Transcript Highlights:

• other districts for grades not served in their local school?
• This body must seek answers to the questions posed here. local school?
• Will those contracts take local school?
• Thank you. the local school district budget which the local school district budget which is<00:43:45.440
• And finally, if I know open enrollment bills are part of the free market agenda to bankrupt local school

Transcript Highlights:

• Our schools are for learning. Our police are for public safety.
• , law enforcement, and local governments.
• He devoted countless hours to local youth, coaching Pop Warner and high school football, as well as soccer
• He devoted countless hours to local youth, coaching Pop Warner and high school football, as well as soccer
• He devoted countless hours to local youth, coaching Pop Warner, and high school football, as well as

Transcript Highlights:

• Understanding that this incentivizes local communities who want to invest in their school facilities,
• So understanding that this incentivizes local communities who want to invest in their school facilities
• And educate them on why it's necessary for local support on bond measures to update their school facilities
• So arguably that school district would maybe have an easier time of getting local funds to support a
• We've seen examples of schools partnering with libraries or local health clinics to try and find multiple

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee heard presentations from the Department of Commerce, the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), and a consultant on the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) study. Commerce officials described their agency’s role in housing, energy, local government, broadband, and other capital programs, and reported on a $5 million pilot under Senate Bill 5200 that used trusted community messengers and technical assistance to help historically excluded organizations prepare for capital funding. They said 18 organizations received direct support and 79 smaller projects were also funded, but emphasized that statutory match rules, reimbursement-based payments, site-control requirements, insurance and audit costs, and extensive contracting rules remain major barriers. Commerce outlined efforts to expand outreach, digital modernization, internal contracting improvements, tribal MOUs, and innovation centers, and members asked about small business support, housing program placement, and outreach to Eastern Washington and communities of color. RCO described its grant programs for recreation, conservation, education, and salmon/orca recovery, and reviewed equity work done before and after a 2021-23 proviso. The agency had already created a small-communities carve-out in youth athletic facilities, piloted stipends for advisory committee members, and reduced match requirements where allowed. Under the proviso, RCO completed an equity review and a planning program that funded 54 projects across 34 counties, with many applicants being new or long-absent grantees. Staff said the review led to changes in scoring criteria, clearer application guidance, more objective data measures, expanded technical assistance, and targeted community engagement. Members asked about application burden, project sizes, outreach, and how the agency is broadening participation and representation on advisory committees. The final presentation summarized a planning study on SCAP, which examined rising construction costs, fragmented grant programs, local funding barriers, and uneven district capacity. The report recommended nine major changes, including stronger planning support, a new minor-modernization category, a mechanism to use unused funds more quickly, an education-specification prototype, a SCAP enhancement program for low-capacity districts, acceptance of non-SCAP funds, phased modernization, streamlined D-form and reimbursement processes, and revisions to the SCAP formula to better account for grade-band differences, enrollment projections, and regional cost factors. Additional recommendations included ongoing monitoring and evaluation, facilities-impact reviews, matching SCAP increases to construction-cost inflation, earlier locking of funding estimates, flexible program spaces, and updated statewide building-condition assessments. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding, managed by our local school district, district go straight to the heart of what matters
• These funds are managed by a local school district and go directly to the Minnesota children we educate
• Boards Association, where we represent all 331 public school districts across the state of Minnesota
• Our local school boards are deeply committed to the implementation of the READ Act and the promising
• We want to once again say thank you for listening to the voices of school board members in the areas

Bills: HF1388

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Schools are local governments, but we're also very different in our structure, so we're just narrowing
• So my concern, and I've shared with the Senator, is I was a school board member for 13 years, and this
• They're in charge of their own budgets, but I believe the intent is for the school board or the agency
• If you look up Stockton just last week, there was a trial of a school board member for mismanagement,
• , and what they determined or found in the trial is that lots of school board members—$11,000 on eating

