Transcript Highlights:

• , the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports that the Senate Journal of the proceedings of February 17
• House Bill 521 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• House Bill 521 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• House Bill 521 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.
• House Bill 516 will be referred to the Judiciary and Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think Kentucky needs more confidence in the judiciary, and turning the judiciary partisan does little
• confidence in the judiciary, and turning the<00:36:09.920><c> judiciary</c><00:36:10.640><c> partisan
• Page three, lines 12 through 13 in their entirety. relating to appropriations measures relating to appropriations
• Um, so I there are all of appropriation.
• It had to be appropriated.

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Assembly Judiciary Committee, first meeting of the year.
• And, as always, I want to thank our entire Judiciary Committee staff for keeping us all prepared and
• You never know what's going to happen in Judiciary Committee, okay? Hi. Good morning, Mr.
• Motion do pass to Appropriations. Kalra? Aye. Dixon? I abstain. Bauer-Kahan? Aye. Bryan? Aye.
• Motion is due pass to Appropriations. Kalra? Aye. Dixon? No. Bauer-Kahan? Bryan? Kalra, aye.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• February 3, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports at the State.
• February 3, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports the Senate Journal, and the proceedings of
• February 2, 2006, the Judiciary and Rules Committee reports out Senate Bill 1232 and 1233 and recommends
• The Judiciary and Rules Committee reports out Senate Bill 1232 and 1233 and recommends they do pass.
• The Senate Secretary may read: In the Senate, Senate Bill 1248, by the Judiciary and Rules Committee,

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations. Please call the roll.
• And this is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations. Please call the roll.
• This is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations. If we can have a roll call.
• The motion is do pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The action is do pass to the Committee on Appropriations. Chair voting aye.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations and regulatory oversight. Thank you. And you can move the microphone if you need to.
• House Bill 2148, non-custodial federal monies and appropriations.
• It requires a legislator to specify the purposes of non-custodial monies appropriations and requires
• It requires a legislator to specify the purposes of non-custodial monies appropriations and requires
• Representative Stall Hamilton, because we have this in appropriations as well? Yes, yes, we did.

Summary: The caucus meeting began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder from Rhonda about caucus consent and third-read consent calendars. She explained that bills coming out of rules can be placed on consent if they are not amended, and that pulling a bill from consent means members should be prepared to speak to it on the floor. The meeting then moved through a long Minority Caucus calendar of bills, with staff giving brief descriptions and members frequently noting bills for no further comment, pulling several from consent, or stating opposition. The bills discussed covered a wide range of topics, including appropriations and federal monies (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at public school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning notifications (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighters’ workers’ compensation status (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineer and architect reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and related felony classifications (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting for partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking penalties (HB 2131), fentanyl sentencing thresholds (HB 2132), drive-by shooting definitions and forfeiture (HB 2045), probation review notices for sex offender hearings (HB 2046), venue changes in superior court when judicial employees are parties (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Water-related bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), WIFA grant disclosures (HB 2029), removing water conservation education as an eligible use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource board changes and education funding (HB 2117). Election-related measures included moving the primary date and adjusting cure periods and observer rules (HB 2022), and a proposed constitutional amendment on citizenship, ID, foreign contributions, early voting, and mail voting (HCR 2001). The committee also heard two memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CARE (HCM 2001 and HCM 2002). Members and staff offered substantive objections to many bills, often arguing they were anti-student, anti-abortion, overly punitive, unfunded mandates, or unfair tax policy. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2008, HB 2110, HB 2142, HB 2249, HB 2043, HB 2074, HB 2108, and HB 2144. Supportive remarks were also made for some measures, such as the cesspool remediation bill, which was noted as having unanimous support, while other bills were flagged for stakeholder meetings or future amendments. The meeting ended with announcements recognizing members’ birthdays and noting Muslim Day at the Capitol, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will review and mark up work group recommendations for Senate Bill 1. on the General Appropriations
• I will be laying out the adopted items for the article four judiciary.
• This is a technical adjustment for the estimated appropriation of a distribution from the Tufts.
• $3.9 million for permanent school fund account appropriations.
• Item number four, adjustment to voter education fees and appropriations.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> about other you know base appropriations about other you know base appropriations uh<00:01:30.720
• </c> these are reductions of appropriations these are reductions of appropriations relative<00:03:43.599
• Um so that appropriation and revenue.
• appropriations appropriations for<00:54:30.800><c> can</c><00:54:31.160><c> renew</c><00:54:32.160><
• Um, and then were spent appropriately.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is the House Judiciary Committee, and we're about to start our proceedings.
• So if something were going to be done, it seems to him it would be much more appropriate for it to be
• So if something were going to be done, it seems to him it would be much more appropriate for it to be
• Um and uh uh uh whether<00:53:59.760><c> that's</c><00:54:00.160><c> appropriate</c><00:54:00.720><c>
• </c><01:05:09.680><c> Committee</c> the idea of a House Judiciary Committee the idea of a House Judiciary

Summary: The committee began by explaining that the meeting was a work session and that votes would only be taken where there was clear consensus. CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” was discussed first but not acted on because the prime sponsor was absent. Members raised concerns about whether the issue belonged in the constitution and what the amendment would mean in practice, and the chair recessed the matter for a future meeting. HB 74, concerning the definition of “citizen” for the right-to-know law and disclosure of preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body, drew little support. Members noted the Senate’s prior rejection of a related bill and agreed the proposal was unlikely to advance. A motion to ITL the bill passed unanimously by roll call, 15-0, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. HB 232, dealing with rights of conscience for medical professionals, was also recessed. Members said they had not yet seen the amendment, which was described as narrowing the bill to abortion-related issues and limiting penalties. Several members said they could not judge the bill without the amendment and expected disagreement, so the chair recessed it. HB 253, on interest-bearing pooled trust accounts maintained by lawyers, was discussed at length; the chair said the bill did not address the underlying IOLTA issue and would likely create conflict with the bar and judiciary. Members cited existing Supreme Court procedures and suggested the bill was unnecessary. A straw vote showed support for interim study and ITL, and the committee ultimately voted 15-0 to place HB 253 on consent. HB 293, aimed at preventing minors from accessing obscene material on internet-connected devices, prompted substantial debate. Members generally supported the goal but objected to the bill’s private right of action, its focus on manufacturers rather than content providers or internet platforms, uncertainty about the filtering technology required, and concerns about defining obscenity on a national rather than community basis. The committee discussed forming a subcommittee to work on the bill further, and members volunteered to serve, indicating the issue would be revisited rather than voted on immediately.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentlemen, you presented this in the Judiciary Committee a few times. Is that right? Yes.
• I think this is the second time we've brought it to Judiciary, yes.
• I think this is the second time we've brought it to Judiciary, yes.
• This did not smooth or sail smoothly through the Judiciary Committee.
• It's essentially the same bill that passed out of Judiciary unanimously.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 133-0. The session then included many introductions of interns, guests, and a Teacher Appreciation Day statement. A committee report recommended passage of Senate Bill 903, and the chamber moved into third reading and amendment action on Senate Bill 1421 and related measures. Members debated and adopted a long series of amendments covering public safety, criminal justice, schools, and corrections. Topics included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger school safety program and school bus stop-arm penalties, Clean Slate automatic expungement language narrowed to drug offenses, an Alzheimer’s task force and dementia training for law enforcement, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, banning portable electronic devices in prisons, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure protections, parental accountability for minors’ offenses, fentanyl trafficking, attorney general firearms authority, support for St. Louis and Kansas City police boards, DNA collection on arrest for additional crimes, a 25-foot buffer around first responders, a domestic violence registry, squatter and notary fraud fixes, gift card fraud, and post-conviction death penalty procedures. Several amendments drew opposition over civil liberties, school safety, prison penalties, and death penalty concerns, but most were adopted. The most contested item was the death penalty post-conviction relief amendment, which members argued either would streamline appeals and risk wrongful executions or would provide needed finality for victims; it ultimately passed 75-68 after a roll call vote. Another notable debate centered on the St. Louis Police Board amendment, with members disputing who should pay for police overtime and liability costs. The transcript ends amid discussion of a corrections-related amendment on good-time credit and rehabilitation programming, with the amendment to the amendment being supported by members from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $404.5 million directly to ASU in general funds appropriation.
• municipal clerk or clerk of the appropriate Board of Supervisors.
• A strike-everything amendment to that original introduced bill was adopted in the Judiciary Committee
• Yes, your clients are an appropriate candidate for diversion. Mr. Chair, Ms. Baker.
• Endpoint appropriation. No further discussion.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard an extended presentation and discussion on Arizona higher education research security, focused heavily on Arizona State University’s foreign funding, international partnerships, and alleged ties to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research collaborations, especially those involving the Chinese “Seven Sons” universities, and said the committee would pursue a congressional referral and other federal review. A strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 was described but then withdrawn; the underlying SB 1327 was then taken up as a companion measure requiring ABOR to adopt university research security policies and submit annual reports on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000. The committee heard testimony in support from Marina Macklin, who said the bill would help protect dual-use and defense-relevant research from being funneled to China’s military ecosystem, and she answered questions about biosecurity, semiconductors, AI model theft, and election systems. After debate, SB 1327 was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Delos Santos and Marquez voting no and Colloden, Powell, and the chair voting yes; the chair stated his support was to keep missile, armor, guidance, and other technology safe from the Chinese government. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans’ consumer-protection bill regulating private companies that help veterans file disability claims. The bill would prohibit unaccredited persons from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting veterans’ benefits matters, require service agreements to be filed with the Attorney General, cap compensation, ban certain practices such as overseas call centers and in-house doctors, and create consumer-fraud enforcement authority. Sponsor Sen. Gallin said the measure was intended to add guardrails for veterans and prevent bad actors from taking excessive fees or misleading claimants. Testimony from Veterans Guardian representatives supported the bill as a way to create transparency and preserve veterans’ choice while regulating the industry; they said many veterans seek private help after unsuccessful attempts with free services and that the bill would not eliminate competition. Opponents and skeptical members questioned whether the bill would effectively legalize one business model while restricting others, whether the contingent-fee structure was consumer-friendly, and whether the companies were engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The discussion also referenced prior federal and state litigation involving similar laws and the possibility of future federal accreditation reform. The transcript ends during continued questioning on SB 1803, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Committee on Judiciary. Committee on Judiciary.
• </c> We heard in your committee on judiciary We heard in your committee on judiciary from<00:45:11.360
• And you propose to the House to amend the bill as proposed by the Committee on Judiciary.
• Senate Judiciary will meet after the following gavel. Senator from Chittenden.
• Senate Judiciary will meet from Windham.

