Transcript Highlights:

• You look at the research: was the study done well?
• Senator Heron then asked for the six states that had passed similar legislation.
• The speaker added that legislators should legislate for the masses and can later come back and make amendments
• <00:14:08.240> is instance but our job as legislators is instance but our job as legislators
• and gather the data and then come back next session and, if we need to, pass legislation.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inexpedient to legislate.
• Inexpedient to legislate. all counts. Inexpedient to legislate.
• One study by the U.S.
• greater than I I need to do more studies greater than I I need to do more studies on<02:59:42.479
• Ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, interim study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, when we're working on legislation, we want to consider that.
• So with that, So, you know, when we're working on legislation, we want to consider that.
• We are working with our legislative delegation to help restore that funding.
• Through the fuel cell partnership, there have been a number of studies.
• We've been looking for legislative champions to carry that forward.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or any legislation.
• So, as you know, you guys are legislators. Things take time.
• This is when a lot of legislation gets written and drafted.
• We've done tree-ring studies, and that particular building...
• In 2005 and 2006, I introduced some legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I really like the cleanup language on here, and as someone who sponsored and supported this legislation
• Gus Padradi, who is with Albuquerque IAFF legislative director.
• What we have done in this legislation is so that this would impact all of our employees at the state
• Therefore, they're not a large body of subjects to be studied.
• Be studied. So if you don't have the numbers, then you're not going to have the cases.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee began by rolling House Bill 132 at the sponsor’s request because amendment language was still being worked on. The committee then proceeded without quorum as a subcommittee until additional members arrived. House Bill 285, as amended, was heard first. The bill was described as a cleanup measure to clarify New Mexico’s disabled veterans property tax exemption, including that it applies to a veteran’s primary residence and how it works for properties with multiple owners. Testimony from New Mexico counties, the Tax and Revenue Department, and the Department of Veterans Services supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion for assessors and help veterans access the exemption. One member raised broader concerns about housing insecurity among unhoused and renting veterans and asked for interim data on how many veterans would actually benefit, but the committee noted those issues were outside the bill’s scope. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 285 as amended with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 128, which updates the state’s occupational disease and disablement law for firefighters by expanding the list of covered cancers and related conditions, aligning the state law with newer research and recent federal changes, and standardizing the employment period to five years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill reflects current science, removes outdated age limits for some cancers, and makes it easier for firefighters to receive workers’ compensation without having to prove causation case by case. Firefighters and union representatives gave emotional testimony about personal cancer diagnoses and the burden of fighting insurers while undergoing treatment. The Workers’ Compensation Administration, labor groups, and trial lawyers all supported the measure. Committee members asked about the federal model, the five-year threshold, the impact on rural jurisdictions, and why women’s cancers were not previously included; witnesses explained that the changes reflect updated data and the underrepresentation of women in the fire service. Dr. Dan Wu, speaking online, said firefighter cancer is an epidemic and argued the science supports the bill. The committee then adopted the motion and passed HB 128 with a do pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the the purpose of the legislation,<00:20:06.240> as<00:20:06.480> I<00:20:06.720><
• <00:46:52.960> more I'm trying to make the legislation more I'm trying to make the legislation
• 30.720> reports Small studies and observational reports Small studies and observational reports
• You would work alongside their consortium as far as studying ibogaine and the impact.
• some overseas studies, I believe.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 612, which had been laid on the table because of questions about section one. Senator Tate explained that section one would allow the state, counties, and municipalities to enter interlocal agreements to provide installation support services on military installations, mainly road and infrastructure work such as paving and dirt work, and that section two would add Coast Guard medics to an existing provision allowing trained military medics to sit for LPN certification. After questions about the breadth of “installation support services,” the committee adopted the motion for title sufficient, due pass, with opposition noted, and the bill was reported to the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. House Bill 942 was then passed over at Senator McMahon’s request until Tuesday. The committee then took up House Bill 1034, which would allow terminally ill hospital patients to use medical cannabis gummies. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help terminally ill patients who already qualify for medical cannabis but are denied access in hospitals, and that it prohibits smoking or inhalation. Members raised concerns about whether the bill was too broad, whether it would interfere with hospital and physician judgment, possible drug interactions, federal law issues, liability for hospitals and doctors, storage and disposal requirements, and whether hospitals would incur costs or be forced to handle cannabis on their premises. The sponsor responded that the patient’s use would be logged in the chart, that the caregiver is generally responsible for the lockbox and disposal, and that the bill includes language allowing a facility to opt out if compliance would jeopardize federal funding or licensing. The bill’s author also described the measure as arising from a Coast Guard family’s experience in which a terminally ill patient was denied access to medical cannabis at one hospital but allowed at another, and said the goal is to prevent similar denials for terminally ill patients. He said he was not aware of other drugs treated this way in hospitals, but argued that terminally ill patients should have access to most anything they want. The discussion ended with Senator England asking whether changing the bill’s requirement that a facility “shall” allow medical cannabis to “may” allow it would better protect hospitals and preserve discretion, but no final action on House Bill 1034 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative body has approved.
• once the budget's with the legislative once the budget's with the legislative body<00:23:52.840>
• members of the of the uh legislative members of the of the uh legislative body<00:24:48.640>
• wanted legislation the legislative body wanted legislation the legislative body wanted to<01:44:
• <04:52:22.718> the<04:52:22.920> legislation of the legislation the legislation of

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joshua is a student at Council Rock High School and he is studying public safety at the Middle Bucks
• Kaylee will be going to college very soon to study political science and to play field hockey.
• Our colleague who serves Philadelphia, Representative Nielsen, has as his summer legislative intern Natalie
• She is a senior at the Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg campus, where she's studying communication
• This legislation does not prevent lawmakers from owning cryptocurrency or other digital assets.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approvals, quorum call, and a series of guest recognitions, including students, interns, local officials, and advocates visiting the chamber. Members also announced caucus and committee meetings, and the House recessed before returning later in the day for floor action. After reconvening, the House adopted several committee reports and then considered a series of resolutions and bills. It adopted House Resolution 462, designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553, designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day, both by 200-2 votes. The chamber also agreed to House Bill 733 on marriage ceremony law, House Bill 2529 on scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance, and Senate Bill 1294 on civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools. The House then debated House Bill 2359 on data center nondisclosure agreements and related amendments. One amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy and infrastructure costs failed on a 101-101 tie, while another amendment to make the bill effective immediately passed 201-1 and a third amendment to protect trade secrets failed 87-115. The bill itself was agreed to after amendment. The House also approved House Bill 2455 on collective bargaining rights for Pittsburgh school administrators, House Bill 2499 on State Workers Insurance Fund investment authority, Senate Bill 604 joining the Counseling Compact, and House Bill 1006 on penalties against abusive towing practices, with one agreed-to amendment added. Several measures then passed finally by recorded vote: House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions for public officials, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on certain device conditions, House Bill 2644 authorizing capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on Millersville University and other conveyances. House Bill 2559 drew floor criticism from Representative Conklin over the state land conveyance process, though it still passed 154-48. Before adjournment, the House recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed additional Senate bills from the table calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Erin Bond with the Legislative Council Service.
• By the way, much of that is supported by state legislation, so I'm very thankful for that.
• It is not because those computers across the hall can't do the same thing; they can study.
• We have seven work-study students who have served in the military.
• I think it's a potential case study.

Transcript Highlights:

• Krolla with Legislative Service Office. Krolla with Legislative Service Office.
• <00:06:05.600> held anti-SLAPP legislation held anti-SLAPP legislation held unconstitutional
• <01:21:07.000> session<01:21:07.440> that legislative session that legislative session
• I think that studied it that well.
• . legislation. legislation.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is supported through studies like the Alzheimer's Association U.S.
• And this is supported through studies like the Alzheimer's Association U.S.
• And we were able in your legislation to include hospital provision.
• And we were able in your legislation to include hospital provision.
• But I would urge you to oppose the legislation.

Summary: The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction. The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future. The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, some of you have heard this before, uh, we have considered this legislation in the past, uh
• In fact, last legislative. Session, we passed a bill to ban social media.
• A 2018 study at the University of Pennsylvania randomly assigned students into two categories.
• Um, have other states passed legislation like this, and what have their experiences been like?
• Rep Cortez looks forward to working with the committee to see this legislation through.

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:42.760> process budget process the legislative process budget process the legislative
• So I would ask you to expedient to legislate a recommendation on this piece of legislation, and if you
• <01:42:07.960> is so this this enabling legislation is so this this enabling legislation is
• yet another tax the proposed legislation yet another tax the proposed legislation is<01:54:12.560
• <03:43:01.439> out again I'm assuming this studies out again I'm assuming this studies out

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We, we, this is the exact mechanism that we used was we, we did a deep interim study.
• Now, the commission continues on through the next legislative session.
• session and move forward some legislation designed to, you know, to trim here.
• I I believe we're talking about that and some other legislation.
• Um, and they didn't want the social studies teacher doing it.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is two studies.
• <00:07:56.560> action<00:07:57.039> funding no further legislative action funding no
• further legislative action funding the<00:07:57.520> premium<00:07:57.919> security<00
• Representative Schultz, so in the Senate bill, in the Senate version of this reinsurance legislation,
• version of this reinsurance legislation version of this reinsurance legislation why<00:14:15.519

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a side-by-side comparison and fiscal analysis of Senate File 3472, a reinsurance-related bill affecting the premium security plan account, MinnesotaCare, and related health care funding. Staff explained the Senate and House versions of the bill, including how the Senate proposal extends reinsurance for five years and uses a projected $1.087 billion general fund transfer to fully fund claims and administrative costs through fiscal year 2028, while the House version conditions continuation of the program on federal approval of the state innovation waiver. The fiscal presentation also covered appropriations for MNsure, a mental health parity and substance abuse office, and House provisions for delivery reform and a public option study, along with a House transfer of $110.674 million to the health care access fund. Members debated the budget horizon and whether costs should be forecast beyond fiscal year 2025. Representative Schultz argued that the spreadsheet understated the broader fiscal impact of reinsurance and warned about future funding cliffs for MinnesotaCare and other health programs, while other members and staff noted that the state’s standard forecast ends in fiscal year 2025 and that the fiscal note only estimated reinsurance costs through the five-year extension. Supporters said reinsurance was the best available option to reduce premium increases, especially in rural areas, and some pointed to a public option as a longer-term alternative. Opponents argued reinsurance does not address underlying health care costs or deductibles and urged consideration of other reforms. House Research then walked through the policy differences. House-only provisions would change Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association board membership, require platinum plans in certain markets, expand postnatal coverage, require a prescription drug benefit in some plans, set a minimum actuarial value for MinnesotaCare, create an Office of Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Accountability, and direct reports on delivery reform and a public option. The shared provisions would extend the premium security program to 2027 and delay the transfer of remaining premium security plan funds to the health care access fund until 2029, with the House language again contingent on federal waiver approval. No formal vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair closed discussion after hearing no further questions and indicated members would be contacted about next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• We very much support this legislation.
• Is there anyone in the audience who opposes this legislation as amended?
• Is there anyone on Zoom who stands in opposition to this legislation?
• They have been studied time and again over the last three decades, including that FTC study that was
• Is there anyone in support of the legislation in the audience?

Transcript Highlights:

• > governments The legislation permits city governments The legislation permits city governments
• statutory The legislation sets out statutory The legislation sets out statutory requirements<
• we've created this this legislation we've created this this legislation working<00:07:59.840>
• And then we also added a regionalization study for water and sewer. Thank you.
• And then we also added a regionalization study for water and sewer. Thank you.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:54 Roll Call 00:01:17 SB 192 Discussion 00:03:31 SB 192 Vote 00:05:41 SB 312 Discussion 00:07:17 SB 312 Vote 00:09:56 SB 27 Discussion 00:11:27 SB 27 Vote 00:15:51 SB 149 Discussion 00:16:55 SB 149 Vote 00:19:35 SB 133 Discussion 00:21:17 SB 133 Vote 00:23:41 SJR 62 Discussion 00:25:04 SJR 62 Vote 00:27:28 SJR 75 Discussion 00:28:31 SJR 75 Vote 00:31:56 Adjournment 00:34:30, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Really, that's what we're legislating here today.
• Legislation like the one we have before us today makes me very worried about what's next.
• This is a piece of legislation in search of a problem.
• I've spent my 13 years of legislative career here protecting victims of sexual assault.
• Parents, coaches, and athletes overwhelmingly support the principles this legislation upholds.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's my first time addressing a legislative committee.
• It would require legislation. To incentivize utilities to do it, it would require legislation.
• And that's something we think we can change with legislation.
• We need to pass a piece of legislation.
• That was a really good piece of legislation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um 20 to because we just did a study.
• Um, back in 2005, we had a study done.
• Um, ideally what happens during a study Um, ideally what happens during a study is<02:19:43.679>
• proposed in this legislation. proposed in this legislation.
• <03:09:32.880> body<03:09:33.359> said with the legislative body said with the legislative

Keywords: 916, all