Transcript Highlights:

• I'm open to ideas on how to improve the legislation.
• We do not need this type of legislation.
• I respectfully request support. Thank you.
• I get the rhetoric around this legislation.
• You know, many California legislators... SB 1203 does.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts. Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, there was legislation.
• We began in 2022 and brought the legislation in 2023. All right.
• It's in our legislation and in state law.
• That in this legislation, there is no counsel for them.
• At the appropriate time, I'd like to be able to... As amended.

Summary: The committee met on April 15 at 5:13 p.m. with a quorum present and took up several local and municipal bills out of order to accommodate members’ travel. HB 87, which would increase the per diem for the Livingston Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 board, was presented as a local bill with no opposition and was reported favorably without objection. HB 481, dealing with the cost of publishing official proceedings and public notices, drew extensive testimony from the Louisiana Press Association, the Police Jury Association, and committee members. Supporters said a prior agreement intended a 15% to 20% reduction in notice costs, but a calculation error would instead produce roughly a 40% reduction, threatening small newspapers; opponents questioned the process and impact on local governments. The committee ultimately voted 10-5 to send HB 481 to the floor, with members urging further negotiation and possible amendment. HB 573, a major New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board governance bill by Rep. Hilferty, was amended in committee and then supported by Mayor Helena Moreno and several council members as a way to shift more oversight and accountability to the New Orleans City Council. Supporters argued the current structure diffuses responsibility and that local elected officials need more direct authority over operations, contracts, and transparency. Dr. Tracy Washington of the Louisiana Justice Institute opposed the bill, warning that transferring control could worsen financial strain, blur accountability, and raise equity and human-rights concerns for vulnerable residents. Despite the opposition, the committee voted to report HB 573 favorably to the floor. The committee also advanced HB 162, allowing the Jefferson Place/Bocage crime prevention and improvement district to impose a fee after local approval, and HB 368, which raises penalties for unauthorized demolition in New Orleans historic districts to the greater of $50,000 or 15% of assessed value. Both were reported favorably after brief discussion. HB 441, a cleanup bill clarifying that New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employees remain in city civil service rather than state civil service, was also sent to the floor without objection. Finally, HB 257, concerning the powers and duties of the police chief of the city of Central, was amended to require consultation with the city attorney before discipline or dismissal and to delay effectiveness until January 1, 2027; after debate over due process and the chief’s authority, the committee voted to report it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 11 bills on our agenda today at the request of the authors.
• As far as the future request for funding, that future request for funding can also come from the Department
• So we think this is appropriate and it works for them.
• requests.
• Motion is due pass to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support the legislation.
• And again, from the introduction, this is a request from our constituents, and we are bringing this request
• Yes, this piece of legislation is not an endorsement.
• And I’m grateful to be on this legislation as well.
• for this in their legislative body.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 206, which would expand eligibility under the Crime Victims Reparation Act to cover additional offenses: simple assault, simple battery, criminal sexual contact, and robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. The sponsor, the Crime Victims Reparation Commission, and multiple supporters said the change would help victims access compensation for medical care, counseling, lost income, and related costs, with no added state administrative burden. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then took up HB 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people who provide proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Sponsors and tribal supporters said the designation could help with identification, Turquoise Alert notifications, and jurisdictional issues, while also serving as a voluntary option for tribal members. Some members raised concerns about possible profiling, lack of consultation with every tribe, and the absence of data from other states; supporters responded that the designation is optional and intended to assist, not harm. The bill passed 4-2. HB 52, a technical cleanup bill correcting statutory cross-references after prior competency-law amendments, passed unanimously 6-0. HB 58, which updates the telephone harassment statute to include electronic communications such as texts and social media, also passed 6-0 after supporters said the current law is outdated and too limited for modern harassment cases; committee members discussed possible definitional refinements. HB 57, allowing certain lab analysts and toxicologists to testify by interactive video in misdemeanor and DWI cases, drew support for efficiency and reducing travel burdens, but also concerns about confrontation rights and technical drafting issues; it passed 6-0 with a no recommendation. Finally, HB 79, which would lower the burden of proof for juvenile probation violation hearings to a preponderance standard, drew strong opposition from defense advocates and a law student who argued it would reduce due process protections for youth; after debate, the committee tabled the bill on a 4-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• the amount of legislation.
• It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills, which we know there can be a lot of those
• It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills, which we know there can be a lot of those
• the amount of legislation.
• It also does not include legislation for appropriation bills, which we know there can be a lot of those

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee first approved a motion to print RS 33676 without taking testimony, noting it would receive a hearing in another committee. The committee then heard SCR 114 from Senator Guthrie, which would limit the number of bill drafts legislators may request in a year, with exemptions for appropriations, amendments, trailer bills, interim committee legislation, and additional drafts approved by legislative leaders. Guthrie and supportive testimony from the League of Women Voters argued the measure would reduce legislative overload and improve quality; the resolution was sent to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered SB 1330, sponsored by Senator Galloway, to raise the small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000. Galloway and a constituent testified that the current limit is too low for common disputes and burdens small businesses and individuals. Administrative Office of the Courts counsel Jason Spillman said the courts expected additional workload and noted the bill could affect magistrate court jurisdiction; Galloway said he would take the bill to the 14th order to add an amendment removing the $25 cap on attorney fees in small-claims appeals. The committee voted to send the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment. House Bill 556, carried by Senator Foreman, would increase state reimbursement to counties for housing state inmates in county jails from the current $55/$75 daily structure to a flat $80 per day. County officials and sheriffs testified that counties are still subsidizing the state, that actual costs are higher than reimbursement, and that overcrowding and delayed transfers create safety and operational problems. Several senators supported the bill while also raising broader concerns about Idaho’s incarceration rates and sentencing policies. The committee sent HB 556 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also advanced HB 540, presented by Representative Bingham, which would extend public-records protections and related safety/security exemptions to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections similar to those already available to the Department of Corrections. No opposition was offered, and the bill received a due pass recommendation. Finally, HB 688, presented by Senator Kaiser, would update Idaho’s airbag laws to define counterfeit and non-functional airbags, prohibit knowingly selling or installing them to mislead buyers, and set misdemeanor penalties. Testimony from the automotive industry supported the bill as a consumer-protection measure addressing counterfeit airbags; the committee sent HB 688 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of these requests are denied and eventually overturned on appeal.
• Then that's the request that they make to the plans.
• I respectfully request your aye vote. Thank you.
• I respectfully request your I vote. Thank you.
• Motion is do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summary: The Senate Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, research funding, consumer protection, and insurance administration. SB 895 by Sen. Wiener would create the California Foundation for Science and Health Research and place a bond measure on the November 2026 ballot to support scientific and health research in California; supporters from UC, labor, and patient groups said it would protect jobs, public health, and the state’s research leadership amid federal funding cuts, while the committee later voted 6-0 to pass it as amended and re-refer it to Natural Resources and Water. SB 944 would make acupuncture a permanent Medi-Cal benefit regardless of federal matching funds; acupuncture providers, patients, health systems, and API community advocates testified in strong support, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass it as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 987, which would create a California Health Access Fund to capture state savings if federal Medicaid changes under H.R. 1 reduce Medi-Cal enrollment and redirect those funds to care for people who lose coverage and to reimburse safety-net providers. Support came from disability, consumer, family physician, emergency physician, hospital, and reproductive health groups; members discussed prioritizing indigent care, prevention, and safety-net needs, and the bill was moved on a unanimous vote to Appropriations. SB 964 would let a licensed provider adjust the dose or frequency of an already covered medication up to two times without prior authorization when clinically appropriate, with Crohn’s and Colitis advocates describing delays that harmed patients and insurers warning about safety and cost concerns; after committee discussion about off-label use and clinical safeguards, the bill passed 11-0 and was sent to Appropriations. Later, SB 1099 clarified local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA, with city and county counsel and local officials saying it would preserve flexibility for homeless outreach, street medicine, crisis lines, and other low-barrier services; it passed 11-0 and was re-referred to Human Services. SB 1033 would require protein product manufacturers to test for heavy metals and disclose results, prompted by Consumer Reports findings and supported by consumer, health, and women’s health groups; industry witnesses asked for narrower scope and source-level testing, and the committee voted 11-0 to pass it as amended and send it to Environmental Quality. The committee then began SB 1049, which would give providers a 90-day window after a plan’s latest action to correct certain claim errors and prevent denials based solely on missed filing deadlines; the author said it would address honest billing mistakes and recoupments, and the bill was introduced with support from medical groups and ongoing discussions with health plans.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill draft requires legislative review and appropriation of federal funds.
