Transcript Highlights:

• We encourage the public to provide written testimony before the hearing by visiting the committee website
• We encourage the public to provide written testimony before the hearing by visiting the committee website
• I have experienced firsthand the health effects of wildfire smoke when I visited many of my constituents
• the wildfire smoke pushed many of my constituents with asthma, COPD, and those who are pregnant to visit

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 21, 2025, with 86 bills on the agenda. The committee first approved two consent motions covering a group of bills eligible for the Assembly floor consent calendar and another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent. Several bills were then heard individually, with authors and supporters emphasizing that many had no or minimal state costs and were aimed at climate, health, or regulatory improvements. Among the bills discussed were AB 39 on local planning for electrification and EV charging infrastructure; AB 1129 allowing local health jurisdictions to opt into reporting birth defects and early-life health conditions; AB 1332 to allow narrow direct shipment of medicinal cannabis to seriously ill patients; AB 1056 phasing out transfer of certain gillnet permits except for a one-time family transfer; AB 408 creating a new Medical Board health and wellness program for physicians; AB 546 requiring health plans to cover portable HEPA air purifiers for vulnerable people during wildfire emergencies; AB 942 revising rooftop solar subsidy rules to reduce costs for non-solar ratepayers; and AB 967 expediting licensure for out-of-state physicians. Supporters generally framed these bills as improving access, equity, public health, or affordability, while opponents on AB 942 and AB 967 raised concerns about implementation, workload, contract issues, and impacts on existing programs. The committee took action on each bill after testimony and questions. AB 39, AB 1129, AB 1332, AB 1056, AB 408, AB 546, AB 942, and AB 967 were all moved out of committee on roll call votes, with some members voting no or not voting on certain measures. The suspense calendar was then read and deemed approved, and the committee opened general public comment, where speakers voiced support for bills including AB 715, AB 1138, AB 782, AB 98, AB 53, AB 258, AB 330, AB 650, AB 649, AB 1048, and AB 425. The meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, May 30th, it looks like we would be visiting your farm. Is there a time that you would prefer?
• <00:20:21.760><c> be</c> May 30th, it looks like we would be May 30th, it looks like we would be visiting
• 20:24.720><c> Is</c><00:20:24.880><c> there</c><00:20:25.039><c> a</c><00:20:25.280><c> time</c> visiting
• Is there a time visiting your your farm.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on SB 302, a bill requiring background checks for solid waste and hazardous waste facility owners. Members discussed and adopted amendment 2025-2219H, which incorporated language from prior Senate and House amendments, including provisions related to the siting evaluation committee and changes affecting landfill expansions and additional cells. The amendment also folded in language from HB 616, the animal cruelty/due process bill, which members said clarifies probable cause, imminent danger, temporary protective custody, and the role of the state veterinarian or designee in animal seizure decisions. Several members emphasized that the bill does not bar seizure of animals in emergencies or prevent nonprofits from fundraising, and that the changes are intended to strengthen due process and reduce conflicts of interest. The committee voted 12-0 to adopt the amendment. It then voted 12-0 to give SB 302 an OTPA recommendation with the amendment included. After the vote, the director raised a concern that the amendment appeared to eliminate the waste management council and related appeal provisions in the governing statutes; members acknowledged the issue and said it was intentional or at least acceptable to address later in committee of conference, where they expected further changes. The committee then agreed to place the bill on the consent calendar. After concluding the executive session, the committee discussed an afternoon field trip to research farms in Lee and Durham. They also accepted an invitation to visit a farm in Fremont on May 30 at 10:00 a.m., with the address provided as 63 South Road, Fremont, New Hampshire.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. back and natural resources and have a chance to visit with y'all this morning.
• For more information visit www.fema.gov supply to municipal, industrial, and agricultural commerce customers
• But I guess my concern that I'll visit with you about.
• And so, I'd be happy to come visit with you or any of your constituents that have an issue. about growth

Bills: HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• The first time I learned about fentanyl as an elected official, or actually ever, was when a mom visited
• We've seen since then, this mother that came and visited me, you know, a host of news articles about
• We've seen since then, this mother that came and visited me, you know, a host of news articles about
• fentanyl's being mixed in with other substances. ...came and visited me, you know, a host of news articles

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard and passed several bills. HB 293 would codify the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor, create a liaison and advisory council, and was supported by faith-based and nonprofit groups; some members questioned possible duplication with existing services and the source of any future funding, but the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 547 would create an exception to the 30-day notice requirement before hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers sell medical debt when the debt buyer agrees not to use interest, fees, or extraordinary collection actions and must return charity-care-eligible debt; it passed unanimously after brief support testimony. CS/HB 1553 would require reporting of uterine fibroid data to the Department of Health to create a de-identified public database and reauthorize funding for implementation; it also passed 24-0, with members noting the earlier database mandate had not been carried out. The committee then took up CS/HB 1195, “Gage’s Law,” which would require hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug screens for suspected overdose or poisoning cases. The bill was presented as a response to overdose deaths and the need to better detect fentanyl, and emotional testimony from a parent described a son’s death after a hospital did not test for fentanyl. Members from both parties spoke in strong support, emphasizing stigma, the need for better treatment and data, and the potential to save lives; the bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47 on child care and early learning providers would streamline inspections, speed background screening, offer free online training/testing, update definitions, protect certain family child care homes from insurance issues, and create a license-exempt category for employer-provided child care; after questions about parent notice, database listing, background checks, and insurance, an amendment was adopted and the bill passed 24-0 as amended. Finally, CS/HB 647 would allow advanced practice registered nurses to sign death certificates in hospice settings, addressing delays that can leave families waiting to complete burial arrangements. Support testimony came from advocacy and hospice groups, and members cited the bill’s importance for families and religious burial timelines. The bill passed 23-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think that when we revisit term limits, I would really like to visit with you after this committee
• At that end, I would like to visit with you guys here to see if you would give, you know, we don't want
• So I'd like to visit with you guys.
• This is not the time to have that conversation about this bill, but I would like to visit with you after

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, also, I will let you know that my office is still scheduling member visits about meeting about
• I'm happy to visit with you as well.
• I was hoping to visit with you a little more about some of the committee consolidation decisions.
• Recently, I went to visit my good friend Jeff Leach in his new Capitol office. Rep.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections 3 and 4 mandate unannounced in-person site visits to verify grant recipients are doing work
• 00:03:42.560><c> site</c> mandates unannounced in-person site mandates unannounced in-person site visits
• 44.720><c> required</c><00:03:45.360><c> to</c><00:03:45.840><c> verify</c><00:03:46.840><c> Grant</c> visits
• are required to verify Grant visits are required to verify Grant recipients<00:03:48.280><c> doing</

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We provide comprehensive pediatric services such as well-child visits and immunizations.
• To make matters worse, my insurance only allowed a limited number of visits.
• I didn't want to waste those visits on someone who wasn't in tune with what I was experiencing, so I
• At the time, he had employer-sponsored insurance, which covered a portion of his emergency room visit
• Shortly after his ER visit, his work hours were reduced, and with his lower income, he couldn't afford

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, beginning with AB 2651 by Bonta, which would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds. Supporters, including family physicians, PTA representatives, and medical groups, said the bill would improve transparency and help parents protect children and vulnerable family members. Opponents argued the data could be misleading, could identify medically exempt or conditional students, and might lead to stigma or discrimination. The bill was later moved out of committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with one no vote recorded on the roll call. The committee also heard AB 2123 by Aguirre-Curry on medical debt relief, AB 1570 by Wilson to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast diagnostic and supplemental imaging, AB 2201 by Berner to restore Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal flexibilities, AB 2448 by Berman to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care records, AB 2034 by Addis on food additive safety and transparency, and AB 2598 by Krell to require better notification of next of kin when a patient dies in a hospital. Each bill drew strong support from authors, advocates, and affected individuals, while some drew opposition from insurers, industry groups, or transparency critics who raised concerns about cost, duplication, implementation, or unintended harm. Several bills were moved forward on due-pass-as-amended motions, including AB 2123, AB 2201, AB 2448, AB 2034, and AB 2598. The committee also heard AB 2551 by Elhawary, which would require health plans to collect and publish data on how often enrollees must go out of network for behavioral health care and why. Supporters said the measure would expose access barriers and high out-of-pocket costs, especially for communities of color and people with language access needs; opponents said it would add another reporting mandate and might not solve provider shortage problems. Members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals and several described personal or district-level experiences with behavioral health access problems. The bill was then moved out of committee on a due-pass motion. The committee also took up consent items and other procedural motions, with multiple bills reported out and some placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• And depending on what happens during the first visit, there may be even more visits than that to a provider
• And we've done 100% of the visits in the last 12 months, or that's the target?
• But there's a very clear science to when those visits happen.
• And depending on what happens during the first visit, there may be even more visits than that to a provider
• But there's a very clear science to when those visits happen.

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I just want to mention that when the schools that came to visit me, their main concerns are local
• But I just want to mention that when the schools that came to visit me, their main concerns are local
• But I just want to mention that when the schools that came to visit me, their main concerns are local
• But I just want to mention that when the schools that came to visit me, their main concerns are local
• </c> that when the schools that came to visit that when the schools that came to visit me,<00:59:20.079

Bills: HF1532 , HF1290 , HF2231 , HF2013

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: eminent domain, reimbursement, property acquisition, appraisal, landowner rights, HF1290, AED, automatic external defibrillator, defibrillator signage, wayfinding signs, roadside signs, directional signage, public access AED, emergency medical response, cardiac arrest, sudden cardiac arrest, public safety, Minnesota Department of Transportation, road authority, transportation law

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had the opportunity to go to BOAA and visit their site on the Big Island and see what they have
• to go<00:18:28.600><c> to</c><00:18:28.919><c> boaa</c><00:18:29.880><c> and</c><00:18:30.080><c> visit
• their site um T the go to boaa and visit their site um T the grounds<00:18:33.640><c> and</c><00:18:
• </c><00:20:01.760><c> sites</c> um that have arranged to to visit sites um that have arranged to to visit
• or how you know how about how you visit or how you you<00:37:28.960><c> see</c><00:37:29.240><c> your

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard confirmation nominations for several DLNR-related boards and commissions, including GM 530 for Karen Ono to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, GM 582 for Jay Kenan to the Natural Area Reserves System Commission, and GM 584 for Adrien Trulock to the Hawaii Historic Places Review Board. The chair repeatedly noted the volunteer nature of these positions and said the committee would take up decision-making after hearing all nominees. Testimony and comments for each nominee were generally supportive, with agency representatives praising their preparation, experience, and willingness to serve. For Karen Ono, DLNR and several supporters from Kauai testified in favor, describing her as highly prepared and effective on the board. Senators questioned her about DLNR land use, especially state lands near rail stations and whether they should be used for affordable housing rather than commercial development. Ono said she had not taken a board position on those specific proposals because they had not yet come before the board, but she acknowledged the importance of housing and infrastructure. She also responded to questions about DLNR’s management of transferred agricultural lands, saying concerns about the department’s ability to manage such lands had been raised before and remain relevant. One senator expressed strong reservations about the nomination based on the land-use answers. For Jay Kenan, the NARS Commission testimony focused on the commission’s role in advising on land management and conservation policy. Kenan said he hoped to continue helping evaluate properties and policies, and he identified funding and staffing as the main challenge. DLNR staff explained that the position supporting NARS had been abolished and that the department had limited capacity to restore it because other priorities, such as fire-related positions, were taking precedence. The committee also discussed a separate bill affecting Legacy Lands funding through conveyance tax revenues, with members and agency staff expressing concern that the measure could reduce support for land संरक्षण efforts. For Adrien Trulock, SHPD and DLNR staff strongly supported the nomination, citing her preservation background and experience with historic properties. Members discussed the importance of her expertise for reviewing nominations and appeals and for helping with preservation planning. The committee also raised broader concerns about delays in historic-place designations and the difference between state and federal review processes; SHPD explained that board approval places a property on the state register, while federal National Register review can still require revisions and cause delays. No final votes or confirmations were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I look forward to that visit. Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Thank you.
• And offline, can we visit? I'd really, I have a bill out there.
• So they're visiting the families.
• , making sure that everything, the monthly visits. that the children are safe doing that plan of care
• One of our APS staff who, when she went to visit a home, the individual. pulled a gun on her, and she

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They provide bots that they leave behind at those schools that they visit. So with that, Mr.
• :37.000><c> school</c><00:23:37.279><c> for</c><00:23:37.480><c> a</c><00:23:37.640><c> period</c> visit
• an elementary school for a period visit an elementary school for a period of<00:23:38.360><c> time</
• <00:24:04.559><c> schools</c><00:24:04.919><c> that</c><00:24:05.080><c> they</c><00:24:05.240><c> visit
• that they visit so with that<00:24:06.880><c> uh</c><00:24:07.039><c> Mr</c><00:24:07.320><c> chair<

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for visiting us. We look forward to hearing more, perhaps, about the work you're doing.
• Thank you for visiting us. We look forward to hearing more, perhaps, about the work you're doing.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up reports from the Committee on Rules concerning several Senate petitions. On motion to suspend Rule 36 and Joint Rule 12, both suspensions were approved, allowing the matters to be referred to their respective committees. The chamber also welcomed a guest from the Hawaii Senate Clerk’s Office before briefly recessing while awaiting additional documents. After the recess, the Senate adopted a congratulatory resolution for Jake Graziano on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. The House then returned Senate No. 2540, the fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill, with a House amendment striking everything after the enacting clause and substituting House Document No. 4265. Senator Roderick moved that the Senate non-concur in the House amendment and request a committee of conference, and the Chair appointed Senators Roderick, Comerford, and O'Connor to that committee. The Senate also adopted an order, offered by Senator Tarr, setting the next meeting for Thursday at 12:00 noon in a full formal session with a calendar. The chamber then adjourned to that time.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state joins us in the site visits and the case reviews.
• So it's 78% was electronic visit verification?
• And was it electronic visit verification? It was at 85%.
• What we And was it an electronic visit? It was at 85%.
• So, care, therapies, medical visits, and constant attention can be very demanding.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the governor’s IHSS budget proposals and extensive testimony from the Department of Social Services, Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, county representatives, labor, consumer advocates, and advocates for older adults and people with disabilities. The administration described IHSS as a large and growing program serving more than 900,000 recipients, and outlined three proposals: shifting the cost of growth in authorized hours per case to counties, eliminating the backup provider system, and aligning IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations. The LAO said the overall budget estimates appeared reasonable but raised concerns about the hours-per-case proposal, including the lack of a comprehensive root-cause analysis, the limited control counties have over statewide cost growth, and uncertainty about how the baseline and savings would work. CWDA, SEIU, and consumer advocates strongly opposed the hours cost shift, arguing that counties use state-designed tools, that demographic changes and rising need explain much of the growth, and that the proposal would pressure counties to cut services and destabilize care. The chair and members repeatedly questioned the administration about the proposed baseline, the claimed savings, and whether the measure effectively circumvents the county maintenance-of-effort agreement. On the backup provider system, the administration said the statewide program is underutilized and administratively expensive, and proposed eliminating it to save about $3.5 million. The LAO suggested the Legislature consider whether administrative costs could be reduced while preserving some version of the program. County and consumer advocates opposed the cut, saying the system is a critical safety net when regular providers are unavailable, especially in rural areas and for people with complex needs. They argued that low utilization reflects the difficulty of finding emergency backup care, not lack of need, and that many counties already rely on local backup systems or other models. Committee members also pressed for better data on requests, fulfillment, and administrative costs, and discussed whether the state could support local alternatives instead of eliminating the program. The final topic was the proposal to align IHSS terminations with Medi-Cal terminations by automating the process when recipients fail to complete Medi-Cal redeterminations. The administration said this would reduce General Fund costs by about $86 million by preventing payment of IHSS in the residual program when recipients are no longer eligible for Medi-Cal, while also automating reinstatement when Medi-Cal is restored. The LAO noted the proposal has been rejected in prior years and suggested improved notice and communication to recipients as an alternative. CWDA and advocates warned that the change could create gaps in care, especially for people who lose Medi-Cal for procedural reasons, and urged additional safeguards such as better notices, faster reprocessing, and automatic reinstatement. Members questioned how many people would be affected, how the residual program currently works, and whether providers could go unpaid during the gap; the department said the automation is already built and would be activated if the proposal is approved. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the committee moved through public comment and questioning without final action on the proposals in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But some of my best memories are when the sergeants would come down and visit the district office for
• I worked for Florida Farm Bureau, got to visit. J.J. Groh was one. He was six years after me.
• And we have seen policy passed through the federal that have also made people not want to visit here.
• When you come to this state to visit your brother from Brazil, you come from Brazil to...
• When you come to this state to visit your brother from Brazil, you come from Brazil to visit your brother

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, it is transportation to and from a medical visit.
• Then Secretary Shire came in and visited with us, and we got really rolling. ...came up there and visited
• When we do those home visits, that is part of the assessment.
• So, in the first year, it showed that 70% had no ER visits, 95% no nursing home visits, and 85% reported
• That's why we do our home visits. That's why we do our assessments.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, there were over 12,000 non-fatal drug overdose emergency room visits.
• </c><00:38:01.760><c> of</c> guarantees coverage for 20 visits of guarantees coverage for 20 visits of
• And in fewer than 12<00:41:52.240><c> visits,</c><00:41:52.880><c> he</c><00:41:53.040><c> was</c><00
• , he was able to move a 150lb 12 visits, he was able to move a 150lb sandbag,<00:41:55.520><c> return
• ,</c><00:59:42.720><c> decreased</c><00:59:43.200><c> acute</c> decreased ER visits, decreased acute

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met with a quorum, approved the November 12 minutes by voice vote, and then heard a presentation from former Governor Ernie Fletcher and Dave Johnson on Medicaid reimbursement for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Fletcher argued that addiction should be treated as a chronic disease requiring a longer continuum of care, not just short residential stays, and said recovery should combine clinical treatment with social supports such as housing, transportation, employment, peer coaching, and recovery housing. He cited data on overdose trends, low treatment rates, and high costs for people with SUD, and said current reimbursement models create poor incentives and do not adequately support long-term recovery or measure outcomes well. Fletcher proposed a “carve through” model administered at the MCO level with standardized metrics, data sharing, and an independent recovery coordinator that would assess patients, coordinate care, and connect them to clinical and social recovery services. He suggested using bundled payments, shared savings, and partial risk arrangements, with recovery housing reimbursed on a PMPM or weekly basis and funded in part through existing Medicaid spending and other sources such as opioid abatement funds. He also emphasized peer support, telemedicine, criminal justice coordination, workforce and education supports, and the use of technology, including text messaging and possibly AI, to maintain long-term follow-up and identify relapse risk. Members questioned how the model would work in practice, especially the education and staffing requirements for recovery coordinators, reimbursement levels, and how many patients each coordinator or peer would serve. Fletcher said peers could be certified and would need additional training in assessments such as ASAM and recovery residence standards, but he did not give a precise salary figure, saying the market and bundled rates would determine that. He also said follow-up should continue for years, noting relapse risk over the first 18 to 24 months and that meaningful employment and ongoing peer contact help sustain recovery. No formal vote or action was taken on the substance use presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• To date, I've made 62 site visits across the Commonwealth.
• You and I have been at many program visits together and with community partners.
• And so we become now, you know, in any state, we go visit all the libraries.
• Thank you for visiting that high school and meeting all of my former colleagues.
• Visit an after-school program. Attend an awards night.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'd have to do that monitoring visit at least once per year.
• </c> normally do in a grant monitoring visit normally do in a grant monitoring visit we<00:43:33.920>
• Grant monitoring visits are one aspect, but the office also has to administer the grant, which means
• Grant monitoring visits are one aspect, but the office also has to administer the grant, which means
• Jackie May from the video was my nurse at my last visit to the clinic.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house