Transcript Highlights:

• </c> past in in our Senate Judiciary past in in our Senate Judiciary Committee<00:10:55.519><c> that<
• Question is, shall the bill be amended as recommended by the Committee on Judiciary?
• Are you ready Committee on Judiciary?
• And you have amended the bill as recommended by the Committee on Judiciary.
• The question [clears throat] judiciary.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. For the record, item 35, AB 2690.
• The Assembly Judiciary analysis is correct that the opposition's doom-and-gloom arguments are overstated
• So we are reconvening here in Room 444, Assembly Judiciary Committee meeting of Tuesday, April 7th.
• Good afternoon, Chair Kalra and members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
• escalating threats and vulnerabilities, AB 2235 is a necessary and measured step to protect the judiciary

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Yelana Baker, staff to the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• Before you today is Substitute House Bill 1592 as recommended by the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee
• Adams, staff with the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• Adams, staff with Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• Again, Yelena Baker, staff to the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.

Bills: HB2104 , HB1903 , HB1909 , HB1982 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2210 , HB2215 , HB2271 , HB2345 , HB2355 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2397 , HB2418 , HB2429 , HB2442 , HB2479 , HB2481 , HB2681 , HB2688 , HB2714

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, energy assistance, low-income, utility costs, state program, energy affordability, court unification, task force, Washington courts, judicial administration, court reform, access to justice, local court rules, uniformity, centralization, rural courts

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Yelana Baker, staff to the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• Before you today is Substitute House Bill 1592 as recommended by the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee
• Adams, staff with the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• Adams, staff with Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
• Again, Yelena Baker, staff to the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.

Summary: The committee began with a public hearing on Substitute House Bill 1592, which would change how state public defense funds are distributed and, in the substitute version, keep current law on state funding responsibility while revising the allocation formula. Staff explained the bill would shift county and city distributions to a pro rata, caseload-based model, allow very low-density counties to request OPD to provide some or all public defense services, require additional data collection and reporting, and direct OPD to study caseload reductions and retention. Representative Peterson said the bill is meant to create a better structure for future state support of indigent defense without the very large cost of the original proposal. Testimony from counties, cities, OPD, defenders, and local officials was strongly supportive, emphasizing a statewide public defense crisis, rising local costs, staffing shortages, and the need for a fairer funding model. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 1742 on environmentally sustainable urban design and Substitute House Bill 1906 on water system regulation and water rates. HB 1742 would create a center in Ecology to promote sustainable urban design, fund design competitions and grants, and establish an advisory council; the sponsor said the bill reflects a desire to support a pilot project through alternative funding, and there was no public testimony. HB 1906 would require more planning and notice for Group A water systems, add customer notice and right-of-first-refusal provisions for some ownership changes, and direct the UTC to consider external funding sources, capital planning, and rate smoothing when setting water rates. Water utility and PUD witnesses supported the goal of improving transparency and consolidation of failing small systems, while noting the substitute reduced some fiscal concerns. The committee also heard HB 2248 on Secretary of State corporate and charity filings, HB 2438 creating the SEED scholarship for early childhood education students, and HB 2515 addressing emerging large energy use facilities such as data centers. HB 2248 would redirect part of annual filing fees to the Secretary of State revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofits and LLPs, and change trademark certificate procedures; the fiscal note showed modest revenue losses, and the division supported restoring the fee split for operational funding. HB 2438 would transfer $10 million annually from the GET account to fund scholarships and wraparound services for early childhood education degree seekers, with testimony from early learning advocates and a student describing workforce shortages and personal financial barriers. HB 2515 drew extensive testimony both for and against: supporters said it would protect ratepayers, water resources, and grid reliability by requiring tariffs, reporting, clean-energy requirements, and a fee on large energy users; opponents argued it singled out data centers, could hurt investment and jobs, and included unrelated labor and procurement provisions. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive-session briefing on several bills and amendments, including HB 1903 on statewide low-income energy assistance, HB 1909 on a court unification task force, HB 1982 on vacating certain convictions tied to treaty Indian rights, HB 2034 on LEOFF Plan 1 retirement changes, HB 2105 on employer notice of federal I-9 audits, HB 2210 on ranked-choice voting, HB 2215 on Climate Commitment Act fuel supplier obligations, and HB 2271 on post-consumer recycled content requirements. Staff summarized proposed substitutes and amendments, with several changes aimed at reducing or shifting fiscal impacts, narrowing agency duties, or striking provisions entirely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, ladies and gentlemen, this is the first meeting of the Judiciary in the new session.
• sexual abuse and shall not apply to other aspects of an agreement, including but not limited to compensation
• So, we're going to wear you out this session. >> It's also Representative Robertson's first Judiciary
• </c><00:26:50.480><c> We</c><00:26:50.720><c> cannot</c> Robertson's first judiciary.
• We cannot Robertson's first judiciary.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1237, election procedures manual consultation, Judiciary and Elections.
• SB 1239, sex offender statute of limitations, Judiciary and Elections.
• SB 1243, court order treatment guardians notice release, Judiciary and Elections.
• SB 1244, court order treatment continuation, Judiciary and Elections.
• SB 1259, campaigns protective residential addresses, Judiciary and Elections.

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer by Rabbi Mendel Soup of Lake Havasu and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator Carroll, then completed an electronic roll call and approved the journal for January 20, 2026. The chamber recognized several guest groups and visitors, including CRNA Capital Day participants, rural electric cooperative representatives, AEA Retired members, March of Dimes advocates, students and school officials, and other invited guests. Senators used points of personal privilege to highlight the work of these groups and to introduce visitors in the gallery. The body then read a long list of bills on second reading, covering a wide range of topics including child welfare, public school safety, health insurance, water policy, taxation, housing, elections, public safety, transportation, and abortion-related measures. The Senate also received first-reading introductions and committee referrals for additional bills on subjects such as motor vehicle booting fees, traumatic event counseling, election procedures, assisted living, short-term rentals, and various appropriations and policy changes. No substantive debate or votes on the bills were recorded in the transcript. After committee reports were noted and the Senate briefly recessed for bill assignments, the chamber returned to order and continued with first reading and reference of more bills and resolutions. At the end of the session, the Majority Whip moved to adjourn, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we are coming on Judiciary, Rules and Administration report that we have read and approved the
• House Bills 683, 765, 766, 919, 920, 921, 922, 925, 933, 923, and 924 are referred to the Judiciary,
• And 924, we refer to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for enrolling.
• Speaker, we are the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration... March 25, 2026: Mr.
• House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee will meet at the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 86, do pass, thence referred to the Judiciary Committee.
• House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 32.
• House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 32.
• House Judiciary Committee substitute for House Bill 33.
• And we don't do that in Senate Judiciary.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, opened with an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements recognizing West Side Day, School Board Appreciation Day, Sierra Club Climate Solutions Day, Gallup-McKinley County Day, and New Mexico Athlete Trainer Day. Members also agreed to allow cameras on the floor and a relaxed dress code for guests. Numerous student and community groups were introduced, including West Side Day students, ABC Prep basketball students, Bernalillo High School AP students, MANA del Norte Hermanitas, honorary lieutenant governors, Taos Municipal Schools leaders, Classical Conversations homeschool students, Bloomfield school board members, and others. A major portion of the session was devoted to honoring Bueno Foods with a Senate certificate recognizing February 5, 2026, as Bueno Foods Day in the Senate and celebrating the company’s 75th anniversary. Senators praised the Baca family’s multigenerational business, its role in New Mexico’s chile industry, its jobs and community support, and its national reach. Several members spoke in support, sharing personal stories about Bueno products and the company’s help during COVID and over decades of family and community life. The Senate also adopted a condolence certificate for Kayla Reagan Van Landingham, a 19-year-old bicyclist killed in Albuquerque, with remarks emphasizing her life, advocacy, and the need for stronger pedestrian and bicycle safety. Her mother and family were recognized, and members observed a moment of silence. Senators spoke about the importance of traffic safety reforms and the local ordinance changes already pursued in her memory. On legislation, the chamber received House and governor messages and adopted several committee reports. The main floor debate was on Senate Bill 38, concerning the spay and neuter program funding stream. Senator Block offered a floor substitute to restore a sunset clause for review and transparency; supporters argued the program should be periodically evaluated and that the funding functions like a tax rather than a fee. Opponents argued the program is important and should continue without a sunset. The floor substitute failed by roll call, 15 in favor and 22 against, and the Senate returned to the underlying bill for further debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everyone, to the Judiciary Committee hearing this Wednesday morning.
• First on HB 400 is Brandon Kimura for the Judiciary.
• And next up is Judge Kim for also the Judiciary. Good morning.
• </c> current grantee under the judiciary current grantee under the judiciary civil<00:19:48.720><c> legal
• This appropriates much of the judiciary.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Concurrent Resolution 28 will be referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee
• Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee for enrolling. February 27, 2026, Mr.
• Speaker, we are the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have transmitted
• Speaker, we are the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration.
• House Bill 1293 was referred to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration...
• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration... February 23, 2026, Mr.
• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we printed House Bills
• House Bill 603 by the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee relating to the Capitol Mall.
• House Bill 698 by the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee relating to voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have read and approved
• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have enrolled House
• House Bill 727 will be delivered to the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Commission.
• House Resolution 32 referred to the Judiciary and Rules Administration Committee for printing.
• House Bill 943 was referred to the Judiciary and Rules Administration Committee for printing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, everyone, to the Judiciary Committee decision-making only agenda.
• Uh, recommendation here is to pass with an amendment suggested by the Judiciary.
• Uh, recommendation here is to pass with an amendment suggested by the Judiciary.
• Uh, recommendation here is to pass with an amendment suggested by the Judiciary.
• Uh, recommendation here is to pass with an amendment suggested by the Judiciary.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held a decision-making-only agenda and voted on a series of bills, mostly following the chair’s recommendations. Measures passed unamended included SB 1202 on allowing campaign funds for child care and dependent care costs, SB 30 requiring all moped drivers to wear helmets, SB 55 requiring state administrative rules to be posted in a digitally accessible and searchable format, SB 106 on pedestrian conduct more than 200 feet from a crosswalk, SB 344 requiring helmets for skateboard users under 16, SB 849 increasing penalties for harming native species, SB 1337 clarifying Stadium Authority quorum rules, and SB 268 reducing the size of island burial councils and removing certain membership requirements. SB 1511, which prohibits vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Honay Bay, was also adopted, though the transcript includes some inconsistent wording about whether it was amended. Several bills were approved with amendments. SB 1048 on solicitation of funds from the public was amended to remove a ministerial exception and to require certain charitable organizations and fundraising platforms to file written contracts with the Department before commencing solicitations. SB 109 was amended so that, in specified circumstances, the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi version of a law would be binding when the law was originally drafted in English, translated into Hawaiian, and later amended. SB 66 on county building permits was amended to add a bad date, April 23, 2057. SB 1312, deferred to the 10 o’clock agenda, clarified that “profits from prostitution” includes money or property received from prostitution proceeds even if characterized as reimbursement or debt repayment; it was also passed with amendments. The committee also adopted a recommendation to pass SB 55 and other measures with the noted excused absences of Senator Gabbard and, at times, other members. Throughout the meeting, no major opposition was recorded beyond one member voting no or with reservations on some bills, and the chair repeatedly announced that the recommendations had been adopted. The meeting concluded after the 10 o’clock agenda, with notice that the committee would meet upstairs for later agendas with WHAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or the Judiciary Committee? or the Judiciary Committee?
• </c> touch either Commerce or Judiciary touch either Commerce or Judiciary statutes. statutes. statutes
• </c><00:40:27.360><c> Committee</c> the co-chair of the Judiciary Committee the co-chair of the Judiciary
• , so then why did you talk to Judiciary, so then why did you talk to the<00:41:26.080><c> Judiciary</
• c><00:41:26.800><c> co-chair</c> the Judiciary co-chair the Judiciary co-chair about<00:41:29.280><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Alright, welcome everyone to the Judiciary Committee hearing this Tuesday morning, March 24, at 9:45
• This is the judiciary budget for the fiscal year beginning; it's a supplemental budget.
• The Judiciary stands on its written testimony with comments.
• Okay, that's the... - Judiciary lady. - So let's see, what was my question?
