Transcript Highlights:

• are lower than that up to that base so that when they fill out that form, they're now at that new rate
• Pro-rate how much tax I'm due. Is that the basic gist? That is the basic gist. You have that right.
• As far as the pro-rated tax credit, that makes, or not tax credit, excuse me, the tax nature of that,
• There was discussion about some counties may, There was discussion about some counties may pro-rate and
• some counties may not pro-rate.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met in quorum and first took up House Bill 2780 in executive session. Members discussed a committee substitute and two amendments. One amendment changed the proposed school levy floor from $1.50 to $2.20, with supporters saying it better balanced local effort and taxpayer relief; another technical amendment clarified confusing language about levy limits. After adopting the substitute and amendments, the committee voted House Committee Substitute Number Two for HB 2780 do pass by 11-5. The committee then considered House Bill 2668, which bundled several property tax election and ballot-related changes, including tax abatement language, clearer ballot wording, alphanumeric designations, debt-service clarification, a November election requirement for property tax increase measures, and related bond language. Members asked whether new construction language remained in the bill, and the sponsor said it did not. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted House Committee Substitute Number Two for HB 2668 do pass by 9-6. Next, the committee heard and approved House Bill 2944 after adopting Amendment 06H. The amendment, offered with support from county collectors and the sponsor, would streamline administration of senior property tax credits by reducing annual reapplication burdens, allowing county offices to verify eligibility through state resources or lists, and adjusting deadlines for mailed payments and assessor notices when postal delays or technical problems occur. Members raised questions about trusts, residency, fiscal impact, and whether the language was broad enough, but the amendment was adopted and the committee then voted the substitute do pass 15-0. In public hearing, Representative Taylor presented House Bill 2667, which would allow counties to create a prorated property tax credit for totaled motor vehicles and would also exclude increases in aggregate personal property valuation from being treated as new construction. Committee members and an informational witness from the Missouri Special Districts Association raised concerns about fairness, administrative complexity, multi-county district consistency, and possible impacts on special taxing districts. No vote was taken on HB 2667 before the hearing was closed and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we had to pro-rate those down.
• What is the What is the job placement rate? What are the salaries that are in greatest need?
• I do want to brag on our college a little bit; our nursing program's pass rate is 92.45%.
• The Dental Hygiene National Board exam pass rate is 100% for us.
• The EMT Paramedic State Board exam pass rate is 85%.

Transcript Highlights:

• You noted that in the 20-25 regular session, we had one of the lowest rates.
• We had one of the lowest passage rates for a 60-day session.
• That's why I think there's a low passage rate.
• But I think there is a correlation, 100%, with the turnover rate.
• I have a couple of questions just based upon the passage rates and the votes for and against.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• One thing that we did in the Senate that made this work a lot better is I created some contingent rate
• lot better is I created some this work a lot better is I created some contingent<00:07:58.960><c> rate
• > We</c><00:07:59.840><c> created</c><00:08:00.080><c> a</c><00:08:00.240><c> we're</c> contingent rate
• We created a we're contingent rate cuts.
• </c> committee in 2023 was reducing the rates committee in 2023 was reducing the rates of<00:08:56.160

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are standard stocking rates.
• So what you see from those loss rates are gross loss rates. So a beekeeper has 100 colonies.
• recent weeks, say the last month, beekeepers heading out to almonds are reporting incredibly high loss rates
• currently doing a formal review of the industry and doing a survey to ask beekeepers what their loss rates
• come out yet, but there are already press releases from the last few weeks about these gigantic loss rates

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida. The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our children are getting type 2 diabetes at unheard of rates. This is not new.
• THCs have the highest success rate of any program for retaining... in communities of need.
• We have about 25 times more fast-food restaurants than we did in 1980, when we had a third the rate of
• We can, resting heart rate or during exercise, a lot of different health parameters.
• I studied a place in Finland called North Karelia, had the highest rate of cardiovascular disease in

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Keywords: health policy, lifespan, quality of life, community health, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting was marked by discussions surrounding health policies aimed at enhancing the lifespan and quality of life for the community members. The chairperson initiated the session with personal reflections on the importance of extending not just the years of life but also the quality of those years, especially from the perspective of parents and grandparents. Members engaged in thoughtful dialogue regarding potential legislative measures that could address public health in a more holistic manner, emphasizing the need for community outreach and effective health education programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• record as a bill by Representative Bulleam establishing a calculation to be used for reducing the rate
• , House Bill 1122 by Representative Bulleam, establishes a calculation to be used for reducing the rate
• surpluses where we can save some of those surplus dollars and put it aside while we are buying down rates
• the rebate, establish a rebate eligibility period, and tie the rebate cost to the federal per diem rate
• Representative Jackson said anything above the GSA rate would be taxed at the normal rate.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 1088, which would authorize state and local sales and use tax rebates for certain items used in aerospace facilities and activities. Chairman Bacala, LED Secretary Susan Bouchois, and governor’s office representative Julie Emerson argued the bill would help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace and defense investment, build on Michoud’s history, and attract high-paying jobs. Members asked about job growth, the scope of aerospace versus defense, and whether downstream activities like jet fuel production could qualify. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved HB 1179, which extends the ad valorem tax exemption for certain manufacturing establishments to aerospace manufacturing establishments, also reporting it favorably without objection. HB 1122, a placeholder bill tied to a future path toward reducing the state income tax rate, was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor after brief explanation. The committee then heard HB 515, which would let political subdivisions sell certain adjudicated properties directly to buyers at appraised value if the property is under $50,000. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to help parishes clear long-vacant blighted properties and return them to commerce and the tax rolls. Members raised concerns about transparency, competition, title issues, and possible conflicts with recent tax-sale reforms. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment requiring the property to have been offered at public auction within the preceding 12 months before an over-the-counter sale could occur, and HB 515 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 440, a constitutional amendment allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption above the current level. The sponsor said the exemption has not been updated since 1980 and argued that raising it would provide relief from rising property taxes, insurance costs, and cost of living pressures. Amendments were adopted requiring parish approval and a local election before implementation, and delaying effectiveness until 2030. Several members and LABI warned the change could shift tax burdens onto businesses and other taxpayers, create parish-by-parish disparities, and affect bond ratings. The committee voted 5-9 against reporting HB 440, and the sponsor voluntarily deferred the companion bill, HB 543. Finally, the committee took up HB 614, presented with help from eighth-grader Elijah Brown as part of a civics competition. The bill would rebate state sales taxes on lodging and meals for utility company workers performing disaster or emergency-related work. After discussion, the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill to water, gas, and electric utilities regulated by the PSC, limited the rebate period to 10 days after a declared disaster, tied eligible lodging and meal costs to federal per diem rates, and capped annual rebates at $55,000. Members asked about administration, eligible workers, and fiscal impact; the Department of Revenue said it could administer the rebate with existing resources. The discussion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 67% retention rate. I counted the other day.
• We have a 67% retention rate. I counted the other day.
• And this can actually help to decrease rates of malpractice in our state.
• I'm really proud that our legislative leadership has raised Medicaid rates as we've done.
• I'm proud that we took those rates in the right direction.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its fourth meeting, held October 27-28 in Santa Fe, with Representative Duncan moving approval and no opposition. The chair then introduced a panel on the cost of providing medical care in New Mexico, focusing on physician shortages, rising practice costs, and access problems, especially in southern New Mexico and Las Cruces. Panelists included family physicians, a pediatrician, a cardiologist/electrophysiologist, and a community health center medical director, who described their backgrounds and practices before turning to the policy discussion. The doctors argued that New Mexico is losing physicians because of three main pressures: medical malpractice exposure, gross receipts tax on medical services, and low Medicaid reimbursement. They said malpractice premiums are much higher than in neighboring states, punitive damages and venue shopping increase risk, and the patient compensation fund and attorney fee structure create additional costs. They also described administrative burdens from insurance billing and referrals, the high debt and long training period for physicians, and the effect of corporate medicine and private equity on practice decisions. One panelist emphasized the economic impact of each physician on jobs and local spending, while another noted that shortages force patients into emergency rooms and delay specialty care. The panel presented a list of proposed solutions: reform punitive damages, limit venue shopping and stacking, restore lifetime medical payments from the patient compensation fund, enact apology protections, cap attorney fees, continue Medicaid funding improvements, and eliminate gross receipts tax on medical and dental services. Committee members generally agreed the presentation was thorough and useful, but several noted that some proposals fall outside this committee’s jurisdiction and would likely need to move through other committees, especially judiciary and tax. Some members supported drafting legislation or working on separate bills, while others urged caution, requested more input from hospitals and economists, and raised concerns about local government revenue impacts from GRT changes. The chair concluded by encouraging members to continue discussions offline and noted that the tax-related issue would be taken up further in the next day’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So at any rate, just some things, but I appreciate the opportunity to weigh in. Thank you so much.
• For medium- and high-rated impacts, we assessed those as potentially significant absent mitigation.
• They are not visual representations of impact ratings.
• The state rate is 6.5%, and the locals vary.
• The study estimated that single-use plastic carryout bags accumulated at a rate of 127,000 pounds, or

Summary: The committee held a work session on state environmental policy act (SEPA) implementation and carryout bags. Ecology staff Diane Buterak described the Clean Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) completed for utility-scale solar, onshore wind, and green hydrogen, plus a new PEIS underway for sustainable aviation fuel. She explained that PEISs provide broad planning-level analysis to help developers and agencies avoid or mitigate impacts, but do not replace project-level review. Members asked about permitting timelines, greenhouse gas emissions from different hydrogen production methods, water use, agricultural land conversion, battery fire risk, and tribal consultation. Buterak said the PEISs identify potentially significant impacts and mitigation measures, including fire response planning, early tribal outreach, and agrovoltaics as an option for solar projects. EFSEC’s Amy Hofkimer then presented the transmission-facility programmatic EIS required by SB 5165 for 230 kV and higher transmission projects. She said the statewide review covers new lines and certain upgrades/modifications, analyzes impacts to water, cultural and tribal resources, habitat, and other areas, and uses general measures, design considerations, avoidance criteria, and sensitivity maps to guide siting and corridor planning. She said the final document would be issued in early October. Questions focused on reconductoring, tribal lands, scenic areas, and whether the review could affect existing lines crossing tribal lands. A Grant County planning director, Jim Anderson Cook, said Ecology’s PEIS would help with cumulative impacts for clustered solar projects, but noted tight local review timelines and the need for strong pre-application coordination, especially on cultural resource studies and decommissioning plans. Yakama Nation attorney Shona Leverett argued SEPA is only an assessment tool and said tribes face barriers from short comment periods, limited confidential tribal input, weak cumulative impact analysis, and challenges in the FSEC process; she urged better upfront developer diligence and more effective tribal coordination. Puget Sound Energy’s Sarah Leverett said the utility needs efficient and predictable permitting to meet clean energy mandates while maintaining reliable service and aging infrastructure. She described the scale of needed clean energy and transmission buildout, including a 10-year process for the Energize Eastside transmission rebuild, and said more consistent SEPA and PEIS processes could help. Members asked about future generation sources, reliability, and hydropower as a firming resource; she said PSE is pursuing an “all of the above” approach and would welcome more firm, dispatchable clean energy options. The committee then shifted to carryout bags. Staff Jacob Lipson and Tracy Taylor reviewed Washington’s bag law, its preemption of local ordinances, the current 8-cent charge, the scheduled increase to 12 cents, and the 2025 change delaying the 4-mil thickness requirement until 2028 while adding a temporary 4-cent penalty for thicker bags. Ecology’s Peter Lyon said the agency emphasizes education and complaint-based enforcement, has received 872 reports, and has not yet imposed any fines. Commerce’s Kirk Esmond summarized a WSU study finding fewer plastic bags distributed but more plastic by weight, and said Commerce and Ecology support keeping the 2.25-mil standard and not allowing thinner single-use bags again. Retail industry testimony from Brandon Housekeeper said grocers comply with the law but oppose the added 4-cent penalty and thicker-bag requirement, citing higher costs and confusion in the policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• to collect data from clinics across the state of Kentucky to see what their colon cancer screening rates
• So, trying to evaluate which areas in the state have certain screening rates, we really help to identify
• those clinics, and we specifically focus on clinics with extremely or significantly low screening rates
• to collect data from clinics across the state of Kentucky to see what their colon cancer screening rates
• </c><00:37:02.160><c> in</c> significantly low uh screening rates in significantly low uh screening rates

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a transfer student completion rate for economically disadvantaged students that significantly
• undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. assistance, with 95% course completion rate
• , almost 80% degree persistence rate and 57 percent are first in their family to receive a university
• In spring of 2025. university experienced a record fall to spring retention rate of 90.7.
• And on slide two, with an average first-year persistence rate of 85% over the past 10 years.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, one of our greatest outcomes at Into Action is our recidivism rates.
• While HIV infection rates in the United States remain stable, HIV infection rates specifically among
• It is the same way for substance use disorder; the relapse rate is about 40 to 60 percent.
• For opioid use disorders, the rates have come up thanks to Dr. Winnegrat's efforts and...
• For opioid use disorders, the rates have come up thanks to Dr.

