Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 2084 caps the amount awarded for faculty members of higher education to two years' worth of salary
• Senate Bill 1944 attempts to moderate the current agricultural payroll threshold by adjusting the exemption

Summary: The Civil Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up a long series of Senate bills, adopting a committee substitute for SB 1716 as a working draft before hearing the bill. SB 1716 clarified data privacy language as it applies to utility companies, and it passed on a recorded vote with one nay. The committee then heard and advanced SB 1303, transferring property and records from the Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation to the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and SB 2180, the Foreign Principal Lobbying Oversight Act, which requires agents of foreign principals to register with the Secretary of State subject to stated exceptions. Both measures passed without opposition. Members also approved SB 504 setting the minimum marriage age at 18, SB 1209 changing eviction timing to exempt only Sundays and holidays, SB 1448 as a Consumer Protection Act cleanup bill, and SB 1597, a mirror CASA bill clarifying that it does not affect receipt of national funds. SB 1679, described as preserving Oklahoma values and protecting against foreign law overriding Oklahoma contracts, also passed after questions about constitutional and interstate issues. SB 2182, creating a Uniform Civil Remedies Act for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, was adopted after a committee substitute was filed. Later, the committee adopted an amendment to SB 2112 and advanced it as an open-pastures bill for certain county roads in western Oklahoma, then passed SB 2170 requiring supervised visitation for individuals with substantiated DHS findings of sexual abuse. Additional measures approved included SB 2084 limiting settlements in wrongful termination suits involving higher education faculty to two years’ salary, SB 1496 updating OSBI authority and information-sharing rules, SB 1595 restricting state agencies and contractors from steering commercial driver training school choices, SB 1655 expanding post-adoption services through the Children’s Specialty Plan Program, SB 1876 modernizing service of process for foreign insurance companies, SB 1621 allowing county district attorneys to defend county law libraries, SB 1944 clarifying agricultural payroll and independent contractor thresholds, SB 1266 on notary accountability, SB 2072 expanding title-theft investigations and fee waivers, SB 2104 cleaning up the Uniform Trust Code, SB 1769 allowing short-term rental owners to require photo ID from renters and guests age 18 or older, and SB 1827 removing certain University Hospital Trust physician faculty and staff from the Government Tort Claims Act. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you're short, you have to adjust this just right.
• instructional contract and a 10-year renewable professional certificate, and also streamlining teacher salary

Bills: S0290 , S0320

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Keywords: agriculture, landscape equipment, gasoline-powered, ecologically significant parcels, local government regulations, educational efficiency, public schools, district school boards, budget transparency, school accountability, instructional personnel

Transcript Highlights:

• What it involves is this: it is basically remaking, adjusting the way in which the Board of Governors
• The salaries are reasonable. All the above financial. You're close to the financial district.
• It will add two full-time employees for over approximately $300,000 for salary, benefits, and pension

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Transcript Highlights:

• ADDITIONALLY, THE RULE GRANT AMONG OTHER THINGS HELPED FUND THE SALARY TO PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS ON OUR
• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF UP TO TEN AND FTC EMPLOYEES IN THIS
• BALANCE TO BE MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE SATISFYING REALLY THE HIGH DEMAND, BUT BEING NIMBLE ENOUGH TO ADJUST

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> salary savings um from Compass um funds. salary savings um from Compass um funds. uh<00:21:53.840
• Um, and they'll have what they have in terms of their adjustments.
• Um, and they'll have what they have in terms of their adjustments.
• But if their their adjustments.
• /c><00:54:57.040><c> the</c><00:54:57.359><c> 10%</c> adjustments are greater than the 10% adjustments

Bills: HF3492 , HF3493 , HF3494 , HF3495 , HF3602

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But the issue is that it's not necessarily a salary. It just goes into their pension savings. Mr.
• on longevity to employees, so we believe that the money could come from that area or just some adjustments
• So the bonus is different than the salary in that it doesn't go into their retirement calculations.
• As for the best uses, though, can you use this for salaries?
• No, statutorily you cannot use this for salaries. Can you use it for hiring more deputies?

Committee: House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several public safety and corrections measures. SB 1161 would prevent $750,000 appropriated to DPS for Yuma County’s Amberly’s Place Family Advocacy Center from lapsing; testimony emphasized that the bill preserves existing funding for crisis response and victim services. The committee also advanced SB 1215, which clarifies the cancer list tied to the occupational disease presumption for firefighters and peace officers and adds retroactivity to June 30, 2021. SB 1270, aimed at retention for Tier 3 corrections employees, would allow optional employer supplemental contributions to defined contribution accounts at specified service intervals, with an amendment capping annual contributions at $5,000 and requiring employer policies; members discussed retention, vesting, and whether the incentive could simply be taken and left after the waiting period. Both SB 1161 and SB 1215 received due pass recommendations, as did SB 1270 after one no vote and several members noting the need for better retention tools. The committee then considered SB 1400, which authorizes law enforcement wellness and crisis response programs and sets confidentiality rules for information shared in those programs. Supporters said the bill would expand access to peer and professional support while preserving public records and misconduct investigation access, but members raised concerns that the privilege language could be too broad for licensed therapists; the sponsor indicated openness to an amendment, and the bill was advanced with members reserving the right to change their votes if the language is not tightened. SB 1538, as a strike-everything amendment, would require workers’ compensation coverage for PTSD treatment for firefighters and peace officers and could include one course of MDMA treatment if federal approval and DEA rescheduling occur by the stated deadline. Supporters described promising clinical trial results and argued the bill is a conditional authorization, while counties opposed the mandate and raised cost concerns; after debate over whether the bill is permissive or mandatory, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and gave the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee also passed SB 1537, which renames the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund as the Public Safety De-escalation and Life Safety Fund and repeals the advisory commission. Supporters said the new name better reflects the fund’s use for de-escalation and less-lethal equipment, while some members opposed the change and preferred the money be used for raises. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1580, which would appropriate funds for fire incident management support hardware and software and, under a chairman’s amendment, redirect money from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund to additional public safety technology and retention/recruitment purposes; testimony focused on regional data-sharing systems and the need for accountability and clarity on how the funds would be spent.

Transcript Highlights:

• my experience, these are usually retired police officers or sheriff's deputies, and you pay them a salary
• And you pay them a salary.
• The bill that we had adjusted the amount of... ...looks for over 20 years.
• The bill that we had adjusted the amount of money because it kept hitting the cap.
• They have fancy titles and high salaries. They have the financial incentive to divide us.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 123-0. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week, honor fallen officers, and offer extended tributes to departing colleagues and a departing representative, followed by numerous introductions of special guests, interns, students, and visiting groups from schools and universities. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports before taking up House Bill 1839, 2921, and 3015 together. The sponsor described the measure as a technical correction to online age-verification language related to pornography, and members noted the bill had already passed the House and Senate overwhelmingly. The House concurred in Senate Amendment 1 by a vote of 104-30, then adopted the conference/TAFP motion and finally passed the package 112-25. Members next considered House Bill 2596 in conference committee. The sponsor explained the bill as a small-business health plan measure that also included a negotiated amendment expanding private insurance coverage for contraception from a six-month to a 12-month supply, while removing Senate-added blood pressure cuff language and adding a severability clause. After debate about the process and policy, the House adopted the conference report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27. The final major item was Senate Bill 905, creating the Missouri Ranger training program to allow school districts, if they choose, to place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement powers in schools. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, funding, training, and whether armed personnel in schools would help or harm students. Supporters argued it would provide an optional, low-cost safety tool, especially for districts without school resource officers; opponents argued it would escalate fear, resemble a prison environment, and fail to address mental health and other root causes. The House moved the previous question, adopted the amendment, and continued debate on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, a budget adjusted for the anticipated CPI of 2.7% would total $118.2 billion
• A budget adjusted by official estimates for population growth of 1.4% would total $116.7 billion.
• The Legislature would allow for them, if they needed to, by referendum, to make any adjustments in terms
• Are we going to be establishing a COLA or inflation adjustment for the new homestead exemption?
• public safety members' salaries in order to recruit and to retain.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as long as they meet statutory requirements around featured minimum salaries, minimum instructional
• two tables that show the increase in take-home pay for public school employees depending on their salary
• My first question on row 16 Where it says an average salary increase.
• So, for any undergraduate resident, they would receive essentially 65% of a level one teacher salary.
• Their stipend would be 80% of a level one teacher salary.

Transcript Highlights:

• It highlights the need for the legislative assembly to plan for a more intentional system design, adjusting
• said, we've made offers, and then sometimes once people see the, you know, if we advertise a certain salary
• If you're legislating, you're thinking maybe I want to change or adjust that rate.
• If you're legislating, you're thinking maybe I want to change or adjust that rate.
• I think there's sometimes barriers in addition to just salary with students participating, but to me

Committee: Joint Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Stand by while we make a technical adjustment. Okay, go ahead.
• Stand by while we make a technical adjustment. Okay, go ahead.
• You've got to get something, but I'll get my $24,000 salary. I apologize.
• Understood, then I will just adjust. Okay, let's think about this bill.
• Understood, then I will just adjust. Okay, let's think about this bill.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1066, which would allow the Attorney General or a county attorney to sue researchers for knowingly or recklessly publishing fraudulent scientific research, and would let injured parties recover damages. The sponsor and a supporting witness argued the bill would create personal accountability for deliberate research fraud and cited examples of retracted or manipulated studies; opponents warned that peer review and existing scientific processes already address bad research and that the bill could chill research and speech. The committee later passed SB 1066 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard SB 1015, which would impose strict personal liability on providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors for later detransition costs and related injuries. Supporters, including the sponsor, a doctor, a detransitioner, and a parent, said the bill would protect children, create accountability, and help families seek redress for irreversible harm. Opponents from the ACLU and others argued the measure discriminates against transgender patients, would likely chill care by making providers uninsurable, and could function as a backdoor ban; the committee nevertheless advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote. SB 1049, as amended, limited spousal maintenance to four years and adjusted eligibility and guideline factors. The sponsor and a family law attorney said the bill would curb overly long awards and better account for assets and income, while the Judicial Council explained the existing guideline work and noted the new calculator was intended to add uniformity; one senator objected that the cap was arbitrary and ignored case-specific context. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 4-2. The committee also unanimously passed SB 1189, allowing campaign funds to be used for candidate and family security, and SB 1133, eliminating a duplicate financial disclosure filing for candidates who already filed an annual statement. Finally, the committee heard SB 1081, which would bar a DCS attorney from appearing before a judge after appearing before that judge in any of the attorney’s previous five DCS cases, and advanced it 4-3 after debate over judicial familiarity and rural-court impacts. The committee also heard SCR 1001, a proposed constitutional referral to end early voting the Friday before the election, require proof of citizenship and government ID, and restrict mail ballots to voters who affirmatively request them; supporters framed it as an election-integrity measure, while ADOT testified neutrally but warned that free IDs could cost tens of millions in lost revenue and affect road funding. The transcript ends during testimony on SCR 1001, before any vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, given the letter that states that states are supposed to adjust that based on what's needed and given
• </c><00:08:44.640><c> that</c> that states are supposed to adjust that that states are supposed to adjust
• However, that is meant to be adjusted state by state.
• However, that is meant to be adjusted state by state.
• However, that is meant to be adjusted state by state.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• These are ill-conceived and could have thousands of units each year to monitor and adjust for adjustments
• Our industry is at a breaking point where increased salaries, benefits, a reduced workforce, and regulatory
• /c><01:09:32.560><c> benefits,</c><01:09:33.520><c> a</c><01:09:33.759><c> reduced</c> increased salaries
• , benefits, a reduced increased salaries, benefits, a reduced workforce,<01:09:35.440><c> and</c><01:
• owner can adjust their prices to<01:18:34.080><c> accommodate</c><01:18:34.719><c> overall</c><01:18

Bills: HF2216 , HF1978 , HF2354 , HF1963 , HF1994 , HF1995 , HF1894

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The role has now been filled, and the salary is now accounted for in the budget.
• </c><00:16:10.800><c> okay</c> and it now accounts for my salary okay and it now accounts for my salary
• So when that changes, we will adjust all of these numbers to fit in particular.
• </c> so so when that changes we will adjust so so when that changes we will adjust all<01:36:42.040><
• The next page shows the governor's adjustments.

