Transcript Highlights:

• network, defined its mission, or authorized it to operate as a domestic intelligence collection mechanism
• So we turned to this as a mechanism.
• And just recently, we've gotten a lot of stakeholder feedback and comments on this.
• Caltrans is also ...currently awaiting feedback from the cities of Pasadena and South Pasadena regarding
• have been communicating and working very closely on this issue because we have received so much feedback

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because it initially lacked a quorum, heard a status update from State Auditor Grant Parks, and reviewed several new audit requests. Parks reported that 10 previously requested audits were underway, with most expected to be released in spring/summer and one pesticide audit still pending; he also noted ongoing litigation with Huntington Beach over a 2024 audit. He said the office had grown to just over 200 employees and could start about five new JALAC audits between April and July. The committee also noted that one Prop. 28 request was being held and one PUC-related request was moved off consent to the regular calendar. Senator Cervantes presented an audit request on California fusion centers, arguing they operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and store sensitive information without adequate transparency or safeguards. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and ACLU California Action, said fusion centers function as secretive intelligence-sharing hubs that can produce inaccurate or biased reports and may undermine privacy and civil liberties. Parks said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, unauthorized disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while warning of likely access and public-disclosure limitations. The request drew sharp opposition from Assembly Member DeMaio, who called it a politicized “witch hunt,” but public comment included support from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Senator Allen then presented an audit of the Public Utilities Commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. He and witnesses said utilities have repeatedly missed deadlines, causing long delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, and other customers; CPUC staff responded that the commission adopted timelines and compliance benchmarks in 2020, publishes quarterly data, and is already pursuing the issue through workshops and an open proceeding. Parks said the audit would assess CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and reasons for utility noncompliance. Public comment was mixed, with solar advocates supporting the request and PG&E objecting on process grounds and arguing the commission’s ongoing proceeding should address the issue. Senator Perez, with Senator Fong, requested an audit of Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 corridor property sales and affordable housing program. They described tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing and eligibility information, and possible failures to inform residents of purchase rights; Caltrans said it is working to complete sales and has already closed 59 properties since fiscal year 2024-25. Parks said the audit would examine compliance with the Roberti Act, pricing, appraisals, communications, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior recommendations. Finally, Senator Umberg requested an audit of the Orange County Board of Education, citing transparency, litigation spending, charter authorization, procurement, and whistleblower concerns; after quorum was established, Parks said the audit would review Brown Act and Public Records Act compliance, public resource use, contracting, litigation costs, charter oversight, and retaliation complaints.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really just the design of the program and the nature of the financing mechanism.
• With that, I would encourage this Saving mechanism as well for Arizona.
• Chairman. saving mechanism as well for Arizona.
• We rely largely on the information that we receive, the feedback, the ASU report, and what I will say
• We rely largely on the information that we receive, the feedback, the ASU report, and what I will say

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we have any insurance experts, I'll gladly take your feedback. Happy to take any questions.
• If we have any insurance experts, I'll gladly take your feedback. Well, you're in the right room.
• That said, the funding mechanism is unfortunate because...
• That said, the funding mechanism is unfortunate because we continue to look at insurance policies as
• Since 2010... that said, the funding mechanism is unfortunate because we continue to look at insurance

Bills: S2732, S2738, S2739

Keywords: healthcare, direct primary care, insurance, referrals, network providers, payment denial, insurance costs, manufactured homes, homeowners insurance, affordability, state regulations, insurance market, consumer protection, mobile homes, firefighting, water supply, cistern program, rural areas, urban interface, state funding

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on late-filed matters, with testimony focused mainly on two Senate bills: S. 2738, which would create a special commission to study rising insurance costs for manufactured and mobile home residents, and S. 2739, which would establish a program or fund to help communities install and maintain fire cisterns. Senator Kelly Duner and Representative Lisa Field, along with Taunton officials and residents, described sharp premium increases, limited insurer participation, confusing coverage practices, and the impact on seniors, veterans, and low-income homeowners in manufactured housing communities. Several speakers urged the commission to include residents directly and to produce recommendations for more affordable, transparent, and adequate coverage. Local officials from Taunton, Carver, and other communities echoed those concerns, saying many residents face few options, actual cash value policies, and premiums that can exceed $4,000 annually. On the fire cistern bill, fire chiefs from Hopkinton and East Hampton testified that many communities lack municipal water or hydrants and need year-round dedicated water sources to fight structure fires, brush fires, and newer hazards such as lithium-ion battery fires. They said cisterns improve response times, reduce damage, and can help with insurance ratings, but maintenance and funding are often inadequate. A representative of the Massachusetts Insurance Federation supported the concept of helping fire services but objected to funding the program through insurance policy assessments, arguing that such surcharges drive up premiums and should instead be paid from the general fund. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2732, a direct primary care bill filed by Senator Michael Moore. Physicians and medical association representatives said the bill would let direct primary care doctors make referrals for HMO patients and dispense medications directly from their offices. They argued this would reduce delays, improve continuity of care, lower prescription costs, and help patients with transportation or access barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives us standing as a state to pursue these funds, but we do not have a mechanism to literally count
• It gives us standing as a state to pursue these funds, but we do not have a mechanism to literally calculate
• I've had 10 years I've been working on this, so I get all sorts of feedback.
• There's a statute out there that basically enables us to do that, but we don't have the mechanism to
• Then obviously that program is no longer in existence, or whatever mechanism doesn't exist.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee held an open hearing on House Bill 3006, which would create a state coordinator position to identify and recover federal funds that were appropriated for Missouri but never disbursed. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at broadband-related funding shortfalls and other missed federal allocations, arguing the state should have a mechanism to pursue money that should have reached Missouri. Members asked about the fiscal note, the coordinator’s authority, whether lawsuits would go through the Attorney General, and whether the bill would cover pass-through funds to local governments or individuals; the sponsor said it was intended to focus on funds owed to the state itself, not misused or pass-through money. No one testified in opposition, and the hearing was closed without a vote on HB 3006. The committee then moved into executive session and took up several bills. House Bill 2288 was voted do pass but failed on a roll call vote, 5 ayes and 7 noes. House Bill 3000 was voted do pass unanimously, 12 ayes and 0 noes. For House Bill 311.13, the committee first adopted a substitute that added a public-building definition and made a grammatical change, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by 11 ayes and 1 no.

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives us standing as a state to pursue these funds, but we do not have a mechanism to literally count
• It gives us standing as a state to pursue these funds, but we do not have a mechanism to literally calculate
• It's been 10 years I've been working on this, so I get all sorts of feedback.
• There's a statute out there that basically enables us to do that, but we don't have the mechanism to
• Then obviously that program is no longer in existence, or whatever mechanism doesn't exist.

Summary: The committee held an open hearing on House Bill 3006, which would create a state coordinator position to identify and recover federal funds appropriated to Missouri but never disbursed. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at broadband and other federal programs that failed to deliver promised money, arguing the state should have a mechanism to pursue those funds and that the expected recoveries would far exceed the cost of the new position. Members asked about the coordinator’s authority, the role of the Attorney General, and whether the bill would apply to pass-through funds or individual claims; the sponsor said it was intended for funds owed to the state, not for local or individual pass-through disputes. No testimony in favor or opposition was recorded, and the hearing concluded without a vote on HB 3006. The committee then moved into executive session and took up several bills. House Bill 2288 was brought up for a do pass vote and failed on a roll call vote of 5 ayes and 7 noes. House Bill 3000 was then considered and passed unanimously, 12 ayes and 0 noes. The committee next considered House Bill 313. A substitute was adopted after a brief explanation that it added a definition of “public building” used elsewhere in the chapter and made a grammatical change. The House Committee Substitute for HB 313 then received a do pass recommendation by a vote of 11 ayes and 1 no, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, this is going to provide a mechanism for that to go to the Attorney General.
• So they thought that was the feedback I got from other rural members. For what it’s worth... Mr.
• And so this will create a certificate of elevator mechanics under the Board of Technical Registration
• The committee that is created allows elevator mechanics and related people to self-review.
• They’re just going to certify who has qualified as an elevator mechanic. The bottom line, Mr.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1167, which would allow municipalities and counties to satisfy certain public-notice requirements by posting advertisements, publications, and printings on their official websites. The sponsor argued the bill is permissive, intended to modernize notice practices, reduce costs, and help governments meet statutory deadlines, while a Blackmun amendment required a six-month transition period in which notices would still be published in newspapers and the public would be alerted to the change. Newspaper and media representatives, along with tribal and rural community advocates, opposed the bill, arguing that print notices remain important for transparency, historical recordkeeping, and access in areas with limited internet service. Supporters from county and local government said newspaper publication schedules have become unreliable and that websites are a more effective way to reach the public. The committee adopted the Blackmun amendment and then passed SB 1167 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1021, as amended by a strike-everything that would require the Auditor General to refer evidence of possible criminal activity involving health profession regulatory boards to the Attorney General, with procedures for investigation and conflict-of-interest handling. The sponsor and amendment sponsor said the measure would create a mechanism for criminal findings in audit work to be acted on. With no opposition testimony, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1021 as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next was SB 1011, which would require county medical examiners or forensic pathologists to review an infant’s immunization and vaccination history, along with any countermeasures administered in the prior 90 days, in sudden unexplained infant death cases. The sponsor said the bill was a data-collection measure meant to improve accuracy, transparency, and prevention efforts. Opponents, including vaccine advocacy and disability representatives, said Arizona already collects this information, that unsafe sleep is the primary issue in most SIDS cases, and that the bill could fuel misinformation about vaccines. The committee passed SB 1011 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard SB 1013, a merit-based public employment bill that would prohibit hiring based on conditions other than merit. Supporters said it would ensure public employees are selected by qualifications and objective criteria; opponents argued existing law already bars discrimination and that the bill could create litigation risks and hinder outreach to underrepresented communities. The committee passed SB 1013 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 1015 and a strike-everything amendment that would replace the bill’s original detransition-liability language with the Arizona Thriving Families Act, creating a family and medical leave insurance program within Medicaid beginning in 2029. The original bill sponsor defended the underlying detransition-related liability concept as accountability and support for detransitioners, while opponents said it would function as a discriminatory backdoor ban on transition care for minors. The transcript ends during debate and explanation of the strike-everything amendment, before a final vote on SB 1015 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll say, we have to get parents' feedback. And it's not just about parent controls.
• And in terms of how we get parents' feedback, we do it a number of ways.
• And they all had different views on what the feedback was and what was age-appropriate.
• We took in that feedback. We implemented that feedback. We've also different.
• We took in that feedback. We implemented that feedback.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii psych association has no mechanism to represent school psychologists and have been adversarial
• Hawaii psych association has no mechanism to represent school psychologists and have been adversarial
• Because one of the things that feedback.
• One of the and provide that feedback.
• </c> and all of our staff um to get feedback and all of our staff um to get feedback was<01:57:33.679

Bills: SB2024, SB896, SB2613, SB494, SB2391, SB2125, SB2614, SB2615, SB3262, SB3325, SB3118

Keywords: charter schools, public-private partnership, school facilities, education funding, community need, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like to see a mechanism where we get there faster, because not only are we ...to see a mechanism
• I think there has got to be some mechanism in place to ensure that, if implemented, it is actually working
• assessment, for which I'm assuming it probably will, If it does move forward, there should be a mechanism
• That way the Legislature can have some feedback on it so that when 2037 does come around, the Legislature
• agency, but not give them total autonomy, and instead have them come back to the Legislature for feedback

Summary: The Senate Government Organization Committee met without a quorum at first, then later established one and took up a series of bills, many focused on regulatory oversight, state symbols, food insecurity, immigration enforcement, and ethnic media funding. SB 885 by Senator Strickland proposed requiring legislative approval for major regulations with an estimated economic impact over $50 million; supporters argued it would restore accountability and help address affordability, while labor and environmental opponents warned it would delay important health and safety rules. After discussion of committee amendments and concerns about timing, the bill was moved out on a due-pass motion, with the roll held open for absent members. The committee also heard SB 986, a similar regulatory oversight bill by Senator Saryato, which accepted committee amendments and advanced after supporters emphasized separation of powers and opponents raised delay concerns. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado created an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across departments; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight guardrails, and the bill was moved forward with the roll held open. The committee then heard several symbolic designation bills. SB 1214 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly; supporters highlighted the species’ ecological importance and conservation value, and the bill advanced as amended. SB 1178 by Senator Reyes would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp; testimony emphasized its role in pest control and agriculture, and it also moved forward as amended. SB 1286 by Senator Richardson would designate the California sea lion as the official state pinniped; the author and Marine Mammal Care Center described sea lions as a conservation success story and a sentinel species, and the bill passed out of committee as amended. The committee also considered SB 1171 by Senator Caballero, which would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants. Supporters framed it as a response to harmful ICE enforcement practices, while opponents warned it could sweep in providers of essential services such as food, medical care, and legal research for detainees and could invite retaliation against California funding. The bill was approved on a 7-3 vote, with the roll held open. Finally, SB 1358 by Senator Rubio, the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act, would create a database and contracting framework to direct more state advertising and outreach funds to ethnic and community media; supporters said it would improve reach, trust, and effectiveness in underserved communities, and the bill advanced on a strong vote with the roll held open. The committee also took up the consent calendar after quorum was established, and several items were held open for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like to see a mechanism where we get there faster, because not only are we ...to see a mechanism
• And I think that there has got to be some mechanism in place to ensure that this, if implemented, is
• But if it does move forward, there should be a mechanism in which they come back to the Legislature and
• And so the Legislature can have some feedback on it so that when 2037 does come around, the Legislature
• We always like to get good constructive feedback.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• network, defined its mission, or authorized it to operate as a domestic intelligence collection mechanism
• So we turned to this as a mechanism.
• And so we've gotten a lot of stakeholder feedback and comments on this, on that we call it an OIR, or
• Caltrans is also currently awaiting feedback from the cities of Pasadena and South Pasadena regarding
• have been communicating and working very closely on this issue because we have received so much feedback

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because it initially lacked a quorum, then later established one and began taking votes. The state auditor gave a status update on ongoing audits, including several JALAC-requested audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth in his office, and the number of new JALAC audits his office could start in the coming months. The committee also heard that one audit request on Prop. 28 was held, and another PUC-related request was moved off consent and heard on the regular calendar. Members then heard and discussed several audit requests. Senator Cervantes presented a request to audit California fusion centers, with witnesses from the FBI and ACLU supporting the need for transparency and oversight; opponents argued the request was politically motivated and could interfere with counterterrorism work. Senator Allen presented a request on CPUC enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for solar and storage projects, supported by industry and school representatives who described long delays and financial harm, while CPUC staff said the issue was being addressed through workshops and a formal proceeding. Senator Perez presented a request to audit Caltrans’ administration of the former SR 710 extension properties and affordable sales program, citing tenant complaints about maintenance, pricing, and transparency; Caltrans said it was working to complete sales and improve administration. Senator Umberg presented a request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that existing legal remedies had not been invoked. After quorum was established, the committee approved the consent-calendar DMV license revocation audit and then approved the PUC utility timeliness audit and the Caltrans SR 710 audit. The fusion center audit was left on call after a split vote, and the Orange County Board of Education audit continued with testimony from the board’s representatives after the committee had already moved on to other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• network, defined its mission, or authorized it to operate as a domestic intelligence collection mechanism
• So we turned to this as a mechanism.
• And so we've gotten a lot of stakeholder feedback and comments on this, on that we call it an OIR, or
• Caltrans is also currently awaiting feedback from the cities of Pasadena and South Pasadena regarding
• have been communicating and working very closely on this issue because we have received so much feedback

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is more of a mechanism.
• Do we have any feedback from the U of A on this one? I'm meeting with U of A people next week.
• natural resources so with that nobody signed in no let's go ahead yes absolutely do we have any feedback
• from the U of A on this one absolutely do we have any feedback from the you of a on this one I'm meeting
• that nothing in this act requires the Corporation Commission to adopt any particular adjustment mechanism

Bills: HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Transcript Highlights:

• able to take different fees management fees etc our chief investment officer sent to me and his feedback
• The only enforcement mechanism here, if they had a private right of action in this bill, I would have
• For those of you that aren't familiar with GPLET, what GPLET essentially is, is a mechanism where cities
• Once you have taken it off the rolls, there is no mechanism...
• Once you have taken it off the rolls, there is no mechanism, at least in the eyes of the cities, for

Summary: The committee approved the February 2, 2026 minutes and held Senate Bill 1090. It then took up SB 1503, which would require pension fiduciaries and proxy advisory firms to base voting and advice solely on economic interests, prohibit ESG or ideological considerations except in limited circumstances, and authorize attorney general enforcement. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect investors and align with federal action; supporters argued proxy advisors lack transparency and can influence votes against shareholders’ financial interests. Arizona retirement system representatives said they were neutral but warned the bill would add major operational costs, create reporting burdens, increase litigation risk, and could narrow the market for proxy advisory services. The committee passed SB 1503 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1293, which would bar GPLET abatements from applying to school-district revenue during the eight-year abatement period. Supporters said the bill would protect school funding and reduce the state aid backfill tied to GPLET projects, while opponents from Phoenix, Mesa, and economic development groups said GPLET is a key redevelopment tool that helps finance downtown and blighted-area projects and that the bill would weaken future investment. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1293 on a 4-3 vote. It also heard and passed SB 1414, which gives insurers 30 days to review and respond to third-party settlement demands; insurers supported the bill as a reasonable commercial timeframe, while trial lawyers opposed it as too slow and urged a 15-day standard, with members indicating they expected a possible friendly amendment. Next, the committee heard SB 1633, which would create an Arizona income tax subtraction for capital gains from the sale of a primary residence, after five years of occupancy. Opponents argued it would mainly benefit wealthy homeowners and could cost the state tens of millions annually, while the sponsor said it could help homeowners move without facing large tax bills and improve housing turnover. The committee passed the bill 4-2. It also adopted an amendment to SB 1429, which would have expanded Arizona Commerce Authority board ex officio membership, then held the bill for further consideration. Finally, the committee passed SB 1536, allowing temporary consolidation of street light improvement districts, and heard SB 1724, which clarifies when property splits or consolidations trigger limited property value recalculation, with county assessors supporting the measure as an anti-gaming reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are working with an evaluator To measure and provide feedback on the key components of this model
• We work together collaboratively to take in the feedback that we're getting or the questions that we
• have, to then make sure that our Panorama partners have the same feedback that we're getting.
• For teachers, coaching has led to clearer feedback cycles... better use of high quality.
• By tying together the PLCs, the observation, and feedback, we're able to ensure that we're improving

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I then take all that information and feedback, and we talk about it pretty much at every meeting until
• So we haven't received, we didn't receive a lot of feedback about either the estimated notice or the
• Senator Rommel, you pointed out an addendum, if you will, or a different mechanism.
• Or a different mechanism.
• And just looking at what type of safety mechanism.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts. The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• feedback feedback and<01:05:26.720><c> input</c><01:05:27.160><c> or</c><01:05:27.280><c> guidance</
• So that's our feedback. Uh, Mr. Chairman, I'm happy to stand for any questions. Thank you, Mr.
• So<01:10:20.640><c> that's</c><01:10:20.920><c> our</c><01:10:21.080><c> feedback.
• </c><01:10:22.080><c> Chairman,</c> So that's our feedback. Uh Mr.
• Chairman, So that's our feedback. Uh Mr.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Safety and Security Conference Committee met on May 13, 2026, with a quorum present and no immediate vote taken. Chairs explained the committee was working ahead of a possible target so it could act quickly later if needed, then proceeded with member introductions and a reminder about committee decorum. Staff noted a microphone delay and said the meeting would include a side-by-side walk-through of the House and Senate policy language and a review of the fiscal spreadsheet. Fiscal staff summarized major differences in court, public safety, and legislative security funding. The House and Senate proposals differed on safety and security funding for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts, as well as on courthouse grants, capital security enhancements, and a new legislative/protective services unit. Staff also reviewed Senate-only and House-only items, including a Senate proposal to require removal of insignia from public safety vehicles sold to the public, and House provisions for a security services task force and member security costs. Total general fund impacts were reviewed, with the House total corrected to include an open appropriation that had been omitted from the spreadsheet totals. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the policy differences. The Senate language focused on a Protective Services Unit and security for principal state officials, while the House language focused on a Legislative Services Unit and security for legislators. Both bills included provisions on Capitol Complex Security, reporting requirements, and reimbursement arrangements with local law enforcement, but differed on details such as whether elected officials must provide contact information to DPS and how requests for personal protective services are handled. The House-only amendment A8 was presented for discussion; it would revise emergency contact provisions, replace the House’s personal protective services request language with a more detailed threat assessment and mitigation framework, direct implementation of the new unit, and make related reimbursement and technical changes. Judge Richard Kyle, president of the Minnesota District Judges Association, testified in support of stronger judicial and court safety measures. He described rising threats against judges, citing survey results showing high rates of judges limiting personal information, receiving inappropriate communications, changing personal behavior, and experiencing threats to themselves and family members. He said the association supports legislative authorization and funding for home security and personal data protections for judicial officers, and emphasized that safety concerns for judges and court staff have become more serious in recent years.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I would just like to provide that feedback.
• Conservatorship is a legal mechanism that significantly limits individual rights and choices.
• The director noted that the department is collecting more stakeholder feedback on desires for the project
• This is in addition to feedback that had been collected previously and is already documented with the
• You asked as a provider, I want to give you some feedback.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held a hearing on developmental services, rehabilitation, and related supports, with no votes taken. The first major topic was the Master Plan for Developmental Services. Administration officials described a year-long, community-driven process that included a steering committee, work groups, and statewide engagement sessions, and said the final draft would be released that Friday with about 170 recommendations. The Department of Developmental Services said the plan would inform future work, but did not offer a detailed implementation roadmap. The LAO said the plan contains significant policy and budget implications, may require statutory changes, and needs further analysis to turn recommendations into actionable proposals. Advocates and regional center representatives urged the Legislature and administration to avoid letting the plan sit on a shelf, called for prioritization and ongoing stakeholder oversight, and emphasized the need to address equity, workforce, service coordination, and cross-system collaboration. The chair said he wanted to work with the LAO on trailer bill language and future reporting to create a clearer path forward. The second topic was the Office of Employment First and competitive integrated employment. Administration witnesses said California has ended subminimum wage under SB 639, but that moving people into competitive integrated employment remains a major priority. They described existing efforts such as DDS’s coordinated career pathways pilot, paid internships, job development services, benefits counseling, and DOR’s career counseling and referral services, along with pilot projects in San Diego and Orange County. The State Council on Developmental Disabilities and advocates argued that employment outcomes have remained stuck at roughly 15% and that a dedicated Employment First Office is needed to coordinate across agencies, align goals, and improve outcomes. The LAO recommended regular legislative oversight on people transitioning out of subminimum wage and asked for technical assistance on coordinated career pathways. The chair criticized the administration’s decision to effectively eliminate funding for the office, requested a detailed implementation timeline and quarterly transition reports, and said the committee would continue pressing for the office to be implemented. The final issue was respite services, utilization trends, and access. DDS reported that in-home respite use and spending have risen sharply over several years, with about 150,000 people using respite in 2023-24 and expenditures reaching about $1 billion. Officials said access depends on families knowing the service exists, service coordinators identifying need, and having enough providers, especially in rural and linguistically diverse communities. The San Diego Regional Center said utilization generally mirrors statewide trends, but access is stronger in some areas, such as Imperial County, where families often prefer family-directed or agency-supported models that allow them to hire trusted workers. Committee members emphasized the importance of respite for family health and caregiver well-being, asked whether service coordinators are asking practical questions about sleep and stress, and discussed the need for better identification of complex behavioral and medical needs. DDS said a standardized family support tool and updated IPP process are intended to improve consistency, transparency, and person-centered assessment for respite and related services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so when you add another mechanism to put real money in people's pockets...
• When you add another mechanism to put real money in people's pockets, this is real money, when they're
• So the deliberate intent to incorporate feedback and input from the workforce, from the providers, the
• So if you'd like more detailed feedback, you can go ahead and take a look at that.
• So if you'd like more detailed feedback, you can go ahead and take a look at that.

Bills: SB204, SB241, HB34

Keywords: higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, we heard the feedback from the cities and counties once the bill stalled in the House last
• That's the feedback I got, which is unfortunate, because it's not mandatory.
• I don't know if they have a position on that mechanic of it. Yeah.
• I don't know if they have a position on that mechanic of it. Yeah.
• the Feedback that we heard from stakeholders on adjusting the design of the loans so that they can be

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 6054, Senator Hunt’s bill to prohibit common-interest community rules from blocking wildfire home-hardening materials, staff explained that HOA and condominium governing documents could still impose reasonable aesthetic rules, but not ones that make fire-resistant materials infeasible or more than 10% costlier. The sponsor described the bill as a response to HOA requirements for less fire-resistant roofs. Testifiers generally supported the goal but objected to the 10% cost cap, saying it could limit community-specific design choices and create unintended conflicts with aesthetic standards. The committee also heard SB 601 on scissor stairs in the building code. The sponsor and supporters from Futurewise, architects, and housing advocates said scissor stairs could make mid-rise and high-rise housing more efficient, reduce corridor space, and improve unit layouts without sacrificing life safety. They noted the design is used in places like Vancouver, B.C. and in some Washington venues, and argued the bill would help lower costs and increase housing supply. No opposition was presented during the hearing. For SB 6015 on permit-ready residential plans, staff said L&I would create a process for publishing approved plans for factory-built housing and certain small residential types, with local governments required to approve applications using those plans on qualifying lots starting in 2027. Supporters from builders, architects, Habitat for Humanity, and Sightline said statewide standard plans could reduce duplication, speed permitting, and help scale factory-built and potentially site-built housing. Counties and L&I were supportive in concept but raised concerns about mandating local adoption of model ordinances and about whether the bill should include site-built plans as well. The committee also heard SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside urban growth areas, with supporters saying it would help rural homeowners and intergenerational living, while Futurewise opposed the bill as written and sought tighter density, lot-size, and metering limits. Finally, the committee heard SB 5729, a permit-streamlining bill that would deem completeness for applications prepared by licensed professionals and limit local governments to three review cycles. Builders and business groups supported it as a way to reduce delays and costs, while counties, cities, and Futurewise argued it could lead to more denials, less communication, and unintended liability concerns. In executive session, the committee adopted the proposed substitute for SB 5884 and moved it forward with a do-pass recommendation to Ways and Means.