Transcript Highlights:

• paid leave program gets underway, as is current law on January 1, 2026. answer<00:03:55.640> good
• paid leave Law works is that we are<00:04:13.799> able<00:04:14.000> to<00:04:14.159><
• leave program gets once the paid leave program gets underway<00:04:24.759> as<00:04:25.040>
• Some of the contracts have paid family and medical leave, but not the teachers.
• Some of the contracts have paid family and medical leave, but not the teachers.

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• benefits and paid leave benefits at the same time.
• > um<00:01:16.040> and offer paid family medical leave um and offer paid family medical
• <00:04:52.720> leave<00:04:52.960> Law yes so I think um the the paid leave Law yes
• > the benefits and paid leave benefits at the benefits and paid leave benefits at the same<00:04:
• the economy already has a lot of paid leave.

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• paid family medical leave goals of the paid family medical leave uh<00:09:27.800> Paid<00:09:
• Paid Family Leave.
• Paid family medical leave will strengthen bonding and foster secure attachment between parents and their
• Paid family medical leave will strengthen bonding and foster secure attachment between parents and their
• <01:03:25.119> leave provide generous sick and paid leave provide generous sick and paid leave

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And in paid family medical leave.
• Neither of us had parental leave.
• There are currently nine of us employees, and our company had a small parental leave policy that we paid
• paid family medical leave. paid family medical leave.
• In the paid leave from accurate.

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill of the day will be House Bill 591 by Representative Green that creates the Paid Family Leave
• is a bill that creates a voluntary private market insurance product that allows employers to offer paid
• family leave benefits to their employees.
• is a bill that creates a voluntary private market insurance product that allows employers to offer paid
• family leave benefits to their employees.

Bills: HB591, HB766

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, cancer treatment, anti-cancer medications, health insurance, copayment, cost-sharing, health policy, 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just had a parent text me on the way into this room that said one of the things that they loved about
• House Bill 3467 amends the state's maternity leave. A second, please.
• House Bill 3467 amends the state's maternity leave statute for school teachers to include the adoption
• And his parents. We're not naive.
• Their parents might have approved of this book, but I didn't.

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:

• Senate Bill 1204 allows for three days of paid bereavement leave for our educators and support personnel
• The state has made movements for paid maternity leave, but we should also be there for our teachers on
• However, after conversations with SDE, they actually have carryover funds from the maternity leave, so

Bills: SB1360, SB1204, SB1989, SB1189, SB1481

Keywords: mathematics, student assessment, dyscalculia, intervention services, educational funding, professional development, state department of education, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools, school districts, bereavement leave, paid leave, grief leave, family leave, miscarriage, pregnancy loss, maternity leave

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mann, to explain Your amendment adds that the money for this paid leave will come from the public
• school paid maternity leave revolving fund.
• Senate Bill 1204 provides Oklahoma teachers and school employees 3 days of bereavement leave following
• maternity leave revolving fund.
• So if it's coming out of the maternity leave revolving fund, and I guess I need to understand it.

Bills: SB169, SB1991, SB1992, SB1204, SB1339, SB182, SB1847, SB1360, SB1346

Keywords: longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides for paid parental leave for eligible employees.
• We know that a lot of private businesses now have parental leave policies that they actually offer.
• The parental leave applies to men as well, to fathers as well. Is that correct?
• We heard from foster parents waiting for adoption to legally take leave to prepare for a child.
• It provides six weeks of paid parental leave at 100% of base pay, covers birth, pregnancy loss, adoption

Bills: SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB250, SB433

Keywords: registrar of voters, parish registrar, chief deputy registrar, confidential assistant, election administration, elections, salary schedule, compensation, merit evaluation, population-based pay, census-based pay, Department of State, Secretary of State, State Board of Election Supervisors, redistricting, senate districts, Senate District 33, Senate District 34, Senate District 35, precincts

Transcript Highlights:

• employees of the state or any county, city, town, state agency, or political subdivision of the state leave
• department or political subdivision of the state who are National Guard or Armed Forces Reserve members leaves
• You can start school and you don't get paid for your housing until the following month.
• The veterans don't get paid for that, and that's the why there's a shortage, and they'll lose the whole
• Nobody gets paid for at least... ...a month. It's hard to go without a paycheck for a month.

Bills: HB2416, HB2663, HB2759, HB2806

Keywords: border security, drug trafficking, human smuggling, law enforcement funding, Arizona, public safety, immigration, military leave, national guard, employment rights, paid leave, disaster response, veterans services, education programs, funding, appropriation, Yavapai county, lawful presence, public programs, verification

