Transcript Highlights:

• Counties, municipalities, et cetera, may prohibit or approve these facilities as they come into their
• Counties, municipalities, et cetera, may prohibit or approve these facilities as they come into their
• No, this is not instituting county zoning explicitly or by default, by any stretch of the means, not
• But out in county areas and in rural areas, no, this is not encouraging or promoting county zoning at
• And quite frankly, I hear time and time again that county commissioners and city council members are

Bills: HB2989 , HB3724 , HB2992 , HB3464 , HB4246 , HB3989

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: wildland fire, wildfire, electric utility, electric cooperative, utility liability, vegetation management, power lines, grid hardening, public utility, rate recovery, National Electric Safety Code, NESC, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, landowner incentives, cost-share program, revolving fund, property damage, trespass

Transcript Highlights:

• The response was no: the bill does not institute county zoning explicitly or by default.
• But in county and rural areas, the bill is not encouraging or promoting county zoning at all.
• The speaker reiterated that the bill is not instituting county zoning explicitly or by default.
• In county and rural areas, the bill is not encouraging or promoting county zoning at all.
• Well, I appreciate your understanding on that, but I have a lot of county commissioners...

Bills: HB2989 , HB3724 , HB2992 , HB3464 , HB4246 , HB3989

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: wildland fire, wildfire, electric utility, electric cooperative, utility liability, vegetation management, power lines, grid hardening, public utility, rate recovery, National Electric Safety Code, NESC, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, landowner incentives, cost-share program, revolving fund, property damage, trespass

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 4246, which would expand training and technical assistance options for rural water-related programs by allowing the state to consider qualified suppliers other than the Rural Water Association. After brief questions about the type of vendors involved, the bill received a 7-0 due pass vote. House Bill 3989 followed and was described as cleanup language continuing prior negotiations among the oil and gas industry, electric co-ops, and investor-owned utilities; the committee adopted the PCS and passed the bill 7-0. Members then considered House Bill 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection Act of 2026. The committee adopted a PCS and an amendment reducing the threshold from 100 megawatts to 75 megawatts. The bill would require data centers to pay infrastructure costs tied to their electricity demand so those costs are not shifted to other ratepayers; it passed 7-0. House Bill 3464, which adds protections and regulatory requirements for battery storage and updates transparency and decommissioning provisions for wind and solar projects, also passed 7-0 after adoption of a PCS. House Bill 3724, as revised in a second PCS, drew the most debate. It would define high-demand facilities to include data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, AI computing facilities, and large battery storage systems, and would impose restrictions on subsidies, infrastructure costs, water use, foreign ownership, agricultural land siting, noise, decommissioning, and local approval processes, including a petition mechanism to overturn local decisions. Supporters argued it was needed to protect communities, landowners, water resources, and ratepayers; opponents raised concerns about property rights, agricultural land restrictions, local control, and the petition/recall process. The bill failed on a 2-6 vote and remained in committee. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2989, which would allow electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans, create a wildfire mitigation revolving fund, and direct the Conservation Commission to develop a wildfire mitigation test pilot and refine mitigation strategies. With a PCS adopted and no debate, the bill passed 8-0, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's county maps; there's a couple counties together that shows—I had asked for maps showing, per
• Pinal County.
• most counties.
• The bill establishes a county land commissioner in each county, sets salary and residency requirements
• , and the county is a very rural county.

Bills: HB2150 , HB2262 , HB2267 , HB2268 , HB2351 , HB2425 , HB2426 , HB2427 , HB2755 , HB2781 , HB2913 , HB2943 , HB2956 , HB2975 , HB2985 , HB4009

Committee: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Keywords: state land department, mineral lease, renewals, indexed royalties, land use planning, auditor general, five-year plans, geospatial data, Arizona Geological Survey, resource analysis, geographic information systems, wildlife protection, public nuisance, renewable energy, wind farm, solar farm, residential property, public health, local regulations, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• Patrolman Zachary Rice, now with the DPS port of entry, Colbert Station; Sheriff Cody Simpson, Atoka County
• Sheriff's Office; Deputy Doug Isabel, Atoka County Sheriff's Office; Deputy J.D.
• Mixon, Atoka County Sheriff's Office; Dispatcher Emily Denny, Atoka County Sheriff's Office; Chief Darren
• incident in May of 2025 involving a high-speed pursuit and subsequent armed confrontation in Atoka County

Bills: SB1333 , SB1191 , SB1439 , SB1314 , SB1509 , SB1319 , SB1346 , SB1613

Keywords: water infrastructure, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, revolving fund, grants, environmental compliance, SB1191, Oklahoma Energy Initiative Act, Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board, low carbon energy, clean energy, energy policy, renewable energy, board repeal, statutory repeal, administrative board, energy committee, natural resources, Oklahoma statutes, 17 O.S. 802.3, fossil fuels

Summary: The Oklahoma Senate convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared. The session opened with prayer, followed by a gallery introduction recognizing the Convention of States Organization and related guests in the North Gallery for Capital Freedom Day and the 250th anniversary of the nation. The Senate also granted unanimous consent for an entourage to come to the floor. Senator Bullard presented a citation of valor honoring multiple law enforcement officers from Atoka County, Stringtown, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Tulsa Police Department for their response to a dangerous May 2025 incident involving a high-speed pursuit and armed confrontation. The citation praised their courage, coordination, and actions that helped protect civilians and resolve the situation safely. The Senate extended its gratitude to the officers, and members of law enforcement present were recognized on the floor. Several floor introductions and announcements followed, including recognition of a UCO student intern, Senator Alvord’s mother-in-law, and caucus and committee notices. Announcements included Republican caucus meeting plans, committee meetings for Business and Insurance and Energy, a Diabetes Caucus meeting, a Women’s Caucus social event, and a note that the Senate won the prior day’s blood drive competition. No legislation was debated or voted on, and the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn until Monday, February 9, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would add um county prosecutors and um municipal prosecutors as well.
• It would add um county prosecutors and um municipal prosecutors as well.
• >> So that adds the judges and magistrates, right?
• Yeah, it had the judges and magistrates were<00:04:57.840><c> asking.
• >> I think Bolton adds the judges where this one did not.

Bills: HB88 , HB314 , SB46 , HB332 , HB86 , HB363 , HB88 , HB314 , SB46 , HB332 , HB86 , HB363

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: driver license, English examinations, language requirement, immigration, testing standards, motor vehicles, window tint, law enforcement, prosecutors, vehicle regulations, medical condition, communication, first responder, invisible disabilities, anaphylaxis, day care centers, training, child safety, healthcare, parole

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was heard on January 25th, and it removes the provision requiring any county and the cities
• within those counties choosing to fully plan under the GMA to submit a proposition to the voters prior
• This bill establishes that no city, town, code city, county, or water sewer district may prohibit the
• rather than the legislative authority of a city, town, or county.
• heard on January 29th and establishes that under the housing element of the comprehensive plan of a county

Bills: SB6181 , SB6154 , SB6211 , SB6234 , SB6242 , SB5633 , SB6279 , SB6291 , SB6274 , SB6309

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: city incorporation, local governance, municipalities, state law, government structure, culvert replacement, fish passage, hydraulic project approval, Department of Fish and Wildlife, stream crossing, bank stabilization, flood control, erosion control, emergency permit, expedited permit, SEPA, environmental review, local government, county authority, agricultural irrigation

Transcript Highlights:

• My mother was the pallet teacher back in the day in Shelby County.
• My mother was the pallet teacher back in the day in Shelby County.

Bills: SB66 , SB74 , SB72 , SB149 , SB168 , SB66 , SB74 , SB72 , SB149 , SB168

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: University of Montevallo, trustees, board governance, terms of office, quorum, education, teacher support, loan assistance, acute shortage, Alabama teachers, higher education, adult learners, grant program, education funding, eligibility requirements, teacher certification, military veterans, temporary teaching certificate, workforce development, K-12 education

Transcript Highlights:

• the same vague language using children as an excuse in a conservative district with a conservative judge
• I name a member of that County Committee, Hatcher. Of Texas testifying against this bill.
• provision. of a very successful bill we passed in the 87th Legislature, Senate Bill 23, which prevented counties
• Don’t judge my character by... I know we are judged by who we keep company with.

Bills: SB34 , SB75 , SB330 , SB1535 , SB18 , SB 18 , SB 34

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• . $120,000 for the biennium for an increase to the county veterans service officers grants, or the CVSO
• That was Representative Clardy's bill. $120,000 for the biennium for an increase to the county veterans

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• He also said there is funding for farm to school, county inspectors, and continued funding for E15 grants
• He said Hennepin County has had a groundwater effort funded through the federal government, and they
• Uh the Homemstead County<00:08:17.039><c> has</c><00:08:17.280><c> had</c><00:08:17.520><c> a</c><00:
• uh effort County has had a groundwater uh effort funded<00:08:20.160><c> through</c><00:08:20.319><c
• That's 56 out of our 87 counties.

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:30.160><c> a</c> and in the tales for county a and in the tales for county a inspectors. inspectors
• </c> sludge and also for the Mstead County sludge and also for the Mstead County soil<00:15:42.480><c
• That's 56 out 56 counties in Minnesota.
• And dairy processing is an counties.
• So, with throughout all 87 counties.

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• only to non-federal, municipal EMS providers, ensuring that it doesn't interfere with any city or county-operated
• 1464 would allow non-negotiable prices to be negotiated. on state entities such as municipalities, counties

Bills: HB1464 , HB1635 , HB2516 , HB3317 , HB3502 , HB4012 , HB4268 , HB4386 , HB4877 , SB916

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I am the Washington County Commissioner. I am the Washington County Commissioner.
• I see Cass County are here today.
• , county sheriffs, county attorneys, NAMI, and mental health providers.
• from county human services, county<01:18:52.159><c> sheriffs,</c><01:18:52.640><c> county</c><01:18:
• 52.880><c> attorneys,</c><01:18:53.600><c> NAMI,</c> county sheriffs, county attorneys, NAMI, county

Bills: HF333 , HF2712 , HF1064 , HF1069 , HF1113 , HF2207 , HF204 , HF2867 , HF2924 , HF746 , HF1530 , HF2587 , HF1078

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF333, Duluth, Lot D, redevelopment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds, public infrastructure, seawall repair, utility connections, demolition, debris removal, transportation improvements, site preparation, soil correction, economic development, DEED, capital appropriation, general obligation bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the requirements for that funding was that the tribes, just like any county across the state,
• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take
• One of the requirements for that funding was that the tribes, just like any county across the state,
• And because this was not established as it is in the counties where these advisory groups had to take
• So that is counties across the state.

Bills: HF3006 , HF2130 , HF1290

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: Department of Corrections, DOC, corrections budget, supplemental appropriation, deficiency funding, public safety finance, incarceration, prerelease services, community supervision, postrelease services, supervised release, probation, reentry, reentry services, prison reform, body-worn cameras, corrections officer cameras, ARMER radio system, PREA, Prison Rape Elimination Act

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> conservation manager with Olstead County conservation manager with Olstead County Soil<01:30:58.040
• </c> talk about um our omad County talk about um our omad County groundwater<01:31:06.719><c> protection
• </c><01:31:26.560><c> uh</c> uh the conversations instead County uh uh the conversations instead County
• The Olmsted County Soil Health program was put together by our SWCD staff.
• </c> letters of support from counties letters of support from counties surrounding<01:45:59.280><c> Olstead

Bills: HF2446 , HF2878 , HF2667 , HF1795 , HF2683 , HF2916

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this is going to allow the<00:05:22.080><c> counties</c><00:05:22.400><c> and</c><00:05:22.560
• One of the things that, um, I think we had talked to some of the case workers down in Scott County on
• I'm an assistant Anoka County Attorney. Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and committee members.
• I'm an assistant Anoka County Attorney.
• </c> disorder if they're receiving county disorder if they're receiving county services<00:48:45.920>

Bills: HF1918 , HF2305 , HF897 , HF2191 , HF2617 , HF2551 , HF2137

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is William Carter, I'm the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer in Lubbock County, and I would like
• Lubbock County, we have asked for, we're part of a $64.5 million request through TJJD (Texas Juvenile
• However, the landscape for tax collection at the municipal and county level is varied.
• We can compare what the individual cities and counties collect from short-term rentals.
• But we also, Midland County and Martin County alone, which are the two counties of the city limits of

Bills: SB209 , SB529 , SB1265 , SB1592 , SB1728 , SCR37 , SCR38

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: SB 529, Texas Tax Code, municipality, hotel and convention center, hotel convention center project, tourism development, economic development, tax revenue pledge, revenue commitment, qualified project, municipal finance, local government, special district, hotel occupancy tax, nearby establishments, convention center financing, city population 130000, Section 351.155, Section 351.157, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be different from one court in one county to the next court in another county.
• So in Travis County, it's going to look different from, say, Collin County or from Falls County because
• And two judges said that this constituted child endangerment.
• What happened is, under a SAPSR, the judges have ignored my family balance.
• The judges said that I couldn't file a protective order in the county in which I reside.

Bills: HB809 , HB 1193 , HB1916 , HB2558 , HB1973 , HB2350 , HB2399 , HB2340 , HB 116 , HB330 , HB2496 , HB116

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: digitized signature, waiver of citation, marriage dissolution, electronic notarization, family law, HB 1193, informal marriage, common-law marriage, declaration of informal marriage, confidentiality, privacy, county clerk, vital statistics unit, Family Code, Health and Safety Code, marriage records, public records, personally identifying information, PII, legal representative

Transcript Highlights:

• County, Texas.
• I'd like to thank Judge Blackburn for his work on this bill and for his leadership in Bell County.
• Bell County Judge David Blackburn.
• I'm the Belk County judge, and I'm here in support of SB 251.
• The county will absorb the cost.

Bills: SB251 , SB608 , SB487 , SB535 , SB761 , SB955 , SB957 , SB958 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: criminal law, magistrates, Bell County, judicial authority, legal framework, evidence collection, sexual assault kits, reporting, law enforcement, transparency, confidentiality, victim protection, stalking, indecent assault, invasive visual recording, criminal justice, privacy rights, SB 535, Texas criminal procedure, rape shield

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a question as to whether county attorneys were also included.
• More and more THC overdoses are occurring in our county jails and hospitals.
• I'm the elected sheriff of Chambers County.
• And the third component is, I'm in Collin County.
• I live just north here in Williamson County. I'm a combat veteran.

Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: Texas Education Code, public schools, school district, open-enrollment charter school, teacher speech, employee speech, biological sex, pronouns, gender identity, retaliation, discipline, workplace protections, school personnel, education policy, LGBTQ, transgender, charter schools, SB 965, religious speech, prayer