Transcript Highlights:

• Blackstone wants to buy P&M at a 23% premium to shareholders, with a guaranteed 9.45% year-over-year
• Madam Chair, would you want to say a program to vote?
• I worked for PNM and gas company in New Mexico for years. I had 30 years when I retired.
• I spent last year and the year before working probably harder than I've ever worked on, I don't know.
• Last year and the year before, working probably harder than I've ever worked on any other bill, trying

Bills: SM20, SM9, SJR6, HB124

Keywords: youth violence, violence prevention, violence intervention, community violence intervention, credible messengers, peer support, restorative justice, violence interrupters, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, high-risk youth, public safety, Department of Health, New Mexico, statewide summit, data collection, reporting, interagency coordination, community-based organizations, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• So you all received the same as last year.
• a couple hundred wells per year, and so we'd eliminate the backlog in just a few years.
• Is it nine years that it would extend it to?
• I learned a lot there.
• Should that read at the end of all fiscal years or each fiscal year?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, some of this is we're learning as we go in a really unfortunate way.
• So, some of this is we're learning as we go in a really unfortunate way.
• So, some of this is we're learning as we go in a really unfortunate way.
• as we go in a really is we're learning as we go in a really unfortunate<00:02:50.720> way.
• actively hostile to the states programs actively hostile to the states programs that<00:10:28.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• APPROXIMATELY THERE IS 4.94.8 MILLION RETURNING ON FES C AND FES O PROGRAMS FOR 23 24 EACH YEAR WHICH
• IF A STUDENT JOINED THE PROGRAM IN 2015 FOR INSTANCE HE YEAR AFTER YEAR THEY MAY NOT HAVE SPENT ALL OF
• IN THE LAST FOUR TO FIVE YEARS AND THE SUCCESSFUL AND ACCURATE FUNDING OF THESE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS
• THE STATE IN BUDGETING FOR THE FES PROGRAM FOR THE 24th 25 SCHOOL YEAR ALLOCATED APPROXIMATELY $2.79
• IT WAS DISCONCERTING TO LEARN THAT THERE WERE CHECKS THAT HAD BEEN ISSUED EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT THE

Transcript Highlights:

• We look to the department for suggestions and learned that most fees haven't been raised in over 20 years
• We also continued the math learning communities program.
• We look to the department for suggestions and learned that most fees haven't been raised in over 20 years
• We also continued the math learning communities program.
• fiscal year. fiscal year.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a House budget briefing focused on the overall state budget and the first of three divisions. The presenter reviewed the size and structure of the budget, noting that the state had eliminated the interest and dividends tax and still balanced the budget. He explained the major spending categories in the general fund and total budget, emphasizing that health and human services and education remain the largest areas, while transportation is largely self-funded. He also walked through the revenue picture, including business taxes, insurance taxes, court fees, communications taxes, and Medicaid recoveries, and said the remaining interest and dividends tax revenue reflected late payments from prior assessments. Members asked about the size of the tax cut from eliminating the interest and dividends tax, federal funding stability, and why Medicaid was being reduced if federal support was expected to remain steady. The response was that the lost revenue would have been about $200 million absent repeal, and that the budget gap was addressed through many small cuts across departments. On federal funds, the presenter said most aid is tied to multi-year grants and that core programs such as Medicare and Medicaid were expected to remain relatively stable, though some federal reductions could occur. He also said some agency reductions came from eliminating long-vacant, funded positions and from expected lapses. The discussion then moved into Division One, which covers smaller and miscellaneous agencies. The division made cuts to the governor’s office, eliminated a temporary position at the Governor’s Commission on Disability, reduced Department of Information Technology spending through a back-of-budget cut, and found savings in Administrative Services. It also delayed maintenance at the Sununu Youth Services Center, stopped advertising for paid family medical leave, changed retiree health insurance funding, and consolidated several personnel-related boards into one. The division eliminated the Commission on Aging and the Office of the Child Advocate, made a temporary special education advocate position permanent, reduced the Secretary of State’s budget, kept municipal rooms-and-meals distributions flat, and made changes to the retirement system, including $55 million to improve Group 2 retirement benefits and a new retirement structure for future state hires. The judicial branch was also asked to find savings and received two additional judges because of expected caseload increases from other eliminations.

Transcript Highlights:

• over the course what have they learned over the course of a full academic year.
• . program. program.
• that are programs some of these programs that are programs that<01:28:32.360> carry<01:28:32.680
• to CTE programs.
• Only funding at $9 million a year to the CTE program for transportation and tuition for sending districts

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Freedom Account Oversight Committee met on March 27 and approved the agenda, adding a request for clarification on how the Children’s Scholarship Fund separates applications for the EFA program and the education tax credit program. The committee also approved minutes from December 30, 2025, and March 27, 2026, with a request that the March minutes include a link to the live stream. Members discussed the status of pending Legislative Budget Assistant audit reports on EFA and special education, noting the reports were still not released and would likely come later in the summer after review by the Department of Education and the Children’s Scholarship Fund. A major topic was the EFA program’s administrative fee, which statute allows up to 10% of deposits. Children’s Scholarship Fund representatives said current administrative costs were under 8%, that staffing had been reduced through the ScholarVia platform, and that any unused amount is reconciled and returned to students at year’s end. Members asked for historical administrative-cost data and a written explanation of how the withholding and reconciliation process works. The committee also reviewed the distinction between the EFA and education tax credit funding streams and was told the two programs use separate applications and separate funds, though both use the same platform. The committee spent substantial time on assessment and accountability. Department of Education staff explained that EFA students may satisfy annual assessment requirements through a portfolio, a norm-referenced test, or the statewide assessment; only about 10 EFA students took the statewide assessment, while most used portfolios or standardized tests such as the California Achievement Test and NWEA. Staff described how statewide assessment data are kept separate by student identifier and can be aggregated for EFA reporting, and members asked for breakdowns by grade, test type, and school district. The department also discussed linking assessments through Lexiles and Quantiles and said it could provide a list of commonly used formative assessments in New Hampshire districts. The committee additionally discussed a possible PSAT addition to the state contract and the costs of the statewide assessment program. Another major issue was special education eligibility and services within the EFA program. Members questioned the rule allowing a medical certification of disability from a licensed professional anywhere in the United States as an alternative to an IEP-based determination. Department staff said the current system allows either pathway, that about 1,000 EFA students are identified as special education students, and that the program does not track growth or service alignment on an individual basis. Members expressed concern that the medical-certification route may be too broad and asked for data on the disability categories used. The committee also discussed career and technical education access for EFA students, noting that Senate Bill 491 would provide guidance and that House Bill 1817 would address access and funding issues, but that current law still allows EFA funds to be used to pay CTE costs. The meeting ended with a request for future agenda items and a decision to leave the next meeting date open until fall, pending further information from the LBA audit process.

Transcript Highlights:

• of this year. of this year.
• We did it last year. The budget budget. We did it last year.
• of a lot of years of of how we got here. of a lot of years of of how we got here.
• This isn't going to be done in a year. This could be a three- to five-year process.
• than $100 million each year.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It program called attendance matters.
• You could also look at consecutive years You could also look at consecutive years of<00:25:01.200
• It's over a hundred years old.
• It's over a hundred years old.
• And two years and having to pay a co-ay.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, year after year, we're seeing that we're spending more money on the administration of the program
• The legislators have done their part year after year, and I'm very hopeful that this year will be the
• The program we've been still installed a couple years ago just isn't working how it's intended to be.
• half years.
• years after the actual enforceable year.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh aviation program. uh aviation program.
• improved over the last few years. improved over the last few years.
• > program<00:13:04.160> at the lesser-known uh program at the lesser-known uh program at
• . program. program.
• This year, they have 400 high school kids that are going through the Club 502 program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan. Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program. Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions. The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.

Transcript Highlights:

• been your goal this last couple of years been your goal this last couple of years that<00:03:34.560
• > we're people uh learn more about what we're people uh learn more about what we're doing<00:16
• Kohave since they're like 2 years old. Kohave since they're like 2 years old.
• over the years.
• Mahalo. from Auntie Hannah over the years. She from Auntie Hannah over the years.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Water and Land Committee held a hearing on several governor’s messages for confirmation to land and water-related boards and commissions. The first item was GM 745, confirming Nor Abbott to a second term on the Natural Area Reserves System Commission through June 30, 2029. DLNR and other supporters submitted testimony, and Abbott said his focus has been on watching for potential impacts to marine reserves from nearby land activity and helping ensure those impacts are avoided, minimized, or mitigated through a thorough process. The committee then took up GM 783 and GM 762, both involving the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission. Fenton Pang and Jensen Chop were nominated for terms ending June 30, 2028 and June 30, 2029, respectively. Multiple individuals and organizations testified in strong support, including representatives of civic clubs, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana, and other community groups. Testimony emphasized Pang’s scientific background, cultural values, humility, and service, and described Chop as a long-time Kahoʻolawe steward with strong ties to restoration work and the Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana. Chop said his goal is to help more people build a connection to ʻāina and to continue restoration and cultural education efforts on Kahoʻolawe. The final major item was GM 770, confirming Hannah Kihalani Springer to the Commission on Water Resource Management through June 30, 2028. DLNR strongly supported her nomination, describing her as a cultural expert and advocate who can ensure indigenous knowledge is meaningfully included in water policy. Testimony from community members, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and others highlighted her experience, integrity, and role in protecting customary and traditional water rights, especially for place-based and Native Hawaiian communities. Supporters also said her appointment was important given current water and climate challenges. The chair indicated the committee would proceed to decision-making after the hearing, and no opposition was noted in the testimony summarized here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Black Mountain filed five years ago and the wafer company several years ago as well.
• I didn't learn about the issue until probably a little more than a year ago.
• Other than the fact that whoever had it a year and a half ago should have come to me with it a year and
• Do you want them to wait another two years?
• So on page three, number one, it says that... ...they can close the degree program if the program is

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks. The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• target for the pensions bill this year. target for the pensions bill this year.
• million in each year in the tails. million in each year in the tails.
• And last year, we had a fix on there. I was hoping to go to a work group last year.
• series of bills and a series of years. series of bills and a series of years.
• major in 2025, so last year. major in 2025, so last year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting three years ago, two years ago, we...
• after year after year.
• It stated that this isn't an optional program anymore; you have to do it every year, and that lease assistance
• We talked to you last year about the fact that we've created an additional bond program within the PPRF
• We've been working for the past three years with staff to get them to promulgate the rules for this program

Transcript Highlights:

• That's on the books for years.
• Last year.
• It establishes a grant program for the Critical Infrastructure Mapping Grant program.
• The bill also directs FWC to create a 5 year safety inspection decal program linked to vessel registration
• This is probably not the year and a new the new burden on the budget, new government program.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In recent years, our state has increased spending on food security programs, which includes things like
• It takes about a year to train our staff to do these program determinations well.
• However, that program will start to contract in a couple of years, and so there will be reductions to
• that program under the federal reconciliation bill over the next ten years. ten years.
• So, over nine years, there's going to be a steady reduction until that program is essentially eliminated

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we have done previous rate studies uh for the DD program, but I will say, fiscal year 25 was the
• You'll see that this is a new program that we started in the state fiscal year 2024.
• And this program received at that time $1.2 million and then in fiscal year 25, a total of $1.8 million
• come, learn about what the programs are available to them.
• During the interim and learn more about this program which is so important to um New Mexico seniors and

Transcript Highlights:

• To learn more, visit www.fema.gov.
• During that same six years, the Texas legislature has spent 51. billions of dollars every year trying
• I've been there 16 years, my predecessor... 20 years and before he passed we had a conversation about
• our homestead taxpayers the last two years. years in a row with helping on that front as well.
• . for years for education.

Bills: SB 18, SB 19, SB18, SB19, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• The nursing, as you may know, I was the nursing program director here for several years. ...years, and
• Our longtime coordinator of that program retired about a year and a half ago.
• We send seniors and juniors to a program for a week where they learn about our government and how it's
• Grant program.
• We spent years reaching out to the Navajo Nation, to the STAR program at.

Transcript Highlights:

• together and approached me several years together and approached me several years ago<00:19:32.559
• <00:24:07.760> to year.
• So it gives it one more year to year.
• <00:24:23.679> Sir, this to us next year? Sir, this to us next year?
• Now we're on the bill. again in couple years, three years. again in couple years, three years.

Bills: SB342, HB379, HB326, HB233, HB388, SB342, HB379, HB326, HB233, HB388

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management