Transcript Highlights:

• Until last year, New Mexico was one of only 11 states in the nation that had no oversight whatsoever
• Last year, this body passed Senate Bill 15, which gave the state temporary oversight for one year over
• It's common sense oversight and assurance for our state in today's health care sector.
• And we can still have our protections of oversight for the protection of our industry and those services
• Those all have money tied to the budget; they need to go. We know what they do.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to welcome you to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4.
• The governor's budget does propose the dam safety backfill to provide budget resiliency.
• this budget year.
• It's zero-based budgeting.
• We have a budget proposal before you that is quite small.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's that Budget Adjustment Request Authority.
• I'm also with the State Budget Division at DFA.
• The FY27 amount, I believe, is just a small amount of the budget that was in the budget across the base
• And I'm just saying, you know, I know the budget ended up in the Senate last year, the supplemental budget
• LFC budget record. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It's green, but it should say under budget.
• It's green, but it should say under budget.
• So 41% under budget and more than 100%. should say under budget, so 41% under budget and more than 100%
• It is through the base budget for Human Services.
• Joe Morissette from the Office of Management and Budget.

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under your projection, as we dip into this, you know, dip into budget markup...
• We, as we dip into this, you know, dip into budget markup.
• State to state, I believe the number that oversight is using as the plug number was $825 million.
• added as a portion of the cost that I believe was just a reflection of that boilerplate language by oversight
• bunch of people go out and break a lot of laws, you get 3,000 extra prisoners, and it overdoes your budget

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions resumed consideration of Senate Bill 888, focusing on sentencing changes, juvenile certification provisions, and the Department of Corrections’ fiscal impact. Department officials clarified that courts, not the DOC, impose sentences, and said the bill’s main elements for the department were sentencing transparency and changes affecting people in DOC custody. Members questioned whether the bill amounted to “truth in sentencing,” whether any federal incentives still exist for such laws, and whether the department would need a supplemental appropriation if prison populations rose; the department said it was not aware of any current federal incentive dollars and would likely seek a quick supplemental if costs exceeded budgeted capacity. Officials also explained that most federal funds received by DOC are pass-through grants, mainly for education and substance abuse treatment, and that the fiscal note uses boilerplate language tied to population and capacity changes. The committee then heard opposition testimony from Clifton Davis of the Missouri Justice Coalition, who described being certified as an adult at age 16 and serving 26 years in prison. He argued the bill’s juvenile certification provisions are too broad because they would allow adult prosecution based on Class A or B felony charges alone, before facts are fully developed, and would expose more children to adult records and prison conditions that increase trauma and recidivism. In questioning, Davis said the bill would have changed his life by avoiding an adult record and likely placing him in juvenile treatment instead of adult prison. Other members raised concerns about the bill’s impact on juvenile rehabilitation, prison programming, and whether the legislation is purely punitive. In executive session, Representative Davis offered an amendment to clarify that vaccination status alone cannot prove first-degree child endangerment; he argued the bill’s reclassification of the offense could otherwise create strict-liability concerns and undermine existing religious or medical exemptions. Representative Hovis opposed the amendment as unnecessary, citing existing statute and the lack of a history of such prosecutions. The committee split 8-8 on the amendment, so it failed. The committee then voted on Senate Bill 888 itself and passed it do pass by a 9-7 roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under your projection, as we dip into this, you know, dip into budget markup. Um, so.
• We, as we dip into this, you know, dip into budget markup.
• State to state, I believe the number that oversight is using as the plug number was $825 million.
• added as a portion of the cost that I believe was just a reflection of that boilerplate language by oversight
• bunch of people go out and break a lot of laws, you get 3,000 extra prisoners, and it overdoes your budget

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Her duties included leading, planning, organizing, staffing, and conducting performance oversight across
• Anderson is skilled in leadership and staff development techniques, security oversight and risk management
• high-tech strategy that enhances winter snowpack in the high mountains, increasing the total water budget
• relating to state affairs to provide a short title and to provide for a limitation on increases in state budgets
• their health care concerns and in the looming kind of discussions we're having about revenue and budget

Transcript Highlights:

• You need to get into the weeds of what's happening and make sure that oversight is happening because
• You need to get into the weeds of what's happening and make sure that oversight is happening because
• You need to get into the weeds of what's happening and make sure that oversight is happening because
• You need to get into the weeds of what's happening and make sure that oversight is happening because
• </c> budget and on time? budget and on time?

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard HCR 66, which asks the State Building Code Council to update the state building code to allow point access block construction for residential buildings up to six stories. Testimony was generally in support, including from Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and OPSD, with one registered opponent. No questions were raised, and the joint committee later adopted a recommendation to pass the resolution as is. Because the housing committee lacked quorum at that time, final action on the resolution was deferred to the housing-only agenda. On the housing-only agenda, the committee first heard HTR 78, which states the intent that housing projects qualifying for credits under Act 31 remain eligible for those credits after the act’s repeal. Testimony was in support from HHFTC and the DIY chapter, and there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee then took up Governor’s Message 592, confirming Lisa Darcy to the HPHA board. Support came from HPHA board members and several individuals, and Darcy said she accepted the nomination and emphasized her experience and interest in HPHA’s work. Members questioned her about the HPHA board’s oversight role, the 10,000-unit RFQ, and media coverage of Kuhio Park Terrace relocations; she said she supports the project, values transparency, and would push for better context and accountability, though some members felt she had not directly answered concerns about on-the-ground oversight. The committee also heard Governor’s Message 736, confirming Grant Chun to the HHFDC board. Support testimony highlighted his experience in nonprofit housing, real estate, and leadership roles, and Chun said he was pleased to serve the state. Members asked about his residence and his perspective on senior care at Hali Makua, where he said his family found the care compassionate and thorough, while noting staffing shortages. The transcript ends before any final vote on the housing-only items is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• particularly the sequencing of policy submissions, the scope of the Office of Insurance Regulation oversight
• particularly the sequencing of policy submissions, the scope of the Office of Insurance Regulation oversight
• It... ...controlling measures and safeguards necessary for effective oversight and intervention when
• And for instance, this year, we will get in the base budget $50 million, hopefully more, knock on wood
• Budget $50 million, hopefully more, knock on wood.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, during the pandemic, as a result of a budget that was passed, we changed our policy
• Finally, the department has an oversight committee and is collaborating with stakeholders to develop
• this slide is to really highlight three things that the governor has proposed funding for in his budget
• We have about a $2.5 million budget.
• We have about a $2.5 million budget.

Bills: SB5873 , SB5895 , SB5945

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: incarcerated individuals, escorted leaves, criminal justice, rehabilitation, state law, healthcare, incarcerated, extraordinary medical placement, criminal justice reform, medical care, persistent offender, three strikes, resentencing, juvenile conviction, youth offender, juvenile sentencing, life without parole, LWOP, most serious offense, sentencing reform