Transcript Highlights:

• In light of that, I believe we can strengthen and improve this bill, but I also believe the appropriate
• CS/HB 947 be recommitted to the Judiciary Committee that I chair for further consideration.
• Representative Brandon moves that CS/HB 947 be recommitted to the Judiciary Committee.
• And so my hope is to ensure that tax dollars are spent appropriately.
• And so my hope is to ensure that tax dollars are spent appropriately.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Traditionally, the committees that dished out the money were called appropriations.
• Traditionally, the committees that dished out the money were called appropriations.
• I won't remember the budget projects or the amounts of the appropriations. The fights in...
• I won't remember the budget projects or the amounts of the appropriations.
• That's not an appropriate point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to move the bill when appropriate. Okay, Assemblywoman Avila Ferris.
• I think that's an appropriate place to close.
• I think that's an appropriate place to close.
• And that's why it's appropriate for this bill to be doing so.
• We saw this in Judiciary. We've had conversations.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage limits for rideshare companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with the stated goal of lowering fares and improving driver economics. Uber, Lyft, and business groups supported the bill, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and other opponents argued it would cut passenger and driver protections and should include stronger guarantees that savings reach riders and workers. Members raised questions about data, fee breakdowns, and whether the bill should include a look-back or other accountability measures; the bill was passed on a do-pass vote as proposed to be amended in another committee. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how third-party recoveries are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured in the line of duty, ensuring injured public safety workers receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including injured officers and public safety organizations, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing local governments argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee discussed the interaction with existing workers’ compensation and retirement benefits, and the bill was moved on a do-pass vote to Appropriations. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation standards and post-catastrophe reports aimed at improving insurability and affordability. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer advocates, and fire-related groups supported the measure, while water agencies opposed provisions they said could improperly involve the commission in water infrastructure recommendations and create litigation and ratepayer concerns. The bill was approved on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members voting no or not voting. The committee also considered SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which extends wildfire-related insurance moratorium protections to commercial property policies for one year after a state emergency in affected areas. The Department of Insurance and a broad coalition of local government, consumer, and business groups supported it, and the major insurance trade groups withdrew opposition after amendments. The bill was passed as amended to Appropriations. Separately, SB 770 by Senator Allen would remove an insurance requirement that an HOA be named as an additional insured for residents installing EV chargers in common-interest developments; supporters said the rule is a barrier to home charging, while community association representatives warned it could raise premiums for all members. The discussion focused on balancing EV access with HOA insurance costs, and the bill was supported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think, you know, that the Judiciary conversation is one y'all should have in Judiciary, and like
• But I do agree it should go to Judiciary because this is within the Judiciary jurisdiction.
• But I do agree it should go to Judiciary because this is within the Judiciary jurisdiction.
• But I do agree it should go to Judiciary because this is within the Judiciary jurisdiction.
• But I do agree it should go to Judiciary because this is within the Judiciary jurisdiction.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I look forward to the continued conversation, certainly in Judiciary Committee.
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Haney: Aye. Haney, aye.
• Motion do pass to the Assembly Committee in Judiciary. Haney: Aye. Patterson: Aye.
• I think it will be referred to Judiciary.
• The motion is due pass to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Haney, aye. Pearson, aye.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of housing-related bills, beginning with AB 249, which would require youth-specific coordinated entry assessments for homeless services. The author and supporters from Larkin Street Youth Services and the California Coalition for Youth argued that current vulnerability tools are adult-focused and can disadvantage young people; the bill was described as a developmentally appropriate fix to better connect youth to housing and prevention services. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Human Services. Members then heard AB 239 and AB 1206. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force, a state disaster housing coordinator, and regular legislative reporting to speed recovery after disasters; it passed 7-0 to Emergency Management. AB 1206 would let local agencies pre-approve plans for single-family and small multifamily homes of up to 10 units to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed it unless amended, citing local variation and staffing concerns, but the author and supporters said it would preserve local control and help speed housing production. The bill passed 9-0 to Local Government. The committee also took up AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. Supporters framed it as reparative justice and a way to address longstanding racial disparities in homeownership, while Pacific Legal Foundation argued it likely violated constitutional limits on race-based government action and urged a race-neutral approach. After discussion about reparations criteria and the bill’s intent, it passed 6-0 to Judiciary. The consent calendar, including AB 480, AB 726, and AB 1154, was approved 8-0. Later, AB 282 was heard to allow housing providers to prefer applicants who participate in rental assistance programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, despite existing source-of-income discrimination law. Supporters said it would help voucher holders find units and improve affordable housing operations; no opposition testified, and the bill passed 6-1 to Judiciary. AB 1229 followed, restructuring the adult reentry grant program to focus on permanent housing for people leaving prison by moving administration to HCD and using regional administrators; supporters emphasized the link between housing stability and reduced recidivism, and the bill passed 7-0 to Public Safety. The committee then approved AB 670, which would let local governments count preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element goals and require better demolition reporting, and AB 750, which would strengthen oversight and reporting for homeless shelters after a prior reporting law saw very low compliance. AB 670 passed 8-0 to Local Government, and AB 750 was presented with testimony from a shelter resident describing abuse and lack of accountability in shelters.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, this bill would provide a developmentally appropriate fix to the gaps in services we are currently
• Motion is due pass as amended to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Haney. Aye. Haney, aye.
• Motion do pass to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Haney, aye. Patterson, aye. Farías, aye.
• I think it will be referred to Judiciary.
• The motion is due pass to the Assembly Committee on Judiciary. Haney, aye. Patterson, aye.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy housing-focused agenda with several bills advancing on mostly bipartisan votes. AB 249 addressed youth homelessness by requiring youth-specific coordinated entry assessments rather than relying on adult vulnerability tools; supporters said the change would better identify young people at risk and prevent them from aging into chronic homelessness. AB 239 would create a state-led disaster housing task force and coordinator to speed housing recovery after disasters, with broad support from housing, local government, and nonprofit groups. AB 1206 would authorize local pre-approval programs for small housing projects, including single-family homes and developments of up to 10 units, to reduce permitting delays and costs; the League of California Cities opposed unless amended, citing staffing and local variation concerns, but the bill still passed. AB 57 would reserve at least 10% of CalHFA home purchase assistance funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people as part of the reparations package; supporters framed it as reparative justice, while opponents raised constitutional and Prop. 209 concerns. AB 282 would allow housing providers to prefer voucher holders in tenant selection, with supporters arguing it would help families actually use housing vouchers and improve affordable housing stability. AB 1229 would shift the adult reentry grant program to HCD and focus more on permanent housing for people leaving prison; supporters emphasized the link between housing, reduced homelessness, and lower recidivism. All of these bills received favorable committee votes and were held open for absent members. The committee also took up several bills on housing preservation and homelessness system accountability. AB 670 would let local governments count investments in preserving naturally occurring affordable housing toward housing element progress and require more complete reporting of demolitions and replacement/relocation compliance; supporters said this would help prevent displacement and improve enforcement. The bill passed on a unanimous vote. The committee then began discussion of AB 750, which would strengthen oversight of state-funded homeless shelters after a prior reporting law was found to have very low compliance; the author said the bill responds to a CalMatters investigation showing only a handful of counties and cities submitted required reports. The transcript cuts off before AB 750’s testimony and vote were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That we are not having a typical end of session seems appropriate, given that this freshman class's first
• By Judiciary, Health Policy, and Senator Kalatoyud, CS for CS for Senate Bill 768, a bill to be entitled
• By Judiciary, Health Policy, and Senator Calatayud, CS for CS for Senate Bill 768, a bill to be entitled
• By Appropriations, Community Affairs, and Senator DeSigley, for CS for Senate... Secretary.
• By Rules Appropriations. House Bill 116, and request the House to recede. Tracy C.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum established, and several recognitions, including a legislative intern, a guest in the gallery, and Representative Bruce Antone’s upcoming induction into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame. The Speaker also gave brief remarks about the end of session and the freshman class. The chamber then took up a series of Senate-returned messages and concurred or insisted on several amendments while moving bills toward final passage. The House unanimously approved CS/CS/HB 1299 on Department of Health matters, CS/HB 1549 on financial institutions after adopting a House amendment to remove the IOTA-related provision, and CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign ties and business interests after a House concurrence motion. It also insisted on its amendment to CS/CS/CS/SB 184 on housing. CS/CS/HB 875 on educator preparation was amended to restore House provisions on teacher-prep courses, the Florida Center for Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College, and related testing and mentor-qualification changes; it passed 91-22 after debate over teacher certification, testing, and “identity politics” language. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers was amended to keep the House’s original notice and referral framework with a good-cause exemption; it passed 87-27 despite objections that it placed too much responsibility on doctors. After recess, the House took up CS/CS/SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response. Members described changes including removal of some homestead-assessment and debris-removal provisions, a study requirement for a post-hurricane county restriction concept, and a Florida Keys evacuation-time change paired with a 10-year cap of 900 permit allocations; the bill passed 116-0. The House also refused to concur in a Senate amendment to HB 1609 on waste incineration and requested the Senate recede. Later, the House returned to HB 1101 and insisted on its amendment after the Senate refused to concur. The longest debate came on CS/CS/HB 1115 on education, where the House amendment replaced the Senate version with the substance of HB 1267, including Schools of Hope, higher education governance, and course transparency. Members questioned provisions expanding Schools of Hope co-location and sponsorship authority beyond traditional opportunity zones, the role of the Department of Education versus school districts, transportation and facility-cost issues, and performance-based agreements. Supporters said the changes would expand options for students and use vacant or underutilized facilities; opponents argued the language was added late, lacked transportation funding, and could allow charter operators to enter high-performing schools. The bill remained under debate at the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Chamber's perspective, this bill improves system clarity while preserving due process and the appropriate
• I'm assuming this bill went to Senate Judiciary, and I'm surprised that somehow the fact that serious
• Okay, so we have a do not pass motion on House Bill 70 and a due pass motion on House Judiciary Committee