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• We also found that greater Minnesota counties have the highest rates of pre-trial detention because those
• </c><00:05:13.759><c> of</c> counties have the highest rates of counties have the highest rates of pre-trial
• Research consistently finds that the imposition of monetary bail does not increase appearance rates or
• for those who do failure to appear rates for those who do have<00:36:45.200><c> uh</c><00:36:45.920>
• People are arrested, released, commit crimes while they're on release in Minnesota at rates that are

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• A city or town may adopt a law, ordinance, or other regulation that regulates booting rates or private
• The bill also requires the committee to review current fees, rates, fines, and administrative charges
• The bill also requires the committee to review current fees, rates, fines, and administrative charges
• And in fact, he wants lower interest rates and a 50-year mortgage, so...
• The private sector is moving at a far faster rate.

Bills: SB1108 , SB1205 , SB1241 , SB1286 , SB1366 , SB1431 , SB1473 , SB1477 , SB1478 , SB1479 , SB1492 , SB1517 , SB1563 , SB1586 , SB1665 , SB1671

Committee: Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency

Keywords: cash transactions, mandatory rounding, swedish rounding, public notice, Arizona Revised Statutes, motor vehicle booting, private property, fees, dispute process, regulations, SB1241, private permitting provider, private permit, private certificate of completion, building permit, building plan review, inspection, single-trade residential construction, residential construction, municipal permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• consecutive two-year rate cycle, which has seen a decrease in employer contribution rates.
• consecutive two-year rate cycle, which has seen a decrease in employer contribution rates.
• consecutive two-year rate cycle, which has seen a decrease in employer contribution rates.
• consecutive two-year rate cycle, which has seen a decrease in employer contribution rates.
• consecutive two-year rate cycle, which has seen a decrease in employer contribution rates.

Summary: The committee first reviewed House Bill 1, focusing on the legislative branch budget, especially the Senate and House lines. Members discussed that the Senate’s fiscal year 2025 adjusted authorized amount was higher than 2024 actual spending, largely due to personnel, benefits, and travel, and one member proposed a $500,000 annual cut. Staff explained that any reduction would need to be allocated across specific line items such as personnel, benefits, and travel, and noted that the Senate budget is entirely General Funds. After discussion of how the adjusted authorized figures were calculated and why the branch no longer staffs some joint committees as it once did, the committee moved on without taking a vote on that section. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from the New Hampshire Retirement System. NHRS officials described their statutory administrative budget, which is funded through the retirement trust rather than the General Fund, and said the FY 2026-2027 increase is driven by IT modernization, cybersecurity, a new strategic plan, and additional staff positions. They also reviewed the system’s funding progress, clean audit opinions, investment performance, and changes to asset allocation, while noting that several recent pension-related laws required major database changes. Members questioned the large increase in salaries and benefits, the need for new employees versus contractors, the purpose of training costs, and the source of the Group Two benefit funding. NHRS said the governor’s budget includes General Funds for Group Two benefit changes, with $5 million in FY 2026 and $27.9 million in FY 2027, and that the figures reflect the governor’s recommendation and related HB 2 provisions. Committee members also asked about employer and employee contribution rates for Group Two police and fire members, which NHRS said were not included in the budget document but were about 31.2% for police and 30.35% for fire, with employee shares around 11.55% and 11.8%. The committee did not make a decision on the NHRS budget during this exchange and indicated it would review the details further before returning to it later. The committee then heard from the Community Development Finance Authority on the State Treasury Department budget line for the required state match to administer the federal Community Development Block Grant program. CDFA explained that its $280,000 annual request for FY 2026 and FY 2027, totaling $560,000, supports administration, technical assistance, contracting, and monitoring of roughly $19 million in annual federal CDBG funds. Members asked about the leverage of the state match, oversight of projects, staffing, and grant prioritization. CDFA said it has 18 employees, uses public hearings and a scoring system to prioritize awards, and conducts both desk and on-site monitoring, with annual audits to ensure compliance. No vote was taken on the CDFA item in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill prohibits the Public Service Commission from approving any increase in rates, charges, or costs
• live having it read this bill prohibits the public service commission from approving any increase in rates
• charges or costs paid by west virginia retail rate payers unless it finds based upon a preponderance
• of the evidence that the costs assigned to the rate payers are proportionate to or left to Based upon

Summary: The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met, established a quorum, and approved the minutes from the March 9 and March 11 meetings. The committee then took up an engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012, which as explained by counsel would limit the Public Service Commission’s ability to approve rate increases and certain utility-related approvals unless the costs to ratepayers are shown to be proportionate to the benefits, with written justification required for approved increases. The bill also addressed PSC approval of certain electric transmission lines and related service commitments. The committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment that removed most of the House bill’s provisions and inserted the contents of engrossed committee substitute for Senate Bill 669, which had previously passed the Senate, while retaining only the portion related to certificates of public convenience and necessity for certain transmission lines. After the amendment was adopted, the committee voted to report House Bill 4012, as amended, to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. The committee also adopted a title amendment and then adjourned. No opposition votes were recorded on the motions described in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our success rate of establishment was less than 20 percent.
• Our success rate of establishment was less than 20 percent.
• Our success rate of establishment was less than 20 percent.
• , so that we're putting the right amount at the right rate, the right time.
• Senator Kupec continued: Rates and their application and all that.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:01:22.559><c> of</c> ever seen with the highest rate of ever seen with the highest rate of increase
• <01:06:59.680><c> reaches</c> rate reaches rate reaches 2.5%<01:07:02.079><c> and</c><01:07:02.200><c
• </c> charging tenants illegally High rates charging tenants illegally High rates research<01:38:37.040
• </c><03:16:32.120><c> charged</c> should reassess the rates charged should reassess the rates charged
• This is a dismal 4.5% unexplained non-compliance rate that this bill seeks to address.

Transcript Highlights:

• advance net zero policies, and advancing, administering, or enforcing a program that functions as a rate
• bill requires that governments that did not levy a millage in the prior year or establish a millage rate
• In section seven there is some language about the adoption of millage and setting millage rates, and
• this is in regard to an MST being at a rate of zero.
• And lastly, the Revenue Estimating Conference would review the bill and rate the impact of this bill

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance authority, indicates that the increased training here might reduce some of the insurance rates
• So it'll actually reduce rates. They think it might. No promises ever with insurance.
• So it will actually reduce rates. They think it might. No promises ever with insurance.
• Over 146,000 procedures have been performed in the last 20 years with an adverse outcome rate of less
• And those rates are similar to the ophthalmology adverse outcome events.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 120, which would revise New Mexico law on restraint and seclusion in public schools. The sponsor and supporters said the bill grew out of a year-long stakeholder working group and would clearly define terms such as chemical, mechanical, prone restraint, seclusion, timeout, de-escalation, and elopement; prohibit chemical, mechanical, and prone restraint; require continuous supervision during seclusion; update school safety plans and staff training; and improve reporting to parents and the state. Testimony from disability advocates, the Public Education Department, educators, and parents emphasized that students with disabilities are disproportionately affected, that clearer rules would help staff act safely, and that better reporting and de-escalation practices would reduce trauma. Committee members asked about the meaning of timeout, chemical restraint, data accuracy, and the juvenile detention facility exception, and the sponsor indicated an amendment on parent-notification timing would not be pursued to avoid delay. The committee then began House Bill 213, which would expand the Optometry Act to allow trained optometrists to perform certain laser procedures, including treatment for capsular clouding and glaucoma-related procedures. The sponsor said the bill adds training, certification, supervised live-procedure requirements, adverse-outcome reporting, and an Optometry Board member qualified to perform the procedures. Supporters argued the measure would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, and that the procedures are already performed safely in other states. Opponents, including ophthalmologists and the New Mexico Medical Board, argued the bill would move surgery outside the Medical Practice Act, lower the standard of care, and create regulatory and malpractice-accountability concerns because optometrists would not be subject to the same oversight and emergency-care authority as physicians. The committee did not reach a final vote on HB 213 before the transcript ended.