Transcript Highlights:

• Testifying in support today is Elena Chavez, program manager for Teach, which stands for Training and
• Testifying in support today is Elena Chavez, Program Manager for Teach, which stands for Training and
• My name is Alina Chavez, and I'm the program manager for Teach, which stands for Training in Early Abortion

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on March 25, 2025, with Chair Mia Bonta presiding and initially operating as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The committee heard several health-related bills, including AB 73 on creating a Black Mental Health Navigator certification, AB 499 on lowering the state reimbursement trigger for the Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan, AB 843 on aligning California health insurance language-access rules with federal standards, AB 257 on a specialty care network using telehealth and virtual services for Medi-Cal and underserved communities, AB 64 on allowing diacritical marks on vital records, AB 315 on the Home and Community-Based Alternatives waiver, and AB 40 on clarifying that emergency services include reproductive health services such as abortion. Testimony generally emphasized disparities in access, culturally competent care, language access, rural provider shortages, and the importance of preserving or expanding programs that help vulnerable populations. Supporters included authors, state and local health organizations, advocacy groups, and affected individuals. AB 73 was backed as a way to address stigma, mistrust, and culturally competent mental health access for Black Californians. AB 499 was described as helping keep a self-insured farmworker health plan operational while maintaining a low-cost, labor-management model. AB 843 was supported as a way to prevent children and families from having to translate sensitive medical and insurance information and to protect limited-English-proficient Californians. AB 257 drew support as a demonstration project to improve specialty care access through California-based clinicians and virtual care, with examples of reduced wait times and costs. AB 64 received emotional testimony from the author, a child and his family, and others about the importance of accurately recording names with accents and other marks. AB 315 was presented as a cost-neutral or cost-saving way to expand home- and community-based care for medically fragile people, with strong support from disability, health, and provider groups. AB 40 drew support from reproductive health and medical organizations, while one opposition witness argued it could conflict with emergency care standards and overburden emergency departments. The committee took roll-call votes and advanced AB 499, AB 73, AB 843, AB 257, AB 64, AB 315, and AB 40 to Appropriations, with AB 40 receiving some no votes. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved a consent calendar that included AB 225, AB 304, AB 403, AB 688, and AB 951. Several measures were initially placed on call and later lifted and recorded as passing out of committee before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representatives Hall, Chavez, Nicole Chavez, Murphy, Sena-Cortez, Currolla, Parajón, Joseph Hernandez

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Chavez, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, Representative Chavez.
• Representative Chavez. Thank you, Madam Chair. A lot of information in a very...
• Those are Chavez, Cibola, Doña Ana, Eddy, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, and Rio Arriba.
• From a different set of counties: Bernalillo, Chavez, Cibola, Doña Ana, Luna, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt,

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• Chavez Russell, Pastor of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Welcome to the committee.
• Chavez-Russell.

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• Public Schools, we have Lori Chavez. Welcome to the House, Lori.
• Congratulations, as well as to your mother, Pauline Rose Chavez. Thank you for joining us.

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• My name is Regina Leah Chavez.
• Today with me in support of AB 1320, I have Regina Chavez, who loves the cost of the state.
• I have Regina Chavez, who with the state.
• My name is Regina Leah Chavez.
• I am the mother of two beautiful children, and I is Regina Leah Chavez.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• The last filer in this group is exhibit J Roslyn Cesar. I Someone's gonna have to hang up. Who is?

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• A couple of months ago, I heard John Chavez and Mia Patterson talk about venture capital, and they're
• And so, I'd like to call up John Chavez from the New Mexico Startup Factory.
• My name is John Chavez.
• Chavez, for everything you've done for our state. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, all right, uh, Representative Chavez. And others on my right, Brantley.
• So Representative Chavez, you represented for 5 minutes and it's about 4:33. Thank you, Mr.
• So Senator Representative Chavez, your time has expired. You want to think closing.
• Representative Chavez, anything last to close? Um, Mr. Chair, uh, Mr.
• people are starting to engage now and starting to see that this is an actual issue that Representative Chavez

Transcript Highlights:

• Chavez and Eddy County, where the money comes from. Thank you. Good morning, all.
• Jessica Hathaway, our deputy staff director, Juliana Baca, Alonso Baca, Evan Chavez.

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• Of events, the Roswell Chavez County Economic Development Corporation legislative reception is tonight
• Sesha Lee, Chief Sciences Officer, and Nina Chavez, Director of Government Relations.

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• We have H.J.R. 2, denial of bail, constitutional amendment of Representative Chavez and Representative
• And so I do feel that even when I went to the ballot, as Representative Chavez had said, I told all my
• And Chavez. Thanks. Thank you. Thank you. And chats. Thanks. Important.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee, and thank you, Representative Chavez and Reeb for sponsoring

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chavez on the second. Madam Chair? Yes. I just have one very small question, with your indulgence.
• Chavez. Will you take the roll? Representative Anaya. Yes. Representative Cates? Yes.
• Chavez? Yes. Representative N. Chavez? No. Representative Ferrari? Yes. Representative Jones? No.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's also a committed community member, active in the First Gen Society, the Cesar E.
• Chavez Legacy and Educational Foundation, and Phi Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society for History

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• out by selling taquitos in carts, which now is expanding into, uh, 40 years of entrepreneurship on Cesar
• Chavez Street with the families of the Silvas, who have been able to provide muralism along with growing

Bills: HF1972, HF229, HF1090, HF1084, HF1307, HF1274, HF1609, HF2110, HF211, HF216, HF222, HF224, HF225, HF203, HF206, HF207, HF208, HF227, HF246, HF427, HF466, HF502, HF680, HF971

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• Jesse Chavez, occupational therapist. Brandon Schingle, occupational therapist.
• by head coach Alfonso Camarena, who's, I think, up on the front there, assistant coaches Gersane Chavez
• And then Marcos Chavez, he's the director of the Zolinger Library at UNM at Gallup.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chavez. Anyone else we've missed? I've got Hall, Bregman, Cedillo-Lopez, Romero, and Chavez.
• Through the Chair, I think from the discussions you and I have had, Representative Chavez, that we know

Transcript Highlights:

• The gentlelady from Chavez, Curry, and Roosevelt, Representative Reeb, has turned 21 for probably the
• And I'd like to thank our staff, in particular, Babak Parti, Ashley Watson, and Angela Pacheco Chavez
• House Bill 260, introduced by Representatives Goodola and Chavez, an act relating to public schools,

Transcript Highlights:

• When are you going to vote on the Chavez bill? Is that now? Tomorrow.
• I think it was a TBD on the schedule for the week, besides Chavez, yeah.
• , schedule for the week, besides Chavez, schedule for the week, besides Chavez, yeah.<02:14:35.560
• Chavez and a<02:14:40.480> Senator<02:14:40.840> Port<02:14:41.160> bill.
• Do you vote on the Chavez name repeal tomorrow?

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and received routine executive communications and House messages, including the House’s passage of Senate File 3623 on school bus stopping requirements and transmittal of House Files 3241, 3731, 3741, and 3802. The chamber also adopted committee reports and gave second readings to several Senate files and House File 3379, while referring Senate File 4854 to the Capital Investments Committee and Senate Resolution 68 to Rules and Administration. The main floor action involved a series of motions to re-refer bills to different committees. The Senate adopted motions to move Senate File 1671 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Housing and Homelessness Prevention, Senate File 2373 from Finance to Labor, Senate File 4452 from Capital Investment to Human Services, Senate File 4580 from Human Services to State and Local Government, Senate File 4589 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Higher Education, Senate File 4630 from Education Policy to Education Finance, and Senate File 4662 from Capital Investment to State and Local Government. The chamber also adopted a motion to give House File 3378 a second reading and place it on general orders after a roll call vote of 46-21. The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 69, which would amend the temporary rules to allow certain accommodations for members who are new parents. Senators Murphy and Coleman spoke in support, arguing the rules should better reflect modern family life and make the chamber more welcoming to parents, especially mothers. Senator Nelson offered the A4 amendment to allow caucus leaders to permit a member’s child under age one on the floor, with the member responsible for supervision and the child exempt from Rule 17.6. Opponents, including Senator Boldon, argued the age limit was too restrictive and that parents should have more flexibility. After roll call, the Nelson A4 amendment failed 32-35, and the resolution remained pending with additional amendments possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is in Chavez County on US 380, and it's... ...increased fees and the fulfillment of these
• One of them is in Chavez County on US 380, and it's... ...in the chart.
• One of them is in Chavez County on US 380, and it's calling for corridor improvements.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments. Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.