Transcript Highlights:

• unemployment insurance to help cover them during the time period when they’ve been unable to get a fair contract
• to</c><00:11:32.560><c> get</c><00:11:32.720><c> a</c><00:11:32.839><c> fair</c><00:11:33.120><c> contract
• </c><00:11:33.480><c> from</c><00:11:33.680><c> their</c> unable to get a fair contract from their unable
• to get a fair contract from their employer<00:11:34.360><c> so</c><00:11:34.480><c> we</c><00:11:34.600
• </c><00:47:38.520><c> even</c> likely to lean on these contracts even likely to lean on these contracts

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases the contract amount by which the secretary may waive bonding requirements.
• Section 10 increases<01:23:52.880><c> the</c><01:23:53.199><c> contract</c><01:23:53.600><c> amount</
• </c> agency of transportation signs contracts agency of transportation signs contracts with<01:41:34.159
• for everything except for contract for everything except for asphalt<01:41:44.960><c> and</c><01:41:
• So the variable<01:41:48.400><c> within</c><01:41:48.960><c> their</c><01:41:49.280><c> contracts</c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It sounds very tidy when you say a contract is a contract, and I get the appeal of that argument, but
• </c><01:14:57.000><c> is</c><01:14:57.120><c> a</c><01:14:57.360><c> contract</c> when you say a contract
• is a contract when you say a contract is a contract and<01:14:58.159><c> I</c><01:14:58.360><c> get<
• This has to do with terminating a contract when a contract is over.
• There's a conversation about renewing the contract. It's basic contract law.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• difficult to make health care affordable for anybody, and our carriers are having difficulty negotiating contracts
• with providers, especially the larger provider groups with a lot of clout in terms of contracting.
• just going to go through that list in full: a representative of a managed care organization that contracts
• I oversee contracts for a lot of individuals who are doing direct care work in the community. ...around

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Ellen Story Commission for Postpartum Depression held its spring meeting with a large turnout, beginning with roll call and a review of the agenda. Co-chairs Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid and Senator Liz Miranda highlighted progress from the recently enacted maternal health omnibus law and the Moms Matter Act, including creation of a midwifery board, expansion of out-of-hospital birth options, doula services, lactation support, MassHealth coverage changes, and a trust fund for community-based behavioral health and substance use grants. Members also discussed implementation of the new law, the commission’s annual report, and the need to continue supporting birth centers and perinatal mental health services. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on commission membership and vacancies. Commissioners discussed whether to remain on the body, the need to fill several open seats, and whether the commission’s statutory composition should be updated to better reflect current practice and expertise. Members suggested adding more clinicians working directly with perinatal families, infant mental health experts, and a representative from PSI of Massachusetts, while also noting the value of having regulators and professional society representatives at the table. Several participants said any changes to membership would likely require legislation, and the co-chairs said they would explore options and possibly circulate a flyer or other invitation process for nominations. The commission also discussed meeting structure and future planning. Members generally supported moving to quarterly virtual meetings, with a preference for a 4 p.m. start time, and some suggested one annual in-person gathering. The group agreed to postpone the usual May Advocacy Day because the Great Hall was unavailable and instead aim for a fall event, with volunteers stepping forward to help plan it. Commissioners raised top-of-mind issues including postpartum depression screening reimbursement, care for people after miscarriage or abortion, access for undocumented pregnant people, and the impact of federal cuts. The meeting ended with agreement to crowdsource legislative priorities for the next quarter, consider future presentations from outside organizations, and send updates between meetings, followed by a motion to adjourn that passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Division of Insurance to develop a regulatory methodology to look at the lowest cost for contracted
• health care services, primary health care services, ...for contracted health care services, primary
• They're going to enter into a contract, usually with a monthly fee for the services of that physician
• addition, Madam President, so that those protections are clear, this amendment would mandate written contracts

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a primary care health care bill and also took up a separate literacy bill. Several amendments were withdrawn, including one on artificial intelligence in health care and others related to cost controls, direct primary care, and provider studies. The Senate adopted amendments on preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness, modernizing the definition of primary care, clarifying payment rates for community health centers, excluding pharmaceutical spending from primary care expenditure calculations, and strengthening health equity reporting. Other amendments on rate bands, alternative payment systems, private equity reporting, scope of practice, and ownership disclosure were rejected. The Senate then approved the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the primary care bill to a third reading. The chamber also took up final passage of An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy, with senators describing it as a long-awaited compromise focused on improving early reading outcomes. Supporters said the bill requires evidence-based K-3 literacy curricula, regular student screening and family notification, dyslexia screening protocols, professional development for teachers, and a free state-developed curriculum option. Senators emphasized the need to address declining third-grade reading proficiency and equity gaps. The bill passed to be enacted by a unanimous roll call and was sent to the Governor. After the literacy bill, the Senate returned to the primary care bill, where senators again debated cost containment, innovation, and access. The final version included the adopted amendments and was passed to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 35-4. The Senate then adopted an adjournment order and recessed, adjourning in memory of Henry Thomas III, former Representative Ben Swan, and Mr. Dennis Frane.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Division of Insurance to develop a regulatory methodology to look at the lowest cost for contracted
• health care services, primary health care services, For contracted health care services, primary health
• They're going to enter into a contract, usually with a monthly fee for the services of that physician
• addition, Madam President, so that those protections are clear, this amendment would mandate written contracts

Summary: The Senate first considered several amendments to a primary care/health care bill. Amendment 1, on artificial intelligence in health care and mental health services, was withdrawn by unanimous consent. Amendment 37, which would have required a rate band for outpatient primary care reimbursement, was debated and then defeated on a roll call, 5-33. Amendment 39, on direct primary care arrangements and deductible credits, was also defeated 5-33. The chamber then took up and passed the conference report for An Act Relative to Teachers Preparation and Student Literacy (H. 5511), with senators emphasizing the need for evidence-based literacy instruction, universal screening, dyslexia screening, teacher training, and implementation funding; the bill was enacted and sent to the Governor after a 39-0 roll call. The Senate then returned to Amendment 60 on the primary care bill, which would have created a “safety valve” allowing alternative payment systems to be proposed to the Health Policy Commission. After debate over whether the bill already allowed flexibility, the amendment was defeated 5-33. Amendment 50, requiring stronger health equity reporting, was adopted. Amendment 66, a technical fix setting commercial payment rates for community health centers at the MassHealth PPS rate, was adopted. Amendment 24, excluding pharmaceutical spending from the primary care spending baseline and target, was adopted. Amendment 45, a study on expanding the role of allied health professionals, was withdrawn. Amendment 48, a group purchasing cooperative pilot, and amendments 53, 61, and 63 were also withdrawn. The Senate adopted Amendment 64, which prohibits prior authorization from delaying FDA-approved medications for serious mental illness, and rejected Amendment 68 on reporting private equity investment in primary and specialty care, as well as Amendments 71 and 72 on scope of practice and ownership disclosure. Amendment 62, a technical change modernizing the definition of primary care and clarifying the care team, was adopted. Amendment 21, the Senate Ways and Means amendment, was then adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and the Senate passed An Act relative to primary care for you (S. 3116) to be engrossed on a 35-4 roll call. The Senate then adjourned to a later date, with memorial references at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gavin Newsom in May of 2020 launched something called California Connected, where he entered into a contract
• with social media giants to do contract tracing on COVID-19.
• Gavin Newsom in May of 2020 launched something called California Connected, where he entered into a contract
• with social media giants to do contract tracing on COVID-19.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they switched this act portion, and the amendment is the new act, which falls under design-build contracts
• , so that should be under the design-build contracts.
• Okay, so a design-build contract, but it's done with taxpayer dollars. It's a design-build.
• these regulations and went to these regulations, which provides the information for design-build contracts

Bills: SCR63 , SCR12 , HB89 , HB451 , HB595 , HB617 , HB621 , HB730 , HB1064 , HB1125 , HB221 , HCR58 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SB104 , SB122 , SB180 , SB260 , SB424 , SB476 , SCR9 , SCR30 , SB57 , SB414 , SB525 , SB35 , SB65 , SB135 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB276 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB691 , HB712 , HB720 , HB723 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB17 , HB21 , HB51 , HB55 , HB74 , HB106 , HB108 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB168 , HB215 , HB226 , HB263 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1237 , HB1239 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: fiscal notes, legislation, legislative auditor, state policy, conflict of interest, logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB89, Act 615, district attorney, assistant district attorney, retiree health insurance, group health insurance, retirement benefits, public employee benefits, Third Judicial District, Thirtieth Judicial District

Summary: The Senate convened with 32 members present, heard a guest prayer from Pastor Dr. Michael Linton, and proceeded through routine journal approval and legislative bureau reports. The chamber received numerous House messages on passed Senate bills and House bills, introduced several resolutions and concurrent resolutions, and recognized Former Legislators’ Day with remarks honoring deceased former members and welcoming back past legislators and other officials. The Senate also adopted SCR 63, which asks the Legislative Auditor to review how fiscal notes are developed and prepared, after an amendment clarifying the study’s scope and a 33-0 vote. The body then took up a series of Senate bills returned from the House. It concurred in House amendments to SB 106 (crime scene recordings/public records), SB 206 (blood pressure testing in schools, narrowed to athletes), SB 248 (polling place closures for very small precincts), SB 104 (highway memorial designation), SB 122 (bridge preservation), SB 180 (disabled veterans’ homestead exemption transfer language), SB 260 (youth athletics safety training/Coach Safely Act), and SB 476 (garnishment service wording). It rejected House amendments to SB 441 on pre-kindergarten programs. SB 57 on nutrition cleanup, SB 414 on medical debt protection, SB 525 on unclaimed property purchases, SB 501 on postsecondary health information postings, and SB 276 on bail bond producer affidavits all advanced or passed, with SB 57 and SB 414 ultimately passing and SB 525 and SB 501 also receiving final passage. The Senate also adopted SCR 30, a resolution urging Congress to ensure accountability and release of Epstein-related files, and later took up SB 513, a pilot program involving average bid/design-build contracting for certain airport-related projects, which passed 25-10 after extended questioning about its purpose and safeguards. SB 484, revising higher education governance and removing LUMCON language in favor of a study commission, passed 36-1. In personal privilege remarks, senators recognized Louisiana Arts Day and introduced guest Ed Tillman. The chamber then began a long series of House bills, including HB 462 on the Capital Area Road and Bridge District board composition, HB 547 on photographing voter registration information, HB 613 on marking driver’s licenses with citizenship status, HB 691 on voter-roll verification through the federal SAVE system, and HB 712 waiving certain OMV fees for homeless individuals; several of these bills were explained and moved toward final passage as the session continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a political subdivision wants to continue to do a design with an architect, a separate contract
• , and then get bids and then select a constructor based on their contract, they're still open to do that
• The design-build combines those entities together for a single contract to manage risk for the political
• subdivision, and the progressive design-build does that. ...contract to manage risk for the political

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a vote of 126-2. Members then observed a moment of silence for former Representative Barney Fisher, who was remembered for his Marine Corps service, business career, and House service from 2005 to 2013. The chamber also welcomed several guest groups, including Southern Boone third graders, Lake of the Ozarks Day visitors, and guests connected to autism awareness and other local interests. The House then took up several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 907, the “Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation,” was amended and passed 148-0; supporters said it would curb predatory ADA website lawsuits and give businesses 90 days to fix problems before suit, while still preserving access rights. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize investment authority for the state treasurer and potentially generate about $15 million annually, passed 100-34 after debate over investment safeguards and whether it was too broad. House Bill 2741, requiring CDL holders and applicants to be able to read and speak English sufficiently for safety-related tasks and imposing penalties on operators and carriers, passed 104-22 amid concerns about subjectivity and immigration impacts. The House also passed House Bill 2474, adding progressive design-build as an optional project delivery method for local governments, by 141-5; House Bill 3076, a Department of Natural Resources cleanup bill exempting agricultural non-point sources from water permitting, by 102-41 after sharp debate over environmental protections; House Bill 2436, revising animal abuse/neglect and impoundment procedures, by 88-54; House Bill 2576, a naming/recognition bill, by 140-3; and House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” allowing health-condition information to be shared with law enforcement during traffic stops, by 147-0. The chamber then announced upcoming committee work and adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then we also do contract work or grantee work, where we get in partnership with grantees that will
• But then we also do contract work or grantee work, where we get in partnership with grantees that will
• You know, and so again, as we look at contracts and things that we're putting out there, what are things
• Where can we leverage statewide, you know, RFPs and contracts for private centers to be able to opt into

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have certain access, like access yes, large tracts, things like that, where we have contracts with
• landowners to provide hunting, fishing, trapping access, and those are under a contract that we can,
• I don't know. certain access, like access, yes, large tracks, things like that, where we have contracts
• with landowners to provide hunting, fishing, trapping access, and those are under a contract that we

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1326, which would restrict government employees and agents from entering private property without permission or a warrant, with exceptions for exigent circumstances, welfare checks, service of papers, and certain other activities. The bill sponsors argued it was needed to protect Fourth Amendment and property rights and to create a civil penalty for unauthorized entry. Opponents, including Idaho Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, and some lawmakers, said it would hinder routine compliance checks, poaching investigations, and interagency cooperation, and could require new permission-tracking systems. Supporters, including landowners, the Idaho Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, described repeated trespass concerns and said the bill would improve accountability. The committee approved the bill 12-2 and sent it to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1301, a brewery licensing measure that would allow breweries to operate up to two remote retail locations instead of one. The sponsor and supporters from the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, a brewery owner, and a nonprofit representative said the bill would help small businesses expand, support jobs, and increase community and charitable contributions. No opposition was offered, and the committee passed the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Joint Memorial 19, which supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and returning education authority to the states. The sponsor and supporters argued that education should be controlled locally and that federal bureaucracy and regulations are burdensome. Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield said Idaho already handles much of the work, that federal functions are being shifted among agencies without immediate funding disruptions, and that state-level administration could reduce bureaucracy, though she noted no promise of additional funding. After testimony from policy groups supporting the memorial, the committee passed HJM 19 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Missouri Nuclear Authority would ideally receive multiple applications, would dig into the contract
• of the Missouri Nuclear Authority would ideally receive multiple applications, would dig into the contract
• We would anticipate that the gas asset is fully contracted by the customer, the offtaker, probably a
• , is it 80 percent dedicated, 20 percent, you know, 90 percent, would have to be worked out in a contract

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• while I am deeply respectful of our military and the things that they do, knowing that there were no contracts
• The first one is for the IRIS maintenance contract.
• The IRIS maintenance contract has been appropriated on a one-time basis to the Industrial Commission
• 2027 JFAC program maintenance budget, add $288,000 one-time for enhancement one, IRIS maintenance contract

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee met to review the general fund update and several budget-setting items, with staff explaining how to track the latest “green sheet” online and how JFAC actions were affecting the FY 2026 and FY 2027 bottom lines. Members also discussed whether work group progress should be summarized more broadly, but leadership emphasized that work groups were intended to remain independent and that members should consult analysts directly rather than have a running public summary of each group’s internal deliberations. The committee then acted on a series of agency budgets. It approved the Idaho State Tax Commission enhancement package after revising it to remove the chief operating officer personnel item and adopted language limiting use of $550,000 for fast tax collection vendor payments, with any unused amount reverting to the general fund. It also approved supplemental and enhancement requests for the Office of Information Technology Services, including Chinden campus furnishings, E-Core grant staffing and funding, enterprise security/firewall upgrades, the IT modernization transfer of 58 positions from Health and Welfare, and a one-time cash transfer language item to cover transition-year health insurance costs. The Military Division’s request for $120,000 for Office of Emergency Management indirect cost recovery was approved, but an alternate motion to also add $190,800 for the state education assistance program failed, and the original motion was later held in committee. The Industrial Commission and Public Utilities Commission budgets were both advanced with dedicated-fund increases for IRIS maintenance, training, disability fund needs, OITS hardware, and replacement laptops. The Department of Fish and Game budget was also advanced, with approval of a large package of dedicated and federal funds for fishery habitat projects, Good Neighbor Authority work, hatchery and laboratory inflation, temporary employees, wolf depredation response, communications, and replacement items, along with reappropriation authority for prior-year funds. The committee then took up the Department of Health and Welfare Division of Public Health Services, where competing motions focused on the Idaho Home Visiting Program, immunization assessment fund restoration, laboratory testing, HIV and hepatitis prevention, suicide prevention, and moving the home visiting program to Early Learning and Development. Both the substitute motion and the original motion failed after split votes in the House and Senate committees, leaving that budget held for later action. Finally, the committee considered new language for the State Controller and State Treasurer to require monthly reconciliation of cash balances between Luma and TARS from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, with a report due by the fall interim JFAC meeting and documentation retained for audit. Members discussed the need for accurate cash reconciliation and the resources available to the Controller’s office, but no final action was taken before adjournment. The chair announced upcoming budget-setting meetings and reminded members to complete work group motions by the end of the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also we just reached a contract agreement on a direct appropriation for a tribal project.
• And then also we just reached a contract agreement on a direct appropriation for the Calhitz Indian tribe
• And those are, we're getting those under contract right now.
• I know there were shortages of plates during COVID, and we contracted with a third party for a while.

Bills: HB2111 , HB2495

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: Interstate 5 bridge, toll facility, bond retirement, transportation, state funding, vehicles, streetcar operation, public safety, urban regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also we just reached a contract agreement on a direct appropriation for...
• And then also we just reached a contract agreement on a direct appropriation for the Calhitz Indian Tribe
• And those are—we're getting those under contract right now.
• I know there were shortages of plates during COVID, and we contracted with a third party for a while.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on electric vehicles, renewable fuels, hydrogen, and related transportation investments, followed by public hearings on several bills. Agency presenters from WSDOT, Commerce, and Ecology described the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council’s work, Washington’s slowing EV adoption growth, charging infrastructure gaps, and programs such as NEVI, ZEVIP, and a new medium- and heavy-duty incentive program. Members asked about fast-charging standards and whether higher-capacity chargers could be supported. Commerce also outlined renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel efforts, including the Office of Renewable Fuels, hydrogen and SAF modeling, technical assistance, and the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator’s partnerships and funding. WSDOT then discussed hydrogen investments in transit, aviation, backup power, and corridor planning, while Ecology explained the alternative jet fuel programmatic environmental impact statement, its scope, timeline, and how it will support future project review. In the public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2114, the committee heard testimony supporting a no-fee replacement process for defective license plates within two years of issuance, with optional fee waivers later; the sponsor and county auditors said peeling or unreadable plates are a real customer-service problem, especially in eastern Washington. The hearing on House Bill 2111 concerned allowing the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project toll facility bond retirement account to keep its interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund; the prime sponsor said it is a straightforward fix requested by the state treasurer. Substitute House Bill 1823 would update Transportation Improvement Board statutes by replacing “non-motorized” with “active transportation” and removing obsolete references; TIB said it is a cleanup bill that aligns statutes with current grant practices and complete streets policy. The committee also heard House Bill 2495, which would let the City of Seattle direct immediate impoundment of unattended vehicles blocking streetcar operations, similar to existing authority for Sound Transit. Seattle’s streetcar manager said blocked tracks cause frequent delays and that the bill would reduce waits for police authorization and restore service faster. Public testimony and sign-in counts were noted for each bill, but no votes were taken in the transcript, and the meeting concluded after the final public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're doing the contract. Yes.
• So we'd like to consider doing a new contract with them to help us move forward and make sure that we
• So we'll be looking at next month's contract to bring this group to us, even through Zoom and through
• take some help from them, so we will consider at our next committee meeting just extending that contract

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

Summary: The subcommittee received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement rate process, with Secretary Janet Mann reporting that the new cost reporting period began in January and that DHS has begun provider and contractor conference calls as the process moves forward. The bulk of the meeting focused on DHS’s overview of TANF and, especially, SNAP changes under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill. Mary Franklin explained new SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 who are not otherwise exempt, including the three-month time limit in a 36-month period unless they meet an 80-hour monthly work, volunteer, education, or training requirement. She also reviewed exemptions, noted that some prior exemptions were removed while new tribal-related exemptions were added, and described SNAP Employment and Training providers, budgets, service areas, participant characteristics, and outcomes. Members asked about how mandatory referrals will work, whether funding and vendors are sufficient, how cross-program participation is tracked, how verification and recertification will be handled, and how error rates and sanctions will be managed. DHS said mandatory participants will be referred directly to providers, verification will occur at application and recertification, interviews can be by phone, and the department will return with more information on error-rate mitigation and other requested data. DHS then outlined upcoming Medicaid community engagement requirements for the ARHOME population under the same federal law, which must be implemented by January 1, 2027. The department said it is preparing policy, system changes, data matching, communications, and an outbound customer-service verification process, with a soft launch planned for July to help identify who would meet the requirement or need to provide more information. Members raised concerns about notice, local versus centralized decision-making, and how clients will document work, school, caregiving, or medical exemptions. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the Alliance for Opportunity audit and a shared emphasis on using SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and workforce programs together to improve outcomes, expand training options, and better connect Arkansans to education and employment opportunities. The committee also discussed extending the audit contract at a future meeting and adjourned without taking any formal vote in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we’re doing the contract. Yes.
• So we’d like to consider doing a new contract with them to help us move forward and make sure that we
• So we’ll be looking at next month’s contract to bring this group to us, even through Zoom and through
• take some help from them, so we will consider at our next committee meeting just extending that contract

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

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we have abuse cases, we rely on them; we contract with them to take care of these horses.
• have them meet our requirements in order to have a healthy environment for these horses, and we do contract
• we incorporated was a technical assistance program where we have service providers that we have contracted
• with directly to the Finance Authority on behalf of applicants, and we administer the contracts.

Bills: HM26 , HB243 , HB109

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 26, a student-presented memorial encouraging state agencies to participate in insect education and conservation efforts, including free workshops sponsored by Wild Friends. The young witnesses emphasized the ecological and agricultural importance of insects, especially pollinators, and clarified that the memorial would not restrict fishing bait or other insect use. After brief questions about fishing, the University of New Mexico connection, and a planned BioPark bugarium, the committee approved the memorial on a due pass motion by unanimous consent. The committee then heard House Bill 243, which would provide more stable funding for shelters that care for homeless, abused, abandoned, or surrendered horses, donkeys, and mules. The bill would appropriate $500,000 to the existing Equine Shelter Rescue Fund, move administration of the fund from the Livestock Board to the Department of Agriculture, strengthen grant and reporting requirements, and create an Equine Welfare Trust Fund seeded with $5 million. Supporters from Animal Protection New Mexico, the Livestock Board, and the Department of Agriculture said the shelters are essential, underfunded, and at capacity, and that the bill would provide a more reliable funding stream. Some public testimony raised concerns about how animals are tracked and whether any horses could end up at auction or slaughter. Committee discussion focused on whether equine care should be funded through recurring appropriations instead of a trust fund, whether the Livestock Board or Department of Agriculture should administer the money, and whether the bill could affect wild or free-roaming horses. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would not change the Livestock Board’s enforcement role and that the trust fund was intended to create long-term support. A motion to table the bill failed, and the committee then voted 4-4 on the due pass motion, so HB 243 did not advance. One member explained his support but said the bill was not a good long-term solution. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 109, which would temporarily, through December 2029, allow the New Mexico Finance Authority to award water project funds without separate legislative authorization after projects have already been vetted. The sponsor and NMFA and Water Trust Board witnesses said the current authorization step delays projects for months, increases costs, and especially hurts small rural communities and acequias. They said the bill keeps existing oversight and evaluation processes, adds technical assistance for smaller applicants, and was amended to extend the sunset date to 2029 and remove an unconstitutional two-thirds-extension requirement. The committee approved HB 109 on a due pass motion by a vote of 7-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• Along with that, we require videotaping provided by those vendors in the contract, showing them what
• So we have contracted with Jaramillo Accounting Group.
• Members, the next item on the agenda this morning is... ...getting close to the end is the semi-annual contracts
• Hugh Cruz, our Contracts Administrator and Manager at the PSFA. Good morning, Mr.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• have a policy addressing this, and then every employee who is teleworking would have an individual contract
• come in and saying you can't do anything about it and that type of thing, and making sure that the contract
• have a policy addressing this, and then every employee that is teleworking, there be an individual contract
• come in and saying you can't do anything about it and that type of thing, and making sure that the contract

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.