Transcript Highlights:

• Please call the roll on CS for CS for CS for SB 686.
• I hope you get out in time for dinner. Reported favorably. Thank you, committee.
• I hope you get out in time for dinner. Or breakfast.
• Please call the roll on CS for CS for CS for SB 4.
• high school graduates for high school graduate requirements and ...requiring, for high school graduation

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been able to do it successfully, and it continues to be a high priority for our community.
• However, I signed up to speak under this bill because I am both astonished and incredibly hopeful for
• Eric High, I hope, is in the hearing room with you.
• From this purview, this bill seems amazing, a cause for celebration, the ceiling of what we might hope
• For that reason, our hope today is to really make sure that this is codified in a way that makes a long-lasting

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death. Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements. On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a long process, and we're very hopeful that this will be a better arrangement for Medford, but
• This is a long process, and we're very hopeful that this will be a better arrangement for Medford, but
• for planning and zoning boards, is good for our cities and towns, good for our residents, and good for
• I hope everybody votes for this and gives us permission in our community to decide what kind of government
• And I think that's really the direction we should be going in, and I hope that everybody votes for that

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hybrid hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, with testimony spanning local board training, animal welfare and enforcement, municipal charters, water district dissolution, and other home rule matters. Chairs Rausch and Lewis set strict time limits because of the large number of speakers and explained that written testimony would also be accepted. Members heard from local officials, advocates, municipal employees, and residents, with many bills receiving broad support from municipal and advocacy witnesses. Several speakers supported bills requiring or expanding training for local boards and commissions, including pre-service training for planning, zoning, and other land use boards. Supporters said training would help volunteers understand complex laws, improve consistency, reduce legal challenges, and speed up housing and development decisions. Related testimony also backed a bill to modernize historic district commissions and another to allow associate planning board members to serve more broadly when needed to maintain quorums. A major portion of the hearing focused on animal legislation. Witnesses supported bills to expand citations for cruel conditions beyond dogs, update dangerous dog procedures, improve animal health inspections and breeder oversight, strengthen tethering rules, and protect pet consumers. Animal control officers, humane organizations, and some victims of dog attacks described enforcement gaps and the need for clearer standards, while several dog trainers and the American Kennel Club opposed parts of the dangerous dog bill and tethering restrictions, arguing they would limit humane training tools and professional discretion. The committee also heard strong support for a bill to create a statewide pet shop and consumer protection framework. The committee also heard testimony on several local home rule petitions. Medford officials and residents strongly supported a new city charter that would replace the current at-large council with ward-based representation and periodic charter review. Wayland representatives supported a bill to preserve the library’s Millennium Fund as intended, Cambridge officials backed creation of an employment and job training trust, and Carver officials supported dissolving the North Carver Water District due to compliance and financial problems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were hoping that we would have a plan for the seven states, but the upper basin states are not agreeing
• And then we can do estimates for budgeting purposes for that.
• Oh, so are they calling it $118 million for one time for three years?
• There's $38 million for capital, $12 million for state building repairs, and $26 million for replacing
• continuing one-time funding for high-need clients in the DD program.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee of Appropriations met on January 21, 2026, and first considered House Bill 2116, which would appropriate $1 million in fiscal year 2027 to the Colorado River Litigation Fund. The sponsor and Arizona Department of Water Resources both supported the bill, describing it as a backup measure to protect Arizona’s Colorado River entitlements if post-2026 negotiations among the basin states fail. Members discussed how the bill relates to the governor’s separate Colorado River Protection Fund proposal, and staff clarified the two funds serve different purposes. The committee approved HB 2116 on a 17-1 roll call vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2053, which would provide $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping and expand the work beyond state trust lands to private lands. An amendment in the chair’s name was adopted to extend the coordination timeline, broaden the agencies involved, and revise language about mapped sites and appropriable surface water. The sponsor said the bill is intended to identify more places to capture stormwater for recharge rather than letting most rainfall evaporate. ADWR testified neutrally, supporting the mapping effort but raising a concern about language that could be read as requiring the department to determine whether water is appropriable, which it said is a legal question for the courts. The amended bill passed 11-7. House Bill 2148, as amended, was then heard and approved 11-7. The bill would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal monies and set requirements for those appropriations. The chair’s amendment excluded federal research grants to universities, university employees, and the Arizona Board of Regents. The sponsor framed the bill as a transparency measure, saying the legislature should know how federal funds are being spent. No outside testimony was offered, and the committee approved the measure after debate about legislative oversight of federal funds. After the bills, the committee received a lengthy JLBC presentation comparing the executive budget with the JLBC baseline. Discussion focused on revenue forecasts, tax conformity, sports betting, lottery and tourism revenue assumptions, SNAP administrative costs and error-rate penalties, developmental disability and Access caseload growth, and K-12 enrollment and ESA spending. Members repeatedly questioned the executive budget’s use of one-time funding for ongoing costs, especially for SNAP administration and DES staffing, and expressed concern about rising supplemental needs and the lack of long-term budget capacity. No votes were taken on the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2 3 Thank you for watching. Thanks for watching! Thanks for watching! Thanks for watching!
• I'll hear excuses for absent members.
• this session, I will not be back next session asking for for more money for our judges.
• I'm not asking you to do this for the judges. I'm certainly not asking you to do it for me.
• But don't do this for the judges.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for special projects, for capstone projects.
• for a positions no for the asking for a positions no for the director<00:38:07.400><c> position</c><
• </c><00:59:54.839><c> ACM</c> funds for the um PBS Building for ACM funds for the um PBS Building for
• </c><01:04:47.440><c> facilities</c><01:04:47.920><c> for</c> was done advocating for facilities for
• still hope and life for ACM, yes, and the studio there?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Within that category, there is a target for high-source radioactive isotopes like cesium-137 and, by
• And this is a huge concern for us for my And this is a huge concern for us, for my livestock, for even
• In the legislature, we always say it's a simple question, and I hope it is for you.
• So on average, how long does it take for a high-priority one, where you're looking at it and you're saying
• But one thing I hope you hear is the fear in our voices and the people that I'm here for, you know, my

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe I don't know &gt;&gt; For for me anyway.
• The financing for infrastructure outside financing has contracted because it's a high risk.
• </c> there being separate requirements for there being separate requirements for for<01:35:28.560><c>
• A question for DOEX. Thanks for being here.
• </c> for being here. Single for the business. for being here. Single for the business.

Bills: HB1719 , HB1742 , HB1737 , HB2049 , HB1725 , HB1726 , HB1738 , HB1799 , HB1700

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a tax cut for you if you were to apply for it, right? For the investment...
• This is a tax cut for you if you were to apply for it, right? For the investor, it is, yes.
• They're bad for the budget, they're bad for each other, and they're terrible for the citizens of this
• year, again, they're hoping just for that very specific clarity. ...which you all appropriated last
• Again, they're hoping just for that very specific clarity.

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• example, for going to be able to inspect every single collection point, for example, for an EPR program
• for rebuild.
• For the most part, those soil conditions are safe for rebuild, but because of the vast nature, the high
• But it's an opportunity for the future for the Legislature to contemplate alternative models for regulating
• In L.A., these residents organized for years to shut down the metal recycler because extremely high levels

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on DTSC’s implementation of SB 158 reforms, including enforcement, community engagement, fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, permitting backlogs, and the Safer Consumer Products program. Senators and Assembly members emphasized protecting overburdened communities and asked how DTSC and the Board of Environmental Safety are using their authority to improve accountability, reduce delays, and address hazardous waste facilities and consumer product chemicals. The hearing also included discussion of extended producer responsibility programs and whether DTSC can support them more efficiently, including through coordination with CalRecycle. DTSC Director Katie Butler said the department is now more transparent, accountable, and fiscally stable, citing stronger enforcement actions, an interactive inspections map, expanded community outreach, and emergency response work on the Los Angeles wildfire cleanup. She said DTSC has made progress on fee reform, the hazardous waste management plan, cleanup grants, permit renewals, and safer consumer products rulemaking, including adding microplastics to the candidate chemical list. Board Chair Andrew Rakestraw said the board has held multiple public meetings and hearings, is working on fee rates and performance metrics, and is revising the hazardous waste management plan after public comment, including removing a proposal to send certain contaminated soil to municipal landfills. He also noted remaining concerns about fee structure, permit delays, and the pace of the safer consumer products program. Public witnesses offered sharply different views. A representative of the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance said SB 158 reforms have improved permitting and transparency, but urged more attention to risk-based decision-making, reduced duplication, and possible General Fund support for plan implementation rather than relying only on fees. Earthjustice argued DTSC remains too slow and that communities continue to suffer from long-delayed permits and weak protections, urging the Legislature to take a more active role and to prioritize eliminating hazardous substances rather than minimizing costs. Committee members pressed the witnesses on permit renewals, community impacts, and the pace of the safer consumer products program, while DTSC defended its progress and said further legislative collaboration may be needed on hazardous waste management and emerging waste streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a coach for high school sports and as a parent of a high school athlete who is non-binary, I have
• </c><00:15:45.199><c> high</c><00:15:45.319><c> school</c> examinations as a coach for high school examinations
• as a coach for high school sports<00:15:46.120><c> and</c><00:15:46.240><c> as</c><00:15:46.360><c>
• sports for high school students, but not all, like Ultimate Frisbee or mountain biking.
• </c> sanctions a wide range of sports for sanctions a wide range of sports for high<00:23:46.159><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• DC</c> bonuses were as high as $100,000 for DC bonuses were as high as $100,000 for DC office<02:58:59.200
• Through our membership, we advocate for high standards, push for transparency, and drive economic reforms
• Through our membership, we advocate for high standards, push for transparency, and drive economic reforms
• Through our membership, we advocate for high standards, push for transparency, and drive economic reforms
• Through our membership, we advocate for high standards, push for transparency, and drive economic reforms

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, July 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time, and we support and hope you support this bill. Thank you.
• And I hope for the other five Nash kids that there's a possibility to move back to their North Star state
• And<01:16:56.239><c> I</c><01:16:56.400><c> hope</c><01:16:56.560><c> for</c><01:16:56.719><c> the</c
• for the other five Nash kids And I hope for the other five Nash kids that<01:16:58.159><c> there's</
• Uh, that for me and for many of family.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , thank you for this day for the this day for the this day for the privilege, ask for your guidance upon
• winning the 2025 Alabama High Team for winning the 2025 Alabama High Team for winning the 2025 Alabama
• . for. for.
• This was already passed in 2020 for for uh for the redevelopment. 2020 for for uh for the redevelopment
• . 2020 for for uh for the redevelopment.

Bills: HB 10 , HB 12 , HB 147 , HB 1522 , HB 422 , HB 675 , HB 204 , HB 748 , HB 912

Keywords: regulatory reform, government efficiency, administrative law, rulemaking, agency deference, judicial review, de novo review, Texas Government Code, Administrative Procedure Act, state agencies, plain language, regulatory burden, regulatory reduction, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal note, public benefits and costs, contested case, rule challenge, Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, advisory panel

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope that you have love and compassion for your fellow human beings as well. That's why I'm here.
• I got some hope for you. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. We're now turning it to committee members. Mr.
• We're hopeful to bring a rule to our board for consideration in October, and that's something that we're
• We're hopeful to bring a rule to our board for consideration in October, and that's something that we're
• But to deliver the 75 million metric tons of removal the plan calls for, we need to start scaling high-quality

Summary: The committee first heard SB 14, which would direct state agencies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste diversion at state facilities by updating integrated waste management plans, increasing reusable foodware use, reducing paper purchasing, and requiring better employee education and recycling/composting practices. Supporters from the California Compost Coalition, Republic Services, Waste Management, and others said the bill would help build composting and recycling markets and let the state lead by example. Several groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were now neutral after amendments, including the removal of a 90% requirement. The bill was moved out on a due pass as amended recommendation. The committee then took up SB 326 on wildfire mitigation. The bill would create a framework for Cal Fire to evaluate the risk-reduction benefits of fuels management and landscape resilience investments, and it would accelerate implementation of Zone Zero defensible-space standards, including grants for local enforcement and broader application to rental and sale properties and post-fire reconstruction. Support came from Stanford climate researcher Michael Mastrandrea and several local government, insurance, and climate groups. With no opposition, the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. Next, SB 34 on port emissions and the South Coast Air Quality Management District drew extensive testimony. The author said the bill was narrowed by committee amendments to preserve the ports’ ability to reduce emissions while preventing cargo throughput caps and addressing concerns about automation, local control, and the timeline for port clean-air planning. Supporters included ILWU, business groups, and port-related stakeholders, while the South Coast AQMD and many environmental and community organizations opposed it, arguing it would weaken public-health protections and set a bad precedent. After lengthy debate, the committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Transportation, with some members voting no and others abstaining. The committee also heard SB 279, which would expand composting options for farmers and small community composters by allowing limited on-farm composting after large biomass events and increasing the amount small operations may process and sell. Supporters said the bill would help address agricultural waste, expand composting capacity, and reduce landfill disposal. Commercial composting representatives opposed it, warning that the bill could create regulatory inequities, strand recent investments in permitted facilities, and allow too much unregulated food waste. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations on a due pass vote. The transcript also briefly referenced SB 613 on upstream methane emissions data, described as having no opposition and intended to improve tracking of imported oil and gas emissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for all your hard work. We hope you've enjoyed it.
• We hope to see you again soon. >> Thank you guys so much for the work you do.
• that I hope was there for<00:30:40.320><c> the</c> for the for the &gt;&gt; and<00:30:40.960><c> I</
• I'm hoping somebody looks at the hours required for cosmetology.
• So, I thank you for the opportunity to support the bill and I hope that that has the desired effect of

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in law for long. between this bill's eligibility for PDSD coverage versus what we have in law for law
• for sale.
• Washington for sale, in Washington for sale.
• We'll open up the hearing for Senate Bill 6204, for home cultivation of cannabis. ...up the hearing for
• I'm available for questions. Any questions for Susan?

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 5882 would extend workers’ compensation PTSD presumptions to local correctional facility workers after 90 days of employment, with staff explaining the bill’s scope, fiscal note, and how claims would affect employers’ experience ratings. The sponsor and labor representatives supported the measure as a response to correctional officer trauma, while cities, retailers, and self-insurers opposed it over cost, system sustainability, and the need for more study. Labor and Industries said the estimated five-year state-fund claim cost ranges from $6.7 million to $15.3 million, and the hearing closed after testimony from both sides. The committee then heard SB 6196, which would impose a 95% excise tax on kratom products starting in 2027, create licensing and labeling requirements, and direct revenue to youth harmful substance prevention. Supporters argued kratom is unregulated and increasingly available to youth, and some urged age-gating and stronger restrictions on synthetic concentrated products. Opponents, including retailers and the American Kratom Association, said the bill is too punitive, would hurt legitimate businesses, and should be revised into a consumer protection framework rather than treated like a controlled substance. No vote was taken. SB 6204, allowing adults to grow up to six cannabis plants at home with a 15-plant household cap, drew strong support from cannabis advocates and some medical users, who said home grow should have been part of legalization and would help consumers understand the plant. Opponents from law enforcement, cities, and public health warned about youth access, enforcement problems, fire and chemical risks, and possible impacts on cannabis tax revenue. The committee also heard SB 6134, requiring notice to striking workers about possible UI overpayments if they later receive retroactive wages, which the sponsor said would prevent surprise repayment obligations; testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Finally, SB 6195, aimed at reducing cannabis oversupply by tying producer canopy size to reported sales, drew broad support from cannabis businesses and trade groups, who said it would stabilize the market and address JLARC’s findings, with some stakeholders asking for implementation fixes and clearer language.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Health calls their program, not just for traumas, but for cardiac and stroke.
• Was that for me, Representative, or for whoever is most appropriate?
• This inconvenience for me becomes debilitating for families without access to a car.
• I'm a student at Redmond High School and a Youth Ambassador for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, here
• The only thing that made her quit permanently was when the price of the cigarettes got too high for her

Summary: The committee heard briefings, sponsor presentations, and public testimony on several finance bills. HB 2038 would impose an additional B&O tax on businesses operating social media platforms beginning in 2027 and create a youth behavioral health account funded by the tax. The sponsor argued the bill would help address youth mental health harms linked to social media and support implementation of the Washington Thriving plan. Supporters in testimony, including youth advocates and some public health voices, said social media contributes to youth anxiety and addiction and that the revenue should be used for behavioral health services. Opponents, including technology and business groups, argued the tax unfairly singles out one sector, could be passed on to consumers, and may violate federal internet tax law. The hearing on HB 2038 was suspended and later reopened for public testimony; no vote was taken. HB 2297 would create tax incentives for grocery stores in underserved communities, including local B&O preferences, a sales tax exemption for security services, a 30-year property tax exemption program, a B&O tax credit, and a B&O exemption for certain locally owned or employee-owned stores. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to preserve and attract grocery stores in food deserts, especially after recent store closures, and to help communities with limited transportation and access to healthy food. County representatives supported the goal but raised concern about the bill’s sales tax exemption and its effect on local revenues. Public testimony was largely supportive, with advocates, local officials, grocers, and residents describing grocery stores as essential community infrastructure. No action was taken. HB 2382 would raise cigarette taxes by $2 per pack, restructure vapor and other tobacco product taxes, and dedicate portions of the revenue to a time-sensitive emergency system, tobacco enforcement, and the foundational public health services account. The sponsor said the bill would generate needed revenue, support cancer research funding, and strengthen public health and enforcement. Supporters said higher tobacco taxes reduce use and help cover long-term health costs, while some public health witnesses supported the revenue but suggested directing more funds to existing tobacco prevention accounts. Opponents from retail and industry groups argued the proposal is regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt small businesses and low-income consumers. The committee also heard HB 2487, a Department of Revenue request bill that would narrow the B&O exemption for insurers to clarify that it applies only to premium income subject to insurance premium tax, and apply the change retroactively to 2019. The sponsor and supporters said the bill closes a loophole created by a recent Supreme Court ruling and preserves tax equity, while insurers and business groups objected to the retroactive application, warning of higher premiums and unfair taxation. Finally, HB 2018 would increase the solid waste tax by 0.5% per year for five years and direct the new revenue to a local government solid waste assistance account for county and city waste management plans. County officials supported the bill as a way to stabilize funding for solid waste systems, and testimony emphasized rising disposal and infrastructure costs. No votes were taken on any of the bills during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd like to say that I am very much in support of that portion of the bill for allowing high schoolers
• So I'd like to say that I am very much in support of that portion of the bill for allowing high schoolers
• So I'd like to say that I am very much in support of that portion of the bill for allowing high schoolers
• So I'd like to say that I am very much in support of that portion of the bill for allowing high schoolers
• do for sure.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• support for these families... ...for support for these families.
• The League stands for extensive coverage for all New Mexicans.
• I ask for your support in this bill. Thank you for your time.
• If he's listening, I hope he's not. I hope he's rushing.
• I hope he's resting. But if he is, we're sending good, good healing wishes for you.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 213, which would allow optometrists to perform three specific laser procedures. The sponsor presented a committee substitute adding 32 hours of approved advanced training, supervised live-patient practice, adverse-event reporting, and other accountability measures. Supporters argued the bill would improve access to care, while the New Mexico Medical Board opposed it, citing patient-safety concerns and the much greater training required of ophthalmologists. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 6-3. The committee then considered House Bill 65, renamed the Foster Care Plus pilot program. The substitute changed the bill to require clinical assessment instead of CAN assessment, added reporting to the Legislature and LFC, and clarified contracting with clinical experts. CYFD officials said the $2.5 million request, combined with existing growth funding, would support more children, staff, foster-parent stipends, and related services, and that the program is already being implemented with help from Oklahoma-based experts. Some members remained concerned about cost, staffing, and whether the program could be sustained, but the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 8-1. House Bill 127, on expedited medical licensure, was amended to create a provisional pathway for internationally trained physicians, require a job offer and benchmarks before full licensure, and establish a telemedicine registry. The Medical Board supported the amended bill, while public commenters emphasized physician shortages and access to care. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 128, which updates firefighter occupational disease and disablement presumptions to add cancers and other changes, drew strong support from firefighters, labor, and workers’ compensation officials; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 156, which removes the sunset on the state’s authority to set vaccine guidelines and continue its vaccine program, also passed after supporters argued it preserves access and opponents raised broader vaccine-policy concerns. The committee then began hearing House Bill 137, a buprenorphine access bill, with the sponsor and advocates describing pharmacy supply barriers and a committee substitute aimed at setting minimum stock standards, requiring distributor reporting, and avoiding fines on pharmacies.