• The security services funding requested by the Judiciary... Oh, I'm sorry.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several nominations and bills. It first recommended advise and consent for Governor’s Message 573, confirming Luann Blake to the Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee after she described her experience as a blind voter and her goals of improving outreach and accessibility for voters with print disabilities. The committee then took up the judiciary supplemental budget bill, HB 2095, with testimony from the courts and several supportive organizations. The courts requested funding for security, cybersecurity, substance use treatment contracts, public guardian services, staffing, and capital projects; members questioned the lump-sum CIP request, the substance use contract funding, and the Kamanu Hale elevator project. The committee later voted to pass HB 2095 with amendments, including changes to cybersecurity funding, security-related report language, and other committee-report notes. The committee also heard HB 1520, which changes the five-year statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions of campaign finance violations to begin upon discovery by the Campaign Spending Commission. The commission supported the bill, saying it would prevent delayed reporting from avoiding prosecution, while one senator raised concerns about due diligence, tolling, and the difference between administrative and criminal enforcement. The bill drew broad support from advocacy groups and was advanced with an amendment clarifying “criminal prosecution.” HB 1548, which reduces the maximum sentence for misdemeanors and other offenses punishable by up to one year to 364 days, received strong support from the Public Defender, immigrant-rights groups, OHA, and others, who said the change would reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. The committee later amended and passed the bill, limiting it to non-violent offenses. HB 2050, increasing partial public financing limits and available public funds, was supported by the Campaign Spending Commission and good-government groups, while OHA asked for parity with lieutenant governor races. The committee passed it with amendments increasing the public-fund match and funding levels, and requested additional appropriations in the committee report. HB 2494, which would set factors for warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations and require documentation of the justification, drew strong support from the Public Defender and civil-liberties advocates but opposition from the Attorney General’s office, prosecutors, police, and some business groups, who warned it would restrict officer discretion and trigger litigation. The committee nevertheless passed it with amendments. In a final decision-making agenda, the committee also passed HB 2250 with amendments, adding blank appropriations and committee-report language related to claims against the state, including claims involving exonerees and a disputed USEPA-related claim.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now you've heard the reading of the resolution, and it is referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
• </c><00:38:15.146><c> [clears throat]</c><00:38:15.440><c> I've</c> for our judiciary.
• [clears throat] I've for our judiciary.
• </c> judiciary. Senator from Chitten. judiciary. Senator from Chitten.
• </c><00:44:48.079><c> Committee</c> Senate Judiciary Committee Senate Judiciary Committee took<00:44:

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Judiciary.
• >> Judiciary.
• >> Judiciary.
• >> Judiciary.
• Her bill went to judiciary &gt;&gt; Judiciary.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, just six days after this bill was first heard in the Judiciary Committee, this former school
• </c> was first heard in the judiciary was first heard in the judiciary committee,<00:04:44.160><c> this
• This will be laid over here, but it will be included, I believe, in the Judiciary omnibus.
• </c> get to finance through the judiciary get to finance through the judiciary omnivist<00:29:59.200>
• </c> will likely be carried in the judiciary will likely be carried in the judiciary omnibus<00:30:16.480

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, we, your Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have read and approved
• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have transmitted and
• Speaker, we, the Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration, report that we have printed House
• The Committee on Judiciary, Rules and Administration reports that it has had under consideration House
• In the Senate, Senate Bill No. 1239, by the Judiciary and Rules Committee, is an act relating to sex

Transcript Highlights:

• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports at the Senate Journal.
• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that Senate Bill 1362 has been correctly printed.
• House Bill 695 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• In the Senate, Senate Bill 1742 by the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• Senate Resolution 119 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing.