Transcript Highlights:

• And I am sensitive to legislation that drives cost at a local level.
• Never mind, we'll move on to discussion. I pretty much—that's okay, my fault. I set you up.
• Thank you for the discussion.
• I know what's going on with this bill in terms of discussion.
• In some jurisdictions, absolutely, that discussion happens and that flexibility is happening.

Bills: SB5820, SB5995, SB5467

Keywords: freight rail, rail corridor, short-line railroad, rail-dependent uses, industrial land use, growth management act, GMA, comprehensive plan, transportation element, land use planning, local government, county planning, city planning, critical areas, agricultural lands, forest lands, mineral resource lands, urban growth area, development regulations, notice on permits

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to clarify that I've seen we've had this discussion in rules with this particular vote.
• Because it's a sensitive place like the Roundhouse, there's armed security here.
• If we can, if the Chair would entertain a motion to discuss the committee substitute, I'll go to Senator
• And for purposes of discussion, I move do pass for the Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate
• But for purposes of discussion, they do pass on the Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate

Bills: SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: student use, wireless devices, public schools, policy implementation, education technology funding, misappropriation, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, racketeering, criminal penalties, New Mexico, public safety, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms, election integrity, voter coercion, emergency procedures, polling place security

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to clarify that I’ve seen we’ve had this discussion in Rules with this particular vote,
• not pass on Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 261, but do pass for purposes of discussion
• If we can, um, if the chair would entertain a motion to discuss the committee substitute.
• And for purposes of discussion, I do pass for the Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill
• But for purposes of discussion, they do pass on Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill

Bills: HB195, HB279, SB30, HB234, HB292, SB100, SB23, SB221, SB261, SB264

Keywords: medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records

Summary: The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion. The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• have questions about some of the lines in your amendment, the ones that you just mentioned that we discussed
• And I also appreciate the time that we were able to sit together and discuss this.
• So there is that discussion in there.
• So there is that discussion in there.
• They would have to—there would have to be some discussion with the local government about how they're

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a very sensitive mic—sorry about that. I'm going to start with the opposition.
• But it went beyond, hey, you know what, we've got this, and it went into a complete discussion, a vote
• But it went beyond, hey, you know what, we've got this, and it went into a complete discussion, a vote
• If I might discuss, since we're waxing a little bit philosophical— And the bottom line is, Madam Chair
• If I might discuss, since we're waxing a little bit philosophical, Discussed, since we're waxing a little

Summary: The committee first addressed a procedural dispute over House Bill 280, with one member arguing it had already been heard and tabled in another committee earlier that day. The chair ruled the bill was properly before the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee because it had been assigned there and published in the notice. HB 280 would create a three-year pilot program to support paid internships for students through grants to school districts, nonprofits, and tribal entities, with the Department of Workforce Solutions administering the program, collecting data, and reporting outcomes. Supporters said it would help build a sustainable funding source for school-year internships, expand access in rural and tribal communities, and connect internships to graduation credit and workforce pathways. Committee members asked about administrative costs, student selection, matching funds, program duration, and whether government entities and land grants could participate. The bill was described as flexible enough to allow different local program designs, including stipends or payroll arrangements. The committee voted do pass on HB 280. The committee then heard House Memorial 46, which honors the Hurley family, especially Major General Patrick Hurley and his son Wilson Hurley, for military service and public contributions to New Mexico. The memorial highlighted Patrick Hurley’s service in World War I and World War II, his diplomatic roles, and his decorations, as well as Wilson Hurley’s military service and later career as an artist. There was no opposition, and the memorial received a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 270, a public works apprenticeship bill that would require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs or the Public Works Apprentice and Training Fund on most public works construction projects, while exempting trades with no approved program. Supporters argued the bill would close loopholes, strengthen workforce development, and ensure contractors benefiting from public projects contribute to training. Opponents from asphalt, utility, and contractor groups said they already support existing training programs, warned the bill could raise costs and create participation problems for contractors without access to suitable programs, and noted the Transportation Committee had already considered the bill earlier that day. Sponsors responded that the earlier Transportation action was a procedural glitch and that the bill was a cleanup measure to make the existing law more effective and fair. After extended debate over costs, workforce shortages, and the effect on highway contractors, the committee voted do pass on HB 270 by a 5-3 tally.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Hall: So is there any sensitivity when you're looking at your budget through JFAC?
• Representative Erickson: So if we were to maybe put a pause, and some of us had these discussions, and
• I think we need to have somewhere along the line an honest discussion of where we need to end up, and
• We will have that discussion later and kind of see where we go.
• We will have that discussion later and kind of see where we go.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met with Representative Josh Tanner and Legislative Services budget staff to discuss the Health and Welfare budget, with a focus on identifying possible cuts and understanding how JFAC evaluates budget reductions, cost shifts, and fiscal notes. Tanner emphasized that the state faces constitutional balanced-budget requirements and ongoing Medicaid and Health and Welfare supplemental costs, citing governor holdbacks, provider rate cuts, and proposed reductions in Health and Welfare as areas the committee should review. He argued that the committee should dig into the numbers itself, consider whether programs are truly serving the most vulnerable, and bring specific recommendations to JFAC with clear fiscal impacts, including any cost shifts to other state or local entities. Members asked about how JFAC handles cuts that may shift costs to hospitals, prisons, counties, or emergency rooms, and whether policy changes such as work requirements or eligibility rechecks would reduce Medicaid growth. Tanner said JFAC primarily balances the budget based on actual numbers, not assumptions about future savings, and that if the committee wants policy changes, it should advance them through legislation rather than leaving decisions to JFAC. He also discussed Medicaid expansion, saying it has grown far beyond initial expectations, and said any savings from repealing or reducing expansion would be a committee decision about whether to reallocate funds or let them disappear from the budget. The committee then received a detailed overview from Legislative Services staff on budget tools and resources, including the base budget dashboard, the Legislative Budget Book, the Legislative Fiscal Report, the Fiscal Source Book, session records, and performance reports. Staff demonstrated how members can drill down into agency, division, and program-level budget history, enhancement history, and fund sources. A discussion followed about inflation-adjusted and per-capita budget trends, with staff noting that such analyses exist for the overall state budget and may be expanded further. The chair closed by asking members to review the Health and Welfare divisions and return with recommendations, noting that any proposed increases must be offset by reductions elsewhere, and said the committee’s report to JFAC was likely to occur in the first week of February.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our top This year's priority, which we've discussed with you a lot and I know you all were working together
• Some of the recommendations, and I know they're still up for discussion, actually add to our workload
• My colleagues have Discussed the Partners platform in detail and today I'd like you to know what we are
• Families discussed the gratitude they have for programs that provide a hot meal to their students in
• I appreciate the detail in that because we're going to be discussing A few bills a little bit later on

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AI TOOLS OFTEN REQUIRE ACCESS TO SENSITIVE STUDENT DATA AND NOT ALL TOOLS MEET HIGH STANDARDS FOR PRIVACY
• THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME I WOULD NOW LIKE TO OPEN THE FLOOR FOR QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS.
• WHAT WILL BE YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON HOW OFTEN SHOULD THE COMMISSION MEET TO DISCUSS THE POLICIES AND
• THAT GOES OUT FRIDAY THE PRINCIPLES ARE LOOKING AT THE DATA APPEAR THAT IS DISCUSSED MONDAY MORNING WITH
• Porras: THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE AWESOME DISCUSSION I KNOW WE WERE TALKING ABOUT

Transcript Highlights:

• And is there, senators, is there any discussion? All right. Wonderful. Thank you so much.
• They are handling some of the most sensitive information.
• Senators, any discussion? Yes. Senator Smith, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Any other discussion, Senators? Senator Polsky, you're recognized. Thank you.
• And if I'm able to meet and have discussions, I'm able to better understand, get my questions answered

Summary: The committee met to hear fiscal year 2026-2027 legislative budget requests from several justice-related agencies. The Florida Commission on Offender Review requested funding for investigator and revocation staff salary increases to address turnover, plus nonrecurring funds for Wi-Fi, seven vehicles, technology support, and commissioner salary adjustments. The State Courts Administrator presented a broad judicial branch request focused on trial court case-management technology, additional case managers, trust fund authority for child support hearing officers, courthouse furnishings, district court flexibility in staffing, a future courthouse for the Sixth District Court of Appeal, Supreme Court elevator replacement, POM accounting implementation support, judicial security liaison positions tied to the Florida Fusion Center, expanded senior management service authority, and judicial salary adjustments. The Office of the Attorney General outlined pay and operating requests for consumer protection, citizen services, ethics, crime compensation, victim services, vehicle replacement, IT and cybersecurity, lease and operating costs, and PALM-related expenses, while several senators questioned the office about outside counsel contracts, contingency-fee arrangements, transparency, and the use of private law firms. The Department of Corrections made the largest presentation, describing severe staffing shortages, high turnover, rising inmate populations, increased assaults, and heavy overtime use. Secretary Ricky Dixon said the agency’s request was driven by constitutional and public safety needs and included funding for operations, security equipment, inflationary costs, vehicle replacement, offender information system modernization, technology restoration, inmate health services, drug and food cost increases, staffing pilots, maintenance, security infrastructure, Florida PALM, recruitment and retention, and $56 million for new correctional housing units. Members asked about inmate labor, prison safety, overtime, vehicle breakdowns, and whether more National Guard support was needed; Dixon said the agency needed more staffing and pay competitiveness rather than a long-term military presence. A correctional officers’ union representative also urged support for pay raises, citing low pay and staffing concerns. No votes were taken on the budget requests. The chair allowed extended questioning, especially for the Department of Corrections, but noted time constraints and asked agencies to return in a later committee meeting, including FDLE, which was deferred because of a House site visit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, we're going to start out with a panel discussion.
• In order to isolate against vibrations, all semiconductor equipment is sensitive to outside vibrations
• So this is where we really... ...make the attempt to have this discussion because there's flexibility
• Okay, this has been a good discussion, I really appreciate it, and thank y'all for kind of bouncing off
• So, in having some brief discussions with Senator Birdwell on his bill, I think...

Bills: SB1757, SB1758, SB1898, SB2050

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• just makes zero sense that you could actually stand up here with a straight face and have this discussion
• protects natural trails by giving TPWD clear authority to restrict Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes on sensitive
• Better mediator at last session to help with that discussion, so which is why I just bowed out gracefully
• Also, we've already discussed with Shanir across the river servicing their vessels, which would again
• I'm sure a discussion has happened somewhere in every house district of the state about lowering the

Bills: HB 535, HB 2120, HB 2822, HB 3243, HB 3457, HB 3544, HB 4089, HB 4192, HB 4669, HB 4868, HB 4955, HB 5253, HB 5669, SB 1371, SB 1919, SB 2001

Keywords: motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, traffic safety, municipality, criminal offense, pedestrian safety, traffic regulations, municipal law, bicycle regulations, motor vehicle passing, traffic law, municipalities, bicycle operation, traffic laws, municipal regulations, port commission, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, San Patricio County

Transcript Highlights:

• just makes zero sense that you could actually stand up here with a straight face and have this discussion
• he doesn't have anyone else on that Port Commission who can help second the motions he wishes to discuss
• I'm really sorry that I could not be a better mediator last session to help with that discussion, which
• Also, we've already discussed with Chenier across the river servicing their vessels, which would again
• I'm sure a discussion... ...has happened somewhere in every house district of the state about lowering

Bills: HB535, HB2120, HB2822, HB3243, HB3457, HB3544, HB4089, HB4192, HB4669, HB4868, HB4955, HB5253, HB5669, SB1371, SB1919, SB2001

Keywords: motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, traffic safety, municipality, criminal offense, pedestrian safety, traffic regulations, municipal law, bicycle regulations, motor vehicle passing, traffic law, municipalities, bicycle operation, traffic laws, municipal regulations, port commission, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, San Patricio County

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the court bases its decision on a quote, historically sensitive understanding of the Establishment
• But happy to discuss it more interested. That's the, I think that that's, that's the concern.
• Thank you for the discussion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• There, you, in the, in the dialogue with Representative Turner, Chairman Turner, you discussed, well,
• I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this.

Bills: SB 6, SB 11, SB 33

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school prayer, Bible reading, religious text, public schools, Texas Education Code, student prayer, silent prayer, meditation, religious liberty, First Amendment, Establishment Clause, church and state

Transcript Highlights:

• To be a network provider, I have to agree to a contracted rate, as we discussed, with each insurance
• What this is doing is what this bill addresses, and what we discussed last session, if you're...
• This bill secures sensitive patient data from the potential threat of storing that data outside.
• As we have had prior discussions, we do support the provisions that you... ...you were talking about
• I will point out that, and we've had this discussion, there's always a lack.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• So those are two easy fixes, and I would love to discuss that with you afterwards to see if we can get
• If there's another goal, then maybe that's a different discussion.
• For example, DOT standards for safety may be higher than what's discussed in this act.
• So I am very sensitive to that.
• But I'm open for more discussions.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee heard and voted on four bills. HB 587 on self-storage spaces would let rental agreements include an alternate contact person and allow default notices to be published online instead of only in newspapers, while keeping existing notice timelines and servicemember protections. Newspaper and press witnesses opposed the online-notice change, arguing it could reduce public reach and transparency, especially in rural areas; the sponsor said newspapers could still be used and the bill was only adding another option. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to October 1, 2025, and then reported the bill favorably 12-2. HB 6033 would repeal the Florida Labor Pool Act. The sponsor argued the act duplicates other state and federal protections, while opponents said it contains unique safeguards for day laborers, including limits on fees, transportation charges, and deductions, and a private right of action. Testimony from labor advocates and workers warned repeal would reduce protections for vulnerable workers; the sponsor and supporters said other laws already cover the issues. The committee reported the bill favorably 11-3. HB 897, dealing with timeshare plan management, was presented as a clarification of conflicts created by recent condominium legislation and would require faster records responses, more disclosure of contracts, and clearer remedies for mismanagement. Support came from industry groups, and the bill passed unanimously, 14-0. The final measure, PCS for HB 1385, created a civil remedy for parental abduction or unlawful withholding of a child in violation of a timesharing order. Family law attorneys opposed it over concerns about added litigation, child involvement, and overlap with existing remedies, while the sponsors and supporters said it would provide needed deterrence and compensation in serious cases. The committee adopted the PCS and reported it favorably 13-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN FACT THE JAMA ARTICLE DISCUSSES THAT THAT RATHER THAN ELIMINATE THE OPIOID USE JUST REDUCE IT SO THERE
• IN AND THOSE SCENARIOS DON'T ALL FIT INTO THE EXEMPTION THAT YOU HAVE THAT WE ALREADY KIND OF DISCUSSED
• Rouson: I DITTO WHAT SENATOR BRODER JUST SAID. >> I ALSO AGREE HAVING RUN IN MEDICAL PRACTICE THAT DISCUSSION
• I TRULY FEEL FOR THE FAMILIES THAT WE HERE DISCUSS THEIR PERSONAL SITUATIONS BUT I KNOW THAT HEALTHCARE
• IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS DISCUSSION WE REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPROACH THIS IN A MORE HOLISTIC WAY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 4, it identifies value and it discusses what kind of evidence comes into play with regards to
• They're also committing a crime against the state of Texas. discusses the type of manner and means and
• Those value ladders that you discussed, it goes from a class E misdemeanor to a class. be a misdemeanor
• And you know we've had a pretty significant discussion this morning about the aspect of of organized
• However, when I'm discussing ORC and when most of my members talk about organized retail crime, they

Bills: SB1281, SB1300, SB1379, SB1451, SB1497, SB1498, SB1499

Keywords: mail theft, postal theft, package theft, identity theft, negotiable instrument, check theft, mail receptacle key, mailbox lock, postal key, delivery service, courier, USPS, United States Postal Service, fraud, property crime, elderly victims, disabled victims, identity information, rebuttable presumption, felony enhancement

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to be here this morning to discuss OCA's budget for the 2026-2027 biennium.
• Item one, this is the method of finance swap previously discussed.
• Happy to be here today to discuss the budget request for the Comptroller's judiciary section.
• Um, the only significant item will be discussed on the next page, so please turn.
• Um, the only significant item will be discussed on the next page, so please turn to page three.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would suggest that there is a piece, an aspect of this that we're discussing today that does raise
• <00:01:54.680><c> today</c><00:01:55.080><c> that</c><00:01:55.320><c> does</c> discussing today that
• </c> One of the things I've heard discussed One of the things I've heard discussed has<00:10:14.800><
• This bill is necessary, sensitive, and straightforward. I will briefly summarize the sections.
• ,</c><00:31:50.120><c> and</c> This bill is necessary, sensitive, and This bill is necessary, sensitive

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I got some case law that discusses some of that, specifically two cases, circuit court decisions
• Switching to the financial urgency, can you... and have that discussion. Okay.
• Graduate students are the ones leading our discussions, grading our work, mentoring us, and supporting
• UTD insisted the district banned discussions in schools, prohibited mentions at faculty meetings, and
• Far too often when we get in these discussions, that part of the conversation is left out or glanced

Keywords: 999, senate, all