Transcript Highlights:

• And so what is the Department of the Attorney General doing generally to keep our administrator safe,
• And so what is the Department of the Attorney General doing generally to keep our administrator safe,
• So what is the Department of the Attorney General doing generally to keep our administrator safe, or
• the learning of students for generations the learning of students for generations to<01:38:24.480
• and that's regard to general harassment. and that's regard to general harassment.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Education heard testimony on HB 1895, which would add education-worker protections by expanding harassment-related offenses. The Department of Education, HSTA, HGA, and several school employees and principals testified in support, describing increased harassment and threats toward teachers and staff, especially since COVID, and saying the bill would help deter bad actors. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, saying the language was vague and overbroad, could criminalize ordinary parental advocacy or speech, and might not survive constitutional scrutiny. In response to questions, the public defender said existing statutes already cover threatening or assaultive conduct against educational workers, while DOE representatives said the bill was aimed at excessive and repetitive disruptive behavior. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up HB 1592, concerning protections for educational workers and sports officials. DOE, the Charter School Commission, HGA, HSTA, school principals, athletic programs, and many individual testifiers supported the bill, with several describing threats, harassment, and aggressive behavior at schools and athletic events. One principal said he had repeatedly involved law enforcement after threats and incidents on campus, and a teacher testified about the need to keep school environments safe and orderly. The Office of the Public Defender again opposed the bill, arguing that current law already enhances penalties for assaults and terroristic threatening against educational workers and sports officials, and that new offenses would have little deterrent effect. Committee members questioned whether the bill should be a separate statute and how to distinguish passionate advocacy from harassment; DOE said the line was crossed when conduct became excessive and repetitive, while the public defender urged clearer drafting and more emphasis on prevention, education, security, and de-escalation. No vote or final action was announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• um, the attorney general, Mark Tom. um, the attorney general, Mark Tom. Welcome.
• <01:40:03.280> Young, by Deputy Attorney General Young, by Deputy Attorney General Young,
• <01:41:58.800> to requires the US attorney general to requires the US attorney general to
• Deputy Solicitor General Lauren Chun for the Department of the Attorney General.
• The um with the attorney general.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs recessed briefly for a joint hearing, then reconvened and took up House Bill 2494, which would limit warrantless arrests for petty misdemeanors and violations, require officers to document arrest justification, expand citation-in-lieu-of-arrest use, and direct the Judiciary to create a standardized citation form. The chair also outlined hearing procedures and testimony time limits. Committee members later received an overview from the Policing Project about national trends in expanding citation use. Testimony was divided. Supporters, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and the Policing Project, argued the bill would reduce unnecessary arrests and pretrial detention, lessen jail overcrowding, save law enforcement time, and reduce harms such as job loss, housing instability, family disruption, and recidivism. They also said the bill preserves officer discretion through public-safety and flight-risk exceptions, and several supporters urged the committee to adopt a standardized citation form despite the Judiciary’s request for a delayed implementation date. Opposition came from the Department of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, county prosecutors, Honolulu Police Department, and other individuals. They argued the bill would unduly restrict law enforcement discretion, create administrative and data-processing problems, and make it harder to identify repeat or habitual offenders because of changes to citation information and fingerprinting. The Judiciary requested implementation no earlier than January 1, 2028 and said the citation form would need major changes. Opponents also warned the bill could increase litigation, suppress evidence, and not meaningfully reduce overcrowding because most jail populations are held on felony matters. The chair reported 14 testimonies in support, 21 in opposition, and one with comments; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• long-term revenue for the generate long-term revenue for the state.<00:04:16.880> This<00:04:
• for decades to revenue it will generate for decades to come.<00:04:51.680> We<00:04:51.919>
• Additionally, the CPAC will generate over $1.5 million annually in sales and state income tax revenue
• <00:41:03.040> out<00:41:03.680> uh general but an acute one for St. out uh general
• Um this is of payments generally.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Students started looking at this, and then very tech-savvy Generation Z are really tech-savvy.
• So just in general, you know a little bit about produced water.
• These drums were generated 20 years ago and should have been handled 20 years ago.
• I would agree that that is generally what I'm saying, yes.
• To put that in perspective, PNM is forecasted to generate 2.3 billion tons of CO2 a year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gas tanks were previously included in the temporary disaster preparedness sales tax holiday and are now
• For tax savings, the staff estimates that the bill reduces general revenue by $77 million in fiscal year
• Senator Avila: Senator, I think the way the statute is written 1,071... ...whatever money is generated
• So 2,000 FTE will generate more money... ...more cash money than 1,000 FTE.
• The second thing is the definition from one mill generating 5 million to one mill generating 10 million

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 45 by Hall relating to the duty of the Attorney General to prosecute human trafficking, criminal offenses
• HB 2522 by Dean relating to fingerprinting requirements for the issuance of dealer general distinguishing
• HB 2563 by ASP relating to the establishment of the temporary prescribed burn Manager Self Insurance
• Harrison relating to the vote required to approve the issuance of general obligation bonds by a political
• HAR 126 by Howard proposing a constitutional amendment dedicated to certain general revenue that would

Transcript Highlights:

• the Committee on Public Health, HB45 by Hull, relating to... relating to the duty of the Attorney General
• HB 2522 by Dean relating to fingerprinting requirements for the issuance of dealer general distinguishing
• schools for the committee on public Education HB 2563 by Ashby ruling to the establishment of the temporary
• Vote required to approve the issuance of general obligation bonds by a political subdivision, referred
• H.A.R. 126 by Howard, proposing a constitutional. dedicated certain general revenue that would otherwise

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• general general fund<00:33:33.200> the<00:33:33.399> Prat<00:33:33.960> share<00
• <00:48:15.280> uh conditions again this is a temporary uh conditions again this is a temporary
• > coffers lapse back to the general fund coffers lapse back to the general fund coffers given<
• <02:41:31.520> funds net reduction in the total General funds net reduction in the total General
• <02:43:18.640> equivalent there's a generic equivalent there's a generic equivalent um<02:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session continued its review of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Medicaid budget and related policy issues, with CFO Nathan White and Medicaid Director Henry Litman presenting updated materials. The discussion focused on a crosswalk between the adjusted FY 2025 Medicaid budget and the governor’s FY 2026 recommendation, plus handouts showing service additions, eligibility changes, dental rates, and other Medicaid changes since 2019. The department also said it would provide a clearer breakdown of the pharmacy cost-sharing item by general, federal, and other funds. Members asked detailed questions about the Medicaid enhancement tax, the 80% plan, and how funds are allocated between hospital payments, directed payments, and DSH uncompensated care. The department explained that the MET is being used more toward rates and directed payments to better align with federal matching rules, while DSH remains important for uncompensated care. They also noted that a pending Senate Bill 249 would keep the 80% structure and move to Senate Finance. On the trigger law, the department identified the governing provision as Chapter 342:12, Laws of 2018, and explained that if the federal match for Medicaid expansion falls below 90%, the state must notify legislative leaders and participants and the program would sunset after 180 days unless the legislature acts. The committee also reviewed current Medicaid expansion enrollment and program trends. Officials said enrollment was just under 59,000 as of March 3, with about 87,000 people enrolled over the past year and more than a quarter-million residents having used the program over its lifetime. They said enrollment has fallen from a post-pandemic high of nearly 97,000 and may eventually settle in the low 50,000s. Finally, the department discussed federal DSH funding risk, saying New Hampshire could face a significant reduction if Congress does not extend current protections, which is part of why the state has shifted more funding toward payment rates and directed payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think, um, I commend you for not using the bottom-line money from the general fund, but finding
• fund, but finding money from the general fund, but finding a<00:30:08.480> way<00:30:08.720><
• You cancel it, and then it's transferred for the purposes to the general fund.
• for for the purposes to the general for for the purposes to the general fund.<00:41:03.160> So
• with the Office of Inspector General. with the Office of Inspector General.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My general view is that that basically kept us whole.
• That's my general view.
• Okay, some general comments regarding the market competition.
• Those are the general findings.
• Examples are temporary staffing, IT services, and blending consulting rates.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• otherwise cancel to the general fund. otherwise cancel to the general fund.
• of Inspector General. of Inspector General. However,<00:34:15.360> Mr.
• So, this is a temporary provision that's already in the bill.
• Um so, this is a temporary tenants.
• <03:23:28.960> spirit but the great and generous spirit but the great and generous spirit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: HB145, SB29, SB37, SB64, HB279, HB292, SB35, SB40, SB43, SB48, SB96, SB143, HB132, SB20, SB21, SB101, SJR1, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM30, HM52, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB2, SB264, SB241

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening

Transcript Highlights:

• General Lady from Santa Fe. Mr.
• General Lady from Santa Fe. Thank you. General Lady from Santa Fe. Mr.
• So, generally, Mr.
• So, generally, Mr.
• The General Leader from Bernal-Leal yield. I yield to the General Lady. Thank you.

Bills: HB145, HB164, HR1, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB306, SB29, SB37, HB99, HB206, HB213, HB270, SB104, SB193, HB38, HB254, HB256, SB58, SB64, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB253

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so generally what would that be? I mean, what would that be?
• For generations, our laws have recognized that women are distinct from men.
• Just generally to yield. Just generally yield for questions. Yes. She yields for questions. Ms.
• I just, you know, you're talking about general definitions and universally accepted ones.
• I found a general definition description in the code.

Bills: HJR144, HJR218, HB40, HB 101, HB 112, HB146, HB168, HB214, HB413, HB1523, HB493, HB521, HB594, HB557, HB305, HB549, HB854, HB 1057, HB 1052, HB842, HB3174, HB3311, HB2486, HB3196, HB824, HB 1039, HB2529, HB2713, HB4936, HB4995, HB4830, HB4864, HB5219, HB5263, HB5154, HB2674, HB5525, HB5623, HB2545, HB2587, HB2625, HB5520, HB5436, HB4926, HB1573, HB5165, HB4811, HB5081, HB4755, HB3179, HB4310, HB4611, HB2159, HB4626, HB3637, HB3153, HB3066, HB2786, HB2966, HB638, HB640, HB876, HB497, HB5539, HB4809, HB5308, HB4687, HB4070, HB4421, HB4412, HB3284, HB3369, HB3420, HB3449, HB4098, HB4281, HB4120, HB4504, HB4370, HB 1106, HB2370, HB2404, HB3863, HB2407, HB2253, HB2273, HB2040, HB1586, HB3788, HB3993, HB4690, HB4309, HB4696, HB2308, HB 1142, HB1533, HB1621, HB2242, HB2012, HB2193, HB2442, HB2464, HB2348, HB2313, HB2289, HB1942, HB2011, HB1629, HB2993, HB3592, HB3824, HB4076, HB4535, HB4623, HB4773, HB 1091, HB5115, HB5515, HB3372, HB5659, HCR118, HB 1233, HB2239, HB2379, HB2863, HB3368, HB3787, HB3815, HB3898, HB4023, HB4285, HB4329, HB4331, HB4429, HB4646, HB4904, HB5200, HB5320, HB5651, HB5662, HB5668, HB5670, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, HCR108

Keywords: regional mobility, transportation authority, local law, constitutional amendment, public projects, Texas energy fund, energy efficiency, retail electric customers, electric generating facilities, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, science park district

Transcript Highlights:

• It would also give the Attorney General authority to pursue criminal charges.
• DHS's Office of Inspector General oversees 390,000 providers. 142 of those are entities.
• I think I just have more general questions.
• sorry um just think I just more General sorry um just think I just more General questions<00:26:
• I think I just have more general questions.

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• We ensure that New Mexico's prosperity is not just achieved but sustained for generations.
• The General Appropriations Act is a balanced budget. It accomplishes key statewide priorities.
• That's a temporary provision. All right. Thank you, Chair.
• This is supposed to be an enterprise agency, but they do get some general fund.
• The improvements in essence are for the general ticket holders.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you're giving that authority over to the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance?
• generate for six months out of the year here, because as we all know, we live in the tundra.
• I'm looking at solar panels that generate 5% of their potential power.
• Yeah, I'm looking at solar panels that are generating, and maybe fire. does not work?
• I'm looking at solar panels that generate 5% at their potential power.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered several Public Service Law bills and advanced each one to the Rules Committee after brief discussion and recorded no votes or without-recommendation votes on some measures. The bills included proposals to prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funds for certain activities (1012A), establish minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers (1327), adjust residential fixed charges (1329), require the Public Service Commission to consider economic impacts when setting rates (1847), require utilities to adopt PSC-authorized equity ratios and returns on equity (1896), create the Rate-Hike Notice Act (5553C), suspend certain utility rate changes while allowing retroactive revenue recovery (5593), allow consideration of non-economic losses in penalty determinations (7165A), change the composition of the Public Service Commission (7328A), and let utilities retain revenues above authorized returns on equity (7693). Members asked questions about who would be affected by the bills, including whether fixed-charge reductions would apply to vacant units or vacation homes and whether economic-impact considerations could affect customers differently depending on where they live; the chair and sponsors generally explained the measures as territory-wide or applicable to all residential customers, with no occupancy or income-based circuit breaker in the text. The committee then heard testimony from Alexandra Fasulo, introduced as an entrepreneur and farmer in Schuylerville, about her concerns regarding the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and utility-scale solar development on farmland and grasslands. She argued that solar developers were pressuring landowners, including older and lower-income property owners, into long-term leases, that ORES approves most projects despite local opposition, and that the process lacks transparency, with redacted documents and limited public access to information. She also criticized the siting of solar projects on productive farmland and said decommissioning rules could leave equipment buried in the soil. Committee members responded that the Legislature has already taken steps to protect high-quality soils, that ORES was created by statute and operates within the Public Service Department, and that DEC and ORES are supposed to work together rather than ORES superseding DEC. Several senators said they were sympathetic to concerns about farmland and community engagement, but also emphasized the need to expand renewable energy and balance that with land preservation. Members suggested that specific complaints about ORES transparency or solar siting could be addressed through future legislation or by inviting ORES and PSC officials back for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:11.559> plan that shows the general plan that shows the general plan designation<00
• So that gives a general idea of the productivity potential.
• Deputy Attorney General Mark Tom said the Department provides comments for House Bill 277.
• Page 4, line 18, we would delete "the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy."
• quote the issuance of a temporary quote the issuance of a temporary certificate<02:47:22.240>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing, land use, and preservation bills. HB 1008 HD2 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete historic preservation determinations for state affordable housing projects within 90 days and create sensitivity-based review pathways. HHFDC, DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division, and written testimony from DBEDT supported the bill as an expedited process for projects unlikely to affect significant historic resources. Members asked how the bill would define significant versus non-significant historic properties, how it would interact with Kapakai analysis, and whether burial councils had been consulted; SHPD said the bill would not replace Kapakai review and that burial councils had not been included. Written support also came from OHA, Hawaii Realtors, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. HB 1093 would clarify the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers relating to housing projects. HPHA supported the measure, saying it would align definitions with prior law and help deconcentrate poverty by allowing mixed-income rebuilding. The director also said the bill was increasingly urgent because of reported federal HUD priorities that could affect public housing and Section 8 funding. HB 1096 HD1 would repeal state low-income housing preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans, with HPHA saying federal veteran programs such as VASH are a better mechanism and that the state preference has not been used in years. HB 1411 would allow HHFDC projects to give sale or lease preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project; HHFDC and the Hawaii Chapter of NAIOP supported it as a way to keep residents connected to their communities, while members raised constitutional concerns about broader local-preference policies. The committee also heard HB 367 HD1, which would create county permit exemptions for certain agricultural and maintenance activities. Written testimony included opposition from the Department of Planning and Permitting and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Grassroot Institute, and others. A public testifier opposed the bill, arguing that permit exemptions could worsen safety and compliance problems. Finally, HB 826 HD1 would allow county planning commissions, by special permit, to authorize residential housing in agricultural districts for agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or fee simple ownership under certain conditions. HHFDC supported it as a faster alternative to lengthy state land-use redistricting, but the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development raised concerns about food production impacts, due process, service provision, jurisdictional conflicts, and the use of special permits for what could amount to district boundary changes. Public testimony was mixed, with some support and some opposition. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The center was established in '23 under this body as a temporary endeavor, but due to the success of
• Kids of color, kids with disabilities, kids with generational poverty—these aren't the edge cases.

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met with two bills on the agenda. HB 1055, by Rep. Albert, would make permanent the Center for the Study of Election Law at Florida State University’s College of Law, which was created temporarily in 2023. The sponsor described the center as successful and tied to Florida’s election reputation. There was brief public testimony, including support from FSU-affiliated witnesses, and no debate or amendments. The bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard HB 1105, by Rep. Kinghart-Johnson, a broader education bill affecting Bright Futures and related programs. As explained by the sponsor, the bill would change the Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship requirement from three full credits in one program to three full credits total, align the CTE diploma with scholarship eligibility, add the AP Capstone Diploma as an automatic Bright Futures Academic Scholarship qualifier, and remove barriers for some students whose parents are retired military or public service employees stationed out of state. An amendment was adopted that revised AP Capstone requirements, kept the Gold Seal GPA requirement unchanged, and added the ACE diploma as a qualifier for the Florida Seal of Fine Arts. Public testimony on HB 1105 included two social work students who supported expanding opportunities but warned that the bill could steer students into vocational tracks without enough safeguards, transparency, or access to transportation, internships, and counseling. Several members spoke in support of the bill’s goal of recognizing multiple paths to success, while also acknowledging concerns raised by speakers. In closing, the sponsor said the bill was intended to improve access and correct language that treated vocational pathways as lesser options. HB 1105 passed unanimously as amended, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we generally don't get involved in too many criminal justice matters, but we are in opposition to
• Um, you have temporary protective status, DACA, asylees that are constantly changing on the federal level

Bills: SB 9, SB 1047, SB 1048, SJR 17, SJR 49, SB 40, SJR 1, SJR 5

Keywords: bail reform, defendants, pretrial detention, public safety, criminal justice, charitable bail organizations, criminal procedure, public safety report, victim notification, family violence, bail bonds, public funds, political subdivision, injunction, taxpayer rights, violent crimes, sexual offenses, community safety, constitutional amendment, trafficking