Bills: SB1873, SB1948, SB540, SB1653, SB1061, SB1534

Keywords: roofing, contractor registration, continuing education, endorsement, construction industry, fireworks, consumer safety, local governance, emergency declaration, public safety, dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage

Summary: The committee heard several Senate bills, most of them described as cleanup or compact-related measures. Senate Bill 1061 was presented as a cleanup bill adding defining language, supported by the Department of Consumer Credit and correcting a typo, and it passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1534, a charity enforcement act worked on with the Attorney General’s office, was described as strengthening protections for donor intent, preventing misuse of charitable funds, and closing enforcement loopholes; after a brief question about examples of bad actors, it also passed 11-0. Senate Bill 1873 was another cleanup bill requested by roofers and passed 11-0. The committee also considered interstate licensure compacts. Senate Bill 540 would create Oklahoma’s participation in a dentist and dental hygienist compact; one question focused on why the Oklahoma Dental Association opposed it while the American Dental Association supported it, and the bill passed 9-2. Senate Bill 1653 would join a compact for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, with the sponsor noting 31 states already participate; it passed 11-0. Finally, Senate Bill 1948 would allow year-round fireworks sales in Oklahoma. Members questioned how the bill would interact with city and county authority, whether it would affect dense neighborhoods, and concerns about veterans with PTSD. The sponsor said the bill would not override city ordinances and argued counties should not restrict private property owners, while also saying current law already allows fireworks use year-round but limits in-state purchasing windows, sending consumers to other states. The bill passed 10-1. The chair then announced this was the last bill for the day and that about 12 bills remained for the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe my experience in public safety, as well as my work with victim services...
• I believe my experience in public safety, as well as my work with victim services, incarcerated people
• We're in close connection to our outreach and service providers, and we are partnered with them to help
• They can't assign community service or anything. They have to pay that $20. I'm sorry.
• They can't assign community service or anything. They have to pay that $20.

Bills: HB2028, HB2047, HB2136, HB2244, HB2364, HB2406, HB2415, HB2557, HB2573, HB2589, HB2720, HB2749, HB2825, HB2861, HB2862, HB2870, HB2970, HB4070, HB4117, HCR2004, HCR2051

Keywords: community restitution, homelessness, indigence, court assessments, monetary obligations, forcible entry, detainer, writ of restitution, criminal trespass, judgment enforcement, civil terrorism, disorderly conduct, vandalism, political activism, public order, subversion, government security, evictions, judgment satisfaction, tenant rights

Transcript Highlights:

• with AFAC, it is a 12-member council who are either farmers or provide agricultural professional services
• :33.599><c> professional</c> provide agricultural professional provide agricultural professional services
• ><c> mission</c><00:36:35.599><c> to</c><00:36:36.000><c> fund</c><00:36:36.400><c> research</c> services
• with a mission to fund research services with a mission to fund research and<00:36:36.960><c> education

Bills: HF3898, HF3957, HF4372, HF4350, HF3692, HF4085

Keywords: pesticides, wild rice, environmental protection, agriculture, water quality, pollinators, training, management plan, fertilizer research, education grants, Minnesota Agricultural Council, technology transfer, agricultural productivity, HF4372, Minnesota agriculture, meat processing, meat processing training, retention incentive grants, grant extension, project deadline extension

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's transparency on the levels of service.
• We encourage urban infill inside of our urban service boundary.
• This property is far outside of our urban service boundary.
• Financial Services by Senator Trumbull.
• I service 55,000 acres of farmers. I sell soil moisture sensors and provide services to them.

Bills: S0036, S0620, S0796, S0934, S1080, S1096, S1366, S1536, S1548, S1580, S1588, S1620, S1756, S7034, S7044

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Requires providers to services.
• Child welfare services are a portion of our services and contracts.
• </c> able to provide any services. able to provide any services.
• </c> portion of our services and contracts. portion of our services and contracts.
• </c> services that are provided to the state. services that are provided to the state.

Bills: HB1946, HB1515, HB1514, HB1648, HB1644, HB1619, HB1571, HB1810, HB2475, HB1645, HB2301, HB1889, HB1840

Keywords: time shares, registration, renewal, real estate, Hawaii, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, workers' compensation, functional capacity examination, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employer responsibilities, injured workers, medical stabilization, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, healthcare providers

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 26, 2026, and heard several bills, mostly in the areas of workers’ compensation and consumer protection. HB 1946 HD1 on timeshare registration renewal drew support from DCCA’s timeshare program and major industry groups including Hilton Grand Vacations, the American Resort Development Association, and Marriott Vacations Worldwide, with no opposition noted. HB 1515 HD1, which would allow an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination without employer permission, was supported by DLIR and the Department of Human Resources Development and had no other in-person testimony; the bill was then moved on without questions. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1514 HD1, which would streamline workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation by clarifying provider selection and requiring vocational plans within 90 days. DLIR supported the intent but asked for amendments, saying the 90-day deadline was too rigid given case-by-case complexity, limited staffing, and the need for coordination among injured workers, employers, and counselors; members discussed possible extensions and whether a 120-day timeline or other flexibility would be better. Testimony on the bill included one individual in support and seven in opposition. HB 1648 HD1, concerning workers’ compensation and physician dispensing of non-prescription drugs, drew support from DHRD and comments from DLIR and industry witnesses. DLIR said the bill should be narrowed so it does not restrict medically necessary over-the-counter medications or oral guidance from providers, while Aloha Billing Company and Solera Integrated Medical Solutions urged tighter limits on physician dispensing and raised concerns about pricing abuse through average wholesale price. Members discussed clarifying the bill’s language so it targets written prescriptions rather than oral advice. HB 1644 HD1, requiring a standardized disclosure form for residential solar contracts, received support from the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative, while DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection supported the consumer-protection goal but proposed stronger remedies, including a three-day cancellation right, voidability for missing disclosures, and possible lender liability; members questioned how those remedies should apply to lenders, and no vote was taken on the measures in the portion provided.

Bills: HB4260, HB2981, HB3695, HB2960, HB3967, HB3968, HB4339, HB4341, HB4342, HB2940, HB4295, HB4196, HB3134, HB1016

Keywords: workers' compensation, first responders, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, health presumption, emergency services, firefighters, peace officers, emergency medical technicians, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB3695, Oklahoma, motor vehicles, personal injury accident, traffic offense, DUI

Bills: HB4260, HB2981, HB3695, HB2960, HB3967, HB3968, HB4339, HB4341, HB4342, HB2940, HB4295, HB4196, HB3134, HB1016

Keywords: workers' compensation, first responders, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, health presumption, emergency services, firefighters, peace officers, emergency medical technicians, open meetings, school boards, transparency, public access, education governance, HB3695, Oklahoma, motor vehicles, personal injury accident, traffic offense, DUI

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a series of bills covering workers’ compensation, public transparency, criminal law, property rights, probate, family law, eviction procedure, higher education accreditation, and protections for minors in content creation. House Bill 426, as amended by a PCS, would extend workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters, peace officers, and EMTs who suffer a heart attack or stroke within eight hours after strenuous emergency response or training; it passed 7-0. House Bill 2981, requiring school board meeting minutes to be posted publicly, also passed unanimously. Other measures approved included House Bill 3695, which aligns DUI-related language on great bodily injury with domestic violence statutes; House Bill 2960, which limits lawsuits against gun manufacturers when a firearm is modified after sale; House Bill 3967, tightening landowners’ rights and land banking transparency with appraisal requirements; and House Bill 3968, codifying a Supreme Court-based definition of public use for eminent domain and strengthening private property rights. The committee also passed House Bill 4339 on probate notice filing, House Bill 4341 updating CASA volunteer standards by removing duplicative national standards language, House Bill 4342 making prior domestic violence abuse admissible in court proceedings, House Bill 2940 prohibiting public bodies from barring recording of public meetings and allowing civil suits for violations, House Bill 4295 adjusting eviction timelines to exclude weekends and holidays, and House Bill 4196, a uniform trust bill. House Bill 3134, which says accreditation for Oklahoma public colleges and universities should be based on academics rather than ideology, drew extended questioning about jurisdiction and enforcement but ultimately passed 5-2. House Bill 1016, with a committee substitute, would regulate content creation involving minors by defining the industry, requiring recordkeeping and trust funds for compensation, and allowing civil action when the law is violated; it passed 7-0. Several bills were laid over for later consideration, including House Bills 2941, 2959, 3087, 3321, 3298, and 3297. The committee adopted a PCS for House Bill 426 and a committee substitute for House Bill 1016, and it adopted an amendment to House Bill 2940 replacing “videotape” and “audio tape” with “video” and “audio.”