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2416 would appropriate $20 million for DPS border support, including equipment, officer positions, and grants to local governments for border-related prosecutions and detention costs. Supporters, including the Arizona Sheriffs Association, said the funds are fully used each year and are largely spent on drug interdiction; opponents argued the bill’s immigration-related language could expand enforcement and that the money should instead go to health care, education, food assistance, or prevention programs. After debate, the committee passed HB 2416 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2806, which would require county recorders, ADOT, and AHCCCS to use the federal SAVE system and report citizenship-verification results to JLBC and the Auditor General. The sponsor was absent, and an ACLU representative testified in opposition, arguing SAVE is not appropriate for voter eligibility checks, could disenfranchise eligible citizens, and would likely cause litigation and administrative confusion. Members raised concerns about necessity, due process, and whether the state already verifies citizenship adequately, but the bill still received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. HB 2663, a technical cleanup bill updating military leave language for state and local employees who are National Guard or Reserve members, drew no opposition and passed unanimously. HB 2759 would appropriate $500,000 to the Department of Veterans Services for grants tied to veterans programs at Yavapai County institutions; testimony described it as helping veterans with housing gaps, emergencies, and professional development while they wait for GI Bill payments. Several members questioned why it was limited to Yavapai County and whether private institutions should be included, with some viewing it as a pilot program and others wanting statewide expansion. It passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand that we want to let parents choose, but doesn't this let parents pick and choose?
• Is there parental consent?
• But the parents would have...
• And if we further allow parents to sign away the Establishment Clause rights of students, If parents
• This is 100% about parental consent and parents and children being on the same page so that parents don't

Bills: HB4491, HB3240, HB4146, HB4158, HB4159, HB3718

Keywords: extracurricular activities, charter schools, student eligibility, virtual education, Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, prayer, religious freedom, public schools, consent, First Amendment, school policy, paid maternity leave, school employees, public health, childcare, work-life balance, education, family leave, tuition, grant

Bills: HB3940, HB3078, HB3043

Keywords: Oklahoma National Guard, compensation, education assistance, career technology, military benefits, veterans, donations, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, state agency, executive branch, HB3043, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays

Transcript Highlights:

• I think a lot of parents would be glad to not start school August 2nd, but that's the request of some
• House 3467 amends the state's maternity leave statute for school teachers to include the adoption of
• And so, I will just leave it at that. Thank you. I'd appreciate a yes vote.
• And I think we are opening ourselves up for a lawsuit if we leave this language not quite tight enough
• A whole bag of lawsuits because these parents will sue. Well, thank you for your question.

Bills: HB2987, HB3026, HB3076, HB3288, HB3315, HB3467, HB3711, HB3885, HB4427, HB4359, HB4363

Keywords: kindergarten, military families, education policy, school districts, international military dependents, age eligibility, teacher certification, alternative teacher preparation, education reform, employment opportunities, teacher recruitment, physical education, elementary school, prekindergarten, recess, health and fitness, higher education, bachelor's degree, feasibility study, Oklahoma State Regents

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the parents, as I've spoken to other people that have done this, trust parents in that process
• And yet you say trust the parents.
• How do you protect homeschool parents from the one unscrupulous homeschool parent who says, trust me,
• But you mentioned the Parental Choice Tax Credit.
• And there are so many, there are many opportunities here in collaboration with parents and trusting parents

Bills: HB2950, HB2978, HB3132, HB3242, HB3467, HB3700, HB3701, HB4115, HB4274

Keywords: postsecondary education, standardized test scores, educational equity, higher learning access, Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, HB2978, school libraries, library media center, library media program, community standards, sexually explicit conduct, obscene material, age-appropriate materials, school curriculum, book challenges, book banning, censorship, public schools, school board, education committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Why are teachers leaving the classroom?
• First year, much like the first year that this body passed the six weeks of paid maternity leave, I think
• Over or I'm assuming they are take it or leave it each year.
• some other programs where they get access to leave that they may not have.
• They several years ago adopted this policy when it came to paternity leave and maternity leave.

Bills: SB843, SB1733, SB1476, SB1237, SB1410, SB1894, SB1272, SB1204, SB1721, SB1725, SB1735, SB1337, SB1339, SB1461, SB1975

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Transcript Highlights:

• :14.480> provides and parenting leave uh provides and parenting leave uh provides employees<00
• But then also parenting leave rights.
• leave, kind of interacts with paid leave.
• Is it inter interacts with paid leave.
• Um whereas the paid leave is >> Ah okay.

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Bills: HB 39, HB 114, HB 1875, HB 1894, HB 1965, HB 2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• The military leave statute for Texas government employees grants 15 work days of military leave.
• And members, House Bill 2513, fine-tunes the statute that governs military leave for state employees
• The military leave statute for the Texas government employees grants 15 work days of military leave.
• This is enough for a Monday through Friday 9 to 5. 15 work days of military leave.
• Military duty that usually would not need leave relief gets used up.

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we have access to the drug, that doesn't mean that we will be paid fairly for it.
• And when I say biased, I mean pharmacists want to get paid more for what they do.
• Most of what I am paid for is waste.
• We've essentially hired a firefighter who gets paid by the gasoline companies.
• Those bonds have been paid off over the last 20 years.

Bills: SB511, SB512, HB591, HB909, HB938, HB1154, HB1187

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of that unimaginable loss, Aaron chose not to retreat but to leave.
• Her parents, Jessica and David Garrett, are with her today, and her grandmother, Annette, is here.
• Please recognize Representative Paid to present House Bill 4300.

Bills: HB3522, HB4300, HB4359, HB4363, HB3467, HB2987, HB3076, HB4427, HB3026, HB3288, HB3315, HB3711, HB3885

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, ABLE Commission, licensing, regulation, annual reporting, child care, criminal history, background checks, child safety, Oklahoma laws, advisory committees, 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