Transcript Highlights:

• Driving is a privilege, not a right. I think we all know that.
• And I drive horrible.
• I actually drive with my left foot because I'm left-handed, and it's easier for me to drive with my left
• And these people that are driving on the road, and these people that are driving on the road have no
• Driving a car. You're going to go home driving a car. It's something we do every day.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• You're driving home now in a brand new vehicle.
• Currently under their policy, I drive two vehicles. One's about 22 years old.
• ...know before you drive through a toll road what vehicle that transponder is in.
• So how do you let the Parkways Authority know you're going to drive your wife's car?
• Whether they were driving it or not, right?

Committee: Senate Transportation and Infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• My other concern is we have people that drive 1984 trucks... Not we in New Mexico.
• My grandson drives a 2000 Dodge. It's a 2016 Dodge. So how do you inspect your own vehicle?
• Like you were saying, from the vehicle I drive to the vehicle he drives, very different.
• Can't drive it? What happens if something raises a flag? Mr.
• It's a 2015 and it drives great. I just had to take it in and have some work done on it.

Transcript Highlights:

• A person's driver's license, driving permit, or nonresident driving privilege is suspended for 60 days
• driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days.
• If somebody is in that moment where they decide they’re going to drive around, drive on a roadway that
• It’s not just driving around barriers.
• As Representative Obras mentioned, if an individual is driving around in a car, if an individual is driving

Bills: HB2165 , HB2173 , HB2203 , HB2293

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: peace officer, false identification, law enforcement, criminal penalties, public safety, face coverings, regulations, civil rights, emergency operations, reckless interference, offense, foreign entities, training, national security

Transcript Highlights:

• I am held accountable to drive those core values.
• They are either getting their learner's permit or taking their first driving test.
• lot to do an actual drive test and pre-trip inspection.
• , driving skills testing, and then come back to have their licenses issued.
• experience as a whole, from the drive test to the written test to everything.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of them who have driven, and when these truck drivers, when they drive, they don't just drive like
• I mean, they're driving millions of miles. Right.
• And I happen to drive a car that does self-driving.
• Self-driving trucks pass, which we don't really want.
• self-driving trucks could be coming on the road.

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• And Trump's ill-considered war is driving gas costs up with no relief in sight.
• And Trump's ill-considered<00:02:13.120><c> war</c><00:02:13.560><c> is</c><00:02:13.760><c> driving<
• And this would demonstrate effectiveness and drive confidence in the system.
• and when frequency increases, it drives and improves<00:03:33.600><c> ridership.
• </c> and drive confidence in the system. and drive confidence in the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a determination based on how fast people are driving.
• More jobs driving across the board, all different types of vehicles.
• Well, Americans drive like four trillion miles a year.”
• “Americans drive like four trillion miles a year.
• The data on the safety should drive this.

Committee: House Transportation

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on traffic safety, climate resilience, wildlife crossings, parking enforcement, and EV charging reliability. AB 605 would create a pilot program for lower-emissions cargo-handling equipment at ports using hydrogen internal combustion technology; it drew support from the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, ILWU, and others, with South Coast AQMD expressing concern about possible NOx emissions and limits on future regulation. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Natural Resources. AB 1132 would require Caltrans to add community resilience indicators, including impacts on vulnerable users, to climate vulnerability assessments; supporters included Greenlining Institute and AARP, while some members raised budget concerns. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 382 would lower school-zone speed limits to 20 mph starting in 2029 and allow more flexible enforcement methods; it received broad support and passed to Appropriations. AB 902 would require wildlife crossings and connectivity considerations in transportation projects in identified connectivity areas; after committee amendments, opposition from builders and local government groups moved to neutral, and the bill passed as amended to Local Government. The committee also advanced AB 1014, which would give Caltrans more discretion to lower speed limits on state highways based on local safety conditions rather than the 85th percentile rule. Supporters said it would improve safety in rural and tribal communities, while one member asked about federal funding and NHTSA; the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1022 would repeal authority to tow or immobilize vehicles solely for unpaid parking tickets, while preserving other safety-based towing authority; supporters described the practice as a harmful “poverty tow,” and opponents argued it would weaken parking enforcement, especially for out-of-state plates and booting. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024 and allow enforcement of uptime rules; EV charging industry groups opposed the retroactive approach, while supporters emphasized taxpayer accountability. It passed to Utilities and Energy. The committee also approved a consent calendar of five bills earlier in the hearing. Multiple roll calls were held open for additional votes, and the chair recessed the committee near the end of the meeting to allow the final author to arrive and complete the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:30.279><c> and</c> you figure distracted driving and you figure distracted driving and frankly
• </c> somebody who is aging out of driving somebody who is aging out of driving there's<00:32:46.639><
• </c><00:34:23.200><c> triaa</c> financially unable to drive triaa financially unable to drive triaa estimates
• </c> very helpful for people who don't drive very helpful for people who don't drive and<00:40:53.240
• We don’t do very much for people who don’t drive a car.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• step towards changing driving culture in New Mexico.
• We must equip them now to drive smarter and to live more respectfully.
• My children started driving at a very early age as well.
• My children started driving at a very early age as well.
• Would have to drive on any given day.

