Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the reason why we're doing a different one because of the federal EITC?
• Like we're interrupting poverty.
• In fact, our income tests determine that whether you have no income or under those federal poverty level
• My name is Riley Massey for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.
• In a recent housing survey we did of Questa residents, 32% live below 200% of the federal poverty level

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 296, which would double New Mexico’s working families tax credit. The sponsor said the bill would increase work incentives, reduce poverty, and could provide families up to about $1,900 more per year, with benefits concentrated among families with children and lower earners. Public testimony from advocacy groups and faith organizations supported the bill. Members asked about foster family eligibility, age eligibility, refundability, and how the credit compared with a prior vetoed proposal. After discussion, a member moved to table the bill, and HB 296 was tabled. The committee then took up the committee substitute for House Bill 77, a tax credit for rehabilitating vacant or blighted buildings into affordable multifamily housing, with at least half of the credit reserved for rural New Mexico. Supporters from housing, business, construction, local government, and advocacy groups said it would expand housing supply, revitalize downtowns and vacant properties, and help rural communities. Members questioned the certification and recertification process, affordability requirements, and the role of the Mortgage Finance Authority. The sponsor asked to roll the bill to Friday so an amendment could be considered, and the committee agreed to roll HB 77 rather than vote on it. House Bill 275, authorizing revenue bonds for Hila Regional Medical Center to replace an aging linear accelerator used for radiation cancer treatment, was heard next. The sponsor and supporters said the equipment is essential for cancer care in southwest New Mexico and that patients would otherwise have to travel long distances for treatment. An amendment extending the bond term from 20 to 30 years was adopted after the New Mexico Finance Authority explained declining tobacco-tax revenues and the need to protect against default risk. The committee then gave HB 275, as amended, a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 285, as amended, which clarifies and streamlines the disabled veteran property tax exemption. The sponsor said the bill limits the exemption to a primary residence, clarifies how it applies to multiple owners, and gives veterans more time and clearer procedures to claim or protest the exemption while they await VA certification. County assessors and realtor representatives supported the measure, saying it would reduce administrative confusion and ensure eligible veterans receive the benefit consistently. The committee adopted the bill on a do pass motion. The meeting then adjourned with notice that work would continue on Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will prioritize those earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level or those with high debt burdens
• Those at 400% of the federal poverty level or those with high debt burdens relative to their income.
• poverty level... ...the auto-verification for income below 100% of the federal poverty level, and it
• poverty level.
• poverty line.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other is that we're aligning with the federal guidelines as they exist today.
• The other is that we're aligning with the federal guidelines as they exist today, where relief is granted
• That aligns us with federal law. It makes good sense.
• The bill addresses a problem that we have: federal courts are staying federal habeas corpus cases.
• Federal courts are staying federal habeas corpus cases for years on end to allow prisoners to return

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 63 and HB 622 at the authors’ requests. It then heard HB 131 on post-conviction relief, which would remove the word “inexcusably” from the PCR statute and delay bail eligibility after relief until the state’s appeals are exhausted through the Louisiana Supreme Court. The bill drew support from the Attorney General’s office and district attorneys, with opposition cards from the Southern Poverty Law Center, and it was reported favorably. HB 789, concerning seizure of off-road vehicles used unlawfully on roadways, was amended to direct forfeiture proceeds to the Attorney General when acting as district attorney ad hoc; it was then reported as amended with support from law enforcement and no opposition testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Darby Kernan, on behalf of End Child Poverty California, in support. Mr.
• Rebecca Gonzalez with the Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• CalFresh is a federal program that the state administers.
• CalFresh is a federal program that the state administers.
• Vernon, on behalf of In Child Poverty California, in support. Thank you.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we need to get those people up that have been stuck in poverty for a long time moving forward.
• How can we get people earning money and get people that are trapped in poverty out of that?
• How can we get people earning money and get people that are trapped in poverty out of that?
• You mentioned people that are in generational poverty; maybe they live in rural areas and are not aware
• And a system is not a group of federal programs. All right. Representative Beck.

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee met to review an audit and recommendations from the Alliance for Opportunity as part of a broader study of social service and workforce development reform under Act 145 of 2025. Members discussed creating a more integrated, regional, and “one door to work” system that would combine eligibility screening, service delivery, and workforce connections across DHS, workforce, and related programs. Much of the discussion focused on reducing administrative overhead, improving coordination, and using tools such as AI and centralized databases to help applicants learn about benefits, training, and job opportunities while still preserving case managers and in-person help for people without digital access. Members also emphasized targeting groups with low labor-force participation, including people in generational poverty, rural residents, individuals reentering from prison, and people involved in the court system who may be employable but are not currently connected to employers. Several members raised concerns about benefit cliffs, the burden of repeated paperwork across agencies, and whether the system should include performance measures tied to cost per person served and return on investment. The committee agreed that quantifiable savings and outcomes should be part of the study and future recommendations. The committee then considered and discussed a draft consultant services agreement with Work Ed Consulting LLC, represented by Mason Bishop, to assist with the study. Bureau of Legislative Research staff explained that the contract would run through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000, billed on actual hours and expenses, and could be expanded by up to 10% if needed. Bishop said he could provide ongoing ROI updates and technical assistance based on his experience in other states. After discussion, the committee voted to move forward with the contract, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 350% of the federal poverty guidelines is a figure given to us by the federal government.
• poverty guideline and that's about um poverty guideline and that's about um right<00:33:40.279><c> right
• As others mentioned, it's ostensibly limited to 350% of the standard federal poverty guideline, but in
• </c> eligibility or to 500% of federal eligibility or to 500% of federal federal<02:03:01.079><c> poverty
• </c> 150% of of the of the the federal 150% of of the of the the federal poverty<04:24:50.199><c> rate