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs’ budget, with testimony from division leadership on staffing, funding sources, and program changes. Early discussion focused on vacant positions in the agency, including a senior planner tied to FEMA requirements, a federally funded program assistant, a program specialist to be reclassified during a planning reorganization, and two Housing Champions positions that were authorized but not funded in the current biennium and are requested for 2026-27. The witnesses also explained that temporary welcome center positions are filled as funds allow, and that the agency’s requested general fund increase is driven largely by the Division of Travel and Tourism Development and its formula-based funding. Members then reviewed rest areas, welcome centers, outdoor recreation, economic development, procurement, and workforce opportunity lines. The department said there are 12 rest areas, with 5.8 million foot counts in FY 24, and that welcome centers are generally open year-round, though Sutton is currently closed and staffing relies on a mix of full-time and temporary employees. The outdoor recreation position is federally funded through USDA and supports business outreach, trade shows, and industry promotion. In economic development, the agency said increased dues reflect participation in the Northern Borders Regional Commission, and that a marketing line item is intended to support recruitment and promotion of growth industries such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences. The Apex Accelerator Program was described as a state-federal partnership requiring a state match and providing government contracting assistance to businesses, while the Office of Workforce Opportunity was explained as a federally funded WIOA-related effort administered through multiple agencies and subrecipients. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which members said had generated significant public concern. The department described SBDC as a highly effective technical assistance program for new and small businesses, but said the cut was one of the few places it felt it had room to reduce funding. Members asked about federal support and matching requirements for various programs, and the department said less than half of its overall budget is generally funded by the state and that some programs require state match. The committee also discussed travel and tourism marketing and the Joint Promotional Program, with the department saying those funds support broader advertising campaigns and grants to chambers and trade associations for events such as Bike Week, Restaurant Week, and the Seafood Festival. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then what is the scale of, you know, salary for that position that we're creating right here in this
• And then what is the scale of, you know, salary for that position that we're creating right here in this
• I normally know that we add FTEs, you know, with salary, with numbers, but I'm not aware of us adding
• The adjustment.
• So those dollars will be adjusted accordingly for 50 slots for targeted case management elsewhere.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, many agricultural workers are experiencing, or have a salary more low?
• Over time, however, overtime opportunities steadily declined and schedules were adjusted to avoid triggering
• about, which is, I mean, the County of Los Angeles has basically, for some units, put a zero percent salary
• The County of Los Angeles has basically, for some units, put a zero percent salary increase on the table
• leads us to believe there'll be any kind of chilling effect on investment, then we'll try to make adjustments

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• what I do know to be true is that the hygienist pay structures are typically either commission or salaried
• my question in all that is, with the lowered Medicaid reimbursement, you're talking about higher salaries
• Are you looking at whether dental hygienist salaries would stay comparable and competitive with the reimbursement
• And the $261 million is inflation-adjusted. For now? Correct. Correct.
• After adjusting, we had the recent increases. increases.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ballots back, or I don't think we normally pull the ballots back, but it's too late to make any adjustments
• Despite the fact, if you look at Revised Statute 13:103, it pays justices $1,500 a month extra in salary
• It pays justices $1,500 a month extra in salary for living expenses in New Orleans.
• And I know every year it's adjusted by the CPI.
• But that includes And I know every year it's adjusted by the CPI. But that includes room and board.

Bills: HB177 , HB210 , HB238 , HB258 , HB307 , HB359 , HB398 , HB661 , HB705 , HB752 , HB858

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: court reporter, official court reporter, courts, judicial system, ethics, post-employment restrictions, cooling-off period, two-year waiting period, rehiring, reemployment, contractual services, former public employee, public employer, Louisiana ethics law, R.S. 42:1121, Act 532, lobbying, public service, statewide officials, compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it possible that this organization could have made any other kind of adjustment?
• speaker i appreciate that is it possible that this organization could have made any other kind of adjustment
• "Is it possible that this organization could have made any other kind of adjustments or readjustments
• In reflecting again on the 2023, though, in addition to basic salary overhead, they had an $80,000 expenditure

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several measures. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 2787, a one-time $2 million supplemental for the Choosing Childbirth program through the State Department of Health. Supporters said the money would prevent a lapse in services for more than 4,000 mothers and children, especially in rural areas, until the organization can reenter the bidding process in 2028. Opponents questioned the nonprofit’s transparency, donor base, leadership, and prior use of state funds, arguing the Legislature should not provide another supplemental without clearer accountability. The bill passed 70-19, and the emergency clause also passed. The House also considered Senate Bill 546 on data privacy. After floor amendments removed the emergency clause and set a January 1, 2027 effective date, the bill was explained as a comprehensive consumer data privacy measure applying to certain businesses operating in Oklahoma. It would give consumers rights to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of personal data, with enforcement through the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and civil penalties for violations. The bill passed 84-4. In addition, House Bill 2786 received a joint committee report and passed with no debate; it provides supplemental funding to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to complete fiscal year 2025 payments to CCBHCs and other vendors, and its emergency clause also passed. The House adopted House Resolution 1034 recognizing February as Black History Month. The chamber also heard several introductions and announcements before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So any sort of influx or stipend of funding to support these businesses—their revenues, salaries, property
• We'll move to a public hearing on Senate Bill 6170, adjusting monetary limits regarding contracting rules
• The current statutory limits were last adjusted in 2005.
• unfortunately seem to be facing more... ...emergencies every year, should that perhaps be inflation-adjusted

Bills: SB5987 , SB6170

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization