Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, the new statute takes us back to July 1, 1995. Right. Correct.
• Yeah, the new statute takes us back to July 1, 1995. Right. Correct.
• So this only addresses an underfunding as of July 1st, 2035. closed regardless. Well, nope.
• ,</c> as of July 1st, 2035.
• By July 1st, 2035, as of July 1st, 2035.

Summary: The committee of conference first discussed House Bill 557, which concerns information on the school budget ballot. The main issue was how to define and calculate the “average cost per pupil.” House members favored a simple calculation dividing the operating budget by enrollment, arguing that it is clearer to the public and matches how taxpayers think about school costs. Senate members preferred the existing RSA-based definition for consistency across statutes and noted that the current definition was about to take effect. Members also debated whether the ballot language should specify the figure as being for the “preceding year,” and some House members ultimately agreed to that clarification while one member did not. After discussion, the Senate declined to move off its position on the calculation method, but agreed to a compromise amendment adding “for the preceding year” to the Senate language so it would align with the rest of the ballot information. The committee then agreed to draft the report with that amendment. The committee then turned to House Bill 71, dealing with restrictions on using public school and higher education facilities to shelter certain migrants, along with a Senate-added provision requiring DHHS contracts to comply with the patient bill of rights. Members generally said they supported the base policy of the bill, but Representative Noble raised a drafting concern about a repeal section that appeared to undo the new contract requirement; the group discussed removing that repeal language and adjusting effective dates. The committee also reviewed Senate-added language creating a donation fund for a proposed accessible pier at Hampton Beach. Supporters said the project would be privately funded through donations, with the state park division managing the fund and any remaining balance eventually transferring to an existing state park donations account if the pier is not built. Members questioned maintenance costs, fundraising responsibility, and whether the account was necessary, but the Senate explained the fund was intended to provide a mechanism for private fundraising and future maintenance support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because if July 4 targets are not met and taught me anything, it taught us that for too long we collectively
• Like it or not, the status quo changed on July the 4th.
• Um, that terrible night on July 4th and July 3rd, I was up all night watching flood water gauges.
• So, Friday, July 4th was the flood.
• Constitution, July zone 30. HB20, the clerk will read the bill.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> large amounts of class 4 C12 property. large amounts of class 4 C12 property. and<00:55:02.240><
• And subdivision July 20th of each year.
• And subdivision 4<01:00:07.359><c> annually</c><01:00:07.839><c> appropriates</c> 4 annually appropriates
• </c> July 1, 2025. July 1, 2025.
• Um and uh it also requires a July 1.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; So, it's 4 Z on consent. Solivan, do you &gt;&gt; So, it's 4 Z on consent.
• Takes effect July 27. Do you want to change the line four beginning in July 26?
• Well, I think it's easier just to do the beginning in June, July 26, July 4th.
• Beginning in July 2027. 2027... years beginning in June, July 2027.
• </c> years beginning in June July 2027. years beginning in June July 2027. &gt;&gt; Yes.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Girls such, state, a bill 4-55-5-5-hage by Hallstrom 1-Q1-41, Sorrentina-3-3-9-0-4-9-4-4-5-1-4-1-4-4-
• Goat for North Carolina, government, Section 23-4-4-401, 23-10, 23-10, 27-0-8, and 83-10-12-20-20-20-
• 8-1-4-8-1-4-8-1-8-1-8-208-0-8-0-8-0-8-0-4-8-4-8-4-4-4-8-8-2-8-2-8-8-8-8-1-26, 42-8-8-1-2-8-8-8-1-8-8-
• 4-4-164-4-16-2040-60-2-60-60-2-60-0-60-6-2-190-60, 63-03-0-60, 63-03-6-0-6-8, by statute supplement,
• Section 3, original section 49-14, 4, 4602, and 49-14-4, which by statutes of Nebraska repeal.

Bills: LB764 , LB815A , LB839 , LB888 , LB955 , LB972A , LB1029 , LB1087 , LB1091 , LB1126A , LB1181A , LB1237A , LB1261A , LB304A , LB762 , LB889 , LB929 , LB966 , LB1022 , LB1187 , LR508

Transcript Highlights:

• installers who work within the metro communities to January 1st of next year rather than the current July
• ><00:01:35.920><c> than</c><00:01:36.079><c> the</c><00:01:36.400><c> current</c><00:01:36.799><c> July
• </c><00:01:37.280><c> 4</c><00:01:37.840><c> July</c> year rather than the current July 4 July year rather
• than the current July 4 July 1st<00:01:38.880><c> deadline</c><00:01:39.680><c> for</c><00:01:40.000

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• 1 of this coming implementation July 1 of this coming year. year. year.
• </c> subsection 4. subsection 4.
• And by new, I mean those teachers who retired after July 1, 2010.
• They were already paying 3/4%. trust. They were already paying 3/4%.
• </c> teachers who retired honor after July teachers who retired honor after July 1st<00:33:13.519><c>

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and heard updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. The deferred compensation update highlighted continued growth in assets to about $4.787 billion and roughly 88,000 participants, strong retention from auto-enrollment, a marketing campaign tied to pay raises that generated additional participation, and a new self-directed brokerage account expected to launch July 1 of the coming year for participants with at least a $40,000 balance, allowing up to 25% of their account to be moved into the brokerage window. The director also described the free financial planning service, which has been used by about 3,500 participants with a high return rate, and said the plan is currently in a fee holiday; if fees are charged, they are capped at $237 per year for most participants. Members asked questions about who provides the CFP service, the fee structure, and the brokerage eligibility threshold. The director said the CFP service is provided through the authority’s service bundle with Nationwide, not as a separate paid service, and explained that the fee cap and current fee holiday are intended to keep the program low-cost. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s performance and asked for a copy of the legislation referenced in the presentation. TRS then presented on retired teachers’ health insurance. Barnes first clarified how declining federal contributions for federally funded school positions affect the retirement annuity trust, explaining that if those federal dollars fall, the amounts would need to be covered through the SEEK formula and that the projection for those contributions is about $80 million over the next three years. He then reviewed TRS retiree health coverage, distinguishing between KEHP for retirees under 65 or not Medicare-eligible and MEHP for Medicare-eligible retirees, and explained that TRS recently completed RFPs for both prescription drug and medical coverage. TRS will keep Express Scripts for prescription drugs, but will move the Medicare Advantage medical plan from UnitedHealthcare to Humana on January 1, 2026, while keeping the plan design, provider access, and out-of-pocket structure largely unchanged, with a new hearing-aid benefit of $500 per ear. Barnes also reported the 2026 premium and contribution changes: the maximum TRS contribution toward KEHP will rise to $1,144.96 from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said will require roughly $15 million to $16 million more in the state budget, while the MEHP premium will drop to $200 per month from $210. He said the TRS board has statutory authority to set these amounts and that the changes will have mixed actuarial effects, with the KEHP increase being negative overall and the MEHP decrease positive.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know if my name is Julie Brockman. Can you hear me? Okay, Julie, go ahead.
• Okay, Julie, go ahead. hear me? Okay, Julie, go ahead.
• Next, we have Julie. Julie, are you there? Can you hear me now? Yes. Okay.
• Thank you, Julie. Thank you very Okay. Thank you, Julie.
• Iwamoto is um a WR for uh uh uh STR<01:22:28.400><c> 4</c> STR 4 STR 4 [Music] [Music] [Music] um<01:

Committee: House Water & Land

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several shoreline easement resolutions and a water-supply study resolution. For the easement measures, the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported each item, and testimony also came from affected landowners and community members. Members asked about why some easements were granted gratis to public agencies, with DLNR explaining that those cases involved public infrastructure such as stormwater management and did not require bonds or rent. For private properties, DLNR described the standard process of monthly rent during the legislative approval gap, followed by a one-time appraised payment for a 25-year easement once the appraisal is completed. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on shoreline erosion and whether hardened shoreline structures or seawalls were contributing to beach loss. On one measure, DLNR explained that a large sandbag shoreline structure was tied to a nearby boat harbor that had altered sand movement over time, causing flanking erosion on adjacent unarmored property. On another, DLNR said a wall built under a valid 1960s permit was originally a boundary or landscaping wall, but now functions as a seawall as the shoreline has migrated landward. Members raised concerns about fairness, public beach access, and whether adjacent owners should share costs, and DLNR responded that shoreline matters are handled parcel by parcel under existing statute. The committee also heard support for a resolution creating a task force or study on desalination. DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management supported the intent but asked for more time to complete a comprehensive report, noting the work would require substantial staffing and coordination. The Board of Water Supply and CARES also testified in support, with CARES emphasizing future water-supply needs, cultural and historic preservation concerns, and the importance of coordinating with other agencies. DLNR said it would rely on existing studies and work with county agencies and the Department of Health. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Julie, please call the roll. Chair Brodeur. Here. Vice Chair Berman. Here. Senator Arrington.
• Julie, please call the roll on CS for Senate Bill 1388.
• Julie, please call the roll on C.S. for Senate Bill 830. Senator Arrington: Yes.
• Julie, please call the roll on CS for Senate Bill 26.
• Julie, please call the roll on C.S. for Senate Bill 98. Senator Arrington: Yes.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with SB 978, which directs DEP to report on large sewage disposal facilities, rank them for wastewater treatment upgrades, and provide progress reports; it was reported favorably without public opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and favorably reported SB 1388, which restricts vessel safety inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, addresses spring protection zones, and bars FWC fishing licenses for commercial vessels owned by alien powers. Members raised some questions about spring protections and boating access, and one public witness urged further review of the spring-zone language. The committee then favorably reported SB 880, designating the American flamingo as state bird and the Florida scrub jay as state songbird, after testimony supporting both birds as symbols of Florida’s identity and conservation values. Several other measures were heard and passed. SB 830, dealing with lost or abandoned migrant vessels and aligning with House language, was amended and reported favorably. SB 1326, which requires local plans to maintain hurricane evacuation clearance times and allocates building permits in Monroe County and nearby municipalities, was amended to spread allocations over at least 10 years and then passed. SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility to correctional officers and correctional probation officers and exempting certain public safety personnel from the waiting period for rifles and shotguns, was reported favorably after support from the Florida PBA. SB 26, an uncontested claim bill for injuries from a 2022 crash, also passed, with one member suggesting future consideration of health insurance coverage for victims in similar cases. The committee additionally approved SB 98 on securities regulation and fingerprinting requirements, SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety, SB 196 on labeling food and cosmetics that contain vaccine materials or certain chemicals, SB 1300 restricting oil and gas drilling structures in sensitive areas, SB 1612 on financial institution assessment and stock offering timelines, and SB 492 on mitigation banking and wetland conservation easements. SB 1212 drew strong support from firefighters, while SB 492 drew both support and opposition from environmental and development interests, with concerns raised about wetland function, credit release timing, and conservation easement releases. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of 12 appointees to water management district governing boards and adjourned after members recorded individual votes on selected bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> as a director level increase on July as a director level increase on July 31st<00:26:22.320><c>
• And that is I July 24th of this year.
• </c><00:43:59.599><c> The</c> Richmond Industrial Park South 4.
• The Richmond Industrial Park South 4.
• /c><00:48:22.960><c> million</c> Muenberg County 4 million Muenberg County 4 million &gt;&gt; regional

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, approval of the July minutes, and several informational reports. Those reports included a University of Kentucky restricted-fund medical equipment purchase for Chandler Hospital, debt issues for five school districts, Eastern Kentucky University’s planned model laboratory school using construction management risk delivery, a Division of Real Properties lease advertisement, Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly project reports, and EKU asset preservation revisions. Members then heard and approved a new UK St. Clair Urgent Care Clinic lease in Morehead and an amendment expanding space for the UK Family and Community Medicine Clinic at Turflin Clinic. Testimony explained that both properties are privately owned, the Morehead lease predated the UK/St. Clair arrangement, and the Turflin Clinic is tight on space. The committee also approved three new projects and an appropriation increase: two Department of Military Affairs projects, a Window Ford Training Center underground electric project and a Williamsburg Readiness Center interior repair project, a Fish and Wildlife property acquisition adjoining Veterans Memorial Wildlife Management Area, and an $8.113 million increase for the Department of Revenue integrated tax system (DORIS). The DORIS increase was described as needed for change orders tied to legislation and to complete the unified tax system. The committee next reviewed no-action items, including a $3 million emergency flood-damage repair project for the Bush Building and Vest-Lindsay House in Frankfort, and three pool projects over $1 million: a Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women window replacement phase 2 project, a Department of Criminal Justice Training interior refurbishment at Thompson Hall, and the Muddy Gut Branch stream mitigation project in Johnson County. The flood project was confirmed to be fully reimbursed by insurance proceeds. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented six loans and nine grants. Action items included water and sewer financing for Cumberland County, Lebanon, Northern Kentucky Water District, Lewisport, and Providence, plus a major Taylor Mill treatment plant project and several cleaner water grants and reallocations. Members asked about loan rates, local rate increases needed to repay debt, and the Providence emergency water interconnect; staff explained that Lewisport had begun a rate increase process, and that the Providence project would connect Webster County Water District and the city of Providence to stabilize pressure after a systemwide failure. All action items were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• My birthday is July 1st.
• On July 5th, I made Doug drive me out to camp.
• Around 4:10, 4:15 is when we left the house, roughly.
• It was 4:23 that the emergency warning went out.
• Did the weekend of July 4th and 5th?

Transcript Highlights:

• Now it's $4 and $5 in some places. That's $3.65 different.
• Now it's $4 and $5 some places. That's $365 different.
• And now a loaf of bread starts $2, $3, or $4 now. A dozen of eggs with $25.
• The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since July of 2009.
• My name is Julie Schwamm Harris. I came in at the last minute.

Summary: The Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs met on May 21, 2012, with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 230 by Senator Barrow, a proposed constitutional amendment to let voters decide whether Louisiana should establish a state livable/minimum wage starting at $10.25 per hour in 2027, with future increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. Senator Barrow and several supporters framed the bill as a response to stagnant wages, rising housing and living costs, poverty, and related social problems, including crime, family instability, and child care barriers. A technical amendment was adopted to correct the bill’s language after questions were raised about whether it improperly required all employers to pay the stated wage rather than setting a minimum wage floor. Public testimony was largely in favor. Supporters included Mother Pearl Porter, who described decades of wage stagnation compared with sharply rising costs of rent, food, and gas; Angela Adkins of 10,000 Women Louisiana, who said workers should be able to cover basic expenses and that indexing wages to inflation would prevent future erosion; Jan Moeller of Invest in Louisiana, who argued the bill would help the ALICE population and noted Louisiana’s high poverty and inequality rates; Julie Schwamm Harris, who linked low wages to broader economic and social harms; Tom Costanza of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, who cited Catholic social teaching and the common good; and Tyler Phillips, who spoke about the impact of low wages on students and low-income communities. The Louisiana Restaurant Association opposed the bill, arguing it did not account for tipped workers and would increase costs for restaurants and consumers. After debate, Senator Boudreaux moved to report SB 230 as amended. The motion failed on a roll call vote, 2 yeas and 3 nays, so the bill was not reported from committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, any the date to July 1st 3000. Members, any discussion?
• </c> amendments and defect the date to July amendments and defect the date to July 1st,<01:16:54.960>
• and page 4 line 19.
• </c> just going to defect the date to July just going to defect the date to July 1st<01:17:33.280><c>
• </c> on page 4 line 7 and page 4 line 19. on page 4 line 7 and page 4 line 19.

Bills: HB644 , HB1802 , HB1569 , HB1619 , HB1620 , HB1730 , HB1749

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Three public hearings were scheduled and conducted in Austin, July... 24th, Houston, July 26th, and Arlington
• , July 28th.
• The time is 3:59 p.m. 4:15 p.m.
• Julie Greenewalt on behalf of the Denton County Republican Party and yourself for House Bill 4, is that
• 4, but is not testifying.

Bills: HB4

Committee: House Congressional Redistricting, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• Oranges and lettuce up 3% and 4%.
• Oranges and lettuce up 3% and 4%.
• Oranges and lettuce up 3% and 4%.
• Resolution expressing condolences and support for the victims of the July 4 flooding in Texas, honoring
• on July 4.

Bills: HR878 , HB2659 , HB1608 , HB2261 , SB260 , HB5078 , HB2212 , HR782 , SB2392

Keywords: cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, CISA, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, FBI, interagency task force, Volt Typhoon, People’s Republic of China, PRC, state-sponsored cyber actors, Chinese cyber threats, cyber espionage, critical infrastructure protection, homeland security, national security, information sharing, threat intelligence, digital forensics, sector risk management agencies

Transcript Highlights:

• Katie Switzer from Mason County, also from District 4, and her daughter Ruth, who is my new friend.
• Senator Martin moved to amend the amendment on page 7, Section 4. Senator from Lewis.
• I move the bill be made effective July 1, 2026. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I move the bill to be made effective July 1, 2026.
• Senator from Lewis moves the bill be effective July 1, 2026.

Summary: The West Virginia Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous introductions of honorary pages, guests, chaperones, and visitors, including a large McDowell County Day delegation. The Senate also received a governor’s executive message containing 76 nominations, which were referred to the Committee on Confirmation, and then set those nominations as a special order of business for 4 p.m. later that day. On legislation, the Senate rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 493 on open captioning for motion pictures and requested the House recede, saying the amendments changed the bill’s intent by making captioning mandatory and expanding its scope. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 587 on county officials’ salaries, adopted an amendment restoring county control over future pay increases while keeping a 5% raise, concurred in the House amendments as amended, and passed the bill 34-0 with immediate effectiveness. The Senate also fast-tracked and passed several supplemental appropriations bills, all by 34-0 votes and all made effective from passage: House Bill 527 for health facilities, House Bill 528 for the Department of Agriculture’s spay-neuter assistance fund, House Bill 5307 for the Division of Culture and History, House Bill 5317 for the Division of Natural Resources, and House Bill 5694 for the Department of Education. The Senate received House Bill 5286 on corrections and referred it to Finance. Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 66 designating March 14, 2026, as McDowell County Day at the legislature, with remarks highlighting the county’s history and current economic efforts, and then recessed for 30 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Martin moved to amend the amendment on page 7, Section 4. Senator from Lewis.
• I move the bill be made effective in July 1, 2026. Thank you, Mr. President.
• I move the bill to be made effective July 1, 2026.
• Senator from Lewis moves the bill be effective July 1, 2026.
• I declare the bill effective July 1, 2026. Clerk will communicate the action to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Roers, we're hoping that if we don't have it ready—so our board meets until end of July and end
• If it's not ready by end of July, we're going to move forward at the end of October.
• He's with Larson Elevator and he's been on the board since last July. And so very knowledgeable.
• Proposal 4. That was in definitions to just define electrical to separate it from conveyance.
• On December 4, 2025, legal notices were sent to the North Dakota Newspapers Association.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• July 1, 2025 shall take effect upon approval, provided that Section 2 shall take effect on July 1, 2025
• </c><02:15:13.440><c> effect</c><02:15:14.239><c> upon</c> July 1, 2025 shall take effect upon July 1
• </c> take effect on July 1, 2025. take effect on July 1, 2025.
• It is Wednesday, April 23rd, 4:15 p.m. We're in Room 329.
• We can reconvene tomorrow, April 24th, 4:15 p.m., here in Room 329.

Transcript Highlights:

• We completed two projects so far after we received the appropriation in July, starting July 1, 2025.
• We completed two projects so far after we received the appropriation in July, starting July 1, 2025.
• It gives District 4's total budget $44 million.
• And the last page, page 14, District 4 equipment needs.
• District 4 has 1,300 pieces of equipment.

Summary: The committee first received a detailed New Mexico DOT District 5 presentation from Rhonda Lopez. She reviewed District 5’s budget, staffing vacancies, completed and ongoing special appropriations from 2020 through 2025, active construction projects, maintenance work, STIP and local government funding, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64, the status of the 5% local match for Transportation Project Fund projects, and the New Mexico 371/Navajo Route 36 intersection; DOT said the match agreements were in place or waived where eligible, and that the Navajo Nation funding agreement was nearly finalized. The chair then moved the agenda to bills before finishing the remaining presentations later. House Bill 270, dealing with contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on public works projects, was presented by Rep. Borrego as a follow-up to the 2024 workforce development and apprenticeship trust fund law. The bill would remove an exclusion for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance contracts and require contributions unless a trade classification has no approved apprenticeship program. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training programs. Members raised concerns about notice, added costs, and whether contractors with existing programs would be paying twice. A motion to table failed on a tie vote, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie vote, leaving the bill in committee and available for reconsideration. Ranking Member Brown then presented House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, with a planned distribution beginning in 2029, including a 5% use for federal matching funds. The bill would also dedicate a portion of the gross receipts tax on electricity and redirect part of the motor vehicle excise tax to grow the fund. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association supported the concept, saying it would help sustain DOT and address the state’s road maintenance gap. Members questioned the electricity tax component, its effect on ratepayers and data centers, the interaction with SB 2 and bond financing, and how projects would be prioritized. A motion to pass failed on a tie vote, and the ranking member suggested the bill could be reconsidered with an amendment removing the electricity portion. The committee then heard a District 4 DOT presentation from assistant district engineer Cruz Sudoste, covering the district’s geography, budget, staffing, completed and active projects, STIP and local government programs, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of transportation project funds and the impact of aging equipment on repair costs. The presentation concluded without any vote or other action on the district report.