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• and driving employment.
• They didn't feel comfortable driving, having to maybe cross through that.
• So again, we saw shuddering. and the people... more difficult drive.
• And you don't want to just drive by and miss them.
• And you don't want to just drive by and miss them.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...specifically that one on Southwest Drive.
• And my final question, semi-related... ...talk to us about self-driving cars.
• They drive themselves.
• And my final question, semi-related, talk to us about self-driving cars.
• They drive themselves.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Highway Commission Review and Advisory Subcommittee received a quarterly update from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley on major highway projects, federal funding, land conveyances, and agency safety outreach. Members asked about the status of numerous projects, including Jonesboro area work, the Townsend Avenue project in Fort Smith, the I-40/Highway 59 interchange in Van Buren, the I-55 bridge replacement at Memphis, the I-40/I-55 interchange congestion near Memphis, the Mountain Home Bypass, and other local road and drainage concerns. Wiley said most large projects are progressing well, though some are delayed by utilities, change orders, or sharply rising costs; he noted the Townsend Avenue project is being paused because costs grew from an estimated $12–15 million to more than $60 million, with funding to be redirected to other area projects. He also said the I-55 bridge project is about 60% designed and could begin construction in 2027, and that the Van Buren interchange should be completed before year’s end. The committee also reviewed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding report and quarterly land conveyances. Wiley explained that the federal project list reflects state oversight on some jobs, that federal aid agreements must be submitted before expenditures, and that ARDOT uses biennial appropriations to front project costs and seek reimbursement. On land conveyances, he described three surplus-property transactions: a drainage easement near I-40 sold back to a landowner, a Paragould Bypass-related tract sold after it became landlocked, and a small Highway 112 parcel in northwest Arkansas sold back for development after plans changed. Wiley then highlighted ARDOT outreach and safety efforts, including the Street Smart education program for middle and high school students, with online lesson plans, videos, quizzes, and materials available through StreetSmartAR.org. He also discussed the agency’s litter campaign, saying ARDOT collected 14,000 bags of trash in one day this year, has issued warnings and citations for unsecured loads, and spent nearly $11 million on litter cleanup last year. He reported that all ARDOT staff have completed human trafficking awareness training, and he described ongoing campaigns on work zone safety, “Slow Down, Phone Down,” move-over awareness, and a new podcast to answer public questions. The meeting ended with thanks to the director and a note that the committee may not meet again until November unless needed sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to drive almost an hour and 45 minutes to hopefully get in.
• I have to try to drive an hour and 45 minutes. It's $12. My vehicle's fine.
• I had to drive two hours because that's where our shop is to go get them fixed.
• I had to drive two hours because that's where our shop is to go get them fixed.
• We have to drive an exuberant amount to get one.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then while I was driving from location two to three, guess what almost happened to me?
• I have to drive almost an hour and 45 minutes to hopefully get in.'
• I have to try to drive an hour and 45 minutes. It's $12. My vehicle's fine.'
• I had to drive two hours because that's where our shop is to go get them fixed.
• We have to drive an exuberant amount to get one.

Summary: The House first established a quorum, then took up a package of House Committee Substitutes for House Bills 1838, 1692, 1695, 1983, 2036, 2662, and 2743. The bills were described as eliminating mandatory vehicle safety inspections in Missouri, with supporters arguing the inspections are outdated, costly, inconvenient, and not clearly linked to fewer crashes or fatalities. They cited studies and examples from other states, and several members emphasized the burden on rural drivers and mechanics. Opponents argued inspections help catch tire, brake, and other equipment problems, and warned that removing them could increase risks to children, highway workers, and other motorists. Members debated specific provisions in the merged bill, including exemptions and requirements for street rods, custom vehicles, agricultural vehicles, interstate commerce vehicles, and vehicles involved in accidents or salvage situations. An amendment was offered to correct a drafting error involving commercial vehicles and was adopted. The sponsor repeatedly clarified that the bill would not make inspections illegal, only remove the state mandate, while opponents questioned the studies cited and raised concerns about fatality impacts and unsafe vehicles. The House then adopted the committee substitute as amended and perfected and printed the bill package. After the bill action, members made announcements, including a birthday recognition and committee meeting notices. The House was then adjourned until February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• He could be driving without a plate at all.
• I just don't think people want to drive around without a plate on.
• had people coming and saying, hey, I wasn't driving.
• I think it's distracted driving, but it's not all distracted driving as cell phones.
• Thank you, and thank you for driving down.

Committees: House Transportation , House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates a gap where victims of drunk driving crashes may have little to no recourse, even when this
• It creates a gap where victims of drunk driving crashes or property damage may have little to no recourse
• She was in her own lane, driving under the speed limit, with her seatbelt on, and 100% sober.
• So drunk driving is a choice. It's completely avoidable 100% of the time.
• And all this is to help drive recruitment.

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, please don't text and drive. Senator Kuby. Mr. Chairman, I'm one of those who don't do that.
• I'm not, while driving, but just having that in the car, that's streaming technically.
• So I see people driving with AirPods all the time, which I think should be illegal.
• I see people driving all over the place with them, both ears, not just...
• Driving all over the place with them. Both ears, not just one. Mr.

Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from February 18, February 20, and March 4, 2026, then took up several measures while holding others in reserve. House Bill 2006, which would require counties without a USPS processing and distribution center to mail printed sample ballots 14 days before an election instead of 11, received support from the Association of Counties and passed on a 7-0 vote. House Bill 2167, which would impose liability on the Attorney General for certain public nuisance or consumer fraud actions that are dismissed or found meritless, drew opposition from some members who said it would interfere with the AG’s work, but it passed 4-3. The committee also discussed House Bill 2109, a hands-free driving bill that would increase penalties and expand the prohibition to watching or streaming video on a device; after extensive testimony and concerns about vagueness, dash cameras, CarPlay, navigation, and other in-car systems, the chair held the bill without prejudice for stakeholder discussions. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 2016, which would send to voters a proposal to eliminate county vote centers and on-site early voting and require precinct-based polling places with a 2,500-voter cap per precinct. Testimony from voting rights groups, county officials, and rural and tribal representatives strongly opposed the measure, citing higher costs, more provisional ballots, longer lines, delayed results, and reduced access for voters in rural areas and on the Navajo Nation. County representatives asked for a delayed effective date, funding, a higher precinct cap, and a fallback option if precinct sites cannot be secured. After hearing the testimony, the chair announced the resolution would be held without prejudice until the following week to allow further stakeholder discussions with the sponsor.

Transcript Highlights:

• a motorcycle or driving a car on a public roadway.
• We're driving through areas. I don't want to go 45 miles an hour.
• And I can speak on my personal experience, driving in my personal vehicle and then also driving in my
• And I can speak on my personal experience, driving in my personal vehicle, and then also driving in my
• office-issued vehicle. personal vehicle, and then also driving in my office-issued vehicle.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum and considered five bills. Senate Bill 628, naming a portion of South Navy Boulevard in Pensacola as Warrior Sacrifice Way to honor three Navy sailors killed in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola attack, drew supportive remarks from senators and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 382 addressed electric bicycles and scooters by requiring riders to yield to pedestrians, limit speed near pedestrians, and use audible signals, while creating an e-bike safety task force and reporting requirements; witnesses from law enforcement, local government, and school boards supported the bill but urged clearer inclusion of e-scooters and better data collection, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 880 created a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate to fund scholarships and school programs, and Senate Bill 696 authorized online trademark registration applications and updated trademark classification and verification procedures; both were reported favorably with little opposition. The committee also took up Chair DeSigley’s CS for SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement cameras for red-light running, school-zone speeding, and school-bus violations. The bill aimed to increase consistency, transparency, and fairness by limiting data use, requiring records retention, authorizing virtual hearings, restricting commissions, and adding school board approval and reporting requirements for school-bus camera programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify several provisions, including the definition of careful and prudent driving, limits on camera data use, contract timing for commission prohibitions, and reporting on violations outside authorized enforcement periods. Members raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, school-zone notice, and whether all-day school-zone enforcement should continue; Hillsborough County law enforcement testified in support of all-day enforcement based on crash data, while the sponsor said he would continue working on clarifications. After debate, the amended bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Cooper introduced this bill with the idea that supervised driving time would allow for
• So where is the current statute of the driving time?
• I think that while we do need to encourage, you know, driving school and making sure that before people
• Behind-the-wheel driving, you know, you want your children to be very well prepared.
• Behind-the-wheel driving, you know, you want your children to be very well prepared.

Summary: The caucus reviewed several bills and Senate or conference committee amendments, with members generally noting whether the sponsor intended to concur. HB 2749 would let courts enter a Class 1 misdemeanor conviction for certain lower-level felony convictions, with the Senate amendment requiring at least five years since completion of sentence before eligibility. HB 2082 would create a childhood cancer and rare childhood disease research commission and adjust funding rules, including a five-million-dollar threshold tied to appropriations or federal grants. HB 2096 would allow counties to seek WIFA assistance for cesspool remediation, with the Senate adding an alternative compliance path using ADEQ’s nonpoint source management plan. HB 4001 would regulate alternative nicotine products through the Department of Liquor Licensing and Control; members discussed whether some tobacco-related products remain outside the bill, tribal enforcement limits, and the absence of a tax provision. The presenter said the AG and governor support the bill. The caucus then shifted to conference committee bills. HB 2003 would lower the learner’s permit age from 15.5 to 15 and increase supervised driving time, but several members raised safety concerns and questioned whether the change was needed; the conference amendment would let current instruction permit holders qualify for a license after six months, while still requiring age 16 for licensure. HB 2133 would impose content-verification requirements for commercial websites publishing sexual material, with conference changes exempting pre-effective-date motion pictures and television programming. Members noted the Motion Picture Association still had concerns, though the changes addressed some retroactivity issues. HB 2874 would change campaign finance penalty rules, including a five-day publication requirement for committees owing late-filing penalties, a $5,000 cap on penalties per late report, and retroactive relief for certain inactive committees that filed no-contribution/no-expenditure reports and later terminated; one member said they still had not received the outstanding fee totals requested on the floor. HB 2010 would regulate digital goods sellers and refunds for revoked access to licensed digital content; the conference version kept a five-year refund structure but changed the refund amount to 20% per year, clarified refund procedures, and removed the refund requirement if alternative access is provided. The caucus took no votes in the transcript and ended after the bill presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether you're driving to North Dakota, whether you're driving to South Dakota, whether you're driving
• Whether you're driving to celebration.
• ><c> you're</c><00:01:23.040><c> driving</c><00:01:23.320><c> to</c> North Dakota, whether you're driving
• you're driving to South Dakota, whether you're driving to Iowa,<00:01:26.080><c> whether</c><00:01:26.240
• ><c> you're</c><00:01:26.320><c> driving</c><00:01:26.600><c> to</c> Iowa, whether you're driving to