Bills: HB4359, HB4115, HB3467, HB2978, HB3026, HB3032

Keywords: statewide assessments, student testing, testing window, end-of-year testing, Oklahoma Academic Standards, Oklahoma School Testing Program, State Board of Education, grade 3-8, alternate assessment, students with disabilities, special education, cognitive disabilities, assessment calendar, school year calendar, education accountability, academic standards, math intervention, advanced mathematics, course placement, college and career readiness

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're talking primarily like record services, ambulance drivers, possibly firemen.
• So whether it would be a volunteer fire department, a record service, you know, cleanup crews, there's
• They're their own private entity, beyond just saying, well, we're not going to use this record service
• They're their own private entity, beyond just saying, well, we're not going to use this record service
• There is no justifiable reason in my mind why any agency, any record service, any cleanup service, anybody

Bills: SB1226, SB1456, SB1462, SB1463, SB1980, SB1479, SB1608, SB1923

Keywords: motor vehicle, accident, notification, liability, civil action, gender neutral, SB1456, Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, sunset extension, sunset law, breath alcohol testing, DUI, DWI, drunk driving, drug testing, chemical testing, field sobriety, roadside screening, blood test, saliva test

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1226 by Senator Rader, which would add property damage to the state’s leaving-the-scene statute so a driver who damages property and leaves would be treated similarly to a vehicle accident. After brief questions about whether the driver would need to wait for law enforcement or the property owner, the bill advanced unanimously, 6-0. Several sunset-extension bills from Senator Burstrom were then considered. Senate Bill 1456 would extend the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence to 2036 and passed 6-1. Senate Bill 1462 would extend the Oklahoma Organized Retail Crime Task Force to 2036; members questioned whether a task force created in 2023 needed such a long extension, but it still passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1463 would extend the Polygraph Examiners Board to 2036 and passed 8-1, with some members again objecting to the 10-year sunset length. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1980 by Senator Logan, which updates larceny and forgery language to cover gift cards, gift certificates, and redemption information when possessed or used with intent to defraud. Members pressed the author on whether the offense would be a misdemeanor or felony and on the bill’s scope, but the measure passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1479 by Senator Stewart, dealing with release of crime- and collision-scene information by first responders, was amended to strike the title after concerns about scope and private entities; it then passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1608 by Senator Frick, as amended, would make school location and employer information searchable in sex offender and violent offender registries, and it passed 6-2. Finally, Senate Bill 1923 by Senator Murdoch would prohibit inmates from accessing social media, prompted by a constituent’s concerns about inmates contacting victims’ families through contraband cell phones. Members questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing DOC policies and whether it should address tablets as well; an amendment was withdrawn, and the bill passed 7-1. The committee also laid over Senate Bill 1612 and concluded its Public Safety agenda for the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's a great little item up north on Carefree Highway that's doing great things, providing a great service
• it's a great little item up north on Carefree Highway that's doing great things, providing a great service
• an emergency, which is rare, we have to rely on those folks to provide those emergency training services
• allows the Department of Corrections to grant inmates a one-time 90-day extension of transition services
• determines the inmate needs additional treatment and the entity contracted to provide transition services

Bills: HB2076, HB2135, HB2175, HB2186, HB2223, HB2345, HB2364, HB2417, HB2440, HB2666, HB2763, HCR2043

Keywords: school safety, employee training, firearm certification, crisis response, school policies, reimbursement fund, local law enforcement, HB2135, Arizona, civil liability, private right of action, DEI, diversity equity and inclusion, critical race theory, anti-racism, race stereotyping, sex stereotyping, race scapegoating, sex scapegoating, gender identity

Transcript Highlights:

• We praise you Lord for the opportunity to be of service. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
• If a local law enforcement agency can provide contracted law enforcement services and bill... Ms.
• Ward Johnson: ...the constables to set their own rates for government services.
• Binding taxpayers to double taxation to pay a second time for services they should already be...
• The neighborhoods that cannot afford their contracts will be left out with having extra patrol services

Bills: HB25, HB48, HB149, HB254, HB26, HB192

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert

Transcript Highlights:

• contract with local government, property owner association, or owner of land to provide law enforcement services
• and got this bipartisan bill out to make sure that they can continue because the public wants that service
• HOAs that are, you know, or, or other associations that can form together a group to be able to buy services

Bills: HB8, HB26, HB192

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• I retired in 2023 with 20 years of service in law enforcement, most of which was spent in the fight against
• Scaramucci, first of all, thank you for all your years of service to Texas and law enforcement.
• Texas residents that are serving overseas. seas right now where maybe the spouse is home, and the service
• The United States Postal Service has become a- a drug mule for the abortion industry.
• The young man told me it was the website with the best service.

