Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that this appropriation is a sound investment in New Mexico's economy.
• And are you all Paying the appropriate amount of money to cover that. Mr.
• And one of them was inadequate tracking of state and federal Appropriations.
• For instance, we typically receive our awards in April. from our federal appropriations.
• We have the 2 2.25 appropriation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Senator Neal, will you just state again what the appropriation would be?
• The bill appropriates $10 million to the Housing Division to reduce the monthly mortgage payments for
• There is accompanying this bill a general fund appropriation of just over $550,000.
• There is accompanying this bill a general fund appropriation of just over $550,000.
• Is this strictly just an appropriation? Not seeing any other questions.

Bills: AB568, SB90, SB133, SB147, SB229, SB233, SB240, SB245, SB280, SB378, SB393, SB417, SB434, SB494, SB495, AB62, SB104, SB119, SB132, SB193, SB262, SB422, SB431, SB435, SB468, SB503

Keywords: higher education, Nevada System of Higher Education, operational expenses, instructional expenses, public funding, education funding, teacher grants, classroom supplies, instructional support, specialized personnel, civics education, Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, funding, youth programs, civic involvement, Southern Nevada, Clark County, Las Vegas Valley, regional planning, economic resiliency

Transcript Highlights:

• That would not be appropriate. But every 501(c)(3) has some worldview.
• The motion was do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• I. ...and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Salachi? Aye. Salachi, aye.
• The motion is do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Bennett? No.
• The motion is do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Bennett, no.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call. Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the House Committee and Appropriations Subcommittee, Darkel 1, 4, and 5 will now come to order
• So if we do not appropriate. that money will go away.
• This would. authority between BAYANYA for the licensing platform, which Was appropriated funding for
• which was appropriated last session item 11 is revised the capital budget to provide unexpanded balance
• . which restricts the agency from transferring funds between items of appropriation in excess of 20%.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, when the time is appropriate, I ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• , making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, being related to the budget.
• , making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, being related to the budget.
• , making an appropriation therefor, to take effect immediately, being related to the budget.
• This is not an appropriate role for government.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those include SB 50, Ashby, to Appropriations; SB 69, McNerney, to Appropriations; SB 236, Weber Pierson
• , as amended, to Appropriations; SB 440, Achoabo; SB 495, Allen, as amended, to Appropriations; SB 597
• , Cortese, to Appropriations.
• Do pass as amended to Appropriations. Calra? Aye. Dixon? Aye. SB 41.
• And that being said, this also has to go to Appropriations.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:52.159> went billion in state Appropriations went billion in state Appropriations went
• And when we talk about nonprofit grants, both directly legislatively appropriated as well as direct appropriations
• Directly legislatively appropriated as well as direct appropriations, those are 501(c)(3)s, and this
• <00:31:25.000> grants of any any state Appropriations grants of any any state Appropriations
• the uh appropriate the uh appropriate considerations<00:49:22.160> um<00:49:23.079> but

Bills: HF72, HF66, HF69, HF73

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• So, those are direct appropriations.
• So, those are direct appropriations.
• So, those are direct appropriations.
• So, those are direct appropriations.
• So, those are direct appropriations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the appropriation, and I want to express my gratitude for that appropriation.
• How much are they using from their state appropriation to do this?
• How much are they using from their state appropriation to do this?
• How much are they using from their state appropriation to do this?
• How much are they using from their state appropriation to do this?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Office of Higher Education on college access efforts, with a focus on FAFSA outreach, the Get Ready program, and Direct Admissions Minnesota. Wendy Robinson said OHE’s role is to provide nonpartisan information, partner with K-12, colleges, and community groups, and use statewide programs to expand awareness of higher education options and financial aid. She highlighted outreach through brochures, virtual sessions, conferences, the State Fair, and events serving specific populations, as well as the Lumina-funded Connect College grant and the federally funded Get Ready program, which serves about 7,500 low-income students across 14 capacity-building schools and 28 additional schools with tutoring, college visits, application help, and financial aid support. A member asked for demographic data on Get Ready students, and staff said they would provide it later. Robinson also reviewed FAFSA outreach, noting that last year was especially difficult for students because of federal FAFSA problems. OHE’s Ready Set FAFSA sessions drew 1,300 unique registrations in October and 939 in January, and the agency continued training K-12 and college staff on state aid programs, FAFSA simplification, and implementation of North Star Promise. OHE said it also held FAFSA completion events with partners, including at the State Fair, and planned another financial aid event in Duluth. The bulk of the presentation covered Direct Admissions Minnesota. Robinson said the program is now in its fourth year, with 55 participating colleges and universities and 182 participating high schools in the third cohort, serving just over 32,000 students. She described the program as a broad, collaborative model that sends students letters listing colleges that would admit them based on junior-year performance, while preserving student choice and waiving application fees for participating schools. She said the program is intended to reduce anxiety about admissions, encourage FAFSA completion, and keep more Minnesota students in-state. Robinson previewed second-year data showing continued positive outcomes, including higher FAFSA completion, increased college enrollment, and more students staying in Minnesota. Participation increased among students eligible for free and reduced lunch, rising from 21% in the first year to 40% in the second year. She noted a continuing concern about American Indian and Alaska Native students, whose FAFSA completion declined and whose participation numbers were lower in the newest cohort, and said the agency would continue to study that data. She also said some of the increase in free-and-reduced-lunch participation may reflect the impact of North Star Promise and related financial aid messaging. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This money is already appropriated, and that's not relevant to this particular piece of legislation.
• But we're appropriating this money right now.
• So going forward after this appropriation, will they be rolled into that $50 million appropriation, or
• This bill appropriates prep funds to three programs: $250,000 to an economic development organization
• Appropriations Authority. Members, the House now has the bill with the debate.

Bills: SB1290, SB1530, SB1847, HR1050, SB169, SB1377, SB1990, SB1991, SB1778, SB1579, SB1992, SB3, SB2028, SB1928, SB2127, SB2117, SB1439, SB1930, SB330, SB1191, SB2110, SB2134, SB2069, SB2095, SB1613, SB1246, SB1976, SB1346, SB1509, SB2071, SB259, SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• are appropriated are appropriated in<00:19:59.160> some<00:19:59.480> fashion<00:20
• So, these are appropriation was made.
• Uh, appropriations passed the strike-all earlier this afternoon.
• There is no money in connection with this fund and appropriations.
• There was some language appropriations.

Keywords: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1596, which Senator Johnson explained as a companion to another crypto-kiosk bill. He said the measure was being used to open the code and remove new kiosk language temporarily while lawmakers work on a regulatory framework for crypto kiosks, which are being used in scams involving callers posing as law enforcement and directing victims to deposit cash into kiosks. Members discussed the lack of reporting and registration data, the estimated number of kiosks in the state, and whether regulation might require identification and registration of the devices. The committee adopted the motion for title sufficient, do pass as amended, and reported the bill out. The committee then considered House Bill 859, which would eliminate the in-person absentee voting envelope while keeping the 45-day in-person absentee voting period and existing excuse requirements. Senator England said voters would still complete an affidavit and cast the ballot directly into an OMR machine, and he noted that circuit clerks preferred this version. The committee asked a few clarifying questions and then passed the bill, reporting it out. Next was House Bill 925, the CLEAR Act, which Senator McMahan described as a revised PEER-related bill that had been worked on with the governor’s office after a prior veto. He outlined provisions creating a PEER review program for agency rules, Medicaid transportation evaluations, a State Board of Health Professions, changes to the corporation work initiative program, and PEER subpoena and enforcement language. An amendment was adopted to delete the subpoena-related sections that had raised constitutional concerns and to retain the reverse repealer. After questions about the advisory role of the new board, the committee passed the bill as amended. The committee also heard House Bill 1171, a strike-all that Senator Sparks said would mirror a Senate bill on grant transparency. The measure would require clearer grant objectives, objective eligibility criteria, disclosure of conflicts and board relationships, reporting by grantees and subgrantees, and signed documentation under penalty of perjury with CPA review. Members asked about enforcement, and Senator Sparks said improper reporting could lead to loss of funds, audits, and possible criminal consequences. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported the bill out. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1393, which would create an energy development fund at the Mississippi Development Authority for long-term infrastructure planning tied to large industrial energy users. Members asked whether the fund would cover water resources as well as electricity; the sponsor said it was intended for energy infrastructure, not water, and was aimed at large industrial projects such as steel mills. The committee adopted the strike-all and moved to report the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you want to clarify your question on the appropriations?
• The appropriations have actually already been made, so the Water Trust Board, you already have the appropriation
• A lot of times it's an appropriation, but then that becomes a very political process.
• An appropriation, but then that becomes a very political process.
• To just submit an appropriation during that time.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I'll give you an update on the special appropriation we received during the last session, and where
• A really important part of this appropriation is that this money is not just going to DCA.
• There were a number of requests for special appropriations made, but I'm glad To hear that.
• We were very grateful for a special appropriation.
• Keep up the good work, and let's hope you get your appropriations. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure what the appropriate way of doing that would be, but I want to make sure.
• We were contemplating whether it would be appropriate or available to establish.
• Are they appropriate for the jobs?
• It may be premature for that, but you could come back to me when it's appropriate.
• Percent of max unless certain exceptions are met and the appropriate approvals are received.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to turn to the legislative appropriation request that was submitted at the end of last last summer
• sitting there, but again institutional enhancement we need to relieve from our vocabulary in appropriations
• It accounts for 8.1% of SFA's annual state appropriation. funding is essential for covering educational
• This would be a one-time $30 million appropriation and investment by by the state to help supercharge
• Jack Hitzman, Vice Chair Martinez, House Appropriations Committee.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Appropriations will now come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• request, um, and the, where we are in terms of appropriations for public education.
• Um, and so, uh, our recommendation is to, to, to see both policy and appropriations there.
• Again, because you all appropriate, but you, your appropriation is only half the picture.
• By not paying for it at all, you do a direct appropriation on their behalf to the Comptroller.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations report. Senator Weissman. appropriations report. Senator Weissman.
• appropriations committee report. appropriations committee report.
• . appropriation. appropriation.
• . appropriation. appropriation.
• appropriation. Senator Amado. appropriation. Senator Amado.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them on the phone and take them to the appropriate destination.
• them on the phone and take them to the appropriate destination.
• them on the phone and take them to the appropriate destination.
• them on the phone and take them to the appropriate destination.
• them on the phone and take them to the appropriate destination.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 422 do pass as amended to appropriations. AB 503 do pass as amended to appropriations.
• AB 606 do pass to appropriations. AB 811 do pass to appropriations.
• AB 821 do pass to appropriations. AB 962 do pass to the floor. AB 1009 do pass to appropriations.
• In an appropriate way?
• It's appropriate that we're taking this bill on at this late hour.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so right now you'll see that there's a blank appropriation, and the idea is to pass this bill if
• And so right now you'll see that there's a blank appropriation, and the idea is to pass this bill if
• <01:02:45.880> out hopefully to get some appropriation out hopefully to get some appropriation
• 52 you see the total uh appropriation 52 you see the total uh appropriation amounts<01:13:17.040
• to point out is all these Appropriations to point out is all these Appropriations are<01:13:34.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all