Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL THAT WAS PASSED BY CONGRESS IN JULY THERE IS A RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION
• THERE IS A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR HOSPITALS WITH CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD TECHNOLOGY TO
• THE HEALTH CARE INNOVATION COUNCIL CONVENED ITS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TO EXPLORE INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY
• PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS OR PATIENT CARE INNOVATIONS, COST REDUCTION STRATEGIES, HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE, AND TECHNOLOGY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, you know, are we talking, you said you're looking at coaches, but I mean, there's technology
• And so is two things, the support on staff, technology, those are the things you're taking into consideration
• challenge with meeting these demands because they don't have the resources, because they don't have the technology
• how our current system is comparing to other states versus the one where you're looking to have us transform

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered two bills. The first, PCS for HB 1565, would expand permitted purchases under the Personalized Education Program scholarship to include digital devices, clarify statutory terms, and distinguish between parent-directed part-time programs and full-time instructor-led programs. Rep. Hinson questioned oversight and misuse safeguards, while the sponsor said existing statutory and SFO oversight already applies. Public testimony included support from the James Madison Institute, and the bill was reported favorably by a 12-1 vote. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1483, the SCORE Act, which would gradually align Florida’s school grading scale with the familiar A-F scale used for students over a 10-year transition. The sponsor argued that current school grades are inflated and confusing to parents, and said the bill would also expand early support identification from pre-K through 8th grade. Members raised concerns about the impact on public and charter schools, low-income communities, teacher workload, resources, property values, and whether the bill should be paired with funding and professional development. Public testimony included an ESE teacher asking about funding and class size, one opponent from Orange County teachers, and a proponent from Florida Citizens Alliance. After extensive debate, the committee voted 12-5 to report PCS for HB 1483 favorably. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and accountability for parents and create pressure to raise standards, while opponents warned it could sharply increase lower-rated schools without sufficient resources and could mislead the public about school performance during the transition.

Transcript Highlights:

• That premise is that a small number of technology companies caused the decline of local news and that
• Technology and social media companies did not create the structural challenges facing journalism today
• I am the lead advocate and trauma transformational coach of the Silent Task Force, which serves people
• Is the technology to scale anywhere? Yeah, it's there. The technology is there. Okay. Thank you.
• It hasn't been shown that that can be done technologically safely.

Bills: SB6294, SB6211, SB5650, SB6033, SB6297, SB6343, SB6067, SB6082, SB6323, SB6324, SB5862, SB5923, SB6151

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> some of the department Wide Technology some of the department Wide Technology systems<02:06:54.719
• , but as good as any technology is, it doesn't go without the programs.
• , but as good as any technology is, it doesn't go without the programs.
• , but as good as any technology is, it doesn't go without the programs.
• Technologies, but as good as any technology is, it doesn't go without the programs.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: Finance Division 3 met for a work session on House Bill 519, which concerns funding for Waypoint. The chair noted general support for the organization but said the bill would likely need to be suspended and folded into the budget process because the committee did not yet know available revenues or what amount, if any, could be committed. Kya Fox, director of the Division for Behavioral Health, testified that the department supports the bill and the program, explaining that it had been funded with other available funds, including $100,000 for 2024 and $400,000 for 2025, under a contract running through June 30 of this year. She said the shelter serves a unique population of young adults and is part of the department’s children’s system of care and Mission Zero efforts to reduce barriers to psychiatric discharge and emergency department use. Members questioned Fox and Waypoint representatives about the budget placement of the request, the difference between the efficiency budget and prioritized needs, and whether state budget documents would show any internal Waypoint revenues. Fox said the request appears as a general fund item and that the state would not see Waypoint’s internal financial operations in the budget. A legislative member explained that prioritized needs are critical services already in place but not necessarily included in the efficiency budget, and another member said the distinction is not strictly applied. The committee also raised a separate question about how DHHS would handle any future state or federal restrictions on DEI practices; Fox said that was a question for department leadership and legal staff, but that the department follows state law and contract requirements. Waypoint CEO Bor Alvare and Director Mandy Lancaster then described the shelter and related services. They said the shelter serves ages 18 to 24, is a 14-bed open-room facility with half walls, and is staffed overnight by two full-time workers. They said admission is first come, first served, with some vulnerability factors considered, and that they do not discriminate by race, gender, or sexual orientation. They reported no known incidents of sexual violence, though some youth are turned away each night because the shelter is full. They also explained that Waypoint provides broader services beyond the shelter, including outreach, drop-in centers, housing support, rental assistance, and family mediation, and said they serve about 400 youth and young adults in Manchester alone. The discussion ended with questions about whether lowering the upper age limit would affect the program; Waypoint said most residents are already in the 18-to-23 range, but that housing shortages make the current age span important for helping young adults avoid chronic homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working with the North Dakota Information Technology Department to try to help provide these
• We've been working with the North Dakota Information Technology Department to try to help provide these
• Do you know if other states have gone to this approach of really changing the technology so that it's
• So has risk management taken that into consideration with the rising cost of technology?
• We can leverage technology where all of these programs can be interlinked.

Summary: The task force first approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, including a correction removing language that suggested the auditor’s office would contract with a security vendor. Members then moved to a bill draft on concessions (LC 27.0161.00000), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, clarify that proceeds go to the entity’s operating fund or general fund, and make other technical updates. OMB explained the draft and answered questions about scope, fragmentation, vendor restrictions, school districts, and whether concession proceeds could be directed to nonprofits; OMB said the draft could be refined further, including clarifying covered entities and contract length. No vote was taken on the draft during the discussion. OMB also reported on other survey items. It said a proposal to broadly allow agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering/land surveying vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is working well for the agencies that already have it. On legal notices, OMB said it has been working with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernization, including an ADA-compliant online notice system and possible statutory updates to reflect changing technology and notice definitions. On click-through agreements for routine IT purchases, OMB and the Attorney General’s office said policy clarification—not statutory change—was enough, and the $20,000 threshold was intended to distinguish low-dollar adhesive contracts from purchases where terms can be negotiated. The committee also heard that OMB and the Center for Distance Education had resolved questions about alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures through existing policy, so no statutory changes were needed there. North Dakota University System representatives gave a brief update on ongoing collaboration with OMB on statutory efficiency ideas, including concessions and surplus property. Finally, the task force discussed a draft on requirements for new or expanded spending programs, which would require agencies to identify purpose, expected benefits, alternatives, success measures, and full implementation costs, and would require reporting on outcomes over time. Members debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how to use the new program evaluators, whether real-time dashboards should be used, and how to choose which programs to evaluate; staff from Legislative Council said they would work with OMB and the auditor’s office to revise the draft and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other key highlights of the HHS budget: $209.9 million to initiate the rural health transformation
• for drug cost increases, $18.3 million to address food service inflation, and $19.8 million for technology
• drug cost increases, also 18.3 million to address food service inflation, and 19.8 million for technology
• Inflation and $19.8 million for technology needs, along with an additional $48.5 million in the back
• The budget also addresses a range of operational technology and workload needs for entities under the

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $2.5 million for a new grant program to support technology-based security enhancements in public and
• for drug cost increases, $18.3 million to address food service inflation, and $19.8 million for technology
• drug cost increases, also 18.3 million to address food service inflation, and 19.8 million for technology
• Inflation and $19.8 million for technology needs, along with an additional $48.5 million in the back
• The budget also addresses a range of operational technology and workload needs for entities under the

Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other key highlights of the HHS budget: $209.9 million to initiate the rural health transformation
• for drug cost increases, $18.3 million to address food service inflation, and $19.8 million for technology
• drug cost increases, also 18.3 million to address food service inflation, and 19.8 million for technology
• leads, along with an additional 48,000. ...inflation and $19.8 million for technology needs, along with
• The budget also addresses a range of operational technology and workload needs for entities under the

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Information Technology Services. We added that back in 2019.
• Water Conservation Commission in CREP and also a $200,000 increase for the Office of Information Technology
• In CREP and also a $200,000 increase for the Office of Information Technology Services.
• from the general fund and transfer that into the dedicated fund from the Office of Information Technology
• Board, their only enhancement request was for computer hardware through the Office of Information Technology

Summary: The committee met as JFAC for a statewide budget overview and related process presentations. Keith Bybee of LSO walked members through the general fund outlook, emphasizing that projected revenues for FY 2026 and FY 2027 are below current budgeted spending, creating a structural imbalance that will require either budget reductions or use of one-time cash and reserve balances. He highlighted major statutory cost drivers over the last several years, including public defense, IT services, Medicaid expansion, public schools, and water resources, and reviewed cash reconciliation items, transfers, supplementals, rescissions, and the governor’s proposed use of various fund balances and interest earnings to help balance the budget. Members asked about the deficit, corrections costs, tax conformity timing, fire suppression deficiency funds, and whether stabilization funds should be used; Bybee stressed that the Legislature has options but must decide whether to rely on short-term money or make longer-term structural changes. Janet Jessup then explained the budget hearing process and the Legislative Budget Book, including historical summaries, fund analyses, organizational charts, five-year snapshots, performance measures, and enhancement/outcome reporting. Morgan Poloni followed with an overview of deficiency warrants and supplemental appropriations, explaining that deficiency warrants cover certain authorized expenses after they occur and are typically used for items like fire suppression or pest control, while supplementals adjust the current year appropriation and can apply to general, dedicated, or federal funds. She noted that deficiency warrant requests have grown in recent years, largely due to pest control, and that supplemental and rescission bills may require emergency clauses to take effect immediately. Francis Lippett presented on state health insurance costs, saying FY 2024 spending on health and dental insurance was $646.2 million and that costs are rising faster than in prior years. She explained how the state uses employee premiums, a sweep account, and reserve balances to stabilize the plan, and said the FY 2027 appropriation is expected to rise about 14 percent, with employee premiums projected to increase 7.3 percent to maintain the current 80/20 cost split. Members asked about why premiums are charged for benefit-eligible employees who decline coverage, how reserve targets are set, how school district employees fit into the state plan, and how the state selects its insurance carrier; the Division of Insurance administrator said the plan is administered by Regence under a multi-year contract and that the state will rebid the plan within the contract term.

Transcript Highlights:

• which is another passion of mine, to see business succeed, to look toward the future, where the technologies
• I also wanted to discuss the role that technology and innovation play in growing our economy generally
• I also wanted to discuss the role that technology in innovation plays and growing our economy generally
• Our innovative model transforms lives.
• Is it mainly because of the technological advancement they have or the infrastructure, or is it a jump

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training. Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth. Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• For year 25/26, information technology totals $525 million.
• Members, this is the proposed fiscal year 25/26 information technology budget. Thank you.
• It is transformative.
• Show the bill rolled over for third reading procurement transformation.
• If electronic prescribing is not available due to a temporary technological or electrical failure, so

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of of technological expertise as well. of of technological expertise as well.
• </c> uh business requirements and technology uh business requirements and technology requirements<00:
• Technology is like moving like at the Technology is like moving like at the speed<00:39:21.440><c> of
• </c><00:39:57.599><c> uh</c> and maybe we do with our technology uh and maybe we do with our technology
• </c> to make investments in that technology. to make investments in that technology.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:38.319><c> moments</c><00:50:38.880><c> to</c><00:50:39.880><c> get</c><00:50:40.680><c> technology
• </c><00:50:41.280><c> up</c><00:50:41.480><c> and</c> few moments to get technology up and few moments
• to get technology up and running<00:50:42.000><c> so</c><00:50:42.240><c> members</c><00:50:42.680><
• the local Soil and Water Conservation districts and others that can help with the upkeep and the technology
• This is this transformation from geopolitical-boundary-based water management to watershed-based management

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and the technology that we put in the hands of our young people.
• This is also how you will not see technology being used.
• We cannot go backwards technologically speaking...
• Because of the pace at which technology is changing.
• But if we need the time, of these technologies.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State and approved the prior minutes. The main focus of the meeting was a legislative study on artificial intelligence, especially protections for children from AI-generated sexual exploitation and chatbot harms, along with possible statutory responses. Legislative Council staff reviewed North Dakota and federal law on CSAM, deepfakes, obscenity, age verification, and recent federal and state actions. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s 2025 laws on minors and harmful sexual material should be compared with newer court-approved approaches, and staff agreed to circulate additional comparison material before the next meeting. State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then outlined how AI is affecting K-12 education. He emphasized safety, family partnership, and keeping teachers central, while warning against both doing nothing and overregulating so heavily that students lose access to useful tools. He said digital literacy should be embedded across subjects rather than taught as a standalone AI class, and suggested guardrails such as requiring basic instruction before one-to-one device use, limiting passive use at the elementary level, and giving parents more transparency about device activity. Members asked about balancing local control with state guidance, and Bachmeier said the state should set reasonable guardrails, use performance data to tailor oversight, and draw on higher education, K-12 experts, and private-sector support. Special Agent Hellseth of North Dakota BCI described AI-driven child exploitation cases and said the problem is already happening in the state. He reported 2,698 cyber tips in 2025 and explained that AI is being used to create explicit images from ordinary photos, impersonate children and adults, facilitate extortion and bullying, and accelerate grooming. He said investigators must treat reports as real until proven otherwise, but AI also helps law enforcement analyze large volumes of data and identify synthetic images. He urged stronger company accountability, better reporting and safeguards, more victim services, training, forensic tools, and public education. Members asked about false accusations, compliance, and federal reporting rules, and he said existing federal law requires reporting but does not make companies proactive enough. The committee did not take final legislative action, but members indicated the testimony would inform a comprehensive bill draft for a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That discovery launched the modern American oil industry and transformed southeast Texas into a national
• That discovery launched the modern American oil industry and transformed southeast Texas into a national
• southeast Texas into a transformed southeast Texas into a national<00:19:07.039><c> energy</c><00:19
• is there and the building technology is there and the building materials<00:37:48.160><c> are</c><00
• , plan for the future, and technology, plan for the future, and succeed.<01:50:38.800><c> In</c><01:50

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keeping up with that technology is very helpful for avoiding impacts to the state, and that's part of
• As you've heard during the hearings, information technology and cybersecurity are huge concerns as we
• assets... ...to the information and technology assets and cyber threats.
• Funding for information technology may enable the community college to keep pace with technology needs
• And we've also had turnover in our information and computer technology.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're honing in on another topic here technology-wise.
• Here technology-wise, so this is going to be known as the Conversational AI Safety Act.
• AI technology, I think, why now: AI technology is rapidly advancing, and the abilities and use of conversational
• technology, and we would encourage your support.
• I think it's incredibly important for us to get out in front when innovative technology comes along but

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from several prior meetings, then heard Senate Bill 1354, which would create a statewide framework for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The bill sponsor said it would expand housing options, allow one internal or attached ADU on qualifying lots in cities over 10,000 population, preserve existing HOA restrictions, require architectural consistency, and exempt historic districts. Supporters from the Realtors, housing advocates, and builders said ADUs are a flexible, low-impact way to add housing and help families, seniors, and workers. Opponents from HOA and insurance groups argued the bill could increase density, rentals, parking and utility burdens, and insurance costs, and raised concerns about limiting future HOA authority. After questions about how the HOA language would work in new developments and whether cities could deny projects for infrastructure reasons, the committee voted 10-4 to send SB 1354 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1297, the Conversational AI Safety Act. The sponsor said the bill would set baseline transparency and safety standards for conversational AI services, especially for minors, including disclosures that users are interacting with AI, limits on sexually explicit or romantic/sentient simulations for minors, anti-gamification provisions, and parental controls. Google testified in support, saying it already uses safety-by-design measures and that the bill’s standards were workable and consistent with efforts in other states. Members asked about how operators would identify minors, what the disclosures would look like, and the bill’s scope. The sponsor said operators can use account and usage signals rather than collecting personal identifiers. The committee then adopted a motion to send SB 1297 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1352, which would require cities over 10,000 population to allow starter home subdivisions and prohibit them from imposing minimum lot sizes above 1,500 square feet in those subdivisions, while still allowing denials based on infrastructure, safety, or environmental constraints. The sponsor framed it as a response to Idaho’s housing affordability crisis and said it would help create entry-level homes without eliminating local safety authority. Supporters, including affordable housing advocates and builders, said smaller lots and predictable rules would make workforce housing more feasible. Opponents, including city officials and residents, argued the bill would override local planning, increase density, and conflict with comprehensive plans and local control. Testimony also raised concerns about investor purchases and the lack of deed restrictions or owner-occupancy requirements. The discussion was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, with no final vote on SB 1352 shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state have installed thousands of energy-efficient irrigation systems, planted cover crops, transformed
• And finally, emerging enteric methane mitigation technologies, such as feed additives, reduce methane
• These are emerging technologies. They have not been deployed yet.
• technologies like using seaweed and things like that would also be applicable.
• And then any new technologies coming down that you see? Yeah.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2700, establishing the Technology First Study Committee.
• House Bill 2700, establishing the Technology First Study Committee.
• And what the Science and Technology Group will do.
• Those are committed, and what the Science and Technology Group will do now.
• Specifically, it's in the governor's application for the rural health transformation funds.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These groups have the power to transform lives, but they can only grow if everyone has access to the
• There is a lot of language referring to complex rehabilitation technology devices.
• Complex rehab technology is the terminology for the devices that you see in front of us. Thank you.
• I'm the General Counsel for the Department of Information Technology.
• And these agencies are all on different information technology networks.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 66, which would expand and restructure the Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Fund. The sponsor said the substitute narrows the bill to a $25 million fund, with 50% reserved for physicians and the rest for other health professionals, and raises physician awards to at least $75,000 per year for a four-year commitment. Supporters from nursing, physical therapy, health systems, social work, and advocacy groups said the program would help recruit and retain providers in New Mexico. The committee moved the substitute and then passed the bill on a do-pass motion. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility devices, drew extensive testimony from amputees, Paralympians, clinicians, and disability advocates. The bill would clarify and expand coverage for activity prosthetics, activity wheelchairs, and related complex rehab technology, with limits on the number of devices and replacement tied to physiological changes. Supporters said access to these devices is medically necessary for physical and mental health, independence, and participation in sports and daily life. After questions about provider qualifications, insurance contracting, and replacement for growing children, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill. House Bill 257 would appropriate funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulation implants for drug-resistant epilepsy. The sponsor and manufacturer’s representative argued current reimbursement is too low, leaving only UNM Hospital performing the procedures and limiting access statewide; they said better reimbursement could reduce emergency visits and long-term Medicaid costs. Members raised concerns about the bill’s language, including whether it could allow payment above allowable rates or create uncertainty about the reimbursement standard. A motion to table failed, and the committee then passed the bill 5-4, with several members noting they supported the concept but wanted the language tightened before the next committee. The committee also passed House Bill 178, which appropriates $3 million for shade structures in rural parks and outdoor recreation areas, after testimony that the project would reduce sun exposure, heat illness, and skin cancer risk. House Bill 198, which provides $2 million for peer-to-peer mental health training and treatment for first responders, also advanced on a do-pass without recommendation after members said they supported the goal but wanted clearer language on training standards, liability, and administration. Finally, House Bill 202, which would require data-sharing agreements to help the Office of Child Advocate access records from state agencies, drew support from child advocacy groups but concern from IT and family advocates about timelines, system complexity, privacy, and the need for family collaboration; the discussion continued with suggestions to refine the bill.