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 115-FN, which would remove the income cap from New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account eligibility rules. Representative Valerie McDonnell, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is intended to fund students rather than systems and to expand educational choice regardless of income or zip code. She described the change as a small statutory edit but argued it would have significant benefits, including helping families afford alternative education settings and testing costs such as AP exams. She also cited testimony from families who said EFAs helped children with special needs or difficult circumstances, and she argued the program is popular and cost-effective. Committee members questioned McDonnell about the bill’s fiscal impact and administration. One member asked whether removing the income cap would extend vouchers to families above the statewide median income and whether the change could cost more than $100 million annually; McDonnell said she did not agree with that estimate and pointed to Arizona as a comparison. Representative Wendy Thomas asked whether the bill should require stronger data-sharing from the Children’s Scholarship Fund, which administers the program, so the Department of Education and taxpayers could better track spending; McDonnell said the program already uses ClassWallet and regulated expenditures, and that the question was better directed to the administrator. Several members testified in opposition. Representative Wendy Thomas said the bill would increase costs for public schools, raise local property taxes, and worsen oversight problems. Representative Heath Howard argued the proposal would function as a subsidy for wealthy families already paying private tuition and said public education and special education should be funded first. Representative Megan Murray also opposed the bill, emphasizing the lack of a legal reporting requirement for EFA spending and the need for transparency, accountability, and attention to special education needs. Representative Sam Farrington supported expansion, sharing a constituent story about a student who left public school after harassment and benefited from private school placement. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> enough relative to 150% of the federal enough relative to 150% of the federal poverty<00:10:54.399
• Here in the Commonwealth, 150% of the federal poverty line is roughly $24,000.
• Here in the Commonwealth, 150% of the federal poverty line is roughly $24,000.
• Here in the Commonwealth, 150% of the federal poverty line is roughly $24,000.
• </c> completers minus 150% of the federal completers minus 150% of the federal poverty<00:21:58.080><

Committee: Joint Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:00 Workforce Pell Grant Update – 0:03:30 Extension Office Update – 0:33:25 Kentucky Academic Standards for Social Studies – 1:07:08 Early Literacy Outcomes – 1:32:20 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 1:58:30 Adjournment 2:13:13, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Courts, parents, federal investigators, all of them blocked.
• Federation, in opposition.
• That is certainly how federal law is designed.
• So under federal case law, yes.
• The bill preserves federal and state law.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• EMS and hospital guidelines, much like we do for trauma, in order to help hospitals produce their own
• policies, procedures, and guidelines to best handle these problems within their own community.
• agencies. offers no assurance that sensitive information will not be shared with federal agencies.
• Based on data from the federal MEP system, that hospital patient net revenue would reduce by 0.7%.
• poverty level, discounts for patients at about 400% of the poverty level.

Bills: HB1812 , HB2232 , HB2250 , HB2340 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: anesthesia services, healthcare access, reimbursement, patient care, equitable treatment, emergency services, healthcare outcomes, health infrastructure, system improvement, charity care, residency requirements, medical assistance, low-income, HB 2340, nursing assistants, nurse aide, substance use disorder monitoring program, monitoring program, credentialing, licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• How about we talk about childhood poverty and reducing childhood poverty?
• But one, childhood poverty is high in California because poverty is high in California, right?
• Child support is not going to end childhood poverty. Poverty is high in California, right?
• The federal grant pays... It's primarily funded by a federal grant.
• And that's why it's a very effective anti-poverty program, because by its nature, by the guidelines,

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay federal taxes, more per capita than any other state, and contribute more federal taxes than
• , and pays more local federal taxes than 21 states.
• , and pays more local federal taxes than 21 states.
• , and pays more local federal taxes than 21 states.
• AND PAYS MORE TOTAL FEDERAL TAXES THAN 21 STATES.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So are you saying, are we preempted by federal law in this regard?
• </c><00:19:56.000><c> um</c> we're just restating what the federal um we're just restating what the federal
• I grew up in high poverty.
• </c><00:33:03.519><c> but</c> work we we blaming it on poverty but work we we blaming it on poverty but
• Drivers must accept community guidelines, and violations result in removal.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on January 28, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of bills dealing with vehicle titles, motor vehicle taxes, window tinting, license plates, electric bicycles, insurance penalties, vehicle inspection fines, and transportation discrimination. For HB 532, which shortens the time to forward a transferred vehicle title from 30 days to 14 days and allows a letter of attestation to serve as an endorsement certificate, testimony was listed in support from Councilmember U. Hajin and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and in opposition from Maui Mayor Richard Bisson and Sylvie Madison. HB 655 would require payment of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties for the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency; the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi stood on written comments, with Tim Rymer and Robert Souza providing comments/support. HB 368, which would exempt certain medically sensitive drivers from sunscreen-device tint limits, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from several individuals. HB 226, lowering allowed windshield tint from 35% to 20%, drew opposition from the Department of Transportation and support from TNT Tinting Specialists; members asked about federal preemption, and DOT said federal guidance applies to manufacturers while states retain authority over aftermarket tinting. The committee also heard HB 543, prohibiting license plate flipping devices and imposing a $2,000 fine, and HB 228, authorizing counties to adopt rules for electronic license plates, repealing flipping devices, and setting a minimum fine for obscuring plates; both measures had DOT support, comments from the Honolulu Department of Customer Services, and opposition from Sylvie Madison. HB 70 would require insurance for electric bicycles and create a regulatory framework effective January 1, 2026. The Office of the Public Defender opposed it, arguing the bill improperly distinguishes e-bikes from mopeds; PeopleForBikes and the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League opposed it as costly and unnecessary, while the Insurance Division said the bill could conflict with existing no-fault definitions and might fit better in the motor scooter/moped insurance framework. HB 231, increasing the fine for violating motor vehicle insurance requirements from $500 to $1,500, was opposed by the Office of the Public Defender, which argued it would burden low-income residents and add to court congestion; members debated whether higher fines would improve compliance. Later, HB 227 would add fines for operating a vehicle without a current inspection certificate and had DOT support. HB 184 would require operators of low-speed electric bicycles to have a driver’s license, instruction permit, or provisional license; Kawaii Path, PeopleForBikes, and Get Fit Kauaʻi opposed it as a barrier to low-cost transportation and noted concerns for riders with disabilities, while DOT later said it would support the measure and was asked to research whether other states have similar licensing requirements. The final major measure discussed was HB 468, which would require the Civil Rights Commission to investigate discrimination complaints involving transportation network company drivers and riders with service animals and allow DOT to issue penalties to the companies. The National Federation of the Blind of Hawaiʻi, the Disability Rights Center, and individual riders supported the bill, saying current protections lack enforcement and that denials still occur; Uber and Lyft opposed it, saying they already prohibit discrimination, train drivers, investigate complaints quickly, and that the bill would duplicate existing law and create unnecessary penalties. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:30.640><c> And</c> an example on the federal level. And an example on the federal level.
• </c><01:00:07.920><c> funding,</c> extremely reliant on federal funding, extremely reliant on federal
• Slashing Medicare federally broadly.
• I exceed that thresh guidelines.
• As well, the 2.6 federal policies.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Each state develops its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines outlining services covered, eligibility
• poverty level, the federal government picks up about 90% of the cost for those individuals.
• poverty level.
• because, similar to school meals, the federal government uses SNAP data to determine student poverty
• federal funding to operational, you can't move it back to federal.

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• It's half federal, half state.
• It is a federal grant to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, and this is for the From Poverty
• It is a federal grant to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, and this is for the From Poverty
• You'll see they use a variety of funding sources: state, federal, and other funding.
• You'll see they use a variety of funding sources: state, federal, and other funding.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the reason why we're doing a different one because of the federal EITC?
• Like we're interrupting poverty.
• In fact, our income tests determine that whether you have no income or under those federal poverty level
• In a recent housing survey we did of Questa residents, 32% live below 200% of the federal poverty level
• ; it's government, state, and federal land.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Premium enhancements for individuals up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
• The special session resulted in an appropriation to cover individuals above 400% of the federal poverty
• So, the federal shutdown.
• compliance statement from the federal government.
• So it's 90% federal funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies existing federal requirements that facilities are already following.
• In a time when our state budget has no extra funding and the federal government is rolling back every
• Benjamin Henderson, on behalf of the Western Center on Law and Poverty, as a co-sponsor in support of
• I'm also here for the Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, the Center on Race, Poverty,
• People are not going to come into this country with these hostile acts by the federal government.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul Federation of Educators.
• and to provide guidelines and guardrails in Minnesota that both abide by federal law and maximize protection
• </c> policy and guidelines for schools. policy and guidelines for schools.
• We should have clear guidelines.
• We should have clear guidelines.

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: HB145 , HB279 , HB292 , SB35 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM32 , HM51 , HM1 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM30 , HM52 , HM64 , HM65 , HM66 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HM17 , HM46 , HM13 , HM20 , HM54 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM59 , HM2 , HM16 , HM47 , HM53

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, sexual abuse, prison safety, correctional facilities, inmate rights, investigation procedures, judgeship, judiciary, court system