Transcript Highlights:

• Before I retired in 2021, I practiced regulatory law in front of the PRC and its predecessors for 42
• We have, in my district, for example, a large retirement district.
• In my district, for example, we have a large retirement district.
• There are a number of retirement systems... Blackstone is managing it.
• There are a number of retirement systems that are investing in it.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 96, which would reduce local zoning, fee, parking, HOA, and sprinkler-related barriers for child care operators and home-based child care facilities. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill is intended to expand child care access, especially in rural areas and child care deserts, while maintaining safety standards. Firefighters, child care advocates, and other supporters testified in favor, while one member objected to the bill’s limits on local control. The committee asked about “stacking spaces” and parking rules, then approved SB 96 on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 303, as amended, dealing with utility construction and certificate of convenience and necessity timing. Utility representatives from El Paso Electric, Xcel Energy, and PNM, along with consumer and energy groups, supported the bill, saying it would let utilities begin construction before the CCN process is complete, with the utility bearing the risk and no cost recovery if approval is later denied. Members questioned impacts on ratepayers, PRC oversight, co-ops, and the bill’s policy rationale. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 303 as amended unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 6, as substituted, which asked for a study of private equity involvement in critical utilities and whether the state should consider a direct equity stake in utilities. Supporters argued the memorial would provide independent data before major ownership decisions, citing concerns about private equity acquisitions and the need to protect ratepayers and public interests. Opponents, including utility and business representatives, argued the PRC already has authority and expertise, warned about due process and conflict-of-interest concerns, and said the memorial could create uncertainty for investment. After extensive debate, the committee first tabled the committee substitute and then tabled HM 6 itself on an 8-3 vote, ending consideration of the memorial.

Transcript Highlights:

• After retiring, he made into his faith.
• c><00:13:33.440><c> after</c> officially retired last October after officially retired last October after
• than in a fee-for-service plan.
• Their Medicare Advantage plan and then a fee-for-service plan.
• </c><07:53:09.760><c> the</c> the six organizations that planned the the six organizations that planned

Transcript Highlights:

• She is recently semi-retired to allow more time for her wonderful grandchildren to Please proceed.
• She is recently semi-retired to allow more time for her wonderful grandchildren to She is recently semi-retired
• Frank Contreras retired, and he ended up passing away from cancer.
• had posted online racial epithets about the president and talked in some detail about how he was planning
• Infrastructure financing is a complex issue that directly affects housing affordability, local planning

Transcript Highlights:

• But now they're ready to retire and only want to work part-time.
• Have you made plans for it and what does that entail? Thank you.
• Dean Nelson and I are actively working on a sustainability and institutionalization plan for the work
• So, what are the plans? Who are your partners?
• retire at some point, maybe not now.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I served 26 and a half years in the Air Force, retired as a colonel, started working in the pipeline
• I came back, retired, and got called back to serve all the people in Minnesota. Hi, everybody.
• I came back, retired, and got called back to serve all the people in Minnesota.
• I came back, retired, and got called back to serve all the people in Minnesota.
• , the lottery has not performed detailed training exercises to plan how it would respond.

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we need to know how agencies are functioning without full staffing and how agencies plan
• , is there, and you talked about call centers in the very beginning, have you looked at and made a plan
• Some retire, some go to better jobs, some have other things to do with their life.
• Some retire, some go to better jobs, some have other things to do with their life.
• We've picked up retired FBI agents, for example, on occasion. And so we've been able to...

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have, Madam Chair, a 50-year water action plan, and I know I think every legislator received a
• I'm a semi-retired engineering professor at the University of New Mexico.
• I’m a retired professor.
• I'm an architect, chemical engineer, and scientist retired from Sandia National Labs.
• So to try to keep up with the water plan, the action plan, we really need to move forward. I think.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bill 207, as amended, which would direct the Water Quality Control Commission to adopt rules for permits allowing certain beneficial uses of treated produced water, including industrial, commercial, energy-related, infrastructure, pilot project, and other approved uses. Representative Brown presented the bill as a science-driven response to New Mexico’s water scarcity, citing the state’s 50-year water plan and research from the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium. The committee adopted an amendment requiring the rules to be informed by credible scientific data and other evidence, including consortium research, before moving to public comment. Supporters argued the bill would create a regulated framework for reuse of treated produced water, preserve scarce freshwater, and support economic development, construction, and energy-related uses. Testimony in favor came from the bill sponsor, the consortium’s Dr. Zach Stoll, the chair of the Water Quality Control Commission, business and industry representatives, local economic development officials, and some residents. They emphasized recent peer-reviewed studies, pilot projects, and the need for the commission to act on updated science. State agencies, including the Environment Department, said the amended bill addressed some of their concerns and kept the focus on science-based rulemaking. Opponents said the bill would override the Water Quality Control Commission’s prior findings and force approval of uses that remain scientifically unproven and potentially harmful. Many speakers from environmental groups, acequia and agricultural organizations, faith groups, and local residents warned about unknown contaminants, risks to groundwater, crops, roads, and human health, and the possibility of spills or long-term environmental damage. Several argued the bill would politicize a technical process and create liability or cleanup burdens for the public. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided; the committee recessed briefly after public comment and then returned to sponsor remarks and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• managed the broadband consortium, building trust with our local government jurisdictions, regional planning
• These expanded opportunities are fundamental in aligning deployment with local broadband strategy plans
• These expanded opportunities are fundamental in aligning deployment with local broadband strategy plans
• That's why she tried to retire almost four months ago and they wouldn't let her, and she's here today
• I have blunt retirement again and agreed to stay on longer.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Commissioner Barry retired in 2016.
• I was given an example of a retired doctor who wanted, as a retirement job, to become a school nurse,
• I was given an example of a retired doctor who wanted, as a retirement job, to become a school nurse,
• </c> secondly I would love to have a retired secondly I would love to have a retired doctor<02:22:14.399
• </c> nurse and if I can't even get a retired nurse and if I can't even get a retired doctor<02:22:19.359

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• like I mentioned yesterday, we would like to move the Lieutenant Governor's Office to the state pay plan
• So during the pay plan, did we not give you all a million dollars to meet that?
• No, sir, you wasn't increased during the pay plan. Mm-mm. I'm sorry, I missed you for money.
• I can't speak, Senator, to whether or not they received money at this point within the pay plan.
• You get security, you get retirement, you get things the private sector can't, but then you're asking

Committee: All JBC-PERSONNEL

Summary: The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request to move that office onto the state pay plan and increase salaries for its positions. Office representatives said the request was intended to make pay competitive with other constitutional offices and state agencies, that OPM had approved the grades, and that the office did not plan to max out any positions. Members questioned the size of the increase and the office’s workload. A motion to adopt the proposal failed on a tie vote, and the committee then voted to expunge the vote before moving on. The committee then approved a series of Governor’s letters and related personnel transfers, including cuts for Arkansas Educational Television Network, transfers within the Department of Health and several DHS divisions, and a DFA shared services reorganization. The committee also approved moving child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, with department officials explaining that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the grants come from USDA and the transfer would include the positions and funding tied to the programs. Members raised questions about how the appropriations and positions were split between state and federal funding, and about the broader implications of the transfer, but the committee ultimately approved both the Education and Agriculture sides of the move. The meeting also included extended discussion of the Educational Freedom Account program. Members questioned the $309 million appropriation, whether it matched current participation, and whether future demand could require additional funding. Department officials said the amount covered current participation and that the governor had set aside an additional $70 million in case applications increased, but that any amount beyond the appropriation would require returning to the committee. Some members argued the program’s growth could threaten funding for public schools and adequacy, while others noted that the program is governed by rules under the LEARNS Act. The committee also approved a technical title change at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when it was locally permitted, the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, it's not like
• And when it was locally permitted, the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, it's not like
• Unfortunately went into renal failure and now is pursuing a disability retirement because of that risk
• And I have to be honest, when I did SB 38, I did not set a deadline for the plans, and PG&E and Vistra
• The idea was that they do a complete safety plan, and then there's an iterative process with whatever

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy met without a quorum at first and began as a subcommittee, then later established quorum and heard several measures. The main policy bills discussed were SB 24, which would restrict investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds for political advertising, lobbying, and efforts against municipal utilities, and SB 283, the Clean Energy Safety Act of 2025, which would strengthen safety standards for battery energy storage facilities after the Moss Landing fire. The consent calendar also included SB 80, SB 491, SB 593, SB 804, and SCR 25, which were taken up without debate. SB 24 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates, who argued that ratepayer money should not be used for political or promotional activity and that current rules lack meaningful consequences. Opponents from the utilities and business community said the bill was too broad, could interfere with shareholder-funded advocacy and legal work, and might unintentionally affect public service communications and expert consulting. Several committee members shared support for the bill’s goal but raised concerns about its breadth, especially around legal fees and communications; the author said he was willing to work on amendments, including on consultant fees, and accepted committee amendments. SB 283 received broad support from firefighters, local governments, utilities, labor, and business groups. Supporters said the bill would improve fire safety, require fire authority consultation and inspections, and prevent battery storage from being sited in unsafe indoor combustible facilities. The author described the Moss Landing fire and said the bill would add standards based on NFPA guidance while preserving local governments’ ability to adopt stricter rules. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee voted SB 283 out 16-0, and SB 24 was also approved after a roll was held open and later closed, ultimately passing 11-1. The consent calendar passed 16-0, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was in my plan, but, you know, it's here.
• plans of the project or the unions?
• They're required to pay twice for retirement plans, right?
• I did not have an IEP or a 504 plan, and I did not know what to ask for.
• I did not have an IEP or a 504 plan, and I did not know what to ask for.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, GM 544, consideration of confirmation, Health Planning Council Windward O'ahu subarea.
• First up, GM 544, consideration of confirmation, Health Planning Council Windward O'ahu subarea, Miriam
• I'm semi-retired now, but I'd like to work on as many things as I can to help improve it.
• now, but I'd like to &gt;&gt; I'm semi-retired now, but I'd like to work<00:02:33.480><c> on</c><00:
• And also, you know, I'm pleasantly pleased when I'm looking at their strategic plan for 2025 to 2029

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard and considered several gubernatorial nominations to advisory boards and councils. Early in the meeting, members heard testimony in support of Miriam Chang for the Health Planning Council Windward O‘ahu subarea, with supporters highlighting her long medical practice on the Windward side, work at Ko‘olau Health Center, and community involvement. Chang said she wanted to help improve health, especially in rural areas. The committee also heard support for Terrilyn Luke’s nomination to the Center for Nursing Advisory Board; the Center for Nursing director and nursing organizations backed her, and Luke said she would bring a front-line nursing perspective, focus on workforce conditions, retention, and collaboration, and help address tensions between the Center and nursing labor groups. The committee then heard support for Valerie Rose’s nomination to the Language Access Advisory Council; Rose briefly noted her prior work in the Chronic Disease Branch and Bilingual Health Aide Section. The committee also took up nominations in a later agenda segment. James Montgomery was heard for the State Rehabilitation Council and described his interest in serving based on a family experience with disability and his work in talent management, saying he wanted to help people with disabilities gain opportunities. Kevin Nakamura was heard for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants and said his 30-plus years of wastewater experience would help ensure operators are properly trained and certified to protect resources and the environment. Pina Lemusu was heard for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities; she said her long career with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and personal experience with disability would help her contribute to the council. Additional testimony in support came from the State DD Council and Voc Rehab representatives. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent on the nominations it considered, including Miriam Chang, Terrilyn Luke, Valerie Rose, James Montgomery, Kevin Nakamura, and Pina Lemusu. Most recommendations were adopted without objection, though Senator Dela Cruz voted no on some of the later nominations. The meeting also briefly noted another nomination, Olivia Kim, which was recalled and advanced with an advise-and-consent recommendation before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tony Shepard, resident, retired. My wife allowed me to do that. Jiblet.
• Resident, retired. My wife allowed me to do that. Jiblet.
• Excuse me, so the plan is... ...bringing these bills forward.
• So the plan is that your bills are going to be combined.
• Tony Shepard, retired. My lovely wife let me do that. Senior Master Auto Tech Union.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to share our plan for sustained progress for every student in New Mexico.
• We recognize that school planning decisions should not be a one-size-fits-all proposition and supports
• We support a $12.5 million annual appropriation for both planning and implementation.
• And also focus their time on planning and preparing for the students the way they need to.
• In many cases, superintendents are leaving on their own; they're retiring When you have a vacancy in

Transcript Highlights:

• WITH THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS PLAN.
• FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025 THE FOUNDATION REPORTED TOTAL NEW CASH PLEDGES AND NEW PLAN GIFTS SINCE JULY 1st
• WE WILL LOOK AT FUTURE PLANS AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH STATUTE.
• I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS THERE AND I PLAN TO DO SEVERAL MORE.
• DID YOU PLAN TO WAIT 100 YEARS TO GET THE 126 MILLION OR WERE YOU SPEAKING IN THE PRESENT TENSE?

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the plan today is...
• So she retired, or actually she was defeated, which is a good lesson to know when you should retire before
• Um so she retired or she chaired.
• Um but retire before you're defeated.
• </c> of planning they've done in that regard. of planning they've done in that regard.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• governs CalPERS's reimbursement rights in severe injury cases where the officer has to medically retire
• And then after that, permanent disability, industrial disability retirement, those things would come
• They would be eligible for industrial disability retirement, which starts at 50% of your last wage and
• important: to make sure that everyone comes to the table to focus on fire science, construction, planning
• So just the insurer had no idea that I was planning to install an EV charger.

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:

• As you think of and develop future plans, don't worry; have unquestionable faith.
• She plans to have a future majoring in mechanical engineering. Very cool.
• She plans to study medicine in college to become a pediatrician and help her community.
• Bradley plans to pursue higher education... from the class of 2026, attending Navajo Prep.
• We reduced admissions to the emergency room by 30% compared to all the other health plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• clinical outcomes. bookmarks for the way we would evaluate planned clinical outcomes.
• I retired.
• And by the time I retired, We literally had 10 in active litigation.
• We have helped to set up a Behavioral Health Regional Planning Collaborative.
• Additionally, we plan to start a new initiative in the next couple of months or early 2026...

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee