Transcript Highlights:

• So, and the federal poverty level.
• The federal government has now changed the share of administrative costs from 50/50 to 75% state, 25%
• federal.
• ><c> federal.
• </c> always look to the federal government. always look to the federal government.

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But sadly, we're at a point where we can no longer rely upon our federal government to follow federal
• Chair, because it ensures that federal officials who claim to be acting under federal authority when
• Administrators, voters, watchers, and challengers.
• This bill does not prevent legitimate federal oversight. It doesn't conflict with federal law.
• This bill does not prevent legitimate federal oversight. It doesn't conflict with federal law.

Bills: SB264 , SB261

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee heard two election-related bills. SB 264, sponsored by Sen. Duhigg and others and presented by the Secretary of State, would add definitions and new offenses to New Mexico election law to prohibit interference with elections, including the presence of troops or armed persons at polling places or ballot drop boxes, attempts to impose election rules contrary to state law, and intentional obstruction of access to polling places. It also would create civil enforcement options, strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language, and include emergency voting procedures for voters displaced by natural disasters. Supporters, including Common Cause, the Center for Civic Policy, and the League of Women Voters, said the bill protects voters from intimidation and outside interference. Several county clerks and rural legislators raised concerns about late changes, lack of consultation, rural logistics, and possible litigation. The committee adopted the Rules Committee substitute and advanced SB 264 on a 5-3 roll call vote. SB 261, presented as a companion election measure, would remove the existing exception that allowed law enforcement to carry firearms at polling places, but the sponsor offered an amendment to allow armed law enforcement to respond when called by the presiding judge, county clerk, or Secretary of State. Supporters said firearms do not belong in or around polling places because they can intimidate voters and poll workers, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary because existing law already covers law enforcement response and that the amendment created confusion. After a recess caused by members leaving the room, the committee returned, adopted the Rules Committee substitute including the amendment, and advanced SB 261 by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are the alignment of federal reimbursement for administrative costs, administrative ability to
• </c> there are the alignment of federal there are the alignment of federal reimbursement<00:53:41.160
• ><c> for</c><00:53:41.640><c> administrative</c><00:53:42.440><c> costs</c> reimbursement for administrative
• costs reimbursement for administrative costs um<00:53:43.640><c> administrative</c><00:53:44.240><c>
• </c><01:12:40.000><c> for</c> of the Minnesota administrators for of the Minnesota administrators for

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to the federation success, the team won the State Class A title at the New York State Public High
• now with our federal...
• Sometimes it is administrative. Sometimes it is not.
• Sometimes it is administrative. Sometimes it is not.
• IT WAS INDEED AN ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills. The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13. The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the federal fund administration works on cutting funding for essential services, it is equally essential
• Um, our organization, 60% of our funds come from federal contracts and federal funds.
• Um, our organization, 60% of our funds come from federal contracts and federal funds.
• </c> federal grant.
• We also have federal federal grant.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't see an amendment on here. relating to the federal Rural Health relating to the federal Rural
• And I talked to federal government.
• </c> federal government. federal government.
• It makes us more dependent on federal funding, with a federal government that's $40 trillion in debt
• A federal It was within his rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those will all receive federal matching funds from Medicaid.
• EBT gets federal funding.
• So there's a lot of federal money that's being used.
• burdensome federal programs that I've ever seen.
• The federal civil rights law has no caps whatsoever on it.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> BCA and from the federal government. BCA and from the federal government.
• </c> state cannot compel the federal state cannot compel the federal government<00:18:00.640><c> to</
• :39.520><c> enforcement</c> to call federal law enforcement to call federal law enforcement murderers
• It didn't take hours until the lies and the character assassination from the federal administration began
• </c> of this statement because of federal of this statement because of federal officials<00:26:54.559

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearings with respect to administrative law judges.
• and state laws I can see how federal law could relates to following federal and state laws.
• ask okay so they're going to have a raid and they have and then the federal they have to ask the federal
• You'd have to ask the federal government about why they choose to do those.
• You'd have to ask the federal government about why they choose to do those.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2091, a collective bargaining measure that would require state agencies and other employers covered by the Personnel System Reform Act to provide unions with employee contact and job information similar to what other public employers already must share. The sponsor and union witnesses said the bill would close a gap left by prior legislation and improve communication with represented employees; no one testified in opposition during the hearing portion shown. Action on the bill was deferred. The committee then moved to House Bill 2264, which would allow workers who voluntarily participate in an employer-initiated layoff or reduction-in-force plan to qualify for unemployment insurance if the separation results from that plan. The sponsor and a member described it as a narrow fix to clarify eligibility and reduce disputes. After brief supportive testimony, the committee voted 9-0 to report the bill out with a due pass recommendation. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 2218, a workers’ compensation bill that would expand provider choice, require notice to injured workers of their right to choose a provider, limit employer steering, speed utilization review, allow more flexibility from treatment guidelines, and change rules for reopening or continuing treatment on certain claims. Supporters, including injured workers, unions, attorneys, firefighters, and a psychiatrist, argued the current system delays care and over-relies on rigid guidelines; opponents from business groups and the Department of Labor and Industries said the bill would weaken evidence-based standards, raise costs, and create uncertainty. No final action was taken in the portion shown. The committee also heard House Bill 2105, as a proposed substitute, which would require employers to notify workers after an ICE Form I-9 inspection notice or results, limit voluntary access to certain records without a subpoena or warrant, require workplace postings, and create enforcement by the Attorney General and private lawsuits. Supporters said the bill would provide due process, transparency, and protection for immigrant workers; opponents, especially small business and agricultural groups, warned of conflicts with federal law, burdensome notice requirements, and severe penalties. The hearing continued with additional testimony, and no vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Red Tape Act amends the Clean Air Act to streamline the review process for federal projects.
• THE RED TAPE ACT AMENDS THE CLEAN AIR ACT TO STREAMLINE THE REVIEW PROCESS FOR FEDERAL PROJECTS.
• Administration. Who? Who? Me? Everything's okay. I see the beatings on TV.
• We refuse to allow this administration to terrorize this country.
• Today, ironically, also marks the one-year anniversary of the Trump Administration.

Bills: HB5764 , HB5763 , HB1663 , HR659 , HB5784 , HB5788 , HB3496

Keywords: AI for Main Street Act, artificial intelligence, small business, small business development centers, SBDC, Small Business Act, business technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data protection, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, business training, entrepreneurship, technology adoption, AI literacy, outreach, main street businesses, Main Street Parity Act, Small Business Investment Act of 1958

Transcript Highlights:

• New federal regulation has created additional requirements for monitoring federal compliance.
• New federal regulation has created additional requirements for monitoring federal compliance.
• New federal regulation has created additional requirements for monitoring federal compliance.
• New federal regulation has created additional requirements for monitoring federal compliance.
• New federal regulation has created additional requirements for monitoring federal compliance.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a message to the federal government to take action.
• And so this is a message to the federal government to take action at the federal level.
• and administrative capacity that meet federal requirements.
• The bill limits the State Park Board's role to administrative support.
• I saw the intent is good, but again, we're in a public administration hat.

Bills: HB2167 , HB2168 , HB2169 , HB2171 , HB2790 , HB2905 , HCM2005

Committees: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs , House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference

Keywords: attorney general, nuisance action, consumer fraud, damages, civil penalty, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks, residential district

Transcript Highlights:

• , every administrator...
• , every administrator...
• So far, this, you know, a governor under this administration sees over 27 million pills of fentanyl.
• government and a Trump administration that has worked very hard and been very successful at securing
• I was surprised to read that this is the legislature's assessment of the current federal administration

Bills: HB2665 , HB2904 , HB2917

Committees: House Public Safety & Law Enforcement , House House Public Safety & Law Enforcement Committee of Reference

Keywords: manslaughter, suicide encouragement, assisted suicide, online harassment, social media, text messaging, directed communication, minor suicide, youth suicide prevention, criminal liability for speech, online bullying, free speech, homicide, class 2 felony, Cade's Law, Arizona criminal law, sovereignty, border security, health crisis, drug cartels

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> understand how based on how much federal understand how based on how much federal funding<00:29:
• Chair Wolgamott, Chair Fate, and Chair Rarick, let me address some of the federal issues.
• </c> the interplay of what the federal the interplay of what the federal government<00:33:46.720><c>
• </c><00:34:20.560><c> student</c> um the federal in a in a federal student um the federal in a in a federal
• </c> 9 uh.98 uh subdivision 14 administrative 9 uh.98 uh subdivision 14 administrative costs.<00:40:40.800

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the federal stuff hasten an agreement, or are they two separate things?
• staff and our federal counterparts.
• does the federal stuff hasten an<00:02:53.879><c> agreement</c><00:02:54.280><c> or</c><00:02:54.440
• officials and nonpartisan Administration officials and nonpartisan staff<00:03:15.560><c> and</c><00
• > staff and our you know Federal staff and our you know Federal counterparts<00:03:19.000><c> um</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• But sadly, we're at a point where we can no longer rely upon our federal government to follow federal
• Chair, because it ensures that federal officials who claim to be acting under federal authority when
• Administrators, voters, watchers, and challengers.
• This bill does not prevent legitimate federal oversight. It doesn't conflict with federal law.
• This bill does not prevent legitimate federal oversight. It doesn't conflict with federal law.

Bills: SB264 , SB261 , SB264 , SB261

Committees: Senate Senate Rules , Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Keywords: election integrity, voter coercion, public safety, emergency procedures, polling place security, health regulations, community welfare, peace promotion, legislative reforms

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:54:42.960><c> positions,</c> amended to exclude federal positions, amended to exclude federal
• </c> &gt;&gt; Yeah, we exclude the the federal &gt;&gt; Yeah, we exclude the the federal positions<00
• </c> position that and excluding federal position that and excluding federal positions<00:56:54.240><
• </c> to align with uh federal standards. to align with uh federal standards.
• </c> created before there was a federal created before there was a federal standard.<01:03:34.400><c>

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, this issue has been considered by federal appeals courts, by the U.S.
• This one is about administrative chaos, frankly.
• It restates existing law, existing federal law.
• So it is existing federal law mandated for prisons, mandated for jails.
• They wanted to comply with the right state and federal laws.

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer from a Scouting America leader. After caucuses and routine introduction and committee-report actions, the chamber took up House Bill 1604, dealing with standards for strip searches in local jails and related correctional procedures. Supporters said the bill would align local jails with existing federal law and provide clearer standards for staff and administrators; opponents argued it would create liability, staffing, and operational problems, and force female officers into unwanted searches of male inmates. A series of amendments were debated and mostly rejected. Failed amendments sought to add liability protections, require same-sex searches, create religious accommodations for staff, broaden exigent circumstances, limit how often an inmate could change gender identity, and allow staff to decline searches or delay them when no appropriate staff were available. One amendment changing the implementation date from 2025 to 2026 was adopted. The final striking amendment was also defeated. The bill was then advanced to third reading and final passage as Engrossed House Bill 1604. In closing debate, supporters emphasized public safety, dignity, and compliance with federal standards, while opponents repeated concerns about consent, staffing, and jail administration. The House passed the bill 56-39, with three excused, and the floor session ended afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is, in fact, happening with this administration now.
• administration steals and kidnaps their parents away.
• They're enforcing federal law.
• Under the Obama administration, it was 3 million people.
• Perhaps then, if you've acknowledged and pushed back on the federal administration from ripping apart

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we often talk about that federal-only ballot, and I think most of us would assume assume that a federal-only
• These are federal elections.
• The federal statute explicitly bans non-citizens from donating to any federal, state, or local There
• If you if you read federal election laws, it would appear. that the federal government says you can't
• Let me take that to my election administrator. administrator sir and I can come back to your staff with

Bills: SB16 , SB76 , SB310 , SB311 , SB396 , SB505 , SB827 , SB964 , SB1209 , SB1210 , SB1386 , SB1470 , SB2035 , SJR37 , SB 16

Committee: Senate State Affairs