• appropriations act or similar legislation, not through a B11 process.
• Legislative authorization or appropriation.
• It would be subject to legislative appropriation as currently drafted.
• This bill draft would just be subject to legislative appropriation.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forget about the fashion, but going to appropriate law enforcement?
• Thank you. approval on the forbearance extension request.
• And that's what gets to solutions on difficult questions legislatively.
• And we respectfully request your aye vote.
• So since you're on the tail end of the legislative... ...agreement on.

Summary: The committee heard AB 801, which would require the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation to conduct fair lending examinations of lenders on a regular schedule. The author and supporters, including the Greenlining Institute and several housing and consumer groups, argued the bill was needed because federal fair lending enforcement has weakened and California borrowers of color continue to face lending disparities. Banking and credit union representatives opposed the bill as duplicative and costly, though they acknowledged the author’s amendments and continued negotiations. The bill was approved on a vote and re-referred to Judiciary, with some members voting no or not voting at first and later the measure passing on a fuller roll call. The committee then heard AB 871, which would strengthen elder fraud protections by requiring financial institutions to report suspected financial abuse to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and notify customers of the report. The author and county and adult protective services supporters said the bill would improve pattern detection and help stop or reverse scams more quickly. Bankers opposed the customer-notification requirement, warning it could alarm seniors and that the reporting process would add operational burden, but the author and supporters said victim information is important for investigations. The bill passed with committee support and was re-referred to Judiciary. AB 1842 and AB 1847, both related to mortgage forbearance after major disasters and the Eaton and Palisades fires, were also heard. AB 1842 would create a statewide framework for forbearance after federally declared major disasters, and AB 1847 would extend relief for wildfire survivors; both bills were amended to narrow triggers, clarify repayment and documentation issues, and remove some reporting requirements. Supporters included local officials, consumer groups, and housing advocates, while mortgage and banking groups remained in opposition on some implementation points but said they were working toward compromise. Both bills were approved and re-referred to Judiciary. Finally, AB 2116, dealing with merchant cash advances and small business financing transparency, was heard with broad support from small business and consumer advocates and partial support from some industry representatives after amendments; opponents still raised concerns about disclosure authority and unconscionability standards. The bill was also approved and sent to Judiciary. The committee additionally adopted a consent calendar of unrelated bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> interest or fees into the legislative interest or fees into the legislative stabilization<00:20:
• , legislatively, legislatively, build<01:04:34.960><c> in</c><01:04:35.280><c> flexibility</c><01:04:
• Um, we know that where appropriate.
• </c> for legislative changes. for legislative changes.
• </c> appropriations uh committee is as well. appropriations uh committee is as well.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mendes, with the Legislative Analyst's Office, we don't have any prepared remarks for the department
• The department very much appreciates the appropriations from the Legislature over the years to support
• That money will be appropriated by the Legislature in the coming years.
• Do we know where we should be drawing lines or when intervention would be appropriate?”
• I'd be happy to go into more detail if requested, and I'm sure the director would as well.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget of 987 positions and $1.9 billion, and members focused on edible food recovery funding under SB 1383, beverage container recycling fees and infrastructure under SB 1013, plastic packaging reduction under SB 54, and composting implementation under SB 279. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has recovered more than 300 million meals but lacks ongoing funding, explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and reflect higher recycling costs for difficult-to-recycle materials, and noted that SB 54 implementation will include a pollution prevention mitigation fund for legacy plastic cleanup. The committee also discussed the need for more composting capacity and the role of volunteer cleanup groups, while public commenters urged continued funding for food recovery, composting, and landfill response. CalEPA presented its department overview and a proposal to strengthen landfill response and enforcement, emphasizing climate, air quality, water, and cleanup priorities. Secretary Garcia described the agency’s work on methane monitoring, toxics reduction, drinking water compliance, Exide cleanup, pesticide alternatives, and implementation of AB 617, while also noting the agency’s response to federal rollbacks. Members pressed CalEPA on landfill fires and subsurface elevated temperature events, especially at Chiquita Canyon, asking about authority, scientific resources, and when intervention should occur. CalEPA said it has authority to respond but needs more coordinated technical and enforcement capacity, and later presented a $5.1 million, 12-position multi-agency proposal involving CalEPA, CalRecycle, DTSC, and the Water Board to address current landfill events and improve future prevention and response. DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety presented several proposals tied to reform implementation, hazardous waste oversight, and emerging waste streams. DTSC reported progress in clearing its permit backlog, advancing safer consumer products regulations, and continuing Exide cleanup, while seeking additional resources for cost recovery and enforcement, PFAS work, recycling infrastructure for solar panels and lithium batteries, and a new statewide planning division to implement the hazardous waste management plan and consolidate reporting systems. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals process, and fee-setting authority, and said its priorities include permit appeals, hazardous waste plan oversight, and performance metrics. Members questioned whether DTSC was creating too many new subdivisions, but the department said the new structure is needed to handle growing workload and modernize regulation. Public testimony generally supported the landfill proposal, DTSC consumer product enforcement, water board staffing, and continued funding for food recovery and composting programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department very much appreciates the appropriations from the Legislature over the years to support
• Specifically, we're authorized upon appropriation from the Legislature to provide grants that expand
• Do we know where we should be drawing lines or when intervention would be appropriate?
• respond. and assess and address and appropriately respond.
• I'd be happy to go into more detail if requested, and I'm sure the director would as well.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy heard department budget overviews and several budget change proposals from CalRecycle, CalEPA, and DTSC. CalRecycle presented its 2026-27 budget and discussed priorities including edible food recovery, composting, beverage container recycling, and landfill response. Members asked about funding for food recovery grants, processing fees for wine and spirits containers under SB 1013, plastic packaging generation under SB 54, restaurant food waste requirements under SB 1383, and litter cleanup efforts. CalRecycle said edible food recovery has helped recover more than 300 million meals, but there is no sustained funding source; it also explained that beverage container processing fees are set by statute and that new producer responsibility and infrastructure investments are intended to improve recycling rates over time. The committee then heard CalEPA’s overview, including the agency’s response to climate, air quality, water, toxics, and enforcement challenges. Secretary Garcia emphasized federal rollbacks, methane monitoring, AB 617 implementation, safe drinking water progress, Exide cleanup, and pesticide reduction efforts. Members questioned the agency about regional gasoline blends, authority and technical thresholds for landfill intervention, and the growth in the Secretary’s office staffing and budget. CalEPA said the budget increase reflects expanded coordination, technology modernization, hazardous materials response, and legal capacity. The committee also discussed a proposed landfill support, response, and enforcement package for subsurface elevated temperature events, with CalEPA describing a coordinated multi-agency approach and the need for stronger early response tools. DTSC presented its department overview and several BCPs. Director Butler highlighted progress on permit backlog reduction, safer consumer products rulemaking, Exide cleanup, PFAS work, and planning for emerging waste streams such as solar panels and lithium batteries. The Board of Environmental Safety described its oversight role, public meetings, permit appeals, and fee-setting authority, and identified community concerns about cumulative impacts, hazardous waste planning, accessible data, and engagement. The committee also heard a proposal to expand DTSC’s Office of Policy into a statewide planning division to implement hazardous waste management plan recommendations and improve reporting systems. Members raised concerns about whether the new division duplicated existing work, but DTSC said it would fill identified gaps and improve coordination. Public testimony largely supported the proposals, especially ongoing funding for edible food recovery, composting, safer consumer products enforcement, and the coordinated landfill response package. Witnesses from StopWaste, California Against Waste, Waste Management, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and water advocacy groups urged continued or increased funding for these programs. No votes were taken; the chair held all items open and adjourned the hearing after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 719 is due pass as amended to the Appropriations Committee. I'm sorry about that.
• I can't see any scenario where AI-generated images would be appropriate in this field.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Bauer-Kahan, Masito, Brian? Aye.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Bauer-Kahan, aye. Patterson, aye.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee. Bauer-Kahan, aye. Masito, aye.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard a long agenda focused largely on AI-related consumer protection, child safety, and privacy bills. Members first adopted the consent calendar, then took up SB 1050, which would require disclosures when advertisements use AI-generated or synthetic performers. Supporters, including SAG-AFTRA, Common Sense Media, and labor groups, said consumers should know when an ad depicts a non-human performer and that the bill protects both consumers and workers. Opponents from TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and business groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked a deception standard, could burden accessibility uses and short audio ads, and created litigation risk. The committee voted the bill out on a party-line-leaning roll, with several members noting concerns but supporting continued work on the measure. The committee also approved SB 1111, which creates liability and remedies for non-consensual digital replicas using a person’s voice or likeness, and SB 1146, which targets deceptive AI-generated health advertisements that depict synthetic health care providers. Both measures drew support from consumer, labor, medical, and child-safety advocates and faced no formal opposition. Members emphasized the need to prevent deepfake abuse, especially in health-related ads where consumers could be misled into trusting fake doctors or medical endorsements. Several child- and privacy-focused bills were also heard and advanced. SB 867 would place a four-year moratorium on AI chatbot-powered toys for children, with supporters warning about harmful content, addictive design, and privacy risks; some opposition raised definitional concerns and asked for clearer standards. SB 1247 would give child influencers the right to delete monetized content posted during their minority, and it moved forward without opposition. SB 1000 updated California’s AI Transparency Act to align content provenance rules with newer technology and international standards, with support from Google and Adobe and no opposition. Finally, SB 957 would require social media companies to notify users when the federal government seeks their data through administrative subpoenas, give users time to challenge the request, and report disclosures; supporters framed it as a First Amendment and due process protection, while one member opposed it as an overreach against federal law enforcement. All of the measures discussed were reported out of committee, with several rolls left open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an increase over the department request.
• This is a request.
• It does look like the department is requesting a slightly larger appropriation—well, no, a slightly smaller
• appropriation than last fiscal year.
• In the book, appropriations, $2 million.

Summary: The Budget Committee heard the Department of Mental Health’s FY 2027 budget presentation, with Director Valerie Hoon outlining a $4.4 billion department budget, including $1.7 billion in general revenue, and describing the department’s roles in substance use, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities services. Early questioning focused on marijuana-related mental health impacts, but the main discussion centered on the department’s new decision items, funding sources, and expected wait lists. The director explained several increases tied to Medicaid growth, mental health youth services, outpatient competency restoration, crisis residential services, developmental disability waivers, and provider tax adjustments, along with offsets such as reduced wraparound funding at the Kansas City Assessment and Triage Center and cuts to some youth and self-directed DD services. A major portion of the hearing focused on competency restoration for people found unfit to stand trial and currently held in county jails. Members pressed the department on the cost, effectiveness, and legal implications of keeping people in jail while awaiting services, noting a reported wait list of roughly 524 to 538 individuals and average holds of about 14 months. The department said it currently has eight outpatient competency restoration beds in the community, is seeking funding for 50 additional outpatient slots, and also operates jail-based restoration for about 40 people at a time. Members repeatedly asked for breakdowns of violent versus nonviolent cases, success rates, cost per person, and the split between state and federal funding, while the department explained that Medicaid can cover only the treatment portion, not residential housing or other non-billable costs. The committee also discussed broader capacity constraints in state hospitals and developmental disability services. Hoon said Fulton, Center for Behavioral Medicine, and FTC North are full, with 183 vacancies across the department, and that the department is working on a new Kansas City hospital that would add 150 beds, though completion is now expected closer to 2029 or 2030. In the developmental disabilities section, the department warned that the governor’s recommendation would create wait lists for in-home waiver services and crisis residential services, and members questioned proposed reductions to self-directed services rates and other provider payments. No votes were taken, and the committee recessed before finishing the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• of legislation that this body passed in 2017.
• We are legislating, and that is the job that we were sent here to do, is to legislate.
• And so I think this is a good piece of legislation.
• This piece of legislation is related to IT procurement.
• suggestions to legislative council. that you can submit additional suggestions to Legislative Council

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, received committee reports, and moved through messages from the House and first- and second-reading business before taking up a long series of third-reading bills. Early action included referral of Senate Bill 1449 on elections petitions and signature gatherers, and passage of several measures on cooperative purchasing, industrial hemp, community infrastructure districts, parental school choice tax credit clarifications, open meetings recording rights, an advisory question on an official state gun, water skiing rules, and data center water use. The chamber also returned House Bill 888 to committee after concerns were raised about procurement transparency and possible conflict with another procurement bill passed the prior day. Several bills drew extended debate. Senate Bill 1424, which would have expanded dealer protections against direct manufacturer vehicle sales and grandfathered existing operations, failed on a 11-24 vote after opponents called it protectionist and argued it would limit consumer choice. Senate Bill 1436, clarifying cooperative and group discount purchasing for state procurement, passed after supporters said it would allow agencies to use competitive bids more effectively and avoid litigation. House Bill 772 and House Bill 879, both relating to industrial hemp, passed with supporters stressing they were clarifications for grain/fiber hemp and consumable hemp products, while opponents worried about THC and regulatory scope. House Bill 926, allowing counties to form community infrastructure districts in unincorporated areas, passed despite objections that it would accelerate development and increase property tax burdens. House Bill 934, making technical changes to the parental school choice tax credit, passed after a lengthy debate over whether students using the credit should still participate in public school extracurriculars; supporters said the bill clarified original intent, while opponents called it a double dip. House Bill 894, protecting the public’s right to record open meetings, passed overwhelmingly. House Bill 932, placing an advisory question on the ballot for an official state gun, also passed after a spirited historical discussion of firearms. House Bill 887, creating a limited exception for early-morning water skiing outside designated courses, passed by unanimous-consent roll call. The final bill discussed in the excerpt, House Bill 895 on data center cooling and water use, was introduced with a warning that consumptive water use by large data centers could strain Idaho’s aquifer and should be limited to closed-loop systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• Pursuant to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer SB 10.
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Joint Rule 62(a), the file notice requirement, to allow the Appropriations
• Patterson, we're going to speak to the merits of the legislation.
• And members, I just want to rise in support of this legislation.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The appropriations on the bottom third there, we've got the legislative one-time appropriations, both
• what you appropriated during the regular session and what you appropriated during the special session
• , along with the ongoing appropriations.
• I'm John Bjornson from the Legislative Council.
• The next level would be Legislative Council offices.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been requested by the professionals that are providing this care, and it is really appropriate to
• It's been requested by the professionals that are providing this care and it is really appropriate to
• legislation.
• Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026, as amended by Appropriations, be reported out of Appropriations
• Substitute Senate Bill 5828, as amended by appropriations, is reported out of appropriations with a due

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 5828, which would restore and adjust Washington College Grant and College Bound Scholarship award levels for students attending private, not-for-profit four-year institutions. Staff explained the bill would set the awards at 90 percent of the regional and state college rate rather than 50 percent of the research rate, with an estimated fiscal impact of $3.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and $18.6 million over four years. Testimony was largely in support from private college presidents, students, and school counselors, who said the bill would help low-income and first-generation students and preserve access and enrollment choices; some public college student representatives said they did not oppose the bill but argued that cuts to public-school aid should be restored first. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5911, which would prohibit DCYF from using benefits or funds of youth in extended foster care as reimbursement for their cost of care beginning in 2027, while requiring support for benefit management and payee arrangements and allowing protected accounts such as ABLE accounts. Staff estimated a net fiscal impact of $608,000 in fiscal year 2027 and $2.2 million per biennium thereafter. Testimony in support said the bill would end the practice of withholding SSI and other benefits from youth in care and better support disabled youth transitioning to adulthood. Members asked questions about fiduciary responsibility and representative payee arrangements. In executive session, the committee adopted amendments and advanced several bills. It adopted Amendment Clark 350 to House Bill 2689, raising the required provider response rate for the child care market rate survey to 65 percent, and then reported the bill out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 18-11, with two excused. It adopted Amendment H-3743.1 to Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5395 on retrospective prior authorization denials and reported that bill out unanimously. It also adopted Amendment Pool 272 to Senate Bill 5420 and reported that bill out unanimously. For Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5496, the committee adopted several amendments clarifying scope and penalties but rejected amendments that would have delayed the bill or replaced it with a study; the bill was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard amendment briefings on other bills, including 5981, 6026, 6160, 6184, and 6211, but deferred action on some items heard that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't have that appropriated.
• There's no appropriation within this bill.
• By saying we can't point to an exact number the way we could with an appropriation or lack of appropriation
• This change was requested by the Agency of Human Services.
• The legislative slideshow is up and running.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the legislative leadership fellow Immanuel Al-Aladre.
• And then a legislative leadership fellow, that's Aggie.
• And this request went through the unified budget process.
• Is it just straight appropriation now?
• Introduction of legislation. The reader to read.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledges, and a series of announcements recognizing visiting groups and guests, including Pecos High School’s boys cross-country champions, School-Based Health Care Day, Route 66 Centennial activities, New Mexico Highlands University, an honorary lieutenant governor and shadow senator, and Bernalillo County officials. The chamber also received House messages on several bills and a gubernatorial message authorizing consideration of Senate Bill 130, which would change insurance and pharmacy rules related to cholesterol treatment and screening. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including Senate Bill 183, Senate Bills 211 and 222, Senate Bill 254, Senate Bill 235 as a committee substitute, Senate Bill 40 as a Judiciary Committee substitute, and Senate Bill 104. The Senate then moved to third reading and took up Senate Bill 30, which repeals the state’s abortion reporting requirement. The bill drew extensive debate: supporters argued the reporting law is outdated, unnecessary, and creates privacy and safety risks for providers, while opponents said the data is needed for transparency, public health oversight, and accountability, and objected to the loss of reporting on a sensitive issue. After a roll call vote, Senate Bill 30 passed 24-15. The Senate next passed Senate Bill 43 unanimously, updating parole board procedures, including evidence-based practices, reimbursement for closed hearings, and scheduling protections for homicide victims’ families. It also passed Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 35 unanimously, creating judgeships in the First and Second Judicial Districts. Debate then began on Senate Bill 193, which would increase transfers from the Irrigation Works Construction Fund to the acequia community ditch infrastructure fund from $2.5 million to $5 million; the sponsor explained the increase as necessary to meet growing statewide acequia needs, while senators raised concerns about existing fund balances and whether the higher transfer was justified.

Transcript Highlights:

• And how are we looking to have that enforced through this legislation, Madam Chair?
• And how are we looking to have that enforced through this legislation, Madam Chair?
• How do we get them the appropriate paperwork to apply for it?
• I'm just curious about the appropriation of $150 million. Is it already in the budget?
• The legislation is also a very smart, long-term investment in New Mexico's future.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 124, which would create a permanent Office of New Americans within the Department of Workforce Solutions. The sponsor and supporters said the office would help immigrant and refugee workers access training, licensing, language support, and other workforce resources, while also helping employers fill labor shortages in industries such as construction, agriculture, oil and gas, health care, and child care. Support came from advocates, business groups, faith organizations, and immigrant-rights groups; there was no opposition. Members asked about data protection, the number of other states with similar offices, and whether the office could help recruit and credential foreign-trained medical professionals. The bill passed on a do-pass motion with several yes votes and some no votes recorded, and the sponsor explained the vote as a way to support families and workforce integration. The committee then considered House Bill 314, which would authorize zero-interest loans through the Local Government Division for political subdivisions to repair flood- and debris-damaged public infrastructure and remove debris from the October 19, 2024 storm event. There was no public testimony in support or opposition. Members briefly asked about the $150 million appropriation and whether it was already in the budget, and the sponsor said it was. The bill received a do-pass motion, a second, and was approved without opposition. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 64, as amended, to codify the Office of Special Education and a deputy secretary position within the Public Education Department. The sponsor and department officials said the bill would formalize an office already created by executive order, improve statewide coordination, support compliance with IDEA and the Yazzie-Martinez case, and develop a statewide IEP template to reduce inconsistency across districts. They emphasized that gifted education would remain in Curriculum and Instruction and that the bill would not add new paperwork or mandates for districts. Supporters included education leaders, disability advocates, vocational rehabilitation, and special education professionals; there was no opposition. Members raised questions about parent understanding of IEPs, monitoring and enforcement, funding, charter school coverage, and the treatment of gifted and twice-exceptional students. The bill passed on a do-pass motion with unanimous support from those present.