Bills: SB10, SB16, SB6, SB 6, SB 10, SB 16

Keywords: trafficking, prostitution, affirmative defense, victims, criminal justice reform, victim rights, criminal justice, judicial reform, court procedures, mental health services, criminal penalties, court security, SB 6, Woman and Child Protection Act, abortion, abortion-inducing drugs, medication abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, pro-life

Transcript Highlights:

• This shortage has led to delays in transcription services and case backlogs.
• Thank you all; I appreciate your service. Mr.

Bills: SB1538, SB2883, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3376

Keywords: digital court reporting, court reporting, court reporter, electronic recording, audio recording, video recording, transcription, verbatim record, judicial administration, Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial System, courts, depositions, grand jury, referee, court commissioner, court technology, courtroom technology, access to justice, accuracy

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, you remember this bill by Chairman Hollis relating to prohibiting the use of unfilled service
• The Chair lays out SB462 by Senator Co-host relating to establishing a child care service waiting list
• Currently, some food service establishments impose mandatory fees or surcharges. surcharges on dine-in
• House Bill 5212 addresses this issue by requiring food service establishments that charge any mandatory
• So in Austin, they may have a convenience fee, they may have a service fee, they may have a health care

Bills: HB1958, HB2031, HB2879, HB3285, HB3995, HB4487, HB4558, HB4560, HB4876, HB4899, HB5212, HB5317, HB5543, HB5567, SB1333

Keywords: firearm possession, tenant rights, landlord regulations, civil penalties, property code, justified use of force, deadly force, property rights, home defense, smart devices, data privacy, personal data collection, user consent, mobile application, data transparency, HOA, property owners association, property owners' association, Texas Property Code, Chapter 202

Transcript Highlights:

• nursing home, hospice, hospitality, health clinic, blood bank, public health clinic, public libraries, services

Bills: SB177, HB83, HB203, HB218, HB256, HB350, HB530, HB546, HB577, HB259

Keywords: entertainment, film, music, production incentives, Alabama Film Office, tax rebates, media industry, economic development, Baptist convention, tax exemption, sales and use tax, Alabama, nonprofit, HB203, High Socks for Hope, nonprofit tax exemption, sales tax, use tax, state tax exemption, local option tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• McQueeny's bill relating to the insurance. of a provisional license to certain military service members
• Baumgartner's bill that we previously voted out relating to the regulation of land service.
• Baumgartner's bill that we previously voted out relating to the regulation of land service. be reported
• You Dean Thompson SB 1 2 5 4 men's courage statute relating to regular of professional employer services
• Services as such payroll benefit administration workers compensation and regulatory compliance under

Bills: HB2450, SB378, SB764, SB917, SB1254, SB1255

Keywords: elevator inspection, building safety, construction standards, health and safety code, regulatory requirements, SB 378, Texas Occupations Code, barbering, cosmetology, barber, cosmetologist, licensing, professional licensing, unauthorized practice, medical procedures, skin incision, dermis, injections, devices, consumer safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Protecting these waters at the outset not only prevents those costs, but also preserves the natural services

Bills: HB1730, HB1823, HB2048, HB2266, HB2440, HB3333, HB4086, HB4271, HB4413, HB4839, HB4841, HB5151

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• This ensures future service members will complete their degrees on time so they may serve all of us.
• House Bill 300 updates and streamlines. the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program for which every
• Members health bill 2143 seeks to honor the life and service of my constituents Army Specialist Joey
• His family and community deserve to see his service honored in a way that will stand for generations.
• Uh, not only the community. the state, but the nation thanks you for your service and your family.

Bills: HJR5, HB39, HB 102, HB 126, HB290, HB300, HB1330, HB2110, HB2143, HCR64, HCR101

Keywords: education funding, Texas State Technical College System, constitutional amendment, capital projects, workforce education, military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education

Bills: HB315, HB152, HB205, SB184, SB209, HB309, SB280, SB267

Keywords: sales tax, local exemption, Consumer Price Index, tax holiday, clothing tax exemption, school supplies, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications