Transcript Highlights:

• Virginia has achieved comparable outcomes, cutting licensing delays by 77% and slashing, as I mentioned
• Cutting licensing delays by 77% and slashing, as I mentioned before, $24,000 from the cost of building
• Well, I look at it like, okay, if you cannot obtain your braiding license, maybe because you can't do
• Well, I know a lot of hair braiders, they don't have licenses and they are, you know, making a lot of
• They didn't get rid of the licensing requirement, but they lowered the training requirement.

Summary: The Special Committee on Regulatory Reform met to hear from Patrick McLaughlin of the Hoover Institution and Pacific Legal Foundation about regulatory accumulation and reform. Chair Mark Wright explained the meeting was a study hearing only, with no votes planned or quorum for action. McLaughlin described his research measuring regulation by counting binding words such as “shall” and “must,” and said Louisiana ranks among the most regulated states, with about 183,000 restrictions and growth in regulatory stock outpacing the national average. He argued that excessive regulation slows GDP growth, raises consumer prices, and disproportionately burdens small businesses and low-income households. McLaughlin pointed to reform examples in British Columbia, Idaho, and Virginia, where centralized oversight, periodic review, one-in-one-out or similar rules, and simplified benefit-cost analysis were used to reduce regulations without harming safety. He said Virginia’s regulatory modernization effort, including use of AI and a regulatory management office, helped cut requirements and lower homebuilding costs. Committee members asked about how the data were measured, how regulation affects housing, licensing, and population growth, and whether Louisiana could use similar tools. McLaughlin emphasized that AI should assist human reviewers, not replace them, by identifying outdated, duplicative, or overly burdensome rules. Members also discussed Louisiana’s own reform efforts, including LaDOGE, permit streamlining, and prior bills to create public hearings and legislative review of regulations. Wright and others asked about federal mandates, “gold plating” of state rules, and how to identify unnecessary state-level additions. McLaughlin said some state rules are required by federal law, but many others are not, and AI can help distinguish required language from added burdens. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after members expressed interest in following up on McLaughlin’s report and examples from other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• what is the structure of the different child care programs: family child care, registered homes, licensed
• It happened because this legislature invested in a licensed, regulated, accountable child care system
• Universal child care only works if it stays anchored in that high-quality licensed system.
• And so they're licensed and they help serve the students. Having children.
• And so they're licensed, and they help serve the students there in the program.

Summary: The committee met late in the evening and announced that Senate Bill 132 would be rolled until the next day. The only bill heard was Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 241, which would codify New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program in statute, establish eligibility, payment, wait-list, and co-payment rules, require reporting and transparency, and tie reimbursement rates to a cost-estimation model and wage scale/career lattice. The sponsor and administration described the bill as creating a durable framework for universal child care, with protections for program integrity, inclusion of children with developmental needs, and requirements to maximize state and federal child care tax benefits. Public testimony was largely supportive of the bill’s child care expansion goals, with endorsements from State Police, firefighters, early childhood advocates, and women’s policy groups, but many providers and educators said they could not support it without stronger wage and career-ladder protections and clearer guarantees that funding would reach staff salaries rather than owners or institutions. The committee adopted Vice Chair Dixon’s amendment, which lowered the proposed transfer from the Early Childhood Education and Care Trust Fund from $1 billion to $700 million and added reporting requirements on the wait list, consultation requirements for rate-setting, additional facility reporting, a prohibition on supplanting certain public education funds, tribal facility participation, and food program reporting. A separate amendment from Representative Duncan to require first-come, first-served enrollment was debated at length but was tabled by a 9-7 vote after the sponsor and secretary said it conflicted with federal prioritization rules and the bill’s targeted access goals. Members also questioned how the bill would affect public entities, nontraditional-hour providers, co-pay triggers, and whether the wage scale would adequately compensate educators. After debate, the committee voted 10-7 to give the amended bill a do-pass recommendation. Supporters said the bill would strengthen workforce stability, improve access for working families, and help sustain New Mexico’s universal child care system; opponents warned about the long-term fiscal impact, the potential growth of the program, and whether the bill sufficiently protected early childhood educators’ wages and other state priorities. The meeting adjourned with notice that the committee would reconvene at 8 a.m. the next day to hear the Senate’s actions on House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Licensing at $459 million, and they are another agency that also has funding out of the
• Department of Licensing at $459 million, and they are another agency that also has funding.
• Department of Licensing at $459 million and they are another agency that also has funding out of the
• Department of Licensing: there's money spent toward expanding access.
• , drive tests for 16-year-olds that are looking to get their first license.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard a presentation from WSDOT Secretary Julie Meredith on the agency’s mission, 2025 accomplishments, and 2026 priorities. Meredith emphasized preservation, safety, emergency response, ferry reliability, culvert replacement, and major projects such as the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge work, North Spokane Corridor, Confluence Parkway, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. She highlighted the state’s aging transportation assets, recent storm and flood damage, bridge strikes, and the need for additional preservation funding, including the governor’s proposed $1 billion investment in Washington State Ferries and continued work on the World Cup and future regional growth planning. Members asked about ferry service disruptions, rising IBR costs, staffing needs, aviation assets, and bridge-strike certainty tied to the Coast Guard’s upcoming decision on bridge clearance requirements. The committee then received a briefing on HB 2306, the governor’s supplemental transportation budget, which totals $16.7 billion and increases the enacted budget by about $1.2 billion, with most of the increase directed to WSDOT capital spending. OFM staff said the proposal is driven by preservation, maintenance, and ferry needs, and relies on about $3.1 billion in bonding against transportation revenues, while staying below the Treasurer’s coverage ratio. The proposal includes $2 billion for preservation, $164 million for paving this summer, $756 million for paving over 10 years, $250 million for maintenance, $150 million for preserving existing ferries, $15 million for Lower Columbia River dredging, and smaller investments for WSP communications, DOL access, and local road grants. Committee members asked about debt service, remaining bonding capacity, and the impact of office closures and ferry service reductions. Public testimony was largely supportive of the governor’s budget, especially its preservation and ferry investments. Local officials and associations backed ferry funding, local road grants, pavement and bridge preservation, and the Columbia River dredging match. Several speakers urged more support for cities and counties, while rail and transit advocates asked for more rail capital funding and less highway expansion. One ferry advocate criticized the cost of hybrid-electric vessel maintenance compared with diesel, and another witness warned against a pay-per-mile tax. The hearing ended without a vote, and the chair announced a short caucus before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract 103 is with Arkansas Baptist Children's Homes, and it is for specialized and private license
• Contract 105 is with Assemblies of God Family Services, and it is for specialized and private license
• They are qualified residential treatment, licensed placement agencies, and therapeutic foster care.
• Contract 122 is with Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter for private licensed placement agencies.
• Contract 128 is with The Answer, a foster care private licensed placement agency.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 126, an act relating to background checks on the sale or transfer of firearms.
• House Bill 151, an act related to licensed and certified professions. Representative Gber.
• House Bill 151, an act related to licensed and certified professions. Representative Gber.
• House Bill 190, an act relating to licensed child care centers. Representative Baker.
• House Bill 226, an act relating to special license plates. Representative Bradford.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:25.120><c> we</c><00:14:25.279><c> can</c><00:14:25.839><c> expedite</c><00:14:26.560><c> transfer
• </c><00:14:27.120><c> of</c> partners so we can expedite transfer of partners so we can expedite transfer
• For example, any small fees, any other funding models, or transfer fees during real estate transactions
• models or transfer fees during real<00:47:14.480><c> estate</c><00:47:14.960><c> transactions</c><00
• </c><00:47:51.440><c> We</c> adjunct CTE instructor licenses. We adjunct CTE instructor licenses.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum and began informally, with members noting this was the final information-gathering meeting on housing before a November meeting to discuss findings and report back to the LRC. The main presentation focused on the Lexington Affordable Housing Partnership, a public-private effort supported by a $10 million state allocation. Presenters described Fayette County’s housing shortage, citing a gap of more than 22,000 units, rising home prices, and the challenge of assembling land and capital for affordable projects. The partnership explained that five local banks created a $3 million capital investment fund to buy and hold land at no interest, with deed restrictions keeping the site at 80% or below area median income and allowing the banks to seek Community Reinvestment Act credit. The first project is a 12.5-acre former Transylvania University baseball field, planned for about 242 units, including detached homes, townhouses, garden-style apartments, and senior housing. Speakers said the project required extensive neighborhood engagement and zoning/development approvals, but that the planning phase is now largely complete and infrastructure work should begin soon. Financing details included roughly $64 million in additional funding through tax credit equity, market-rate loans, city support, Kentucky Housing Corporation resources, and donations from nonprofit partners. Developers said the multifamily bond applications are due to Kentucky Housing Corporation the next day, and they expect the land purchase to be repaid into the revolving fund once the property is entitled and closed, allowing the original $3 million to be redeployed for future projects. They estimated rental units could be filled within about six months of completion, while for-sale units would come online over 12 to 36 months. In discussion, members asked about regulatory barriers and project timelines. Presenters pointed to rising construction costs tied to new federal and state requirements, and one member highlighted the need to continue reviewing planning and zoning reforms to speed development plan approvals and reduce delays. The group also endorsed a possible statewide $20 million housing fund, a residential infrastructure fund, and efforts to avoid additional regulatory burdens on housing development.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have made no attempt to confirm receipt of payment and transfer ownership.
• </c> receipt of payment and transfer receipt of payment and transfer ownership. ownership. ownership.
• </c><00:24:33.520><c> of</c><00:24:33.679><c> these</c><00:24:34.080><c> these</c> for the transfer of
• these these for the transfer of these these buildings<00:24:34.960><c> these</c><00:24:35.279><c> 20
• ,<01:08:19.120><c> computer</c><01:08:19.600><c> technologies,</c><01:08:20.239><c> sex</c> licensing

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that's happening here is that the original appropriation was transferred from the general
• One of the things that's happening here is that the original appropriation was transferred from the general
• The original appropriation was transferred from the general fund to a special account, and then that
• a</c><01:15:39.920><c> child</c><01:15:40.239><c> care</c><01:15:40.400><c> center</c> that are licensed
• as a child care center that are licensed as a child care center or<01:15:41.679><c> to</c><01:15:41.920

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• of licensing at the DMV.
• of licensing at the DMV.
• It does not replace your license plate.
• Um that replace your license plate.
• </c><01:15:08.800><c> society</c><01:15:09.679><c> in</c> transferred to the historical society in transferred

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• If I'm a—I actually am a licensed real estate broker, really bad at it, which is why I don't do it for
• The bill was written with privacy values in mind: no facial recognition, it's taking pictures of license
• It's taking pictures of license plates only. There's no data sharing.
• It's taking pictures of license plates only. There's no data sharing.
• Transfer the ticket to another individual in validating their access to that ticket.

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took up multiple votes. AB 576, dealing with updates to California’s charitable fundraising platform registry after AB 488, was presented as a technical fix to help charities and platforms more quickly update eligible listings; there was no opposition testimony, and the measure was later moved on a due pass basis. AB 1160, on law enforcement drone programs, was presented with proposed amendments requiring U.S.-based data storage and limits on sharing or selling collected data; supporters said it would protect sensitive drone-collected information while preserving affordable drone use, while there was no opposition testimony, and it was also later passed out on a due pass as amended basis. AB 75, which would require insurers to give notice before collecting aerial images of homes and provide homeowners access to those images, drew support from the Department of Insurance and consumer advocates, while insurers opposed it unless amended, arguing aerial imaging is a cost-saving inspection tool and that the bill could worsen availability and affordability; the bill was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee spent the most time on AB 325, which would address algorithmic price-fixing and collusion. The author and supporters argued that competitors using the same pricing software or algorithm to set prices can function as collusion even when the agreement is hidden behind code, and cited examples involving housing, frozen potatoes, gas pricing, and other industries. Opponents, including apartment, business, hospital, retail, chamber, and tech groups, said the bill was too broad, could sweep in lawful software and public-data market research, and might chill legitimate pricing tools, especially for small businesses and housing providers. Committee members raised concerns about clarity, intent standards, and whether the bill should focus more narrowly on nonpublic competitor data; despite those concerns, AB 325 was moved to Appropriations on a due pass basis, with the roll held open. Later, AB 1221 was presented as a workplace surveillance bill that would prohibit certain invasive or discriminatory surveillance tools, require notice to workers, limit sharing of worker data, and require corroborating evidence before discipline based on surveillance outputs. Labor and consumer groups supported the bill, saying modern surveillance technologies can track speech, movement, emotion, and other sensitive traits and can be biased or abusive. The Security Industry Association opposed it, warning that the bill’s broad definitions could restrict legitimate security systems, emergency sharing with first responders, and employer responses to misconduct or unsafe behavior. The transcript cuts off before any final vote on AB 1221 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• will actually stack into an Applied Associate degree that's 60 hours long, or they'll seamlessly transfer
• These credentials are designed to transfer to Sam Houston's Bachelor. programs, students will have a
• I live in Uvalde. transferred there from Austin.
• They transferred me there as a managing attorney.
• We've both been licensed for over 15 years.

Bills: HB173 , HB184 , HB484 , HB678 , HB 1211 , HB1507 , HB1705 , HB1868 , HB2290 , HB2851 , HB2856 , HB3041 , HB3204 , HB173 , HB184

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• The VA must find an effective solution to ensure that patient records are transferred in a timely manner
• and provide community care providers with the tools and procedures for transferring records back to
• I think, though, when it comes to license portability, there becomes an issue.
• And so, the onus is on the veteran to transfer those records and images from one provider to another.
• Still, there is a lack of good transferring of information from the DOD to the VA.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So to become a licensed social worker, you would need a master's degree.
• They have to be part of that Licensing process.
• When I I entered into school as a licensed master level social worker.
• I needed a higher level of license and then work with them.
• It transferred to our work with the children.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senate Bill 93 FN relative to licensed Senate Bill 93 FN relative to licensed nurse<00:23:48.880
• additional state licensing was duplicative and burdensome.
• additional state licensing was duplicative and burdensome.
• </c> Bill 548FN and act relative to license Bill 548FN and act relative to license requirements<02:08
• </c> facilities from certain licensing facilities from certain licensing requirements<02:08:33.040><c

Transcript Highlights:

• They transfer this onto the students, so we talk about trying to mitigate drownings in the state.
• this onto the students so we transfer this onto the students so we talk<00:26:40.520><c> about</c><00
• I think, in order for the working group to be successful and finally achieve the licensing of school
• Given that previous proposals have been to license school psychologists under the Board of Psychology
• </c> um teacher assignment and transfer um teacher assignment and transfer period<00:56:01.280><c> occurs

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• On March 3rd, I applied to be a foster care license.
• We got liquor licenses that we have to talk about.
• According to your North Dakota Century Code, you have to be duly licensed.
• I looked it up, and there are examples of our driver's license, North Dakota driver's and ID licenses
• Because with our licenses that we sell, we get a lot of— With our licenses that we sell, we get a lot

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c> licensing, discipline, recordkeeping and licensing, discipline, recordkeeping and rule<00
• </c><00:41:16.880><c> portal</c> completion of the new licensing portal completion of the new licensing
• fact that a person held a license.
• . is to say if a license is suspended and is to say if a license is suspended and I<00:49:42.480><c>
• They can get a compact license.

Summary: The committee opened by approving the September 5, 2025 minutes, with one member asking that future minutes use honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. The agenda was then adjusted so Police Standards and Training could present first. Director John Skipa reported on the 2019 performance audit, saying 12 of 16 findings were fully resolved and the remaining items were substantially or partially resolved. He highlighted work on a job task analysis to update curriculum and develop a more realistic physical aptitude test, including possible replacement of the long-used Cooper test and a shift away from mandatory baton training toward electronic weapons training. He said stakeholder work groups would meet in October and November, with a goal of completing the work by the first quarter of 2026. On the strategic planning and performance measurement finding, Skipa said the agency had relied on the 2019 audit and the LEAC report as guides while also implementing a digital records system. He acknowledged that a formal forward-looking strategic plan with the council had not yet been completed, but said he and the council chair wanted to do so, possibly through a retreat-style planning session. Members asked how many LEAC recommendations had been fully implemented; Skipa said he did not know the exact number but believed nearly all of the 22 items assigned to his agency were complete. On the administrative rules finding, he said a part-time former director had been brought back to help revise outdated rules, the council subcommittee had finished its work, and proposed changes would be sent to the full council, then to stakeholders and the public, with a public hearing expected and implementation targeted for 2026. For the Corrections Advisory Committee finding, Skipa said the committee had been reconvened in 2020 and 2021 but had limited usefulness because the statutorily named members were mostly high-level administrators rather than line supervisors or newer corrections staff. He said some positions later went unfilled because of budget and staffing issues, and the committee had not been called back, but he was open to either informal adjustments or possible legislative changes to make the committee more useful. Committee members suggested that the statute may need to be amended to allow more appropriate designees or supervisors to participate. After Police Standards and Training concluded, the committee moved on to the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, where the executive director said he would focus on the partially resolved items in the dental examiner audit and the National Path audit, noting that many changes were tied to recent statutory revisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• litigation, including case strategy, resolution, and representation, remain solely in the hands of licensed
• to SB 696 by Senator Portantino from 2023, which established for the first time a framework for licensed
• deficiencies by resolving inconsistencies in those definitions and procedures, updating existing licensing
• attorneys learning that a new detention center had opened only because their clients were suddenly transferred

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several measures focused on campaign finance, legal ethics, notarization, domestic violence, immigration detention transparency, workplace violence restraining orders, and divorce relief for domestic violence survivors. Senator McNerney presented SJR 18, which condemns Citizens United and urges limits on corporate spending in elections; there was no opposition testimony, and committee members voiced support. Assembly Member Kalra presented AB 2305 to bar private equity, hedge funds, and other corporate lenders from influencing litigation decisions, with support from the Consumer Attorneys of California and other stakeholders; no opposition appeared, and the bill was framed as protecting client-centered legal judgment. Assembly Member Irwin’s AB 1977, sponsored by the Secretary of State, made technical and procedural fixes to the Online Notarization Act to support implementation by 2030, with support from notary groups and no opposition. Assembly Member Rogers’ AB 1657 would allow temporary restraining orders in domestic violence cases without prior notice in certain circumstances, and Assembly Member Lee’s AB 1801 would tighten public notice and hearing requirements for contracts involving private immigration detention facilities; both drew broad support and no opposition. Assembly Member Patel’s AB 2179 would extend electronic filing and remote appearance rules to workplace violence restraining orders, and Assembly Member Hart’s AB 1875 would let courts shorten or waive the six-month divorce waiting period for domestic violence survivors; both were supported and had no opposition testimony. The committee then took formal votes. The consent calendar passed 12-0. SJR 18 passed 10-2. AB 2305 passed 12-0. AB 1801 passed 10-2. AB 1657 passed 12-0. AB 2179 passed 8-0. AB 1875 passed 10-0. AB 1977 passed 8-2. The chair announced the committee would adjourn until the following Tuesday, June 16, at 1:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• litigation, including case strategy, resolution, and representation, remain solely in the hands of licensed
• to SB 696 by Senator Portantino from 2023, which established for the first time a framework for licensed
• deficiencies by resolving inconsistencies in those definitions and procedures, updating existing licensing
• attorneys learning that a new detention center had opened only because their clients were suddenly transferred

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• objective is to render services for the collection, transportation, and processing of waste tires from transfer
• So you're not monitoring like license plates and none of that.
• Not with issue before, you know, something like that. ...like license plates and none of that issue before
• There is a separate technology already in place to monitor license plates on campus. Thank you.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW