Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 623 by Representatives Bacala, Sam, Chan, and Henry, relative to permits for vapor products
• , a three-tier system for the issuance of permits, in-state wholesale distribution of products, exceptions
• 280 requires that anyone performing or offering services related to water wells or environmental drilling
• 280 requires that anyone performing or offering services related to water wells or environmental drilling
• The bill also formally defines well drilling in this state contractor's law.

Bills: HR265 , HR266 , HR267 , HR268 , HR269 , HR270 , HR271 , HR272 , HR273 , HCR107 , HCR108 , HCR109 , HCR110 , HCR111 , HR257 , HR258 , HR259 , HR260 , HR261 , HR262 , HR263 , HCR105 , HCR106 , SCR30 , SB57 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB450 , SB465 , SB501 , SB525 , HR3 , HR80 , HR197 , HR243 , SCR5 , SCR35 , HB4 , HB623 , HB944 , HB986 , HB1098 , HB1222 , SB34 , SB164 , SB172 , SB198 , SB208 , SB232 , SB281 , SB286 , SB317 , SB322 , SB334 , SB380 , SB385 , SB409 , SB417 , SB421 , SB430 , SB439 , SB447 , SB458 , SB510 , SB398 , HB646 , HR84 , HR188 , HR205 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SCR11 , SCR22 , SCR2 , SCR20 , SCR24 , HCR6 , HB301 , HB359 , HB657 , HB675 , HB680 , HB727 , HB302 , HB819 , HB1257 , HB1258 , SB8 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB20 , SB21 , SB22 , SB40 , SB48 , SB55 , SB69 , SB75 , SB77 , SB78 , SB85 , SB102 , SB115 , SB133 , SB140 , SB148 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB185 , SB197 , SB200 , SB217 , SB235 , SB278 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB315 , SB324 , SB330 , SB411 , SB416 , SB420 , SB436 , SB438 , SB449 , SB455 , SB456 , SB477 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB58 , SB71 , SB81 , SB92 , SB100 , SB109 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB204 , SB205 , SB207 , SB213 , SB214 , SB216 , SB229 , SB257 , SB274 , SB290 , SB304 , SB374 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB429 , SB479 , SB522 , HCR72 , HB633 , HB603 , HB940 , HB251 , HB775 , HB998 , HB1191 , HB625 , HB1255 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1240 , SB82 , SB89 , HB258 , HB842 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441

Keywords: Pineville High School, Lady Rebels, softball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Class 5A, state championship, high school sports, student athletes, commendation, resolution, athletics, girls softball, championship team, Pineville, school recognition, sportsmanship, coach Allison Frye, Louisiana legislature, House Resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me drill down into that because this is where I was trying to get to.
• I want to drill down into a few things. You mentioned something that I think is very important.
• This helps support substantial damage assessments. and floodplain permitting activities.
• Does that include drilling wells? It could include drilling wells. Okay, I appreciate that.
• Army Corps of Engineers to help obtain permitting.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1529, water residential drilling units. SB 1530, assured water supply building permits.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know you probably didn't drill down into that, but I just want to be certain that we're clear the firm
• itself... ...didn't drill down into that, but I just want to be certain that we're not saying, we're
• In Alaska, Delaware, and Hawaii, landlords are permitted to charge an additional one-month deposit for
• Nebraska landlords are permitted to charge...
• If pets are allowed, Nebraska landlords are permitted to charge an additional deposit equal to one-quarter

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> data database and uh e- permitting data database and uh e- permitting development<04:18:27.640><
• The remainder are construction permits and state permits required under our state statutes and permitting
• The remainder are construction permits and state permits required under our state statutes and permitting
• The remainder are construction permits and state permits required under our state statutes and permitting
• </c> permitting program we permit somewhere permitting program we permit somewhere around<05:11:20.080

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• core permitting work is that permitting core permitting work with<00:36:26.920><c> larger</c><00:36:
• EPA has the ability to review and comment on that permit and ultimately could reject that permit.
• permit.
• program permits, such as Title V air permits and individual water discharge permits.
• Those are often federal program permits, such as Title V air permits and individual water discharge permits

Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• Our local campuses, as their staffing permits, will conduct community events.
• The Control Section 4.12 drill, which was related to vacancy savings, initially reduced $550,000. dollars
• and understanding of our capacity needs, which is reflected in their partnership through the budget drill
• for staff positions that have already been authorized for CSAC and maintained through this budget drill
• reduced, and we intend to restore $438,000 of the original $550,000 sweep in the Control Section 4.12 drill

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits a person to change prices based on market fluctuations, uniform sales, and programs, and it
• It permits a person to change prices based on market fluctuations, uniform sales, and programs, and it
• the things that we were doing in the sub don't quite get as far enough and are maybe not quite as drilled

Bills: HB2325 , HB2481 , HB2503 , HB2397 , HB2278 , HB2417

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> a 22% decrease in construction permits, a 22% decrease in construction permits, while<00:25:33.120
• </c> committee if the House rules permit it. committee if the House rules permit it.
• Permitting for wind and solar has been effectively paused.
• Permitting for wind and been rescended.
• c> blocking</c><03:39:51.680><c> our</c> permitting problem that's blocking our permitting problem that's

Bills: HB4758

Keywords: home electrification, taxpayer subsidies, energy efficiency, rebate programs, public law repeal

Transcript Highlights:

• The newly drilled wells in Oklahoma are subject to a 5% rate for the first 36 months of production.
• Is the analysis based on the cost of the well drilling based on those depths?
• All the lines on this graph are drilling rig counts in the various states, and with the exception of
• I've heard drilling... Could you walk through a little bit of the other scenarios?
• I've heard drilling new wells right adjacent and fracking it, and how that plays into this?

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:40.400><c> vertical</c> part because we do not permit vertical part because we do not permit
• Um, with respect to drilling down into that, that's exactly what we did.
• Um, with respect to drilling down into that, that's exactly what we did.
• I I want to narrow down to drill &gt;&gt; right?
• What kind of production have you all permitted for these?

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you talk about permitting and being able to respond to applications for projects, or just permitting
• We also, for example, in our permitting division, many of our permitting staff work directly with facilities
• We also, for example, in our permitting division, many of our permitting staff work directly with facilities
• positions relating to permitting, going to improve the permit approval process?
• those permits.

Transcript Highlights:

• of several water sources. and minimum permitting left to do on some of the existing resources and depletion
• There's about 8,000 of them permitted by the Railroad Commission across the state.
• These cannot impose more restrictive permitting conditions on the export of groundwater than they can
• for permits within their district.
• Money for 403 permitting, TCU curb permitting, and then to find out only the political will of the region

Bills: HB3077 , HJR2 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a well drilling outfit that came out there, and they looked at it and sent cameras down there.
• He advised us that it would be best to just drill another well.
• To, under a memorandum of understanding with the Forest Service, obtain a special use permit in order
• Service has been cooperative with us and understands that if we're allowed to get the special use permit
• development project, we need a clean source of water, and hopefully, we can achieve that with the drilling

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Could you explain to me what the definition for permitted by right is and what we give up?
• Could you explain to me what the definition for permitted by right is and what we give up?
• Permitted by right is and what we give up for the off statute.
• If you're going to give someone an auction with your expense or you're allowing this permit by right.
• The permitted by right in the residential zoning would mean that they wouldn't be allowed to require

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization measure aimed at exempting certain medications and treatments for seriously mentally ill adults from repeat insurance prior authorization, while also extending prior authorization approvals to three years for chronic maintenance drugs. The sponsor described the bill as the latest in a series of bipartisan prior-authorization reforms and accepted an amendment from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to apply the bill to adults only and to cover PBMs in the interagency purchasing collaborative. Supporters, including NAMI New Mexico and state health officials, argued the bill would reduce barriers to needed care, especially for mental health treatment. Opponents from health plans, PBMs, and insurers warned the bill was too broad, lacked clear definitions for serious mental illness and chronic conditions, created patient-safety concerns, and should have a shorter reauthorization period and later implementation date. After committee discussion, the sponsor agreed to work on a committee substitute, and the bill was rolled over for a later meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 53, the Chispa data privacy bill, which would impose broad limits on the collection, sale, and use of personal data, require opt-in consent for many uses, strengthen rights to access, correct, and delete data, and create enforcement mechanisms including a private right of action. Supporters from advocacy, women’s, behavioral health, reproductive health, and civil rights groups said the bill was needed to protect sensitive health and location data, prevent surveillance and criminalization, and give New Mexicans real control over their information. Business, technology, insurance, and hospital representatives opposed the bill, arguing it was more restrictive than other states’ privacy laws, would burden small businesses and health-related services, create compliance uncertainty, and risk limiting digital services and innovation. After extensive questioning about data breaches, opt-in consent, nonprofit exemptions, and the bill’s impact on businesses and health care access, a motion to table failed 5-4, and the committee then passed SB 53 on a 5-4 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 86, which updates the state’s harassment-by-telephone law to cover electronic communications such as social media, messaging apps, and email. The sponsor and a Las Cruces police chief said the change would modernize an outdated 1967 statute and help law enforcement address harassment and domestic violence through current technology. The bill drew support from the governor’s public safety advisor and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and members asked a few clarifying questions about the wording. The committee approved SB 86 unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 96, on regulated childcare zoning requirements, using a committee substitute. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill would reduce confusing zoning and fire-code barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers, helping address a statewide shortage of child care slots and supporting working families. The discussion began with the committee substitute and an explanation that the measure is intended to streamline local requirements and expand child care supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the footprint was already permitted. the footprint was already permitted.
• Why do you you need a special permit?
• </c> family in zoning districts that permit family in zoning districts that permit multif<04:01:28.080
• And I ability to permit these.
• ,</c> in order to get your building permit, in order to get your building permit, you're<05:05:45.680

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on HB 1065, a housing bill that would clarify when multifamily and mixed-use housing may be allowed on commercially zoned land, define infrastructure standards, and preserve municipal discretion over where such development can occur. Prime sponsor Representative David Priest said the bill is intended to help address the housing shortage by using already developed commercial areas without overriding local planning. The New Hampshire Municipal Association, through Brody Dees, said it supports the bill and views it as a priority, but noted it is still discussing related language with stakeholders and wants clearer definitions for multifamily development, infrastructure, and adaptive reuse while preserving local control over commercial land use. Testimony was mixed. Ivy Van, a certified planner, opposed the bill because she said the infrastructure language is too restrictive and could exclude properties served by private utilities or septic systems. Chris Freeman, a housing provider, was generally supportive but recommended technical changes, arguing the infrastructure definition may be too broad and that the adaptive reuse language could unintentionally block useful building modifications. He said the bill should be clarified so it does not discourage reuse projects. The committee then moved to discussion of an accessory dwelling unit bill, with Representative Turkot describing changes that would shift some ADU approvals from a matter of right to conditional use or special exception, allow municipalities more control over attached versus detached units, set parking standards tied to single-family dwellings, and adjust size limits. He argued the bill would restore local discretion and prevent ADUs from becoming primarily rental units. Representative Reed pushed back, saying detached ADUs can help meet housing needs and provide opportunities for small landlords, while other members questioned how the bill would affect existing detached structures and breezeways. No votes were taken in the excerpt, and the chair also noted a recess and time limits for later testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will fund four permitting This will fund four permitting positions.<00:13:26.079><c> Additionally
• </c><00:13:37.519><c> site</c> exploration plans, and drill site exploration plans, and drill site inspections
• will increase DNR's permitting responsiveness and the ability to evaluate complex permitting projects
• It is to increase the daily permit fees from $7 to $10 and the annual permit fee from $35 to $45.
• and 85% of agricultural permit and 85% of agricultural irrigation<00:19:45.039><c> permits</c><00:19

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a permitting practice and represent mining companies, timber interests, developers, and others
• Are these fees the same, or are they directed toward the cities and counties that have building permit
• We do industry drill-downs on construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and many other topics.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the on certain permits.
• , permit writing, and services, permitting, permit writing, and that kind of thing, has gone from 494,000
• </c><00:56:19.359><c> permitting</c> backlog of either permitting permitting backlog of either permitting
• </c> on construction storm water uh permit on construction storm water uh permit issuance.<00:57:41.680
• </c> Our permitting backlogs have gone down.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• strengthens existing law by setting clear timelines for local agencies to process post-entitlement permits
• AB 660 streamlines the permitting process by prohibiting local agency inspectors from requiring field
• AB 660 ensures that housing project applicants are not bogged down by cumbersome permit approval processes
• And with that, I respectfully ask for an aye vote. ...by cumbersome permit approval processes, and with
• violating the law and ignoring cease-and-desist orders to restart the pipeline for offshore oil drilling

Summary: The Assembly convened with a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long daily file of bills. Early procedural motions included a failed attempt to suspend the rules for AB 1219, followed by consideration of numerous measures on housing, veterans, education, elections, energy, wildfire prevention, public safety, and consumer affordability. Several bills drew bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly, including AB 878 on safety accommodations for survivors of violence, AB 948 on school district facility maintenance, AB 81 and AB 88 on veterans’ mental health and student aid, AB 640 on school board fiscal training, AB 660 on housing permit timelines, AB 1048 on workers’ compensation billing disputes, AB 1119 on dual credentialing, AB 1172 on inhalable anti-seizure medication access, AB 1227 on wildfire prevention, AB 1285 and AB 696 on lithium-ion battery safety, AB 1417 on offshore wind transparency, AB 1530 on disaster recovery assistance, and AB 353 on affordable home internet. Some measures drew opposition or more divided votes, including AB 704 on sealing certain misdemeanor records, AB 1249 on early voting access, AB 1280 on thermal energy incentives, AB 1448 on offshore oil protections, AB 380 on price gouging, AB 402 on Cal Grant increases, AB 1074 on CalWORKs reunification, and AB 1084 on expedited gender-change and name-change court orders. The Assembly also granted reconsideration on AB 435, a child passenger safety bill, and passed it after debate on the five-step safety-seat standard. The floor debate featured recurring themes of affordability, housing, wildfire preparedness, election access, veterans’ services, and public safety. Supporters of the election bill AB 1249 argued it would simply add a Saturday early-voting option in non-VCA counties, while opponents raised concerns about verification and county staffing. AB 30, authorizing E15 gasoline in California, was presented as an urgency measure to lower fuel costs and passed unanimously on the urgency and the bill. AB 1466 on groundwater disputes was also taken up, with the author arguing it would reduce frivolous litigation and better represent all water users; the vote was 42 ayes and 17 noes. After completing the file, the Assembly recessed for lunch, later returned, and continued with additional file items, with many measures passing on strong bipartisan votes.