Transcript Highlights:

• the Public Regulation Commission and the agency that supports the commission, clarifying agency statutory
• that Section 37-1-30 NMSA 1978, being Laws 1993, Chapter 136, Section 1, as amended, is the only statutory
• As amended, is the only statutory time or procedural limitation on commencing an action based on childhood
• House Bill 52, introduced by Representative Reeb, relating to statutory reconciliation, correcting cross-references
• the Public Regulation Commission and the agency that supports the commission, clarifying agency statutory

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutory residency restrictions and individual risk factors continue to make certain areas of the state
• Lastly, absent significant statutory changes, developing transitional facilities would also not resolve
• So let's say that we are ordered to place an individual into a county and there are statutory placement
• That home can be on hold for a period of time while we are working through the entire statutory process
• Can the Legislature modify statutory law to allow for out-of-county placement in a more streamlined manner

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on the state auditor’s October 2024 report on California’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (CONREP) for sexually violent predators. Members and witnesses discussed public safety, the long delays in finding community housing, the role of local housing committees, and the Department of State Hospitals’ oversight of Liberty Healthcare, which operates much of the program. Several legislators from rural and high-desert districts said their communities have been disproportionately affected by placements and questioned why many placements end up in remote areas. State Auditor Grant Parks said the audit found that CONREP participants were convicted of new offenses less often than sexually violent predators who were unconditionally released, but that 18 of 56 participants had been revoked and returned to state hospitals for noncompliance. He said it took an average of 17 months to place current participants in the community, with 20 additional people awaiting placement for an average of 20 months, and that the program incurred significant pre-placement costs. Parks also said local officials were often unclear about their role, DSH had not given clear guidance at the time of the audit, and California lacks a transitional housing option used in some other states. He reported that DSH had implemented four of the five audit recommendations, while declining the recommendation to explore state-owned transitional housing. DSH Director Stephanie Clendendon and Liberty representative Ken Carabello defended the program as a court-ordered, highly supervised treatment model intended to reduce reoffending and support reintegration. They said DSH is actively involved in placement review, that Liberty searches countywide under statutory restrictions, and that community feedback and court approval are part of the process. DSH said it has now implemented guidance for housing committee designees, formal program reviews, an outcome tracker, and an analysis of whether to separate some Liberty services into different contracts. DSH continued to oppose transitional housing, arguing it would not solve the core siting and statutory problems and would add cost. Several members remained critical, arguing the program is broken, costly, and unfairly concentrated in certain communities, and some called for major statutory changes or suspension of the program.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, providing for a statutory suspension rather than a termination would allow greater flexibility to
• So, providing for a statutory suspension rather than a termination would allow greater flexibility to
• So, providing for a statutory<00:30:12.720> pro<00:30:13.240> suspension<00:30:14.240><
• c> rather<00:30:14.480> than<00:30:14.720> a statutory pro suspension rather than a
• statutory pro suspension rather than a termination<00:30:15.279> would<00:30:15.600> allow

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• His legal and regulatory record demonstrates a consistent commitment to statutory interpretation grounded
• government or by a township based upon not fulfilling the needs of the act in its original status. statutory
• The most important thing is to return to the statutory standard in Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act,
• I would ask that you both commit, if you are confirmed, that you will abide by the statutory requirements
• your your commitment that you'll be transparent with us about what is coming and to abide by the statutory

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• just align with the procurement tools that the state of Minnesota has, and so we're just asking for statutory
• just align with the procurement tools that the state of Minnesota has, and so we're just asking for statutory
• just align with the procurement tools that the state of Minnesota has, and so we're just asking for statutory
• just align with the procurement tools that the state of Minnesota has, and so we're just asking for statutory
• state of Minnesota has, with percentages, and also with our authority to do direct select. ...for statutory

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendments are to retain statutory language requiring an annual board report, changing reference
• The amendments are to retain statutory language requiring an annual board report, changing reference
• The amendments are to retain statutory language requiring an annual board report, changing reference
• The amendments are to retain statutory language requiring an annual board report, changing reference
• The amendments are to retain statutory language requiring an annual board report, changing reference

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the Department of Finance said, we do have the statutory process for ensuring the state meets the
• So when the COLA, the statutory COLA, and the state is clearly committed to funding the statutory COLA
• , but when the statutory COLA is below that level, while at the state.
• When we create this or when we calculate the statutory COLA, we are simply comparing that index from

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The statutory maximum allowable fees are set by statute, set by the legislature, as it were, while the
• doubled, and we have been working very hard to keep up the pace, keep things moving, and meet our statutory
• And we have been working very hard to keep up the pace to keep things moving and meet our statutory deadlines
• consistently met and exceeded its LRPP goals through thorough, impartial investigations completed within statutory
• consistently met and exceeded its LRPP goals through thorough, impartial investigations completed within statutory

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say, based on the current statutory language, it is restrictive.
• The current statutory language says related area.
• The current statutory language says related area.
• The current statutory language says related area.
• <02:18:41.439> language than the current statutory language than the current statutory language

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education to require objective, science-based evidence for pedagogical methods. The prime sponsor said the bill is a verbatim reintroduction from the prior session and argued that current federal definitions are too vague, allowing subjective surveys and other weak evidence to justify teaching methods. He said the bill is limited to pedagogy, not subject matter, and is intended to improve student outcomes, reduce fad-driven practices, and potentially save money by limiting unnecessary retraining and new materials. Members asked repeatedly about the bill’s scope, including whether it would affect classroom teachers, curriculum content, and existing instructional approaches such as phonics versus whole language or queuing. The sponsor said the bill applies to state and local education bodies and educator training policies, not individual teachers in their classrooms, and that teachers would retain flexibility. He also said standardized testing could be part of a scientific study but is not itself a study, and that textbook providers could be asked to furnish the studies supporting instructional guidance included in their materials. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal note and possible cost shifts to local districts and taxpayers. The sponsor disputed the idea that the bill would necessarily create major new costs or require additional staff, saying any costs would likely be limited and that the department is already applying federal evidence-based rules. He also said if some current methods are not science-based, updating them would be justified even if there were some initial expense. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• While some of these products may arguably fall within existing statutory categories, the law does not
• medically necessary products qualify for tax exemption based on varying interpretations of the outdated statutory
• That treatment is based largely on regulatory interpretation rather than clear statutory direction.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation met as a subcommittee and heard several tax-related bills, with initial items identified as suspense candidates because of their fiscal impact. SB 881 would extend the farmer-to-food-bank tax credit and the Emergency Food for Families voluntary tax contribution; the author and supporters from food banks, agricultural groups, local governments, and climate organizations said it would reduce food waste, help farmers donate surplus produce, and address rising food insecurity. No opposition was presented, but the bill was ultimately referred to suspense. SB 1406 would target the so-called Montana tax loophole used to avoid California taxes on luxury vehicles and similar purchases; supporters said it would recover revenue and improve fairness, while a business group opposed it unless amended, warning the shell-company language could affect legitimate small businesses and passive owners. That bill was also sent to suspense. SB 1349, which directs the Legislative Analyst’s Office to review major existing tax expenditures and evaluate whether they are meeting their goals, drew support from the California Teachers Association, tax reform advocates, school employees, local governments, and others who argued that California needs more accountability for billions in tax breaks. The committee later took a quorum and passed SB 1349 on a due pass as amended motion to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. The committee also approved two consent items, SB 1436 and SB 1437, sending them forward on the agreed motions. SB 1249 would provide a $3,000 tax deduction for seniors ages 86 to 90 through 2032, with the author and LeadingAge California describing it as targeted relief for older adults facing rising costs. The bill received supportive comments from a committee member but was referred to suspense. SB 1151 would codify the sales tax exemption for infant formula by expressly defining it as a food product; the author said this would remove uncertainty for families, and members cited the high cost of formula and the need for clarity. The committee passed SB 1151 on a motion to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. After completing the remaining business, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Follow up, but because this is statutory Not constitutional.
• In repeated efforts to repeal that on the legislative level, because that is a statutory state question
• who pushed that legislation should have pushed it into a state question that would have made it a statutory

Bills: HB4440, HJR1067, HJR1087, HJR1089

Keywords: Medicaid, low-income adults, healthcare, eligibility restrictions, constitutional amendment, Medicaid expansion, SoonerCare, health coverage, federal matching funds, FMAP, Article XXV-A, state question, special election, Title 63, public assistance, healthcare funding, federal-state match, Medicaid eligibility, Oklahoma Constitution, ad valorem

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutory fences to protect property rights are what's needed.
• That's the statutory test. That's the ultimate test for the districts when they make this decision.
• Prior to the existence of any statutory... ...by the legislature.
• That’s something to consider from a statutory perspective.
• The driller himself has a statutory duty to do that, too.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• They—an agency cannot write rules that it does not have specific statutory authority for or general statutory
• we follow the same statutory we follow the same statutory interpretation<00:34:21.520> criteria
• We cannot take any statutory scheme.
• <05:14:54.320> section this particular statutory section this particular statutory section
• of Labor has specific statutory of Labor has specific statutory authority.<05:15:35.760> It's

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just because council told you that it was okay to restrict guns in the local park, if there's not statutory
• local park if restrict guns in the local park if there's<00:09:42.480> not<00:09:42.720> statutory
• <00:09:43.360> authority<00:09:43.839> that's there's not statutory authority that's
• there's not statutory authority that's no<00:09:44.320> defense.
• We're just saying they need statutory authority to do it.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The continued conference on House Bill 609 focused on reconciling House and Senate drafts dealing with firearms and other personal defense tools, local government preemption, and agency rulemaking. Representative Leyon walked through amendment 21107H, explaining that it narrows undefined terms, clarifies that the General Court has supremacy over local regulation, allows damages actions for violations of preemption law, and adds language limiting agency rules unless specifically authorized by statute. She also described a three-year sunset and a delayed effective date for new rules so existing rules could continue temporarily while the legislature considers any needed statutory carveouts. Members then debated the practical effect of the language, especially whether it would bar agencies from adopting internal employment rules or instead require those rules to come through JCAR and be tied to express statutory authority. Several examples were discussed, including state plow drivers, corrections employees, and other workers who may need to carry personal defense tools in the field. The committee also discussed a provision making a plaintiff a prevailing party if a municipality changes a challenged policy after suit is filed, and a clause stating that good faith or advice of counsel is not a defense, though it may be considered in mitigation. The discussion narrowed to the difference between the House approach, which some members read as an absolute prohibition on agency rules in these areas, and the Senate approach, which some members said would allow rules only when an agency can point to express enabling authority and JCAR can review them. Members agreed that the goal was to prevent agencies from adopting rules that conflict with the statute while still allowing legitimate safety-related regulations where the legislature has authorized them. The conference took a recess and later resumed with the chair stating the parties had reached an agreement in principle based on the latest Senate language, and Representative Leyon was asked to continue reviewing the draft line by line for remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so those statutory or regulatory changes may provide that opportunity.
• Some of the recommendations such as changes to eligibility standards would require statutory and or
• And so those statutory are where the public will want to weigh in in a more targeted way, and so those
• statutory or regulatory changes may provide that opportunity.
• So I am asking the administration for a detailed timeline and the process to implement the statutory

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on developmental services, rehabilitation, and related supports, with no votes taken. The first major topic was the Master Plan for Developmental Services. Administration officials described a year-long, community-driven process that included a steering committee, work groups, and statewide engagement sessions, and said the final draft would be released that Friday with about 170 recommendations. The Department of Developmental Services said the plan would inform future work, but did not offer a detailed implementation roadmap. The LAO said the plan contains significant policy and budget implications, may require statutory changes, and needs further analysis to turn recommendations into actionable proposals. Advocates and regional center representatives urged the Legislature and administration to avoid letting the plan sit on a shelf, called for prioritization and ongoing stakeholder oversight, and emphasized the need to address equity, workforce, service coordination, and cross-system collaboration. The chair said he wanted to work with the LAO on trailer bill language and future reporting to create a clearer path forward. The second topic was the Office of Employment First and competitive integrated employment. Administration witnesses said California has ended subminimum wage under SB 639, but that moving people into competitive integrated employment remains a major priority. They described existing efforts such as DDS’s coordinated career pathways pilot, paid internships, job development services, benefits counseling, and DOR’s career counseling and referral services, along with pilot projects in San Diego and Orange County. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities and advocates argued that employment outcomes have remained stuck at roughly 15% and that a dedicated Employment First Office is needed to coordinate across agencies, align goals, and improve outcomes. The LAO recommended regular legislative oversight on people transitioning out of subminimum wage and asked for technical assistance on coordinated career pathways. The chair criticized the administration’s decision to effectively eliminate funding for the office, requested a detailed implementation timeline and quarterly transition reports, and said the committee would continue pressing for the office to be implemented. The final issue was respite services, utilization trends, and access. DDS reported that in-home respite use and spending have risen sharply over several years, with about 150,000 people using respite in 2023-24 and expenditures reaching about $1 billion. Officials said access depends on families knowing the service exists, service coordinators identifying need, and having enough providers, especially in rural and linguistically diverse communities. The San Diego Regional Center said utilization generally mirrors statewide trends, but access is stronger in some areas, such as Imperial County, where families often prefer family-directed or agency-supported models that allow them to hire trusted workers. Committee members emphasized the importance of respite for family health and caregiver well-being, asked whether service coordinators are asking practical questions about sleep and stress, and discussed the need for better identification of complex behavioral and medical needs. DDS said a standardized family support tool and updated IPP process are intended to improve consistency, transparency, and person-centered assessment for respite and related services.

Transcript Highlights:

• ex<00:31:12.000> the<00:31:13.000> perhaps<00:31:13.360> a<00:31:13.559> statutory
• <00:31:14.120> change<00:31:14.480> could ex the perhaps a statutory change could ex
• the perhaps a statutory change could just<00:31:14.840> be<00:31:15.000> a<00:31:15.080
• I don't know the statutory construction.
• function I I don't know the statutory function I I don't know the statutory construction<01:00:35.000

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard House Bill 2712, which would remove the exam requirement for licensure as a Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA). Members expressed concern that the exam requirement was only added in 2021 and has not been in place long enough to evaluate, but they also questioned whether licensure should be granted without a meaningful measure of competency. Testimony was split: supporters argued the exam is a barrier for applicants without formal social work education, while opponents said licensure should still require some standard of competency, especially because the title carries public expectations and insurance reimbursement implications. Karina Bonia, speaking for NASW New Hampshire, said there is very limited data because only one person in New Hampshire currently holds an LSWA. She explained that LSWA applicants may have degrees outside social work, unlike licensed social workers, and that the current exam is the same national social work exam used for higher levels of licensure. She argued that this creates a significant barrier for LSWA applicants and noted that LSWA holders are already required to complete 30 hours of training and substantial supervised hours. Members asked for data on pass/fail rates and whether a different exam or practical skills test would be more appropriate. Committee members and OPLC representatives discussed whether the current statute and board rules already provide enough authority for the board to set other criteria, and whether the exam requirement is tied to the social work compact. OPLC indicated that the current rule requires passage of a national proctored exam approved by the board, but that no national exam exists specifically for this level, and that the board may need legislative authority to develop different criteria. The discussion ended with interest in obtaining the existing rule language and possibly revisiting the issue through amendment or future legislation rather than immediately removing the exam requirement.

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not prohibit supplemental use or other applicable statutory laws from being enforced.
• This does not prohibit supplemental use or other applicable statutory laws from being enforced.
• This does not prohibit supplemental use or other applicable statutory laws from being enforced.
• This does not prohibit supplemental use or other applicable statutory laws from being enforced.
• So when I say section now, I'm talking about the statutory section.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that this changes the purely statutory case of State v.
• I think that this changes the purely statutory case of State v.
• I think that this changes the purely statutory case of State v.
• I think that this changes the purely statutory case of State v.
• <00:31:26.399> time<00:31:26.679> frame statutory time frame statutory time frame another

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While specific areas of statutory confusion or statutory constraints can seem small in nature, when added
• <00:39:47.920> confusion<00:39:48.880> or<00:39:49.280> statutory of statutory
• confusion or statutory of statutory confusion or statutory constraints<00:39:50.560> can<00:39
• These changes have resulted in somewhat confusing statutory language regarding this fund's coverage of
• These changes have resulted in somewhat confusing statutory language regarding this fund's coverage of

Bills: HF3738, HF2295, HF3520, HF3666

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Normally a claimant must file a written notice of claim within two years and comply with strict statutory
• <00:04:01.840> exceptions<00:04:02.400> to to the list of statutory exceptions to to
• the list of statutory exceptions to government<00:04:03.040> immunity.
• comply with strict statutory comply with strict statutory requirements<00:04:22.160> be<00
• This ensures statutory consistency and removes ambiguity.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse