Transcript Highlights:

• block of space and then subletting that to companies.
• We also get a much better location on the floor because we command a large space in advance.
• who are also in need of freezer space in southeast Minnesota.
• </c><00:31:50.880><c> for</c> We have been leasing freezer space for We have been leasing freezer space
• </c> freezer space in southeast Minnesota. freezer space in southeast Minnesota.

Bills: HF3580 , HF3566

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• for these students, and to make sure that they all feel inclusion in their space.
• for these students, and to make sure that they all feel inclusion in their space.
• In their space.
• I had limited access to queer spaces and education, but there was so much access to Christian spaces
• I mean, a space is Florida for all, waving against... Orange County.

Bills: S0212 , S0218 , S0442 , S0460 , S0532 , S0554 , S0644 , S0686 , S0692 , S1054 , S1106 , S1128 , S1134 , S1138 , S1338 , S1434 , S1506 , S1620 , S1748

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The committee first considered SB 1434 on infill redevelopment. A late-filed strike-all amendment narrowed eligibility criteria, including environmental and adjacency requirements, density and intensity limits, and exclusions for certain lands and military areas. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill then passed favorably on an 8-0 vote, with testimony both for and against from advocacy groups. Members then heard several bills related to criminal justice, land use, and local government operations. SB 212 on sexual offenders and sexual predators was amended to add public swimming pools and related restricted-location provisions; the committee heard extensive opposition testimony arguing the bill lacked empirical support and could worsen homelessness and burden families, while supporters said it would reduce temptation and improve safety. The amended bill passed 8-1. SB 686 on agricultural enclaves also received a strike-all amendment clarifying development allowances near interstates and protected-area non-preemption; after opposition from a county Republican committee and support from housing and business groups, it passed 10-0. SB 554 updating nonprofit corporation law, SB 1338 on charitable giving and endowment restrictions, SB 532 on court fee retention by clerks, and SB 218 on land use regulations after hurricanes all passed favorably, each with little or no opposition. The committee also approved SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability after debate over whether the bill created enough compliance incentives and whether its liability presumption should apply retroactively; supporters said it would encourage adoption of cybersecurity frameworks, while opponents warned it could weaken local standards and create litigation issues. The bill passed 9-2. SB 1138 on qualified contractors was amended to preserve local government authority while allowing licensed professionals to conduct limited pre-application reviews, and it passed 11-0. Finally, SJR 1104 on religious expression in public schools passed 8-3 after extensive public testimony and debate, with supporters saying it would enshrine existing protections in the Constitution and opponents warning it would favor majority religions and increase bullying and litigation. The committee then took up SB 1106 on requiring state agencies and instructional materials to use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank,” with the sponsor arguing it reflected historical truth and opponents saying it erased Palestinian identity and inserted the state into an international naming dispute; the transcript ends during public testimony on that bill before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd have some open space.
• We'd have some open space.
• We'd we' we'd have some open space. gym. We'd we' we'd have some open space.
• for them to actually office space for them to actually process<00:20:49.400><c> paperwork.
• There's going to be 409 spaces, so it's going to be ample spaces for folks to park.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It must include home hardening and defensible space.
• voluntary, home hardening certification program that identifies hardening measures, including defensible space
• Okay, I just want to first of all, I want to commend you for your leadership in this particular space

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Emergency Management met with a quorum and first took up its consent calendar, advancing AB 1749, AB 1866, AB 1873, and committee bill AB 2471 on a 5-0 vote, with the roll held open for an absent member. The committee then heard AB 1934 by Assembly Member Bennett, which would create a voluntary State Fire Marshal home hardening certification program tied to wildfire mitigation and defensible space. Bennett described the bill as a response to increasing wildfire destruction and said the California Professional Firefighters Association supported it; the committee accepted amendments, and the bill passed as amended to the Committee on Natural Resources on a 5-0 vote. The committee also heard AB 2472, authored by Assembly Member Ransom, which would require Cal OES to develop additional catastrophic incident plans for pandemics, CBRNE incidents, and wildland-urban interface wildfires. Ransom said the bill would fill gaps in existing catastrophic planning and improve preparedness for future disasters. A committee member raised concerns about duplicative planning and suggested the bill could be amended to rely on existing plans where possible; Ransom responded that the bill was intended to supplement, not duplicate, current efforts. AB 2472 passed to the Committee on Appropriations on a 6-0 vote. After returning to the consent calendar, the committee completed the remaining roll call and confirmed the earlier consent items were out. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It must include home hardening and defensible space.
• voluntary, home hardening certification program that identifies hardening measures, including defensible space
• Okay, I just want to, first of all, I want to commend you for your leadership in this particular space

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• So my last name is D-U-space M-E-E. Okay, we'll just need to have you fill on the sheet.
• So my last name is D-U-space M-E-E. Okay, we'll just need to have you fill on the sheet.
• So my last name is D-U-space M-E-E. Okay, we'll just need to have you fill on the sheet.

Committee: House House Science & Technology Committee of Reference

Summary: The Science and Technology Committee considered Senate Bill 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office within the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud cases involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also establishes a Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund, includes a $500,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27, and directs any fund balance above $10 million at year-end to the Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund. Staff explained that the office would support investigations and litigation, with delayed repeal dates included in the measure. A representative of State Armor and a local attorney testified in support, arguing the bill would protect consumers and state systems from products with undisclosed security vulnerabilities, citing examples involving cameras and routers allegedly linked to foreign adversary entities. They said the initial appropriation would serve as seed money for enforcement actions that could generate settlements or judgments, and that the resulting proceeds could help replace vulnerable technology in critical infrastructure. Committee members asked about how the rip-and-replace fund would be used, who would identify critical infrastructure, and the effects on government purchasing; the witness said the Department of Homeland Security would identify critical infrastructure and administer the funds. After discussion, a member moved Senate Bill 1308 be returned with a due pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion on an 8-0 vote, with one member absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• It applies Woodland Urban Interface, also known as WUI, building code and defensible space maintenance
• And finally, it ensures that defensible space inspections occur annually for each. property in fire-prone
• talked about in other forums it's hard for a private property owner to be able to create defensible space

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in more parking spaces." in more parking spaces."
• Now, that's going more parking spaces.
• A area and then the other uh 20% is in the entire sort of industrial space.
• A area and then the other uh 20% is in the entire sort of industrial space.
• </c> the industrial water use basically space the industrial water use basically space among<03:08:15.359

Committee: Joint Select Water Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So it part of... ...prohibits authorizing any individual from using certain spaces.
• So part of it deals with athletes and then part of it deals with any individual using certain spaces.
• Prohibits schools, et cetera, et cetera, from authorizing any individual from using the private space
• Two, it has to do with any individual using this space.
• It says authorizing any individuals to use, and then it lists the private spaces, and it doesn't say

Committee: Joint Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• Our committees have been able to have the last six months on bills across the privacy space.
• get to the curb, it not only jeopardizes their travel times, but it also makes that trip to the curb space
• We have space for two lead witnesses at the witness table.
• As you mentioned, we can't really talk about AI in the health space without talking about workers.
• Senator Badia, Chairman, thank the author for your continued leadership in this space and for working

Summary: The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard several bills focused on privacy, AI, surveillance, and consumer protections. AB 302 would bar schools from excluding students from extracurricular activities because they do not use social media and would require schools to use at least one non-addictive means of contacting students and parents; it drew support from Common Sense Media and no opposition. AB 1705, the Reclaim Act, would require websites hosting non-consensual pornography to verify consent before upload; district attorneys and the Commission on the Status of Women supported it, while TechNet and CCIA opposed or raised concerns. AB 2007 would separate parental consent for a child’s image/likeness from general program enrollment forms in youth programs; educators supported it, while local government and parks groups raised implementation and penalty concerns. AB 2212 would update higher education sexual harassment definitions to include tech-facilitated harassment such as cyberbullying, doxing, and nudification-related abuse; students and advocacy groups strongly supported it, with no opposition. AB 1837 would extend transit agencies’ authority to use camera enforcement in bus-only lanes and at transit stops, with privacy retention limits and human review; transit agencies supported it, while some senators expressed concern about automated enforcement and surveillance, and the bill was placed on call after a split vote. AB 2392 would create an intersegmental higher education working group on generative AI training and procurement standards; it passed 5-0 after amendments removed prerequisites tying AI deployment to completion of the report. The consent calendar was also approved on call. Later, AB 1798 would prohibit life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information in underwriting; supporters argued it protects privacy and encourages testing, while insurers opposed the bill as undermining risk-based underwriting, and it advanced on a 3-0 vote on call. Finally, AB 1883 would restrict workplace use of emotion-recognition and neural-data surveillance tools; labor and privacy advocates supported it, employers and local agencies raised safety and litigation concerns, and it passed 3-0 to Labor after narrowing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:30.160><c> We're</c><00:17:30.400><c> making</c> provider in this space.
• We're making provider in this space.
• </c><00:50:33.680><c> This</c> in four key areas in the NIC space.
• This in four key areas in the NIC space.
• :51:07.280><c> is</c><00:51:07.520><c> also</c> banking space, the department is also banking space,

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so, but there aren't uh a whole lot of things we can do in this space.
• Um so, but there aren't uh a whole lot of things we can do in this space.
• Um so, but there aren't uh a whole lot of things we can do in this space.
• Um so, but there aren't uh a whole lot of things we can do in this space.
• Um so, but there aren't uh a whole lot of things we can do in this space.

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we've also had a lot of those employees have been sharing spaces and, um, hoteling, as we call it
• And by doing that, we were able to clear that space for the Finance Cabinet.
• able to clear that space for for the<00:31:14.200><c> finance</c><00:31:14.680><c> cabinet.
• Are you factoring in redesign reducing your overall space-to-staff ratio compared to what you've had
• It was supposed to be open floor space. We should go back to that.

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> kitchen yourself to renting some space kitchen yourself to renting some space in<02:26:11.040><c
• </c> know brick and B brick and mortar space know brick and B brick and mortar space to<02:26:23.960>
• </c><02:27:24.120><c> or</c> chair and the renting of a space or chair and the renting of a space or
• </c><03:54:17.720><c> so</c> facilities they have limited space so facilities they have limited space
• They need large, open spaces.

Summary: The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed. The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been leasing space, we've been purchasing commercial buildings to try to make up that space gap
• It's also going to host some of our administrative space, which is allowing us to move classrooms into
• our former school administration space.
• Because those schools were not designed with dishwashing in mind, only two had an obvious space for a
• Let's start by fixing these and supporting a space of joyful and healthy learning. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.

Transcript Highlights:

• In different spaces, especially in the Legislature. There's so many of them. So on that end...
• There's so many of them. in different spaces, especially in the legislature.
• It's really the only, that in a couple of follow-up studies, or is the only research in this space.
• And as we all know, most of our governance decisions that are made within the education space happen
• For the state in the space of education.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:53:07.040><c> where</c> market, creating a vibrant space where market, creating a vibrant space
• </c><00:53:14.000><c> plan,</c><00:53:14.400><c> helping</c> the urban area green space plan, helping
• the urban area green space plan, helping protect<00:53:15.359><c> parks</c><00:53:15.680><c> and</c>
• House Bill 887, Representative Johnson, an act relating to office space leases for the Kentucky Public
• leases for the Kentucky to office space leases for the Kentucky Public<02:51:13.359><c> Pensions</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• We have elevated tribal voices in policy spaces.
• And in addition, 10 acres of green space.
• You talk about the green space in the middle. They are now, I assume.
• We don't have green space. This area of the city is the hottest. We don't have green space.
• The green space is where we want to do grass and trees.

Summary: The Senate convened for an Indian Day/Native American Day session featuring prayers, drum and color guard presentations, and extensive recognition of tribal leaders, students, royalty, and community advocates from across New Mexico and neighboring tribal nations. Senators used the morning to introduce guests and speak about Native sovereignty, language preservation, education, water access, economic development, and the importance of tribal-state relationships. Several speakers highlighted personal and family ties to Native communities, while others emphasized ongoing work on issues such as clean water for Navajo communities, Native youth leadership, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives. A major non-ceremonial item was the reading of Senate Executive Messages from the governor authorizing consideration of Senate Bills 306, 309, 312, and 313. Those bills would, respectively, change licensure rules for certain institutions, alter lottery tuition fund deposit requirements, and repeal or revise provisions related to safety helmets and child restraint devices in negligence and damages law. The Senate also received committee reports advancing House Bill 34, Senate Bills 204, 241, 77, 152, 190, and 143, along with confirmations for Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera to the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents. The Rules Committee also reported on the governor’s appointment of Don Walters as child advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing February 6, 2026, as New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day, with Senator Pope speaking in support of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Throughout the session, members repeatedly acknowledged the prior night’s Senate-House basketball game, which raised more than $26,000 for cancer, and used the occasion to thank participants and guests. No roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript beyond voice votes adopting the committee reports and the unanimous-consent actions on floor procedures and guest access.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes, a common issue that many in the housing space run into are challenges related to housing
• And the mobile home arena is a unique space and it has its own nuances.
• I was looking for, I was leaving space for the follow-up to the motion.
• Well, I mean, your legislation is making it more complex to operate in the space.
• But why are we not, if you want to reform this space, then why aren't we looking?

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there are a few nature-based solution sites in the state. ...space for environmental justice
• And again, thank you so much for making the space for me to share. My name is David Fisher.
• So thanks very much for making the space to hear what I have to share. Thank you. Thank you.
• Thank you. addressing urban heat island effects through increasing green spaces and so much more.
• Thank you. ...the climate space. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.