Transcript Highlights:

• But more specifically on page 11, To be aware.
• And I guess also, how did we arrive at the $1,500 a month figure?
• And I guess also, how did we arrive at the $1,500 a month figure?
• Also, how did we arrive at the $1,500 a month figure?
• They give money like this every month to women with babies.

Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we'd look at whether we were able to help more people last month than we were the month before.
• Do you just go, oh, well, we fed less this month than we did last month? I mean, how do you go?
• Do you just go, oh, well, we fed less this month than we did last month?
• Actually, the note says it'll take 40 hours a month to do this report and that it can be absorbed into
• of problems with poverty... ...nonprofits, families, people that maybe they're not aware of problems

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, if I pulled the month of...
• OK, so, essentially 10 months from now. OK. Thank you.
• The quality selection will start basically in 6 months, so we're passing this bill for 6 months, which
• They're now down to about $100 a month for two subcutaneous injections.
• And now there's a new drug every six months called Inclysoron. Thank you.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Do these millions of deaths rate any historical awareness?
• I visited Taiwan, the island of freedom, 17 months ago. Talk about live free or die.
• I visited Taiwan, the island of freedom, 17 months ago. Talk about live free or die.
• </c> you have any um knowledge or awareness you have any um knowledge or awareness of<00:30:23.320><c
• </c><01:00:00.680><c> I</c> audience or online might not be aware I audience or online might not be aware

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic. Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience. A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, April is Autism Month. I am a grandmother of an autistic grandson. Autism Month.
• So with that being said, happy Autism Month. I love you, Mackay.
• Bill sponsor: I'm very aware of it. Lady from Jackson: Oh, it didn't sound like you were. Okay.
• Gentlemen, you are aware that this is the current law. gentleman from Jasper.
• Gentlemen, you are aware that this is the current law. Much like you could, a lot of other...

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you pointed out... ...awareness of it.
• And DNR is aware of all... It's financially responsible. That's totally different.
• I didn't either until about three months ago.
• I didn't either until about three months ago.
• So you are aware that other districts do? Yes. Okay.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency heard House Bill 2761, sponsored by Representative Banderman, which would shift solid waste grant administration from the 20 regional solid waste districts to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), preserve the grant program, clarify tipping fee increases, and give DNR authority and funding to assess, test, remediate, and manage 29 abandoned landfills. Banderman said the bill is intended to address abandoned landfill contamination, prevent problems with repeated tax sales of landfill property, and reduce administrative overhead so more tipping-fee revenue can be used for solid waste purposes. He emphasized that the bill would not eliminate current grants or change grant priorities, only the administering entity. Committee members raised concerns about the late distribution of the committee substitute, the effect on local control, the tipping fee language, and whether the bill would actually provide enough money to clean up abandoned sites. Several members questioned whether the fee increase mechanism could function like a tax increase without voter approval and whether DNR or the districts were better suited to manage the program. Supporters, including affected landowners Jim Roberts and Joe Van Lear, described contamination from an abandoned Franklin County landfill, including leachate, lead, arsenic, and PFAS, and said state agencies had told them the site could not be addressed without legislation. Opponents, including local officials and district representatives, argued that the districts provide local oversight, respond quickly to community needs, and already administer grants, recycling, household hazardous waste, and other programs efficiently. Additional testimony came from district and advisory board representatives who said the districts have issued hundreds of grants, maintain annual reporting and audits, and use local boards to tailor programs to community needs. They argued the bill would eliminate local control and could disrupt existing services, though some said they were open to reform and collaboration with DNR on abandoned sites. DNR Director Kurt Schaefer testified that the department currently lacks sufficient authority and funding to address abandoned landfills, said the districts receive more tipping-fee revenue than DNR while spending up to 50% on overhead, and argued the bill would improve efficiency and allow the state to begin addressing the abandoned landfill problem. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Absolutely and I would say most utilities. in the state that I'm aware of did that too.
• They can ask for one or two months deposit from you from a difficult customer.
• And we completed that project just like a month ago.
• As you may be aware, the filed bill was a non-legislative. legislative council draft.
• Are you aware that that exceeds the annual budget of several Groundwater Districts?

Bills: HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd ask for support. we've seen over the last several months, we've seen over the last several months
• Another month later, my dad in Texas.
• Last month, we released a community.
• Um, I'm I'm aware with the costs.
• </c> aware of some other bills moving. aware of some other bills moving.

Bills: HF3477 , HF3480 , HF3781 , HF3357 , HF3737 , HF3664 , HF3621

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• , two months, three months out, and they have to go in and have a court hearing in order to get their
• </c> up a hearing date that could be a month up a hearing date that could be a month two<04:02:20.479
• ><c> months</c><04:02:20.720><c> three</c><04:02:20.880><c> months</c><04:02:21.080><c> out</c><04:02
• :21.800><c> and</c><04:02:21.960><c> they</c> two months three months out and they two months three months
• </c><04:12:35.000><c> I'm</c> out there three four five months I'm out there three four five months I'm

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Bentur on it and ask her if she's aware. Bentur on it and ask her if she's aware.
• And when you say 12-month state, they work 12 months out of the year.
• >> Well, the Department of Education has 12-month and 10-month state office teacher positions depending
• We had to fix it finally after months and months of going back and forth with your CAS, which I have
• We had to fix it finally after months and months of going back and forth with your CAS, which I have

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is, in the next 18 months, we have architectural plans completed.
• Of course, public education and awareness.
• We want to build awareness and, of course, funding and awareness.
• We want to build awareness and, of course, funding and awareness.
• We want to build awareness and, of course, funding and awareness.

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• the juvenile thereafter must be physically transported for an in-person review hearing every six months
• transportation of a child to the committing court for an in-person review hearing not more than six months
• government has I'm not aware of any other rights of the people that the government has the power to,
• I wasn't aware we had an amendment. Mr. Storman, on the amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• So I am here trying to deal with something that I’m aware of, and then I’m aware that our body has been

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope you agree that six months in jail for that crime is excessive. Thank you.
• And the school was already aware of him. They said this had been ongoing.
• Oh, yeah, I even called the police and asked myself, and they said, "We're aware.
• Chairman, I wasn't aware that...
• This was a problem, and I'm not aware of all the problems in Texas, thank goodness.

Bills: HB316 , HB353 , HB 1160 , HB1414 , HB1422 , HB1443 , HB1713 , HB1789 , HB1902 , HB2073 , HB2666 , HB2695 , HB316

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: motor fuel, criminal offense, metering device, organized crime, Texas Penal Code, trespassing, school safety, day-care centers, education, trespass, public safety, utility employees, criminal penalties, assault, harassment, public duties, safety, law enforcement, driving offenses, license regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Please be aware that violations of these rules may be subject to removal or other enforcement actions
• AT&T said it would continue service for at least six months following approval and would be subject to
• So when we look at alternatives, we have to be aware and ensure that a company is able to deliver that
• Think of this: last month, Apple retired its iPhone 14.
• They're keenly aware old networks are incompatible with modern public safety communication systems.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not that I'm aware of any different things with the formula. I am not aware of any.
• Not that I'm aware of any different things with the formula. I am not aware of any.
• Not that I'm aware of any different things with the formula. I am not aware of any.
• </c><00:22:21.120><c> We</c> months. Um, and certainly for Canada. We months.
• There's a couple of blips in months.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2. Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles. Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• out of the prior 12 months.
• Is that one hour a month? One hour a week? There's no stipulation.
• But many temporary workers... workers are not just working for three months.
• three months are added to the next employer that they go to.
• ...but within the same 12-month period, I started working elsewhere.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think it is a good way to just make them aware. Right.
• In Missouri, teen drivers have at most 48 months of licensed driving experience.
• Additionally, instead of the four years or 48 months that we currently, positions.
• A lot of states have a six-month or one-year break in service.
• Well, I'll just say this: I'm not aware of any district not.

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say it was about four months ago, maybe five months ago. I'd have to look it up.
• Where would you prioritize them so we can make other states aware of it?
• Since that time last month, he has sent another $11,000 in gift cards.
• We've seen that last month there was a breach at Gmail, which exposed email addresses and passwords.
• Education and awareness remain the most effective tools to reduce harm.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're just over two months away from the opening of that connection, which will make a huge difference
• So I am not aware of state-run or other, like, city-local government-run models.
• You estimate it could save us as high as nine months.
• You estimate it could save us as high as nine months of time off this permitting process.
• permitting processes are grounded in the principle that the property owner is aware of and involved

Bills: HB2313 , HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2517

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: grocery stores, public ownership, food accessibility, community services, economic development, tax increment financing, local government, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, municipal permitting, transit projects

Transcript Highlights:

• The CIRA consideration includes risk factors such as management's awareness of climate.
• The founders of our country We're keenly aware of the threat to liberty posed by the concentration of
• We're going to talk about those things, and in case there's any doubt, for months we worked with them
• Now, we don't know how long that litigation has been pending or what it is, but we know that for months
• Despite being made aware of the significant harm, they continue to support those proposals.

Bills: SB312 , SB945 , SB946 , SB1367 , SB1861 , SB2044 , SB2337 , SB2403 , SB2819 , SJR54

Committee: Senate State Affairs