Bills: SB3 , HB70 , HB49 , HB60 , HB151 , HB164 , SB17 , SB35 , SB164

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 3, which revises definitions in the Mental Health Code and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Act related to “likelihood of serious harm” and decisional capacity. The sponsor said the goal was to make the standards more workable for courts and treatment providers in civil commitment and assisted outpatient treatment cases. Members adopted a friendly amendment that narrowed and clarified the language, including adding “intentionally,” tying decisional capacity language to a mental disorder, and specifying that a qualified mental health professional makes that determination. A second friendly amendment was then adopted to make the bill’s language consistent throughout the code by adding “serious” before references to harm to self or others in several places. Public testimony on SB 3 was mixed. Disability advocates, the ACLU, and Disability Rights New Mexico expressed continued concern about involuntary treatment, civil liberty implications, possible overuse of commitment as a shortcut around guardianship or capacity procedures, and the risk that some people could remain in the system for a long time. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, police, and firefighters, who said the bill would provide clearer standards, better tools for crisis response, and alternatives to repeated arrest or emergency hospital transport. After debate, the committee voted 10-0 to give SB 3 a due pass as twice amended. The committee then took up House Bill 70, which was presented with a committee substitute intended to make the bill “sleeker” and address concerns raised by members. The substitute restored existing limits on commission decision-making, strengthened hearing examiner independence, reinstated current ex parte and Open Meetings Act guardrails, removed a proposed consumer advocate provision, and changed one provision from “may” back to “shall.” Members asked a few clarifying questions, including about advocacy staff and hearing examiners, and the sponsor said the changes improved the bill. The committee voted 9-0 to do not pass the original bill and due pass the committee substitute. The chair announced the committee had completed its two bills and adjourned after discussing upcoming meeting times.