Transcript Highlights:

• agricultural region, As Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and as someone who represents the
• heart of California's agricultural region, I understand that agriculture is more than just an industry
• California agriculture leads the nation.
• And what's better than having California agriculture?
• It's true also for the agricultural sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Values is the family policy council for Texas, and we joined a coalition of about 40 other similar
• California, or four more, includes Texas.
• In Texas, every single day, there are so many graver threats to the kids of Texas that we could be spending
• Using trans and intersex people as political pawns is anti-Texas, is anti-American; it betrays the Texas
• The false and rigid definition of sex that this bill is trying to impose throughout Texas code would

Bills: HB186 , HB201 , HB229 , HB796 , HB1506 , HB2702 , HB2885 , HB3225 , HB3909 , HB4285 , HB5138

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona, Colorado, or Texas. What are the differences?
• They do have caps, but I think one of the main issues, if you look at Texas, Texas has corporate practice
• So what you see, that's a difference between Texas and Colorado or Texas and New Mexico is that New Mexico
• Between Texas and Colorado or Texas and New Mexico is that New Mexico has higher rates of malpractice
• In fact, the 1993 rewrite of the Children's Code was conducted by a Children's Code task force created

Bills: HB99 , HJR5 , HM39 , HB206 , HB213 , SB41 , SB153 , SB165 , SB261 , SB264

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first took up a lengthy informational presentation on the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and New Mexico medical malpractice insurance. Teresa Hassey, a plaintiffs’ attorney, described the PCF’s origin in the 1976 Medical Malpractice Act, its role as a state-backed excess coverage system, and her view that it was mismanaged when hospital participation expanded without individualized risk assessments. She argued that hospitals underpaid surcharges, that the fund was depleted by claims, and that the 2021 amendments and later legislative infusions were meant to shore up deficits and phase hospitals out. Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane and LFC analyst Julia Rodriguez presented a different perspective, emphasizing recent general fund infusions, current surcharge collections, the use of actuarial reviews, and the PCF’s budget and settlement activity. Kane said the market is highly concentrated, New Mexico’s malpractice costs and defense expenses are high, and the fund still provides lower-cost coverage than the open market, while also noting ongoing issues with future medical claims, TPA transition, and investment management. Committee members questioned the presenters at length about why New Mexico malpractice premiums are so high, whether defense costs were being conflated with claim payouts, how the PCF works with primary coverage and excess coverage, and whether hospitals were properly assessed when they entered the fund. Several senators raised concerns about punitive damages, corporate practice of medicine, and whether the state’s legal environment is driving doctors away. Others challenged the data comparisons, noting differences between one-year figures and multi-year averages, and asked why New Mexico’s costs remain far above neighboring states. Kane and Hassey disagreed on the causes, with Kane pointing to high claims and defense costs over time and Hassey arguing that hospital participation and punitive-damage exposure distorted the market. The chair concluded the discussion by saying the committee had not exhausted the topic and that he still wanted a clear path to reducing doctors’ insurance costs. After a break, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 41. Senator Charlie introduced the bill, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes in New Mexico. He argued that trauma, coercion, fear, and delayed disclosure often prevent survivors from reporting promptly, and said the law should reflect that reality. The bill was presented as a response to survivor testimony heard in a prior hearing, and the sponsor framed it as part of a broader effort to modernize the justice system for sexual violence cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cuellar of Texas, Mr. Kera of California, Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Mr.
• </c> from Texas seek recognition? Mr. from Texas seek recognition? Mr.
• </c> The gentleman from Texas is recognized. The gentleman from Texas is recognized.
• &gt;&gt; The gentleman from Texas yields. The &gt;&gt; The gentleman from Texas yields.
• </c> gentleman from Texas is recognized. gentleman from Texas is recognized.

Bills: HB1558 , HB3400 , HJR117 , HB4446 , HB3494 , HB3481 , HB2701 , HB2034 , HB3854 , HB3951 , HB3579 , HB2721 , HB3767 , HB1860 , HB2334 , HR1107 , HB3426 , HB3427 , HR452 , HB5100

Keywords: financial management, government oversight, budgeting, accountability, reporting, federal financial management, government accountability, oversight, taxpayer funds, Office of Management and Budget, OMB, Chief Financial Officer, CFO, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, internal controls, financial reporting, financial audits, governmentwide financial management plan, financial management status report, performance metrics

Transcript Highlights:

• A bill for an act to create and enact Chapter 23.1-17 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to septic
• Public Health Units; to repeal Sections 23-35-0.2.2 and... ...23-35-02.3 of the North Dakota Century Code
• A bill for an act to create and enact a new section to Chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code
• A bill for an act to create and enact a new section to Chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code
• To amend and reenact section 15.1-31-05 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to open enrollment

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum call showing 46 members present. It then took up multiple House messages and amendments, appointing conference committees on several measures, including SB 2007, SCR 4007, SB 2374, SB 233, and House bills 1029, 1218, and 1022. The chamber also considered a series of House bills on the sixth and 14th orders, often adopting committee amendments before final passage or, in some cases, rejecting the bill outright. Among the major policy items, the Senate passed HB 1524 on regional planning council grants, HB 1143 increasing a food bank appropriation to $10 million, HB 1126 modernizing cosmetology licensing and inspections, HB 1542 making student applications for admission exempt records, HB 1613 regulating law enforcement use of robots, HB 1582 directing a study on false reports and accusations, HB 1214 revising school transportation funding, HB 1448 creating a study on advanced technologies, HB 1280 on drainage project voting rules, HB 1499 protecting records related to federal judges, and several Senate bills returned from the House, including SB 2221, SB 2117, SB 2198, SB 2120, and SB 2214. The Senate also adopted amendments to HB 1541 on septic systems before rejecting it on final passage. Several high-profile bills failed after debate. HB 1566, dealing with kratom regulation, saw an amendment to convert it to a study fail on a 21-25 vote, after which the chamber laid the bill over for one legislative day rather than take final action. HB 1283, which would have eliminated cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams in the state employee plan, was defeated 22-24 after extensive debate over cost, precedent, and insurance impacts. HB 1527, requiring Holocaust education in statute, also failed 22-24, with supporters emphasizing the importance of the subject and opponents arguing curriculum belongs in standards rather than statute. The Senate adjourned after announcements, scheduling its next meeting for Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jared Seward from the Idaho Department of Agriculture.
• I'm the administrator for the Agricultural Inspections Division at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture
• The Idaho State Department of Agriculture will be presenting now on docket 0.02-027-2501.
• with the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
• A private applicator, as defined in Idaho Code, does allow for unsupervised... Thank you.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• in Texas for physical year 2024.
• In Texas is 0 days.
• We urge you to pass House Bill 689 to prevent further assaults on Texas public transit.
• I'm the president of Amalgamated Local 694 out of San Antonio, Texas.
• We show you registered as Kirsten Budwein from the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill will do is remove several pieces of code, 19 sections of code.
• This is an extensive piece of code, and it's... ...and this is an extensive piece of code, and it set
• There were about 160 pieces of code that were recommended for removal, or, yeah, removal.
• And so Texas is now doing the same thing, even to their Texas.
• States like Tennessee and Texas are trying to attract all of it.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• commissioner of agriculture is.
• Still working agricultures position.
• </c> or who the commissioner of agriculture or who the commissioner of agriculture is.<00:04:53.280><
• I appreciate Senator Department of Agriculture as co-chair of Department of Agriculture as co-chair of
• So this would just add economies, the economy of agriculture uh economies, the economy of agriculture

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
• They just bring in other people from Texas to do the same work.
• ><c> same</c><01:30:22.320><c> the</c><01:30:22.480><c> whole</c> &gt;&gt; Texas.
• I mean, prices same the whole &gt;&gt; Texas.
• </c> people from Texas to do the same work. people from Texas to do the same work.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Please help us change this now and protect our children in Texas.
• He represents the Texas ISD Police Chiefs Association.
• I'm the Texas State Director and Chief of Staff for Right on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Like many other states, Texas is no exception to this trend.
• Senate Bill 1278 seeks to amend the Texas Penal Code by allowing survivors of human... trafficking to

Bills: SB614 , SB872 , SB1199 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1573 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1660 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2146 , SB2177 , SB2373 , SB2460 , SB2785

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• Probably 10 miles from Texas.
• They're staying in Texas and buying it.
• And he says, you know, Texas recognizes the ag sales tax exemption from Oklahoma.
• I would think that if it's a valid tax-exempt card from the state of Texas or Kansas or a surrounding
• If someone lives in Texas but does work in Oklahoma, they could apply to the Oklahoma Tax Commission

Summary: The committee considered and advanced a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 3834, which creates a revolving fund at the Department of Health for ibogaine research. The author said the measure is limited to clinical trials, has support from several tribal nations, and would not have an immediate fiscal impact, though retirement-related costs were discussed as roughly $1 million based on prior estimates. HB 3834 passed 20-0. House Bill 3940, updating Oklahoma Military Department provisions, National Guard retirement benefits, and some Uniform Code of Military Justice language, also passed after questions about the same estimated retirement cost and the effect of changing the date for implementation; it passed 21-1. Members then approved House Bill 4346, with an amendment aimed at addressing fraud concerns in agricultural sales tax exemptions. The bill would extend reciprocity to holders of ag sales tax exemption cards from Texas and other surrounding states, allowing them to use those exemptions in Oklahoma border communities. Opponents argued the change would place too much burden on retailers to verify out-of-state cards and could increase liability, but supporters said it would help rural businesses. The bill passed 17-4. House Bill 2947, allowing clinical interns and accredited behavioral health graduate programs to bill Medicaid for supervised services, passed 21-0, and House Bill 3257, extending state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to those similarly disabled due to negligence at a VA hospital, also passed 21-0. The committee next passed House Bill 3264, which adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of 85% crimes. Supporters emphasized the seriousness of strangulation and its connection to later homicide risk, while questions focused on prison population growth and costs; the bill passed 21-0. House Bill 4326, dealing with Oklahoma Promise homeschool language and the definition of certified classroom personnel, was amended to remove unrelated T-SET restructuring language and then passed 19-2. House Bill 4421, “Leo’s Law,” which requires fentanyl testing in child welfare drug screens when fentanyl use is suspected, drew emotional testimony about a child’s death and had its fiscal estimate discussed as dropping from $125 million to about $16 million; it passed 22-0. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 3944, a State Finance Act cleanup and modernization measure, after questions about reporting dates and public finance oversight, and House Bill 3979, which raises financing caps under the Oklahoma Economic Development Finance Pool, after an amendment to add an effective date and emergency clause; both passed 21-0. House Bill 4118, updating the family caregiver tax credit and raising the maximum credit while keeping the annual cap unchanged, passed 20-1. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Children's was like number two in the country for neurology for kids.
• Did y'all see a neurologist when you went to Texas Children's?
• That NAIC model is still contained in the Louisiana Administrative Code.
• That NAIC model is still contained in Louisiana Administrative Code.
• It collects the things that can be aggregated, such as zip code or county.

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll take up tab 7, SB 686, the uncontroversial topic of agricultural enclaves.
• I appreciate any focus on agricultural lands.
• Our focus is on working agricultural lands, ranch land, farmland, forest land.
• Our focus is on working agricultural lands, ranch land, farmland, forest land.
• The oversight to make sure that their inspectors are following the codes, are making sure that the codes

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0168 , S0288 , S0548 , S0686 , S0830 , S1138 , S1234

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of local claims, public records, growth management, permitting, and nuisance bills. It first heard and approved SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24, all uncontested claims bills providing relief related to injuries or settlements involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County. The committee also approved SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, which narrows statutory language to protect co-op decisions on generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections, and SB 830, which creates a public records exemption for certain personal information of county and city managers and their families due to reported threats against local officials. Members then considered SB 1138 on qualified contractors and development review, which would create a registry of licensed professionals to help local governments process pre-application reviews and plats more quickly. Local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, while private-provider supporters backed the bill; Senator Sharief voted no, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 168, expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increasing penalties, and SB 686 on agricultural enclaves, which revises the enclave process, adds a public hearing path, limits it to certain residential projects in urban service areas, and was amended to change a date to June 30, 2026 before being reported favorably. The committee next approved CS for SB 548 on growth management and impact fees, which clarifies plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for improper fee collections. Testimony reflected support for clearer standards but also concerns about fee increases and refund administration. Finally, SB 1234 on building permits and inspections was reported favorably; it would extend permit validity, exempt some low-value work from permitting, create a statewide residential permit form, speed review timelines, and expand private-provider use, drawing opposition from a Miami-Dade building official who argued for continued local oversight and support from private-provider advocates. Senator Jones requested to be recorded as voting affirmatively on several tabs and negatively on tab 9, and the committee adjourned after all bills were disposed of.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, next up on the agenda, we have HB 194, Expand Metro Redevelopment Code and Projects.
• This bill deals in a statute called the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code.
• What we learned from talking to property managers in Texas, Texas legislators—Texas has a program very
• Section 11 is adding an investigation of Metropolitan Redevelopment Code violations.
• This part mirrors... ...of Metropolitan Redevelopment Code violations.

Bills: HB310 , HB323 , HM51 , HB194

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard HB 310, which would appropriate $1 million to continue planning and development for a Lowrider Museum in Española. The sponsor said the project had already received prior capital outlay support and that the new funding would help complete the study and planning phase for a future world-class museum. Members asked about the increase from prior funding levels and discussed the broader cultural and economic value of the museum. The bill received a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Memorial 51, which addresses the economic and community impacts of ending civil immigration detention in affected rural counties. Sponsors said the memorial would call for planning around workforce retraining, economic diversification, community services, and possible repurposing of detention facilities. Testimony and discussion focused on the short-term harm to workers and local economies, the role of Workforce Solutions, and concerns about family disruption, housing, property tax revenue, and whether facilities might close or be repurposed. The memorial passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 194, which would expand the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code to support housing shortage areas and workforce housing through property tax freezes and related incentives. The sponsor and Apartment Association representative described the bill as a tool to increase missing-middle housing, with affordability requirements, voucher acceptance, audits, and reporting provisions. Members raised concerns that the amendment was very large and difficult to absorb in the committee timeframe, and several said they preferred to see it as a substitute bill. No motion was made to adopt the amendment, HB 194 was rolled, and HB 323 was also rolled because the sponsor was unavailable. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• contributions that API Californians make in every sector of public life, including healthcare, education, agriculture
• extending the moratorium from one to two years for homes located in or adjacent to the fire perimeter zip code
• Diego would prefer that he have control of the power of the district lines, just like in Florida and Texas
• About 30 years ago, she got a call in Dallas, Texas: a little baby boy, born to a teenage mother, victim
• About 30 years ago, she got a call in Dallas, Texas: a little baby boy, born to a teenage mother, victim

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Senator, under this bill, we're focused on those student organizations on Texas universities.
• And in the state of Texas, we're prohibiting student groups and associations with Qatar from accepting
• But yet, in Texas, do we have a balanced budget? Amen. Yes, sir, we do.
• So there are many situations where Texas is exceptional, and these standards... ...for the rest of the
• This is about Texas colleges and universities, that's right.

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:01.519><c> veterans</c> committee on agriculture veterans committee on agriculture veterans
• Members, Senate File 571 deals with the Uniform Trust Code and the Uniform Probate Code, which I know
• </c><00:19:46.880><c> the</c> elements of the revised trust code the elements of the revised trust code
• Senator Miller votes aye. uniform probate code third uniform probate code third reading<00:21:28.600>
• </c><00:30:49.919><c> modifying</c> relating to agriculture modifying relating to agriculture modifying

Transcript Highlights:

• Ladies and gentlemen, this is the House Agricultural Affairs Committee.
• Agriculture isn't just an industry to me. Agriculture isn't just an industry to me. It's personal.
• My future is in agriculture.
• I work with the American Federation of Agriculture.
• And Idaho Code is already very clear on that. So that's why we wanted to reference that code.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And what if it's in a rural community that's adopted agricultural-residential districts to protect and
• encourage agricultural uses?
• Active home listings are up in the last six years in California and Florida and Texas and most of this
• , if that would be appropriate, I appreciate that, Senator Fattman, and also say, I mean, building code

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-03, House Bill 5000, which would allow single-family homes on small lots in areas with adequate infrastructure. Committee chairs outlined the Article 48 process and the hearing format, then heard first from two subject-matter experts. Under Secretary Chris Clutchman of Housing and Livable Communities explained that the proposal would amend Chapter 40A’s Section 3 (the Dover Amendment) to require most municipalities, except Boston, to allow single-family homes on residentially zoned lots of at least 5,000 square feet with 50 feet of frontage and access to public water and sewer, while still allowing reasonable local regulations on setbacks, height, bulk, and short-term rentals. He distinguished the proposal from Chapter 40Y starter-home zoning, said implementation would likely require regulations to address issues such as wetlands, infrastructure capacity, and nonconforming lots, and answered committee questions about lot subdivision, MBTA Communities, and the relationship to existing zoning tools. Attorney Susan Murphy testified that the petition would significantly override local zoning and could create conflicts with existing statutes, including Chapter 40A Section 6 protections for certain nonconforming lots, subdivision control law, and other residential zoning districts. She raised concerns about how “access” to water and sewer would be defined, whether the measure could apply in business or industrial districts where residential uses are allowed, and whether the proposal could allow large homes on small lots without any affordability limits. She also warned that the measure could have significant infrastructure impacts and argued that the Legislature should consider broader, more comprehensive housing legislation rather than expanding exceptions to the zoning framework. Committee members asked both experts about frontage, lot size, infrastructure capacity, and how the proposal would interact with 40Y and MBTA Communities. The proponents, led by Andrew McCulla of the Legalized Starter Homes Coalition, argued that Massachusetts faces a severe housing shortage and affordability crisis, citing high home prices, high rents, declining listings, and outmigration of younger residents. They said the measure would legalize modest single-family homes on smaller lots, increase housing supply, and help first-time buyers and downsizing seniors, while leaving most other local rules in place. Other proponents, including representatives from Abundant Housing Massachusetts, the Charles River Regional Chamber, and individual residents, emphasized workforce retention, the need for more starter homes, and the view that large minimum lot sizes are a major barrier to production. Committee members pressed the panel on the lack of any home-size or affordability requirement, possible effects on 40B compliance, the number of new lots and homes that might result, and the fact that the ballot initiative would not be amendable by the Legislature. The hearing then turned to opponents from the Massachusetts Municipal Association, who urged the committee to take no action. MMA leaders said zoning should remain a local decision made by residents and elected local officials, and argued that the proposal would preempt local control with a one-size-fits-all mandate. They also said the measure is impractical because many communities with water and sewer are already at or near capacity, so infrastructure availability does not necessarily mean development capacity. The hearing ended during the MMA’s testimony, with no vote or final committee action taken.