to submit financial reports on time. Health and human services bills focused on lactation care, a state certification program for lactation providers, prohibiting gender transition procedures for minors, requiring chief medical officers at state agencies to hold active licenses, clarifying air ambulance statutes, seeking a SNAP waiver to restrict non-eligible food purchases, and collecting hospital patient immigration-status data for reporting. Sponsors generally framed these as consumer protection, public health, or administrative cleanup measures, while some members raised concerns about cost, privacy, and possible legal conflicts. In commerce, the committee heard bills on digital goods disclosure, protections for child content creators, liability limits for river outfitters, landlord utility billing transparency, appraisal management company definitions, unemployment eligibility verification, and association-based health plans. Several measures were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments. The judiciary portion included bills creating a civil cause of action for violations of anti-DEI laws, expanding hate-crime-style penalties to include political affiliation and expression, adding reporting requirements for name changes by sex offenders, penalizing possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present individuals, adding penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, allowing speed-limiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, extending inmate transition services, increasing penalties for sexual extortion involving older teens, requiring legislative approval to close state shooting ranges, and advancing an Article V convention resolution for congressional term limits. Several sponsors emphasized public safety, parental rights, election integrity, or government accountability, while some members raised constitutional or implementation concerns, particularly on liability, voting systems, and the term-limits resolution. Multiple bills were reported as being on consent calendars, with some pulled for amendments or further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank everyone for being here today.
• That's really what we're going to talk about today. Can you not hear me okay? Great.
• Also, I just want to say we're going to be talking about a lot of numbers today.
• First off, I want to thank you for having me here today.
• Well, I want to thank everyone for coming today.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety met to review child welfare reforms developed after prior oversight hearings on the deaths of Emily Pike, Zariah Dodd, and Rebecca Baptiste. Committee members and the chair described a series of stakeholder meetings with tribes, DCS, law enforcement, county attorneys, schools, and other advocates that produced several bills aimed at improving communication, reporting, investigations, and court decision-making. The chair said SB 1125, creating a tribal-DCS memorandum of understanding, had already been signed, and highlighted HB 1126 on school records access, HB 1127 on mandatory reporting by people with direct knowledge, HB 1174 on hotline case history and review of prior reports, HB 1175 on photo documentation of children in care, HB 1496 on allowing attorneys to share more safety information with judges, and HB 1631 requiring advanced forensic interviews within 72 hours in sexual abuse cases, with some exceptions. DCS Director Catherine Patak presented agency data showing nearly 160,000 hotline calls in 2025, about 43,000 investigations, and a relatively steady out-of-home care population that ended the year at 7,077 children. She said about 3,000 children were reunified, 1,300 adopted, and 800 entered guardianship, while 1,100 young adults received transition services. She also reported 534 new foster homes licensed, a 50% reimbursement increase for older youth caregivers, a 40% decrease in youth missing from care since September 2024, and a 30% reduction in fatalities of children in care since 2024. Patak discussed the annual fatality review process, noting that 52 of 123 alleged fatality or near-fatality reports had prior DCS involvement, and described agency responses such as health plans for children with complex medical needs, a diabetes training app, expanded LifeSet services, fentanyl and safe-sleep prevention campaigns, staffing realignment, retention efforts, and improved coordination with law enforcement and tribes. Members asked about group home notification rules, the distinction between “missing” and “runaway,” behavioral health needs driving children back into care, training under Jacob’s Law, and whether best practices exist for placing sexually abused youth with appropriate staff. Patak said DCS is updating rules to remove “runaway” and “AWOL” in favor of “missing,” and that the agency is considering whether the statute’s immediate-or-24-hour reporting language should be clarified. She also said DCS does not currently have a specific staffing requirement tied to a child’s sex in group homes, but would look into practices in other states. The committee then heard from Malcolm Hightower of Casey Family Programs, who said Arizona is generally in the middle of the pack nationally: slightly higher than average in foster care entries and congregate care use, but near the national average on screening, substantiation, recurrence, re-entry, and maltreatment fatalities. He praised Arizona’s kin placement rate, said congregate care remains a challenge, and noted that neglect definitions and poverty-related removals remain an area of policy discussion. Finally, K.C. Melsick of Collaborative Safety described the organization’s safety-science approach to systemic critical incident reviews, arguing that child welfare systems should move away from blame and toward learning from near-misses and system failures. Members discussed applying similar methods across state agencies, and the committee adjourned after members and witnesses emphasized continued collaboration and further reforms in the interim and next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today with great pride to welcome our guest preacher here today, our guest chaplain,
• ,</c> minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma, minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr.<00:43:48.000
• Today, he is nowhere to be found. care. Today, he is nowhere to be found.
• And I rise today, Mr.
• Speaker, to And I rise today, Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, December 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we, we will be taking public testimony today.
• I want to remind anyone who plans to testify today that you will need to register, uh, on the, uh, fill
• We, we have a relatively short agenda today compared to some previous weeks, uh, and the good news is
• Thank you for the opportunity to lay out Senate Bill 528 before you today. Senate Bill 528.
• We serve Lamar, Red River, Delta, Fanan counties in Texas, and three counties in southeastern Oklahoma