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or budget negotiations. or budget negotiations.
• </c> I want to vote for a bipartisan budget I want to vote for a bipartisan budget that<00:50:29.359>
• ><c> shielded</c> long-term budget should be shielded long-term budget should be shielded against<00:
• </c> on oversight and government reform. on oversight and government reform.
• </c> committee on the budget of the house. committee on the budget of the house.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was just a lack of oversight on my part, and it was a lack of help.
• Chief, do you know what your total town budget is?
• “Okay, so only 20% of our customers were coming from our advertising budget.
• ALA staff review of city budgets revealed that budgets were adopted by ordinance or resolution as required
• You know, and what he said was that, you know, it was an oversight. It's not an oversight.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent water and sewer reports, including seven new reinstatements and a reduction to four remaining delinquent filers. Staff also reported on municipal accounting code noncompliance, removing Denning and Gum Springs from the 60-day clock after improved records were verified, and presenting repeat findings for Fargo, Lead Hill, Alma, Jericho, and Haynes. Members discussed repeated audit problems, the length of time some issues had persisted, and whether towns should be given additional time or face stronger action; motions were made and adopted to place some entities on a 60-day clock or defer action to later meetings. For Fargo and Alma, staff described extensive repeat accounting deficiencies, including missing budgets, bank reconciliations, financial statements, receipts, journals, and supporting documentation. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was beginning to improve its office systems; the committee voted to defer the matter for 60 days and file the report. Alma’s officials said they were trying to correct water audit and accounting issues, and the committee likewise deferred the matter to the August meeting while warning that water-audit delays could jeopardize turnback funds. The committee then reviewed misuse-of-street-funds findings for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho’s police chief and officials explained that traffic fines, drug-related arrests, and other citations had pushed the town over the statutory threshold, while staff clarified that the speed-trap calculation excludes certain add-on fines and is referred to the prosecuting attorney for any action. Haynes officials said repayment problems stemmed from lost revenue and staffing changes, including the loss of the police department, but staff reported the town remained behind on its repayment plan and also owed the IRS. The committee voted to defer the Haynes matter to September and to defer Jericho as well, with members emphasizing the need for consistency and possible broader legislative review of small-town viability. A special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District drew substantial discussion. Staff cited findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, car allowances and personal vehicle use, competitive bidding, and unusually high advertising spending, as well as the sale of trailers and other equipment at low prices. The district director said the board had delegated authority for many expenditures, that personal use was reported for tax purposes, and that advertising was necessary to educate the public about recycling. Members questioned the procurement and disposal decisions and the size of the advertising budget; after discussion, the committee deferred the report to September and asked the director to return. The meeting also included brief deferred reports on Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove, which were filed after local officials described ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing audit and tax issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was just a lack of oversight on my part, and it was a lack of help.
• Chief, do you know what your total town budget is?
• ALA staff review of city budgets revealed that budgets were adopted by ordinance or resolution as required
• ALA staff review of city budgets revealed that budgets were adopted by ordinance or resolution as required
• But, you know, and what he said was that it was an oversight. It's not an oversight.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, first up to testify, we have the Department of Budget and Finance.
• Vice Chair, Budget Finance and support.
• Vice Chair, noting Budget and HDA in support, one individual in opposition.
• Vice Chair, noting Budget and Finance support.
• </c> um I guess either either one Budget um I guess either either one Budget Finance<00:41:55.599><c>

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the commissioner at Minnesota Management and Budget, and with me today is MMB Deputy Commissioner
• Our next request is for an oversight package.
• </c> terine at this point given um the budget terine at this point given um the budget constraints<00
• </c><00:32:07.000><c> recommendations</c> of budget recommendations of budget recommendations okay<00
• </c><01:24:26.480><c> we</c> veterans last session in the budget we veterans last session in the budget

Bills: HF10

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• OPLA calls for paying for it, an appropriation out of our budget directly into the pension that benefit
• , Budget directly into the pension that that benefit comes out of.
• Bill 3413 asks that, well, in Title 62, we're going to ask our agencies within their October agency budget
• submission to the legislature that agencies include a list of contracts or... ...agency budget submission
• submission to the legislature that agencies include a list of contracts or... agency budget submission

Bills: HB1739 , HB1784 , HB1889 , HB2116 , HB2206 , HB3625 , HB2939 , HB3028 , HB3265 , HB3313 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3418 , HB3420 , HB3588 , HB3748 , HB3721 , HB3852 , HB4132 , HB4263 , HB4303 , HB4311 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434

Committee: House Government Oversight

Summary: The committee opened with prayer, laid over House Bill 1784 as dead, and then heard a long series of measures, many related to pensions, retirement systems, elections, and state procurement/reporting. Early bills included HB 3588 on debtor-creditor law updates, HB 3748 on county partnerships with four-year institutions, HB 4303 extending the municipal ordinance publication deadline from 15 to 30 days, HB 4311 increasing the treasurer’s share of the unclaimed property administration fee from 4% to 6%, and HB 3028 allowing CareerTech to charge processing fees. All of these advanced on due pass votes, with some opposition on HB 3588, HB 4311, and HB 3028. A major block of the meeting focused on retirement and pension policy. The committee advanced HB 4428 and HB 4429 on proxy advisor transparency and fiduciary voting standards for retirement systems, with the author arguing they would improve transparency and keep pension decisions focused on financial returns rather than ESG/DEI considerations. Other pension-related bills that passed included HB 4132 creating a cybersecurity safe harbor for local governments, HB 1889 fixing a COLA gap for certain retired police officers and firefighters, HB 3265 defining “mental health specialist” for disability applications, HB 1739 reinstating a half-pay provision in the state law enforcement retirement system, HB 3313 changing the Retirement Freedom Act by raising contribution and match rates and eliminating vesting, HB 2116 expanding eligibility for State Fire Marshal officers, HB 2206 allowing newly hired school resource officers to join OLEERS, HB 3625 expanding school district investment options, and HB 3721 creating a survivor-benefit election for children of certain public safety officers. Most of these passed with little or no debate, though HB 1739 drew questions about actuarial “safe harbor” language and pension funding. The latter part of the meeting centered on a package of government contracting and transparency bills from Representative Strom. HB 3413, HB 3414, HB 3415, HB 3416, HB 3417, HB 3418, and HB 3420 would require more detailed reporting of contracts, subcontractors, consulting services, and post-contract assessments; create public posting and reporting requirements through OMES and Central Purchasing; revise bidding rules for state, county, and municipal entities; require vendor ownership disclosures; allow live-streamed bid openings; and add misdemeanor penalties for violations of Central Purchasing rules. Strom said the package was intended to improve accountability, documentation, and protection of taxpayer dollars. The committee also passed HB 3852 clarifying poll worker list requirements for county election boards, HB 4434 requiring gubernatorial notice when out of state, and HB 2939 removing fax-machine references from statute. Most measures were adopted with policy recommendations and passed on strong votes, and the meeting ended with Chairman West thanking members for their work and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget is now $7.2 billion, and that includes both the Olympics and Paralympics.
• I will say that, you know, in the governor's budget, there's a 90. You know, we can't do that.
• And, you know, as you know, we have budget challenges.
• So I want to share some context for our budget gap to the Legislature.
• Thank you for today’s hearing and your continued oversight.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, with opening remarks from Assembly Members Tina McKinnor and Chris Ward emphasizing the Games’ cultural, economic, and statewide significance. Members highlighted opportunities for arts and culture, tourism, and community participation, while also noting the need for orderly proceedings and public cooperation. LA28 leaders Reynolds Hoover and Janet Evans described the organizing committee’s structure, the scale of the event, and its goals of delivering a fiscally responsible, no-build Games centered on athletes, sustainability, and legacy benefits. LA28 testified that the Games will be the largest in Olympic history, with more than 15,000 athletes, over 800 events, more than 50 venues, and a budget of $7.2 billion. They discussed venue plans, the athlete village at UCLA, the addition of new sports such as cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash, and baseball/softball arrangements, and the first Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Members asked about fashion and merchandising, faith-based participation, venue upgrades, housing, small business opportunities, environmental goals, and athlete mental health. LA28 said it is prioritizing local and small business participation, has launched youth sports and volunteer initiatives, and is working with the IOC on mental health support and with venue owners on improvements. City of Los Angeles representative Paul Corcoran outlined the city’s role in maximizing economic benefit and long-term legacy through the Mayor’s “Games for All” vision, including accessibility, human rights, youth sports, arts and culture, and transportation improvements. He said the city is using tools like RAMP, Compete for L.A., business source centers, and procurement and financing programs to help local businesses participate, and that the city is seeking broader support for arts and culture programming tied to the Cultural Olympiad. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins described transit planning for a “transit-first” Games, including the Games-Enhanced Transit Service, borrowing about 1,700 buses from agencies nationwide, and asking the state for $379 million in construction funding for legacy transit projects. She said all projects are environmentally cleared and expected to be ready in time for the Games, while members raised concerns about traffic, multilingual wayfinding, and the need for strong public messaging to reduce congestion. Public comment urged that the Games be experienced beyond venues and across communities, and no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Republican colleagues are pushing for Trump tax scam 2.0 using a budget trick to say that they're not
• My last one is oversight.
• Well then you're going to need to reject the Republican budget plan.
• Oz, I believe Medicaid is on the chopping block. because of the Republican budget and Mr.
• Kaiser Family Foundation explaining the Congressional Budget Letter from March 7th, 2025.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• After going out and speaking budgets.
• </c> department for oversight and regulation. department for oversight and regulation.
• If there oversight should that happen.
• </c><05:55:55.920><c> and</c> strengthening oversight and strengthening oversight and sustainability<
• </c> budget impact of almost $1.7 million. budget impact of almost $1.7 million.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope we, you know, have the money for that as we do the budget.
• Given the lack of oversight in the U.S., international surrogacy is increasing rapidly and has become
• Given the lack of oversight in the U.S., international surrogacy is increasing rapidly and has become
• We'll save the traditional hanky drop ceremony for our special session on the budget.
• As we continue to work on the budget.