Committee: House Local Government

Summary: The committee began with housekeeping and then took up SB 753 by Senator Cortese, a bill to update California’s shopping cart recovery law. The author and supporters from San Jose, the League of California Cities, counties, and water districts argued the bill would let local governments retrieve abandoned carts immediately, return them directly to retailers, and recover documented costs, rather than storing carts for 30 days. Retail groups and grocers opposed the measure, saying carts are stolen property, that the bill could create a new revenue stream for cities, and that retailers should retain a first right of retrieval without added fees. Members debated notice periods, cost caps, and local control, and the author agreed to continue working on amendments. The committee adopted the bill as amended and passed it 6-0. The committee then heard SB 445 by Senator Wiener, which would speed up third-party permits and approvals for high-speed rail projects. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader transit proposal and now focuses on requiring early engagement, clear rules, and binding arbitration to prevent utilities, cities, and other entities from delaying a state-approved project. Supporters said permitting delays add major costs and can hold projects hostage; opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts said they were concerned about impacts on safety, reliability, affordability, and local authority, though many said they were willing to keep working on amendments. The committee sent SB 445 to the Utilities and Energy Committee on an 8-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 9 by Senator Wiener, a narrower housing bill dealing with accessory dwelling units. The bill would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards apply if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings within the required time. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the measure would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee passed the bill 6-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a couple of school board members.
• We have a couple of school board members.
• And we got to also just thank our school board members.
• also a school board member.
• school boards... ...to the local level where local school boards once again might feel like they're

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Rabbi Jack Stocker for New Mexico’s first Jewish Community Day at the legislature, and then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance, Spanish pledge, flag salute, and national anthem. Early floor business included unanimous-consent approvals for cameras on the floor and in the gallery, a relaxed dress code for guests, and an excuse for Senator Hickey. Majority Floor Leader Peter Wirth noted it was the last day for bill introductions and reviewed the day’s observances and receptions, including Multiple Sclerosis Advocacy Day, Jewish Community Day, Santo Domingo Pueblo Day, Lincoln County Day, and UNM Day. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring the Artesia Bulldogs football team, recognized for winning another state championship and for their long record of success. Senators and coaches praised the team’s resilience, community support, and the role of local fundraising and school support in sustaining athletic excellence. The Senate also observed a moment of silence for New Mexico State Police Officer Darien Jarrett on the fifth anniversary of his death in the line of duty, with Senator Brantley speaking about Jarrett’s service and the impact of his loss on law enforcement and the region. The chamber then celebrated UNM Day with a formal certificate recognizing the University of New Mexico’s role as the state’s flagship university, its enrollment, degrees awarded, research, patents, health sciences, and hospital services. Multiple senators spoke in support, emphasizing UNM’s impact on education, health care, public service, first-generation students, and athletics, and several introduced guests from UNM programs and leadership. The Senate also read and adopted a certificate recognizing Dr. V. Sue Cleveland for 32 years leading Rio Rancho Public Schools, with members praising her role in building the district and supporting its growth and success. Later, the Senate recognized Valencia County Day and Hidalgo County Day, with senators highlighting each county’s history, economic development, agriculture, transportation, and community identity, and introducing local officials, business leaders, and youth honorary lieutenant governors. Additional floor remarks honored nurses and health care professionals tied to Lincoln County Day and related observances, with senators introducing guests from nursing, education, and hospital settings and emphasizing the importance of the nursing workforce and rural health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, what this bill would do is authorize each local board of education and the governing body
• Authorizing local boards of education. This goes deep with me. My questions are questions.
• This bill requires each local board of education to display specified areas ten commandments along with
• This bill will provide that no local board of education is required to use its funds to comply with this
• board.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Doris O'Hennessy, a former school board member from Nashua.
• </c> the AG's office the school board the AG's office the school board attorney<01:23:59.840><c> attorney
• They had other problems, and as a school board member...
• </c><01:27:05.040><c> board</c> Clawson who was our school board Clawson who was our school board attorney
• </c><01:27:17.639><c> board</c> ...and as a school board member.

Committee: House Election Law

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, Senator, relating to school bus cameras, the bill requires the school board to approve the
• districts to provide an annual report on the school bus camera program at a school board meeting, requires
• board, excuse me, about school bus, the bus stops not being in very public, safe areas.
• And here you are now getting new ideas on how we can actually direct school boards and where to put bus
• And here you are now getting new ideas on how we can actually direct school boards and where to put bus

Bills: S0382 , S0654 , S0684 , S0880 , S1080

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met with a quorum and first took up SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement, which would standardize procedures for red-light, school-zone speed, and school bus camera enforcement. The bill would allow clerks to retain 10% of penalty revenue, permit virtual hearings, require records retention, limit surveillance/data use, tighten school-zone flashing-light requirements, and add school board approval and reporting requirements for school bus camera programs. An amendment clarified reporting periods and which entity receives liability-transfer affidavits. Members raised questions about information-sharing, facial recognition, school-zone warnings, and school bus stop safety, but the committee accepted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SB 1080, which was amended by a delete-all to address FDOT direct payments to first-tier subcontractors and takeover agreements involving sureties and replacement contractors. The amended bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved a slate of appointments in tabs 1 through 6 by one vote. Next, the committee heard SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters. A strike-all amendment shifted the bill away from immediate enforcement changes and instead created an e-bike task force, required crash data collection and reporting, and retained rules requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, provide audible signals, and limit speed near pedestrians. Members discussed enforcement practicality, access concerns for riders who rely on e-bikes, and the need for public education and transparency. The amended bill was reported favorably. The committee then reported favorably SB 684, which removes certain signature requirements for electronic odometer disclosures in total-loss vehicle and vessel insurance transactions, and SB 880, which creates a new license plate for the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association. The meeting ended after all items were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Board of Occupational Therapy, and the Board of Naturopathic Medicine.
• Good morning, Chair and Board.
• He can attend our local neighborhood high school. He's in the marching band.
• Which is not a board. It's a council. Appreciate it. Which is not a board, it's a council.
• The board has also successfully navigated recent leadership changes in the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:42.400><c> high</c><00:26:42.720><c> school</c> or whose high school high school or whose
• >> So, uh, high school.
• about um how they can integrate all of our local history into this program called Schools of Democracy
• school that did uh school it was a high school that did uh history<00:47:54.480><c> day</c><00:47:55.040
• history into this program our local history into this program called<00:49:52.000><c> Schools</c><00

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The committees heard and then took action on several measures. Senate Bill 3048, relating to the State Building Code Council and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, received support from OPSD and the Chamber of Commerce, with OPSD requesting amendments tied to software licensing and a public permitting dashboard. The committees ultimately recommended passing the bill with amendments, including an effective date, and later adopted that recommendation by vote. Senate Bill 3083, relating to protective orders, drew support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the Military and Community Relations Office, and a member of the public, while the Judiciary asked that the bill be deferred or amended because a prior notification process had lapsed and a new mandate could be difficult to implement. The committees nevertheless recommended passage with amendments and an effective date, noting implementation concerns in the report, and that recommendation was adopted. The committees also considered Senate Bill 3010, which would allow law enforcement, animal control officers, and firefighters to enter unattended vehicles to rescue animals in distress. The Animal Legal Defense Fund supported the measure as a common-sense good Samaritan protection, and the Hawaii Association for Justice recommended a small amendment. The bill was recommended for passage with amendments and later adopted. Senate Bill 3187, relating to off-site construction and SPEED Task Force recommendations, received OPSD testimony in support with comments; the committees recommended passing it with amendments, deleting the dollar amount and adding an effective date, and adopted that recommendation. In a later joint hearing with the Committee on Education, Senate Bill 2138, which would expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to graduate study, received support from the University of Hawaii, the Department of Defense, the Hawaii Army National Guard, and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office. Members asked whether the current law limited assistance to undergraduate degrees and whether the program would require new funding; witnesses said the bill would simply expand authority and could be implemented within the current budget. Senate Bill 2614, authorizing high school diplomas for certain veterans whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices, also drew support from DOE and the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, with DOE explaining it had previously issued diplomas under an earlier version of the law and would verify eligibility through an application process. Senate Bill 2687, requiring a 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum plan and pilot program, drew mixed testimony: DOE said the topic is already covered in existing social studies standards and the bill was unnecessary, while supporters argued the history is not being consistently taught and should be mandated. The transcript cuts off before final action on the education bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know with respect to school board referendums, to an average community to conduct a referendum
• even, so as I understand it, Senator Carlson, it's school board, city, and county local elections.
• even, so as I understand it, Senator Carlson, it's school board, city, and county local elections.
• </c><01:12:47.679><c> Board</c><01:12:48.040><c> race</c><01:12:48.360><c> in</c> election a School Board
• <01:12:51.320><c> school</c><01:12:51.679><c> board</c> California had the school board California had

Committee: Senate Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• exact same authority available to public schools in California.
• The first is that it's not a real solution to the local workforce needs or for the local community.
• The faculty are going to drive out to—I can't remember the names of the two schools.
• Those are exactly the kinds of questions that the state board, that the Board of Governors, should be
• In this particular regard, we have students who are enrolling in schools.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• He previously served as a board senior engineering geologist for 20 years.
• She first joined the board in 2014 and is currently the board's vice chair.
• He first joined the board in 2021. He is currently serving as chair.
• He first joined the board in 2021. He is currently serving as chair.
• This bill gives local fairs the certainty they need to plan projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Board of Barber Examiner and Board the Board of Barber Examiner and Board of<00:20:52.600><c
• So the Department of Education will simply track school districts if they are using a local system or
• The Department of Education will simply track school districts if they are using a local system or if
• districts if they are using a uh school districts if they are using a local<00:32:07.960><c> system<
• </c> grants to schools. grants to schools.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, but I believe that the local money stays with the local school.
• I believe all of the local taxation stays with the local school.
• Again, there's $75,000 to provide travel for participating local school districts.
• Again, there's $75,000 to provide travel for participating local school districts.
• Again, this has been subcontracted into the local workforce boards in the St.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• We operate as a licensing board, just like nursing or the Board of Lawyers, etc.
• In statute, charter schools are separated from traditional public schools.
• I recognize that a charter school is a public school, so when I say 'charter school,' I'm not creating
• You said they're both public schools, but what about the non-charter schools?
• public schools.

Bills: HF2432

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Matthew Bunger, Firefighters Board Chair for Oakland Firefighters Local 55. Good morning.
• Matthew Bollinger, Firefighters Board Chair for Oakland Firefighters Local 55, in strong support.
• Morning, John Ford, Local 1230. John Ford, Local 1230, strongly support.
• Lucas Myers, Local 522, strong in support. Alex Heislinger, Local 5206.
• 112 and Local 1014.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public safety, labor enforcement, pensions, and workplace safety. AB 1054 would create a voluntary DROP-style retirement option for CHP officers and Cal Fire firefighters to help retain experienced personnel; supporters said it would be cost-neutral and help staffing, while an opponent warned it could affect bond ratings and create pension risk. The bill passed the committee 4-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2129, which would improve Cal Fire compensation to aid recruitment and retention, also passed 4-0 to Appropriations with support from firefighters and no opposition. AB 1383, a broader PEPRA-related measure lowering retirement age and adjusting compensation caps for public safety workers, drew extensive support from firefighters and peace officers and strong opposition from cities, counties, and other local government groups over long-term pension costs; after debate over fiscal impacts, it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 605 on refinery safe staffing during shutdowns, prompted by layoffs and reduced staffing at refineries such as Phillips 66 Wilmington. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers and nearby communities during refinery wind-downs, while petroleum and business groups said closures are not inevitable and opposed the bill’s premise. The bill passed 3-0 to Environmental Quality. AB 1859 would let joint labor-management committees access public works sites to help detect wage theft and safety violations; construction labor supporters backed it as an enforcement tool, while laborers, local governments, and builders raised concerns about duplication, property access, and project disruption. It passed 2-0 to Judiciary, on call. The committee then heard AB 2321, a pilot program allowing county district attorneys in Alameda and Santa Clara to investigate workplace deaths, which supporters said would address Cal/OSHA’s backlog and weak enforcement; employers and safety practitioners opposed it, citing expertise, due process, and overlapping investigations. It passed 2-0 to Appropriations, on call. Finally, AB 2575 began testimony on healthcare AI guardrails, with the author and nurses arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment and that patient safety requires human oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's more of a local banking issue, right?
• You thanked the locals.
• Generally then, Senate Bill 43 would define a qualified local sponsor and allow a qualified local sponsor
• Our test and ensure that Texas A through F school accountability system shows how school districts and
• Support local accountability initiatives by establishing a grant panel to help districts equate local

Bills: SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3 , SB8 , SB4 , SB43 , SB1 , SB2 , SB13 , SB6 , SB10 , SB16 , SB14 , SB3

Transcript Highlights:

• , and prohibits school guardians from wearing uniforms.
• , and prohibits school guardians from wearing uniforms.
• Altony Lee, Board of Governors, speaking in favor.
• pertaining to that. alter the existing laws and local ordinances pertaining to that.
• Altony Lee, Board of Governors, speaking in favor.

Bills: S0086 , S0642 , S0712 , S0758 , S0896 , S1224 , S1300 , S1370 , S1712

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate. Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19. The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support. In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.