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we will be taking public testimony today. I want to remind you.
• Anyone who plans to testify today will need to register.
• We have a relatively short agenda today compared to some previous weeks.
• Thank you for the opportunity to present Senate Bill 528 before you today.
• Red River, Delta, and Fannin Counties in Texas and three counties in southeastern Oklahoma.

Bills: SB670, SB1388, SB627, SB912, SB269, SB528, HB2711, HB4819, HB5248, HB4175

Keywords: SB 670, investigational sun protection products, sun protection, sunscreen, FDA approval, clinical trial, phase one trial, patient access, informed consent, physician prescription, Texas Health and Safety Code, Texas Medical Board, compassionate use, experimental treatment, medical freedom, patient autonomy, healthcare regulation, dietitian, dietitians, licensed dietitian

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today to congratulate Dr.
• Magaziner: Mr.
• That's why we're here today.
• SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO Mr.
• SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And today I would like to add a few more high points as we reunite here today. Here I go.
• Thank you for joining us today. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for joining us today.
• So I do that today.
• Today I would like to introduce two very special guests on the rostrum with us today.
• He was the first sheriff when Oklahoma was a territory, in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Bills: HB111, HJR1, HB61, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB70, SB3, HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Summary: The House convened for a special American Indian Day celebration, with prayers, flag citations, a Navajo national anthem, and many members introducing tribal leaders, students, veterans, and community guests. Speakers emphasized Native sovereignty, government-to-government relations, cultural preservation, education, and the importance of representation in state government. The Speaker announced plans for a future tribal summit to discuss funding, capital, and policy priorities with tribes and nations. After the celebration, the House received executive messages, including gubernatorial authorization for new bills and notice that House Bill 9 had been signed into law. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including House Bills 128, 285, 20, 52, 57, 58, 206, 109, 38, 66, 178, 198, 202, 224, 257, 103, and 247, with several health-related bills advanced via committee substitutes and referred onward. The House also adopted House Memorial 32 and enrolled House Bill 50 with a certificate of correction. On the floor, House Joint Resolution 1, as amended, passed 67-0. The resolution would create nominating committees for certain constitutionally named institutions, require no single party majority on those committees, and shift the student regent appointment to an elected student government body; members discussed the one-year party-registration requirement and the timing of implementing legislation. House Bill 8, which creates and funds the Major Capital Projects Fund for higher education projects, was then debated at length over its graduation-rate criteria and waiver provisions, and an amendment was offered to require Higher Education Department waiver findings to be reported to and approved by the State Board of Finance for added oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I can't support the bill today.
• With me to testify today, I have Dr.
• With me to testify today, I have Dr.
• Presenting alongside me today is...
• Fast forward to what we're at today.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it possible we have a photographer with us today?
• And today, it's a whole heap.
• Thank you so much for joining us today.
• Thank you so much for joining us today.
• , give them the money today.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that I'm open to the testimony today.
• I think that I'm open to the testimony today.
• They were at 70 miles prior and they're at 75 today.
• Thank you, gentlemen, for testifying today.
• Thank you for being here and giving your testimony today.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Judy has worked in Oklahoma and Texas.
• Judy has worked in Oklahoma and Texas.
• It's such an honor to be here with you today.
• Oh no, I haven't yelled. at you today, Speaker.
• One of them sitting in this audience today.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, I bring before you Senate Bill 246.
• I'm listening to with me today, and she's... Therefore, I'm going to...
• I’m here today in support of Senate Bill 146.
• Today, it’s $3.45 million, and that is an ever-increasing number.
• People are better off in other states like Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 246, which would require licensure and inspections for massage therapy establishments. The sponsor and Regulation and Licensing Department said the bill is intended to close a gap in oversight, improve sanitation and public safety, and help address human trafficking and prostitution concerns. Supporters from the massage therapy profession and industry groups said establishment licensing would create accountability and protect legitimate practitioners, while AMTA took a neutral position but supported the rulemaking process. Several senators raised concerns about privacy, home-based businesses, and whether mobile or traveling therapists would be affected; the department said the bill would apply to establishments, not individual therapists, and that home inspections would be governed by rules. The committee voted 8-0 to give SB 246 a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 300, an appropriation for CYFD computer