Transcript Highlights:

• So the commissioner may identify that.
• May identify that often the commissioner May identify that often times<00:26:57.240> what<00:
• <00:28:41.279> of commissioner of commissioner of transportation<00:28:43.120> that<00:
• So if this authority was taken away from the commissioner, what you'd end up with is little bits and
• So if this authority was taken away from the commissioner, what you'd end up with is little bits and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 561, sponsored by Representative Nancy Murphy, which would limit the state’s ability to discontinue, reclassify, or revert state-owned highway property to municipalities without local approval. Murphy and other supporters argued the bill would protect towns from unfunded mandates and prevent property tax increases caused by taking on costly road maintenance. Representative Wendy Thomas, Rosemarie Rung, Merrimack Town Council Chairman Finley Rothhouse, and Town Manager Paul McAuliffe all testified in support, describing the financial burden of the planned transfer of Continental Boulevard in Merrimack and warning it would set a harmful precedent for other communities. The Department of Transportation’s Steve Leon explained the department’s current authority and processes for discontinuance and reclassification, said active highways are not surplus property, and noted that the Supreme Court’s Town of Nelson decision held such reclassifications were not an unfunded mandate. The committee then closed the public hearing on HB 561. The committee next took up House Bill 578, presented by Representative Mooney on behalf of Representative Bill Boyd, to require sound barriers along the F. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Supporters said widening the turnpike would increase noise in nearby neighborhoods and that a 2019 NHDOT study identified 17 neighborhoods with noise levels above federal standards, though only four were included for mitigation under the current project. They argued the remaining neighborhoods should also receive relief and cited quality-of-life and property-value concerns. Senator Tim McGuire also testified in support, saying residents were experiencing unexpected and severe noise impacts and urging the committee to act outside the usual criteria to approve the barriers. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or action on HB 578.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill up on the docket is 1586, allowing the commissioner of education to withhold funds from
• <01:08:39.920> of<01:08:40.000> the action, the commissioner of the action, the commissioner
• Have you ever heard of the commissioner Have you ever heard of the commissioner doing<01:09:00.319
• You know, um, there's insurance pools and risks.
• You know, um, there's insurance pools and risks.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you're like a commissioner of an agency, it is your job to make sure that agency runs day to
• <01:23:52.520> shall statute says the commissioner shall statute says the commissioner shall
• rules like that where the commissioner rules like that where the commissioner had<01:24:03.760><
• <01:25:20.520> of commissioner of commissioner of hhs's<01:25:22.280> blanket<01:25:22.840
• Liability insurance for licensees.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held an orientation for new and returning members of the House committee on agencies and administration, with introductions from members and staff. Chair Carol Maguire outlined her expectations for hearings: keep questions focused on the bill, be respectful to witnesses, and use the committee’s orientation opportunities to learn about the jail staff, retirement system, and Office of Professional Licensure. Members also discussed related assignments on other bodies, including the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules and the Joint Committee on Employee Classification, and noted that some members already serve on those panels. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Building Code and the committee’s upcoming workload. Members explained how the state code is intended to provide a common baseline while allowing limited local options, and why municipalities must formally adopt and publish any local amendments. They reviewed several anticipated bills: a consolidation bill to gather building-code enforcement materials in one place, a bill to update the state energy code, a bill to restrict municipal adoption of building-code changes, and a bill to update the electrical code. Members also discussed how building codes apply to older homes and commercial buildings, and why code updates are important for safety and clarity. The chair said the committee had 36 bills currently scheduled, including many early bills that must move by March 6 because they will be heard by two committees. She said the committee would use subcommittees for harder bills, with three subcommittees this year: pensions, licensing, and likely state building code. She also outlined the hearing schedule, including lighter bills on February 12 and the expectation of executive sessions later in the month. No votes were taken during the orientation, but members were told that public hearings do not require a quorum and that hard copies of bills would be distributed by committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• is projected to be motor vehicle sales tax, rental taxes, oil production tax, franchise tax, and insurance
• are projected to be motor vehicle sales tax, rental taxes, oil production tax, franchise tax, and insurance
• In Montgomery County alone, one decision by Commissioners Court raised county taxes by 10%.
• Rick Thompson, County Judges and Commissioners Association.
• My name is Rick Thompson, Program Director for the County Judges and Commissioners Association.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The commissioner of the department of revenue administration continues to notify the school board of
• The<01:10:37.440> commissioner<01:10:38.080> of<01:10:38.239> the<01:10:38.400><
• c> department<01:10:38.719> of The commissioner of the department of The commissioner of the
• such as insurance and other considerations<01:20:25.199> which<01:20:25.440> are<01:20
• ,<04:53:24.320> professional commissioners, professional commissioners, professional administrator

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another major challenge we face is an increase in insurance costs, which is becoming a trend that we
• Um, I was just at the Kentucky League of Cities conference and I got to tell people, as tourism commissioners
• <00:46:56.480> and<00:46:57.040> tourism<00:46:57.520> professionals, commissioners
• and tourism professionals, commissioners and tourism professionals, we<00:46:58.240> have<00:
• Uh, Commissioner has a spot on our board, an ex officio spot. We communicate a great deal.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:13 Kentucky Small Business Update 00:01:50 Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit Program Update 00:14:16 State of the Tourism Industry 00:38:03, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with a quorum call and approval of the August minutes, then moved to an update from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce on small business conditions. Chamber representatives John Hughes and Amit Patel said Kentucky has benefited from pro-growth policies such as lower income taxes, regulatory modernization, and workforce development, but they emphasized ongoing challenges including workforce shortages, child care access, housing availability, rising insurance costs, and inflation. Patel, speaking as a hotel operator, said recruiting and retaining staff has become difficult and that his company is considering child care stipends and other benefits to help employees. Members asked about child care benefits, community involvement, and health care costs; Patel said the business is discussing additional support for employees and noted that health care costs have tripled over three years. The chamber said it will prioritize child care and housing policy in the upcoming session. The committee then received an update from the Cabinet for Economic Development on the Kentucky Angel Investment Tax Credit program from David Brock of KY Innovation and Matt Wingate. Brock outlined the state’s broader innovation and entrepreneurship programs, including innovation hubs, SBIR/STTR matching funds, the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, SSBCI, and STEP, and said these programs have helped create jobs, raise capital, and support exports. He explained that the angel tax credit is intended to encourage private investment in innovative Kentucky small businesses with high growth potential. The credit is generally 25% of investment in non-enhanced counties and 40% in enhanced counties, with annual and per-investor caps and eligibility rules for both businesses and investors. Brock reported that 317 businesses have been certified, 117 have received at least one investment, 445 investors have made 750 investments, $57.2 million has been invested, $19 million in credits has been awarded, and 373 new jobs have been reported since 2021. Committee members asked about the relationship between the program’s industry verticals and university research, the difference between enhanced and non-enhanced counties, and where investments are occurring geographically. Cabinet staff said the verticals align with the original Innovation Act framework, and that enhanced counties are defined by statute, including distressed and disaster-impacted areas. They said most investments and credits have been in non-enhanced counties, though some examples were cited in Bath County and Auburn. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think it's necessary, but I had a discussion with the commissioner this morning and committed
• And if it has that neonic on it, it's got a little bit of insurance all the way around it.
• bit of insurance all the way around it. bit of insurance all the way around it.
• But I mean, this is a low dose that, you know, at a minimum, but it's giving us insurance to make sure
• <02:49:27.040> with replacing the word commissioner with replacing the word commissioner with

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just spoke briefly about the purpose of the bill was really geared around long-term care insurance
• provision on the insurance provision on the insurance commissioner's<01:37:37.040> rulemaking
• It could be applied to all insurance, and wanting to keep with the intent of the bill.
• This just ensures that we're talking about long-term care insurance.
• This just ensures that we're talking about long-term care insurance. Thank you, Senator.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I ran for county commissioner after I got elected.
• This amendment was reviewed and negotiated with CCI on behalf of all of our county commissioners across
• county with CCI on behalf of all of our county with CCI on behalf of all of our county commissioners
• commissioners across the state. commissioners across the state.
• So, I keep going back to it, but being a previous county commissioner, one of our jobs was to oversee

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they covered by insurance?
• that insurers will opt into covering. that insurers will opt into covering.
• the situation where private insurance the situation where private insurance does<00:44:40.960>
• depending on how your insurance works. depending on how your insurance works.
• and insurance companies aren't going to and insurance companies aren't going to pay<02:48:15.840>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system, which is well underway and will be launched shortly, covering the employer share of health insurance
• <00:04:15.920> share<00:04:16.079> of<00:04:16.239> health<00:04:16.479> insurance
• <00:04:16.959> costs employer share of health insurance costs employer share of health insurance
• Um, I wish that we had sort of done some insurance and come to you separately and not just relied on
• and come to you separately and insurance and come to you separately and not<00:34:29.520> just

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. >> I'm with Assistant Commissioner Josh Marshall here, sitting in for the commissioner. >>
• Thank you. >> I'm with Assistant Commissioner Josh Marshall here, sitting in for the commissioner. >>
• 56.959> Josh I'm with assistant commissioner Josh I'm with assistant commissioner Josh Marshall
• the commissioner. the commissioner.
• <01:09:54.960> of extension, the commissioner of extension, the commissioner of department

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee held an open work session on HB 1766-FN, a bill addressing cruelty to livestock, and focused on proposed language changes from the Department of Agriculture. Assistant State Veterinarian Nathan Harvey, speaking for the commissioner, explained concerns about the term “imminent danger,” arguing that the bill should allow seizure based on probable cause when an animal is starving or has a life-threatening condition, rather than tying action too closely to whether the owner is arrested. The department also proposed language on “extreme suffering” that would require euthanasia if the cost of treatment would exceed the allowable reimbursement amount under AGR rules, though members immediately raised concerns about using a dollar limit to require euthanasia. The department further suggested clarifying who may participate in investigations by allowing the state veterinarian or a designate, and noted that the current draft could be read too narrowly. Members discussed the $5,000 emergency care cap in the rules, with Josh Marshall confirming it is an aggregate emergency veterinary care limit. Several legislators said they were uncomfortable changing the bill from “may” to “shall” euthanize, arguing that treatment costs vary widely by species and condition and that a fixed monetary threshold could be too rigid. Representative Bixby also raised a separate concern that the bill’s language may be broader than intended and could apply to all animals rather than livestock only. The department agreed the bill should be limited to livestock and suggested using existing statutory definitions or adding a new section to make that clear. The discussion also turned to humane societies and other organizations that might investigate complaints or board seized animals. A representative from a humane organization said the groups with expertise in care often also have expertise useful to investigations, and that removing them entirely could be impractical because only a few facilities in the state can provide boarding. Members and witnesses explored alternative language that would allow for-profit and nonprofit organizations to participate in either the investigation or the care of livestock, but not both, to avoid conflicts of interest while preserving needed expertise. No votes were taken; the work session ended with agreement to consult the Office of Legislative Services and the department to refine the bill before the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll move along to Timothy Stevenson, Deputy Commissioner of Consumer Protection, State Department of
• So what we're currently offering, even through insurance companies, is way too short.
• And so it made a lot more sense after hearing this discussion when we have the deputy commissioner of
• My cousin actually lost his life insurance, or his cheaper life insurance, because they found out he
• My cousin actually lost his life insurance, or his cheaper life insurance, because they found out he

Summary: The House Committee on Public Health heard House Bill 5, a proposal to ban THC products outside the Texas Compassionate Use Program while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and CBG products under tighter regulation. Chair Van Deaver gave a lengthy background on the 2018 federal Farm Bill and Texas’s 2019 hemp law, arguing that the lack of guardrails allowed a large, unregulated THC market to develop. HB 5 would impose licensing fees, product registration, testing and inspection requirements, and restrictions intended to keep products away from children. Invited witnesses from law enforcement strongly supported the bill. Steve Dye of the Texas Police Chiefs Association and Brian Hawthorne of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas argued that THC consumables are widely mislabeled, often far more potent than advertised, and linked to youth access, impaired driving, and organized crime. Both said regulation would be ineffective and would amount to legalization, while a ban would be easier for officers to enforce. They also emphasized support for the Texas Compassionate Use Program and said medical THC should remain available. Dr. Peter Stout of the Texas Association of Crime Lab Directors and Alice Amelot of Texas DPS testified as resource witnesses about forensic testing. They said current lab resources are already stretched thin, that quantitative testing for THC and related cannabinoids is expensive and time-consuming, and that a ban would simplify enforcement because labs could focus on presence/absence testing rather than concentration. Amelot said DPS labs are neutral on the bill but explained that mislabeled products and inaccurate certificates of analysis are common. Committee members asked about traffic safety, impairment, youth use, and the costs of enforcement and lab testing; witnesses repeatedly said the bill would reduce complexity for law enforcement but that any approach would still require more resources for labs.

Transcript Highlights:

• disaster that may, let's say, what landfill gets wiped out and we lose that capacity, we have an insurance
• disaster that may, let's say, what landfill gets wiped out and we lose that capacity, we have an insurance
• <01:32:14.520> policy<01:32:15.520> by capacity we have an insurance policy by capacity
• we have an insurance policy by not<01:32:16.280> this<01:32:16.520> this<01:32:16.679>
• of Dees um but also so commissioner of Dees um but also so other<01:49:23.159> members<01:49:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:09:29.920> uh would lose their health insurance uh would lose their health insurance uh
• and other insurance bills are going to go up.
• paid and then all your private insurance paid and then all your private insurance and<04:50:13.280
• 50:14.320> going<04:50:14.400> to and other insurance bills are going to and other insurance
• And no insurance under this legislation.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has served as a city commissioner, and he was the youngest ever elected in our community.
• He has also served as a county commissioner, and then just became the new mayor of Hobbs in November.
• Speaker, and I am proud that when I was a county commissioner, they were in my district, and 300 employees

Bills: HB111, HJR1, HB61, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB70, SB3, HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• And L64 clarifies that facilities designated by the BHA commissioner are crisis stabilization facilities
• You have hospitals, you have insurance. There's a lot there.
• recommended by DPO, adding a requirement for administrative license type to have professional liability insurance

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also think, you know, in the end of the day, those county commissioners in Doña Ana County have
• asking for a base budget increase outside of the additional funding that's needed for group health insurance
• within our public health offices for individuals who perhaps may be on Medicaid or other types of insurance

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• comes with a lot of benefits: the right to join a union, access to the minimum wage, unemployment insurance
• I am the former Massachusetts Commissioner for the Blind.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak. The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• teacher who was so lucky to be appointed as a... was so lucky to be appointed as a campaign spending commissioner
• where we collaborated It's where we collaborated to make sure hospitals, community health centers, insurers

Keywords: 910, house, all