Transcript Highlights:

• And I just wonder if a business says, "Hey, we're going to give you a—we'll print up a bunch of signs
• If it's a competition, if it's an election or an influence, you've defined an expanded electioneering
• And I just wonder if a business says, "Hey, we're going to give you a—we'll print up a bunch of signs
• If it's a competition, if it's an election or an influence, you've defined an expanded electioneering
• There being no further business before us, we are adjourned. [Music] [Applause]

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:35.200><c> locally</c> learning, there are businesses locally learning, there are businesses
• So, businesses to the Cumberland area.
• </c> graduation resumes are now competitive graduation resumes are now competitive with<01:03:30.560>
• </c><01:18:35.440><c> and</c> we certainly are open for business and we certainly are open for business
• They have a lot of They're very busy.

Keywords: 0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes 0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools 0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257 0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System 1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability. On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use. The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.

Transcript Highlights:

• Giving the cities the option of joining the state insurance plan does allow cities to be more competitive
• They can secure more competitive benefit packages, which could save money at no cost to the state.
• So we have really been genuinely looking towards moving into a more competitive realm of insurance.
• And we do think that the state has opportunity with the larger pools in order to find a more competitive
• I'm very much. executives here to run American businesses.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Thursday, March 12, and then held House Joint Memorial 19 subject to the call of the chair because Superintendent Critchfield was unavailable. The main item of business was House Bill 725, which would allow Idaho cities to apply to join the state employee health insurance pool through the Office of Group Insurance. Representative Cheatham said the bill is intended to give cities an option to seek lower and more predictable health insurance costs, with all expenses paid by the participating cities. Supporters, including the mayors of Pocatello and Idaho Falls and an Idaho Falls firefighters representative, said rising premiums are straining city budgets, and that joining a larger pool could improve predictability, recruitment, and retention. Committee members questioned whether the bill would shift costs to state taxpayers or attract only higher-risk groups; the Office of Group Insurance administrator said cities would pay 100% of costs, the state general fund would not be affected, and each city would undergo an actuarial review. The committee then voted to send HB 725 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee next considered RS 33618, a draft bill from Representative Crane to prohibit foreign persons, foreign corporations, foreign governments, foreign REITs, and certain SEC-registered companies from purchasing single-family homes in Idaho. Crane said the measure was meant to prioritize Idahoans in the housing market and limit purchases by large outside entities. Members raised concerns about the breadth of the proposal and how it would affect noncitizens, temporary workers, foreign-owned businesses, and people tied to mining or other industries. The Office of Group Insurance administrator was not involved in this item, but the discussion focused on definitions, enforcement, and whether the bill could be too broad. After debate, the committee voted to introduce RS 33618 with a technical change on page 2, line 13, changing “and” to “or.”

Transcript Highlights:

• By reducing participation from these businesses, the bill limits competition, increases costs, and undermines
• By reducing participation from these businesses, the bill limits competition, increases costs, and undermines
• House Bill 2608 adds to the policies that suppress competition, shrink the pool of competitive bidders
• And in a third tier, great businesses, large businesses are truly an anomaly.
• And in a third tier, great businesses, large businesses are truly an anomaly.

Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to have competitive wages, as we know that retail and fast food industries are paying above
• Doing business for the agencies.
• wages, to ensure parity with other programs, and to keep pace with the cost of doing business.
• Most of our agencies have multiple lines of business, so I don't know if he's listening right now, but
• But because of the other lines of business, they're able to balance it out.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• and as a result will not be taxpayers subject to Florida corporate income tax on their unrelated business
• And so what I would like us to do is be competitive in that space, because obviously when those pilots
• And, of course, this is a competitive market like everything else that we see with mobile homes.
• And so now we’re hitting those local businesses that come and enjoy our airport.
• There are different prices that will bring business in, and there are ancillary businesses that are brought

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 16, 2025, with one agenda item: PCB WMC-2502, the committee’s tax package. Chair Duggan presented the bill as a broad tax measure covering sales tax, tourist development taxes, ad valorem/VAB procedures, affordable housing property tax changes, tangible personal property, special assessments, fuel taxes, communication services taxes, corporate income tax updates, pari-mutuel/card room taxes, local incentives, and a redistribution of horse industry trust fund money. He also noted emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue and estimated a recurring state impact of $34.6 million in FY 2025-26. Members questioned several provisions, including the aviation fuel tax repeal, the delay of the natural gas fuel tax, the extension of the local communication services tax freeze, the charitable trust corporate income tax clarification, the reduction in card room taxes, and the affordable housing changes tied to the Live Local Act. Public testimony included support from airlines, UPS, child care management, and others, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association opposed the lifeguard/TDT change, the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities opposed the missing-middle exemption changes, and local government representatives raised concerns about revenue impacts and the loss of local opt-out authority. The committee also adopted Amendment 1 by Representative Rizzo, which limits certain special assessments on RV parks when based on square footage. During debate, members split on some provisions but generally supported the package, with comments focused on aviation competitiveness, preschool assessment relief, lifeguard funding, affordable housing, and the horse industry funding shift. Representative Duggan closed by emphasizing that the bill was only the beginning of the process and would continue through conference and floor consideration. The committee then voted 16-1 to report PCB WMC-2502 favorably, with Representative Alvarez voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• He had a business plan. He submitted it. He won the FAU Business Plan competition.
• He then won the state of Florida business plan competition.
• The state of Florida business plan competition, and his success has gone on to build a billion-dollar
• The business school is nationally ranked now.
• We've got a growing influx of high-net-worth individuals and businesses, financial businesses, as well

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the book of business, so to speak? Is it relatively large? It's potentially robust.
• So again, it creates an unfair competitive situation when it's state versus the public.
• So again, it creates an unfair competitive situation when it's state versus the public.
• So again, it creates an unfair competitive situation when it's state versus the public.
• So again, it creates an unfair competitive situation when it's state versus the public.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the January 14 minutes and then considered a large agenda of contracts, including personal services contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, and Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program items. The chair noted the agenda contained 240 items and emphasized the need for transparency in how contract approvals work. Several items were pulled for questions, while the rest were approved without objection. The first major discussion involved seven contingency-fee contracts for the Attorney General’s office. Committee members asked about the apparent $20 million maximum per contract, and staff explained that the amount was a ceiling, not a guarantee, and that under the statutory waterfall in KRS 45A.717 a $20 million fee would require roughly $355 million returned to the Commonwealth. Staff also said the new batch included some new firms, that these contracts are being handled in 6- to 12-month batches, and that no money had yet been spent from the prior cycle. The committee then approved those contracts. Members also questioned a Cabinet for Health and Family Services training contract, which officials said was needed because Finance provides only Kentucky-specific training, while the outside vendor offers broader procurement and federal-funds training; the committee approved that item. A University of Kentucky capital project contract for the State Capitol exterior renovation was approved after questions about the open-ended date, total project cost, and expected completion, with staff saying the overall project is projected for substantial completion by the end of 2026 and final warranty work could extend into 2027. A DCBS amendment for SSI eligibility determinations for children in out-of-home care was explained as an increase caused by a protest, a reissued RFP, and more children entering care; the committee approved it after discussion of the protest and scoring details. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet amendment for an I-71 widening and interchange project in Oldham County after staff explained it was a time extension with no additional funds, though the project had evolved due to traffic changes and now includes an eight-lane bridge design. Finally, the committee discussed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services amendments tied to the Capitol renovation and juvenile justice facility retrofits. Staff said the Capitol project contract covered the full design team, with completion projected around 2029, while the juvenile justice amendments covered additional design work for McCracken and Breathitt facilities, with final bid documents expected in June or July and construction anticipated to begin in the latter half of 2025. Both items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> business service team lead. business service team lead.
• </c><00:51:30.240><c> advantages</c> trying to create competitive advantages trying to create competitive
• It's a competitive piece. way they work. It's a competitive piece.
• Uh, and where football are competitive.
• There being no further business.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:28 Kentucky Recovery Vocational: Workforce Reimagined 00:01:31 Update on College Athletics and 25RS SB 3 00:24:39 Goodwill Kentucky Excel Center 01:09:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Kentucky Recovery Vocational Workforce and Re-entry Incorporated, led by Executive Director Jerick D'vor, on its vocational training model for people in recovery and formerly incarcerated individuals. He said the nonprofit operates in Russell Springs and serves students from across Kentucky, offering manufacturing and welding training tied to recovery services through Spark Recovery. D'vor emphasized that the program combines treatment, soft-skills coaching, job placement, and continued support after employment, arguing that training should begin around 90 days into recovery rather than earlier. He reported strong outcomes, including 292 students served, 259 certificates earned, and 250 job placements, with many participants placed in manufacturing jobs and 17 welders trained and placed through the new welding academy. Members praised the program but asked about funding, retention, and employability barriers. D'vor said the pilot was supported by opioid abatement grant funding, and the program now relies mainly on donor contributions and Spark Recovery’s investment in clients, with possible future support from additional opioid abatement funds or 1915(i) mechanisms. He said participants are not charged tuition and that the organization provides soft-skills training and job coaches. In response to questions about long-term outcomes, he said the program does not yet have a full alumni tracking system but is exploring technology options and continues to provide post-employment support for 90 days. After approving the committee minutes, members received an update on college athletics and Senate Bill 3 from University of Louisville Athletic Director Josh Heird and University of Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. They said Kentucky’s NIL framework and reporting requirements are working reasonably well and praised the state for not trying to create a competitive advantage in the evolving college sports environment. Heird reported that 521 student-athletes have signed up for NILGO and about 240 deals have been approved through the system, while noting the need to ensure NIL agreements are legitimate marketplace deals rather than artificial payments. The discussion also touched on the House settlement, the $600 approval threshold, and broader federal changes affecting college athletics.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair lays out SCR 22 by Senator Hughes as referred business members.
• Chair lays out SB 217 by Senator West as referred business.
• Chair lays out SB 2801 by Senator Hughes is pending business. Chair moves to SB 2801.
• Chair lays out SCR 18 by Senator Parker's pending business.
• Is there any further business for the committee to address? Hearing none.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> may argue this bill limits competition may argue this bill limits competition however<00:10:11.880
• and the mediumsized businesses uh and the mediumsized businesses uh couldn't<00:27:29.200><c> sustain
• </c> was particularly true among businesses was particularly true among businesses that<00:30:32.320>
• business owners.
• <00:51:39.359><c> in</c> business in business in Hulu<00:51:41.040><c> as</c><00:51:41.200><c> well</

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a matter of pending business...
• As a matter of pending business, the chair lays out House Bill 28.
• As a matter of pending business, the chair lays out House Bill 36.
• The Chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, HB... 5138.
• The Chair lays out, as a matter of pending business, HB 493.

Bills: HB223

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the joint committee to report to Room 447 so we can establish a quorum and take care of today's business
• And SANDAG's complexity of its business is not at all unique or unusual in this space.
• As with many of the BSCC's competitive grants, the Proposition 47 grant program awards are determined
• We stand by a transparent, competitive procurement process to ensure high-quality, competitive, cost-effective
• going to be in the market, it seems unlikely that we're going to see MetLife exerting a lot of competitive

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will go into other business. The chair lays out SCR22 by Senator Hughes, as referred.
• The chair lays out SB217 by Senator West as referred business.
• SB2801 by Senator Hughes is pending business.
• The Chair lays out SCR18 by Senator Parker as pending business.
• Is there any further business for the committee to address? None.

Bills: SB2801 , SB2232 , SCR18

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: SB 2801, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Parks and Wildlife Code, field trial permit, hunting dog field trial, coonhound trial, dog trial, squirrel hunting, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals, hunting license exemption, wildlife management, public land permit, private land hunting, game fish and water safety account, permit fee, commission rules, Parks and Wildlife Department, Unplug Texas Day, digital detox

Transcript Highlights:

• My wife and I are graduates of the business school at the University of Florida there for my family,
• He has spoken a lot on the fact that universities need to meet the need to be more competitive in the
• have been doing well in those competitions, even winning some recently.
• They've partnered with local businesses say bring businesses and they say what you need in your workforce
• The motion is adopted and is there any further business to come before the committee seeing none.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And many small and medium-sized businesses utilize AI to help and social... ...and medium-sized businesses
• It also violates businesses' basic right to decide who they want to engage in business with and under
• of what bureaucrats, not consumers or other business partners, consider a fair or reasonable business
• Not everybody knows the Constitution and a lot of businesses and business owners don't spend their time
• They can get that experience from a business that may be a small business, maybe a local business, that

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up SB 702, as amended by a strike-all amendment on digital content provenance and authenticity. Senator Burgess said the bill would require generative AI providers to add provenance data to content wholly generated by AI, allow provenance tags on AI-modified images, require social media platforms to retain and display provenance data in an accessible format, and apply content credentials to online election advertisements. He also described a two-year pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management to test provenance data in emergency communications, and said the bill would be enforced only by the Attorney General with no private right of action. Supporters from Microsoft and Adobe waived in support, while TechNet and the James Madison Institute raised concerns about broad definitions, implementation burdens, and the possibility that the rules could be easily circumvented. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS for SB 702 favorably. The committee next considered CS for SB 282 on home and service warranty association financial requirements, which would allow extended warranty companies to use multiple insurance policies to back obligations and let companies with a $100 million net worth satisfy proof requirements through SEC filings or an audited financial statement. The Florida Service Agreement Association supported the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also passed CS for SB 678, which allows pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; the Florida Pawnbrokers Association and a business representative supported the change, the amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1132, the Portable Wireless Device Repair Act, which would require manufacturers to provide diagnostic tools, repair information, and parts to owners and independent repair providers, and would also extend right-to-repair concepts to agricultural equipment through an amendment. Supporters argued the bill would expand consumer choice and repair access, while opponents including TechNet, the Repair Done Right Coalition, the James Madison Institute, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance warned about privacy, cybersecurity, trade secret, safety, and compliance concerns. After debate, the committee reported CS for SB 1132 favorably. Finally, the committee took up SB 676, which would create a framework for employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the Florida minimum wage in certain internship, apprenticeship, and work-study settings, with a parent or guardian sign-off for minors. The sponsor said the bill was intended to expand job training and first-job opportunities for young people and others seeking experience, but multiple speakers and senators argued it conflicted with the Florida Constitution and existing case law, could be exploited by employers, and would undermine the voter-approved minimum wage. The committee continued extensive debate on the bill, with strong opposition testimony and questions about constitutionality, definitions, and enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like all businesses, banks have different lines of business in which different lines of business in which
• It's regulators how they do business.
• Have you ever been in a business where... ding, ding.
• how policy impacts people and businesses in the state.
• insurance business model.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 470 is an important, is an opportunity to bring business and labor together.
• Hi, I'm Masha Galanko, and I am a small business owner and a community partner.
• That's not how I do business. And so I have them in mind.
• California residents and business pay for almost everything is going up.
• Number one, fierce competition.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• accept If an insurer fails to use or accept the uniform prior authorization or respond within three business
• But it's a competition nationwide to get trainings in. Competition nationwide to get trainings in.
• This makes New Mexico more competitive in recruiting and retaining the workforce we desperately need.
• Actually, 32 of 33. entire health system by making our approach more competitive and investing in the
• Madam Chair and Senator, my intuitive and 40 years of experience in the business would say this will

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization and step-therapy measure, on a committee substitute that had already incorporated many stakeholder changes. The sponsor and agency witnesses described revisions to definitions of chronic health condition and serious mental illness, shorter prior-authorization periods, and limits on reporting requirements. Supporters, including a nurse practitioner and disability advocates, said the bill would reduce barriers to needed medications and urged broader protections for chronic and behavioral health conditions. Health insurance and pharmacy benefit management representatives remained opposed, arguing prior authorization is an important patient-safety tool and objecting to the bill’s limits on its use. Senator Hickey offered two amendments: one to conform electronic prior-authorization response times to existing law by changing seven days to three, and one to restore the prior-authorization period from 12 months to three years. The first amendment was accepted; the second passed on a 5-4 vote. The committee then approved the amended substitute 6-3. The committee next heard Senate Bill 111, which would expand the confidentiality of personal information held by the Motor Vehicle Division to include sex, gender identity, national origin, and immigration status. Tax and Revenue officials explained that the bill would not change what documents MVD collects, but would limit disclosure of sensitive information contained in scanned records unless a statutory exception applies. Members asked about what appears on licenses, what is stored in MVD’s system, and whether law enforcement access would change; officials said criminal law enforcement exceptions would remain in place and that the bill mainly affects public disclosure requests. The committee voted 8-1 to give the bill a do-pass recommendation. Senate Bill 218, funding a Los Alamos Emergency Operations Center, was presented as a regional disaster-response and training facility for northern New Mexico. Los Alamos County witnesses said the project would support emergency management training and coordination across the region and requested $5 million. Several senators questioned whether the county had explored bonding, intergovernmental agreements, or regional cost-sharing, and raised concerns about Los Alamos’s debt capacity and whether the project was truly regional. Supporters said the county has a long capital backlog and that the center would serve communities from Santa Fe north. The committee ultimately voted 9-1 to advance the bill. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 14, a major health professional loan-repayment proposal. Senator Hickey described it as an effort to recruit and retain physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals by increasing repayment amounts, prioritizing physicians and doctors of osteopathic medicine for 50% of the fund, and allowing service commitments with some flexibility, including part-time work. Supporters from medical, nursing, and behavioral health groups said the bill would help address workforce shortages and make New Mexico more competitive. Committee members asked about the inclusion of physician assistants, the 90-day start requirement, anti-donation concerns, tax treatment, tribal and IHS providers, and whether the 50% physician set-aside would leave enough for other professions. After discussion, the committee voted 10-0 to send the bill forward with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• AFTERNOON , THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT HB 697, THE PRESCRIPTION REDUCTION INCENTIVE AND COMPETITION
• I WOULD EXPECT AND I'M IN THE BUSINESS MYSELF IF I KNOW THIS LEGISLATION IS COMING JULY 1, 2026 I AM
• IF THEY DON'T DO THAT AND THEY DO LIKE SOME OF MY CLIENTS DO WHICH IS MAKE A BUSINESS DECISION, THIS
• OF BUSINESS THAT IS IN THIS STATE.
• WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN BREVARD COUNTY JUST BY ITSELF.