hardware and software to improve compatibility with the national child welfare management system. The sponsor said the goal was to reduce delays and improve data sharing, especially in child welfare and ICWA-related cases. Members asked about the current system and how the funding would help, and the sponsor said the bill was aimed at better interoperability. The committee voted 8-0 to send SB 300 forward with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 146, which would amend the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. The bill and committee substitute would align the legal standard more closely with federal deliberate indifference language, reduce damages caps, shorten the statute of limitations, require 90 days’ notice, and bar double recovery under both the Civil Rights Act and Tort Claims Act. Supporters, including county and city representatives, law enforcement, AFSCME, and risk management officials, argued the changes were needed to control rapidly rising claims costs and protect public budgets. Opponents from the ACLU, civil rights, poverty, immigrant, and LGBTQ advocacy groups said the bill would weaken accountability, reintroduce qualified immunity-like protections, and make it harder for people harmed by government actors to seek justice. After a failed motion to table and a 5-5 vote on the committee substitute, the bill remained in committee and did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've given proper notice for it, and thereby we will have it on our agenda to be heard today.
• He began his military career as a captain in the Oklahoma National Guard, followed by going off to World
• And also with me today, this evening, is the chair of the Transportation Committee.
• And also with me today, this evening, is the chair of the Transportation Committee.
• And that's why I'm doing what I'm doing here today.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and first addressed a point of order over whether HB 270 could be heard after being taken up earlier in the Transportation Committee. The chair ruled the bill could proceed because it was assigned to this committee and had been properly noticed. The committee then heard HB 280, which would create a three-year pilot program to support paid student internships through grants administered by the Department of Workforce Solutions. Supporters said the bill would help fund internships, mentoring, and transportation, and could improve workforce development, graduation outcomes, and pathways into apprenticeships or higher education. Members asked about administrative costs, student selection, rural and tribal access, payment mechanisms, and whether public entities, land grants, and dual credit could be included. The bill sponsor and witnesses said the program would likely serve about 100 students, use a sliding-scale matching model, and allow local flexibility in program design. The committee voted due pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, honoring the Hurley family and especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley for military service and artistic contributions in New Mexico. The memorial was presented as a tribute to a family of heroes, and members expressed support. The committee voted due pass on the memorial. Finally, the committee heard HB 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice and Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on most public works projects, including road and utility work, while exempting trades without approved programs. Sponsors said the bill would close loopholes, broaden participation, and strengthen the workforce pipeline. Opposition came from asphalt, contractor, and utility groups, which argued the bill would raise costs, duplicate existing training programs, and create access problems for nonunion and geographically distant contractors. Supporters from mechanical contractors, building trades, and labor groups said the bill would improve workforce development and keep training dollars in New Mexico. After debate over the earlier Transportation Committee action and the bill’s cost impacts, the committee voted due pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have new counsel today. Counsel, would you please explain this bill in lieu of having it read?
• I believe that would be better answered by the delegate that is here today.
• I believe that would be better answered by the delegate that is here today.
• Seeing none, thank you, Adam, for being here today.
• I think Oklahoma has done this already.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives, Senators, and Madam Chair, being here today, this morning, my name is Janice Peterson
• awareness of how to do it, and what college we want to go to, like, um, college in Pueblo or college in Oklahoma
• I'm coming today as a mother of Zuni children on the Zuni Pueblo, who's also married to a religious leader
• songs, hundreds of years old and dancing, but they didn't..." their numbers, so they're in trouble today
• If there are no more comments or announcements, I believe we will see you today, Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I bring before you Senate Bill 246.
• I'm listening to with me today, and she's... Therefore, I'm going to...
• I'm here today in support of Senate Bill 146.
• Today, it's $3.45 million, and that is an ever-increasing number.
• Today it is about $2.45 million. State law, today it is about $2.45 million.

Bills: SB246, SB146, SB300, SB301, SB309, SM17

Keywords: massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, it might be today, actually. I think it was Wednesday.
• We're really glad to be able to present to all of you today.
• And those are the ones that we presented today.
• And so the Oklahoma State one called the...
• I stand before you today with that product.

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard a campus presentation from Dean Corey Gorder and President Steve Shirley. Gorder outlined DCB’s leadership changes, its affiliation with Minot State, and extensive shared services with Minot State, UND, and NDSU in areas such as business office functions, financial aid, payroll, HR, Title IX, printing, and institutional research. He said shared services help smaller campuses access expertise, and committee members asked about cost allocation and accreditation limits; Gorder said the arrangements are negotiated between institutions and that, to his understanding, academic accreditation is not affected by these service-sharing agreements. The committee also discussed DCB’s enrollment, dual credit reach, and program mix, including nursing, dental assisting and hygiene, paramedic training, drone certification, and farm management. Gorder said DCB wants to expand higher-demand, trade-oriented programs, strengthen Minot programming, and address facility needs, especially residence halls and space constraints in dental programs. Members asked detailed questions about dual credit, including how DCB develops relationships with high schools, whether it has exclusivity, who teaches the courses, and whether credits transfer. Gorder said relationships are built through outreach and existing school connections, that schools may choose other providers, and that DCB pays stipends to instructors under institution-specific formulas. NDUS staff Lisa Johnson said transfer problems are rare within North Dakota and usually arise only with highly selective out-of-state institutions. Gorder also noted that DCB’s dual credit and campus programming are heavily tied to rural schools and that the college is trying to streamline dual credit delivery as enrollment and staffing demands grow. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose representatives outlined student priorities from the last legislative session and the interim. Their main themes included campus safety, mental health resources, academic freedom, scholarships and affordability, teacher incentives, workforce readiness, housing, food accessibility, student research funding, internships, and campus collaboration. They said they supported or opposed various bills related to those issues during the 69th Legislative Assembly and emphasized that students want affordable, safe, and academically strong campuses. Committee members asked about housing affordability, food insecurity, research opportunities, and dual credit transfer and expansion. No votes were taken on policy matters during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Air Control Squadron is a tenant unit of the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma
• Finally, I want to thank you for your time today and for allowing me to highlight the incredible work
• I don't know, they might all be quiet today. Might have covered everything.
• Colonel, I don't know, they might all be quiet today. They might have covered everything.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Having established a quorum, we are going to go into executive session first today.
• Everyone who is going to testify today, please make sure you fill out a witness form up there and turn
• I'm super excited to be here with you today. My name is Leah Strid.
• I'm super excited to be here with you today. My name is Leah Strid.
• Hey, committee members, just real quick, we're going to try to exec this today.

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development met in executive session and first approved House Bill 2896 by a vote of 11 ayes, 1 no, and 1 present. The bill was described as giving the governor and staff more flexibility in appointing qualified members to university boards of governors. The committee then heard House Bill 3279, sponsored by Rep. Brenda Shields, which would move the Community Service Commission from the Department of Economic Development to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Shields said the move would better align the commission’s AmeriCorps and volunteer-service work with education, workforce training, financial aid, apprenticeships, and job-placement resources already housed in DHEWD. Rep. Mansur, Rep. Hein, and Rep. Wilson voiced support, emphasizing the program’s value in building workforce pipelines and community ties, while DHEWD witness Leah Strid also testified in favor and said the change would help connect participants to education and employment opportunities. Members asked about the commission’s budget, funding, and staffing; witnesses said the program is primarily federally funded, with seven FTEs, and that they would follow up with additional details. No opposition testimony was offered. The chair indicated the committee would try to executive the bill later, but due to notice issues, House Bill 3279 was not voted on at this meeting and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before us today is RS 33220. We're talking about ag-in-the-classroom issues today.
• Essentially, what we're asking today is that we move the responsibility of design of that license plate
• You have before you today RS 33288.
• So today I bring you for review and to introduce this RS does just three simple things.
• I was contacted by the Appaloosa Horse Club and told that the actual club itself is moving to Oklahoma

Summary: The committee considered several RS introductions related to transportation and licensing. RS 33220, by Rep. Raymond, would shift responsibility for designing the Idaho agricultural license plate from the Idaho food producers to the Ag in the Classroom board of directors; members briefly discussed whether the committee would see the plate design, and the RS was introduced. RS 33288, by Rep. Pickett, focused on road safety and argued that speed variability, rather than top speed alone, creates more dangerous driving conditions; members raised questions about semis, posted speeds, and the bill’s data, and the RS was introduced with a correction to the statement of purpose changing “accidents” to “interactions.” RS 33279, by Rep. McCann, would redirect Appaloosa license plate funds from the Appaloosa Horse Club to the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center Foundation, update the vehicle weight limit to 26,000 pounds, and clarify that funds support horse education and programming in Idaho; the RS was introduced. RS 33244, by Rep. Petzke, made a minor change to the definition of resident for vehicle registration, titling, driver’s licenses, and identification cards, and was moved for introduction. RS 33285, by Rep. Handy, would prevent Idaho from issuing CDL licenses based on learner’s permits or licenses from foreign entities or other states, requiring the CDL process to occur in Idaho; members asked about residency, visas, and legal durability, and the RS was introduced. Finally, RS 33361, by Rep. Mitchell, was a resolution confirming approval of all administrative rules except one rejected docket number from the prior discussion. The committee voted to introduce RS 33361 and send it to the second reading calendar. All measures discussed were advanced by voice vote, and the committee adjourned after completing the introductions.