Transcript Highlights:

• Statewide elected officials, including members of the legislature, are authorized to solicit gifts, grants
• , or donations to the account.
• Statewide elected officials, including members of the legislature, are authorized to solicit gifts, grants
• Typically, you know, we have a gift limit. We can't solicit gifts. I don't know.
• Typically, you know, we have a gift limit. We can't solicit gifts.

Bills: SB6313

Keywords: Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, 904, all

Bills: SB5188, SB6313

Keywords: broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, Capitol Centennial Stewardship, funding, gifts, grants, donations, legislative support, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, members, the Office of the Governor makes accept any gifts, grants, or donations to help facilitate
• As of the latest TEA data, there are More than 450,000 identified gifted and talented students across
• of professional development and gifted education.
• Despite these requirements, gifted services. are not separately funded by the state since the repeal
• Organizations like the texas association for the gifted and talented and many district gifted and talented

Bills: SB2053, SCR19, SCR23, SCR29

Keywords: Governor's Medal of Service, Texas award, state honor, public service recognition, Governor's office, Governor's award, Texas Government Code Chapter 3108, ceremonial award, honorary medal, state service award, local government retirees, private sector contributions, Texas Legislature recognition, gift acceptance, donations, grant funding, executive recognition, Texas Life Monument, human life, preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• As a reminder, this authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts and grants for
• the legislature that details the sources and uses of all private funds received by the board through gifts
• , grants, or endowments.
• As a reminder, this authorizes the Washington State Leadership Board to solicit gifts and grants for
• , grants, or endowments.

Bills: SB5000, SB5325, SB6044, SB6313

Keywords: state nickname, evergreen state, identity, cultural heritage, tourism, state cactus, symbolic designation, ecological significance, state symbols, SB 6044, Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Washington state holidays, RCW 1.16.050, state holiday recognition, religious observance, Hindu holiday, Sikh holiday, cultural recognition, paid holiday

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 5872 creates the Pre-K Promise Account in the custody of the state treasury, which would receive gifts
• , grants, and donations directed to the ECAP program.
• We are immensely grateful to the Balmer Group for a generous gift to help us expand this program with
• I'm immensely grateful to the Balmer Group for a generous gift to help us expand this program with up
• We believe this gift comes at an important moment.

Bills: SB5872, SB5879, SB6047, SB5988, SB5923, SB5832, SB5970, SB5994, SB5949

Keywords: preK promise account, early childhood education, child care, preschool, pre-kindergarten, DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, state treasury, trust fund, investment earnings, gift grants donations, dedicated account, general fund, nonreverting balance, appropriation, treasurer, Washington early learning, school readiness, education assistance program, legislative audit

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing on nine bills. Senate Bill 5872 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic gifts for the ECAP preschool program; supporters including the Ballmer Group, DCYF, and the governor’s office said the account would support a 10-year commitment to expand access by up to 10,000 seats per year, while members asked how the annual funding would flow. Senate Bill 5879 would eliminate two JLARC studies, one on lodging tax revenue use and one on the training benefits program; supporters said the reports were redundant and burdensome, while the Washington Hospitality Association cautioned against losing transparency on lodging tax spending. Senate Bill 6047 would permanently codify and update capital budget administration provisions, including minor works flexibility, lapse rules for projects, and a higher eligible percentage for some early learning grants; testimony focused on technical fixes for capital and early learning projects, including nonprofit co-located developments and a cultural center’s BCF funding issue. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, which would authorize the Department of Health to charge fees for accrediting opioid treatment programs; DOH said the fee authority would keep accreditation services available, including for tribal programs, and would replace current funding sources. Senate Bill 5923 would allow Island Hospital in Skagit County to be paid as a critical access hospital once federally certified, which supporters said would improve rural hospital sustainability and Medicaid reimbursement. Senate Bill 5832 would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to fund the Attorney General’s Lemon Law program; supporters said the program has a high consumer success rate and returns significant value, while the bill would increase receipts to the arbitration account and require system updates. Two tax-related bills drew substantial testimony. Senate Bill 5970 would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose senior citizen centers; AARP supported it as a way to preserve community services for older adults and caregivers. Senate Bill 5994 would preserve timber tax distributions for school districts that recently lost qualifying levies, with forest industry witnesses supporting the school funding fix and noting possible implications for state forest transfer lands. Senate Bill 5949 would narrow the B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses so it applies only to the insurer paying the premium tax and would apply retroactively to 2019; the Department of Revenue and supporters said it would restore tax equity and generate about $73 million over four years, while insurers and business groups opposed it, warning of retroactive liability, higher premiums, and possible effects on health, auto, home, and life insurance costs. No votes were taken; each bill was heard and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's granted, they have a de novo review with the district judge at our district.
• If it's granted, they have a de novo review with the district judge at our district.
• If it's that serious where the order was granted, I would think you'd subpoena.
• It's going to get granted. It's 15 days. He might have criminal proceedings pending.
• The order that's previously been granted remains in effect.

Bills: HB27, HB71, HB214, HB225, HB244, HB306, HB366, HB446, HB473, HB514, HB1043, HB1082, SB127

Keywords: armed security, liability, concealed carry, self-defense, security officers, property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, term limits, governor, Louisiana constitution, elections, gubernatorial, constitutional convention, delegates, state election, ratification

Transcript Highlights:

• And other donations.
• card or gift card redemption information.
• Typically, gift card tampering operations go like this: criminals steal gift cards from various retail
• cards or gift card redemption information involved.
• I actually have some gift card fraud cases within our office.

Bills: HB3014, HB3109, HB3126, HB3474, HB3594

Keywords: gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 964 revises requirements for reporting certain gifts and honoraria.

Bills: S0964

Keywords: financial disclosures, ethics, government transparency, gift reporting, procurement

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The main bill heard was Senate Bill 964, sponsored by Senator Wright on behalf of Senator Stewart, which revises financial disclosure reporting requirements for certain gifts and honoraria. The bill is intended to conform the filing process for Ethics Commission Form 10 by clarifying that it is filed with the Commission, rather than attached electronically to financial disclosure forms, and to allow the Commission to update its rules accordingly. Carrie Stillman, executive director of the Ethics Commission, testified in support of the bill, saying it clarifies the filing location and reflects current practice. There was no debate, and the committee voted unanimously to report SB 964 favorably. The committee then took up confirmation hearings for appointments listed in Tabs 2 through 15. No appointee was requested to be heard separately, and the committee approved all of the nominees in one vote. The meeting concluded after a motion to rise was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• In recognition of that responsibility, we’ve granted current and former foster youth in the state tuition
• I am standing here today because of the opportunities the state of Texas granted me by enabling me to
• The intent of House Bill 4687 is purely to align certain charter school statutes with case law granting
• It does not grant these charters any greater rights or privileges, as Chairman King pointed out, or any
• It does not grant these charters any greater rights or privileges, as Chairman King pointed out, or any

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• previous military residence indicator in the last layout and overall base certifications, establishing grant
• Understanding, so you're saying it may not grant preference on the basis—may not grant preference?

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're raising about $4.5 million to match the grant if it's approved by the governor.
• </c><01:30:49.600><c> if</c> $4.5 million to match the the grant if $4.5 million to match the the grant
• The publicing is 0% standard, and that was granted. So our standard for that is 0%.
• The publicing is 0% standard, and that was granted. So our standard for that is 0%.
• The publicing is 0% standard, and that was granted. So our standard for that is 0%.

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what this simply says is you cannot deny a public benefit, a grant, eligibility...
• the parameters of the grant, then of course they wouldn't get the grant.
• And in fact, the scholarships that it granted were going to be awarded contingent on funds.
• My one question is, do we currently stock any state use items in the gift shops?
• And would this bypass us putting state use related items in the gift shops?

Bills: SB1307, SB1425, SB1826, SB1365, SB1696

Keywords: Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Arts Council, J.M. Davis Memorial Commission, historical preservation, arts funding, museum, gun collection, state agency contracts, 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, public funds, sectarian, religious funding restriction, appropriations, fiscal oversight, cultural institutions, historical artifacts, SB1425, health care, healthcare workforce

Summary: The Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee heard a presentation from Tourism Director Amy Blackburn on the Oklahoma Tourism spring 2026 marketing campaign. She described the agency’s new advertising contractor, spending plans split between in-state and out-of-state markets, and campaign themes centered on Route 66, state parks, fishing, Western heritage, and spring travel. She said the campaign’s goal is to increase visitation, bookings, park revenue, and traffic to TravelOK.com, and noted the use of data tools to track marketing performance. The committee then considered several Senate bills. SB 1307, by Sen. Daniels, would remove language that could bar religious organizations from receiving neutral public benefits or grants; it passed 7-1 after questions about church-state concerns. SB 1425, also by Sen. Daniels, repealed an obsolete healthcare workforce assistance board/program and passed 9-0. SB 1826, by Sen. Reinhart, removed the sunset on the Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act; members discussed reporting and oversight, and it passed 7-1. SB 1365, by Sen. Fricks, was amended to add an emergency clause and to raise from $25,000 to $75,000 the threshold for Tourism Department retail purchases exempt from the Central Purchasing Act, with testimony that it would help stock gift shops and support local vendors; it passed 8-0. SB 1696, by Sen. Coleman, created a Commerce Department grant program to help cities and counties recruit new residents through local incentives advertised on MakeMyMove.com; members raised concerns about sunsets, audits, and overlap with other incentives, and the bill passed 5-3.

Transcript Highlights:

• on state affairs will meet today upon final Or during the bill referral period, if permission is granted
• This amendment would only create a grant program; it would not appropriate funds.
• The council would administer a grant program to help local governments.
• The second item is 50 million dollars to provide grants to...
• Because this is a grant process, right? You apply and you go through the grant process.

Bills: HB1, HB 2, HB 3, HB 5, HB20, HB 22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Summary: The committee meeting primarily focused on the discussion and passage of several key bills, including SB5, which pertains to supplemental appropriations for disaster relief. This bill was passed unanimously, highlighting the committee's commitment to addressing disaster preparedness. HB20, aimed at reducing fraudulent charitable solicitations during disasters, also saw significant debate, with positive sentiments expressed by its sponsor, Mr. Darby. Additionally, HB22, which expands the authority of the comptroller to fund emergency communication systems, was passed with overwhelming support, indicating a consensus on improving emergency response capabilities within the state. The session concluded with discussions about future legislative measures aimed at strengthening infrastructure against disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment would only create a grant program. It would not appropriate state funding.
• So the first and largest item is $240 million to the governor's disaster grants.
• You apply and you go through a grant process. That's right.
• And there's This is a grant process, right? You apply and you go through a grant process.
• Well, grant, there's also low-interest loans. Low-interest loans.

Bills: HB1, HB2, HB3, HB5, HB20, HB22

Keywords: youth camps, emergency preparedness, safety standards, health regulations, camp licensing, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license

Summary: The House convened in special session with a gubernatorial proclamation adding subjects related to penalties for legislators who absent themselves, ivermectin access, and groundwater study authority. The chamber also handled routine motions, committee scheduling, and first-reading referrals before moving to the main floor calendar focused largely on disaster response and public safety legislation. The central theme throughout the day was the July 4 flooding and related tragedies, with repeated references to families of victims and the need for stronger preparedness and prevention measures. House Bill 1, on youth camp emergency plans and preparedness, was the most emotional and heavily amended measure. Members adopted changes requiring annual emergency plans for resident youth camps, staff training, parent notification, evacuation maps, floodplain-related disclosures, restrictions on sleeping quarters in flood-prone areas, and funding for enforcement. One proposed amendment to require air conditioning or heat in sleeping quarters failed, while another amendment on floodplain restrictions passed after debate over floodplain versus floodway language. HB 1 ultimately passed the House 136-1 on second reading and later 135-1 on final passage. Senate Bill 2 / House Bill 2 on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery also advanced after extensive discussion. The bill creates training for justices of the peace in mass-fatality events, establishes an emergency manager licensing system, sets local succession procedures, creates a statewide volunteer management system, authorizes drone interdiction in disaster zones, expands disaster loan eligibility, and adds review and planning provisions for certain infrastructure and weather-related issues. Members debated the scope of the training, drone impacts on press coverage, volunteer registration, and infrastructure-related amendments; some proposals were adopted and others tabled or withdrawn. SB 2 passed the House 130-4 on third reading and later 132-4 on final passage. The House also passed House Bill 3 creating the Texas Interoperability Council and a grant program for emergency communications equipment, House Bill 20 addressing disaster-related scams and fraudulent charitable solicitations, House Bill 22 expanding allowable uses of the broadband infrastructure fund for emergency communications, and Senate Bill 5 providing supplemental appropriations for disaster relief, including funds for local warning systems and weather monitoring. Each of these bills passed overwhelmingly, with only one or a few dissenting votes, and members repeatedly emphasized the need to improve coordination, communications, funding, and fraud prevention in the wake of recent disasters.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I am wondering, are you mostly looking at grants and grants to non-profits?
• I receive employment in return for awarding a grant, or I recommend that an agency award a grant.
• and grants management, grant monitoring, and grantee evaluation.
• Agency staff who manage grants.
• They are two very different things: the grants, I think, and Medicaid, which is not generally grants,

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I am wondering, are you mostly looking at grants and grants to nonprofits?
• </c><00:36:26.880><c> Um,</c><00:36:27.200><c> is</c> grants and grants to nonprofits?
• Um, is grants and grants to nonprofits?
• </c> um not nonprofit grants. um not nonprofit grants. Representative<00:36:44.079><c> Greenman.
• and grants management, grant monitoring, and grantee evaluation.

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• there to work with the rural fire departments to help get equipment through forestry to help get grants
• And that would hire one person for each cog to go out and work with to get grants and equipment for rural
• Would you agree that when we Talk about the rural fire programs that they seek grant money for programs
• This bill creates a revolving fund in the Department of Public Safety to be administered and award grants
• House Bill 3760 is a tax credit for companies, private citizens, and people of that nature to donate

Bills: HB2993, HB3850, HB3595, HB3763, HB3760

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, HB3595, Safer Counties Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, county grants, traffic barrier equipment

Bills: HB2993, HB3850, HB3595, HB3763, HB3760

Keywords: rural law enforcement, grant fund, public safety, financial assistance, coordination districts, grant funding, law enforcement coordinators, municipal assistance, education, inmates, literacy, high school equivalency, Department of Corrections, parole, rehabilitation, HB3595, Safer Counties Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, county grants, traffic barrier equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• They allowed people to apply for grants to use the rubber to build playgrounds, but they denied it to
• These changes would have to do with any sorts of grants or programs.
• parameters of the grant, then, of course, they wouldn't get the grant.
• My one question is, do we currently stock any state-use items in the gift shops?
• And with this, will we be bypassing putting state-use related items in the gift shops?

Bills: SB1307, SB1425, SB1826, SB1365, SB1696

Keywords: Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Arts Council, J.M. Davis Memorial Commission, historical preservation, arts funding, museum, gun collection, state agency contracts, 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation, public funds, sectarian, religious funding restriction, appropriations, fiscal oversight, cultural institutions, historical artifacts, SB1425, health care, healthcare workforce