Transcript Highlights:

• legislator, you understand that the digital divide impacts many of your constituents acutely and limits
• Without a solution, we could exacerbate the existing problems and fail to deploy our limited resources
• We view those limitations as kind of basic protections for cooperative infrastructure, and they aren't
• Did, did those legacy, um, agreements require them to post bond? OK. It was a handshake.
• To our members granted them to us and we're limited as to who can come get on it.

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Transcript Highlights:

• legislator, you understand that the digital divide impacts many of your constituents acutely and limits
• Without a solution, we could exacerbate the existing problems and fail to deploy our limited resources
• And those other chapters include certain limitations around that access, particularly concerning safety
• We view those limitations as basic protections for cooperative infrastructure, and they aren't present
• Under the other bill heard this morning, the PUC's evaluation will be limited.

Bills: HB3445 , HB3448

Committee: House S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I have to say that I don't think that's limited to just J-1 visa holders who feel like, you know,
• 00:16:01.400><c> don't</c><00:16:01.680><c> think</c><00:16:01.920><c> that's</c><00:16:02.760><c> limited
• </c><00:16:04.120><c> to</c> say that I don't think that's limited to say that I don't think that's limited
• MMB goes to New York and wants to find out what are these interest rates that we're going to pay on bonds
• Out what are these interest rates that we're going to pay on bonds that we sell, they look at the behind

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is better to say it as an aggregate. Representative Corman, I will buy it.
• For next year, in my view, that is the limit. I would put the obligation at up to 20%.
• For next year, I think that is the limit. I would make a 20% duty.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think one of the reasons today we had sort of limited information was just simply because the bill.
• .. ...of the reasons today we had sort of limited information was just simply because the bill was sort
• I'm just saying what you've just described and then what you're showing us is limited information.
• The Office of New Americans is temporary and limited.
• difference you will be seeing there is a reduction based on new projections we had for the Otero County bonds

Bills: SB132 , SB241

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Summary: The committee first heard HB 158 as amended, which would require state agencies receiving appropriations from the Grow Fund to submit accountability and evaluation plans to the State Budget Division and the Legislative Finance Committee. LFC staff said the bill would put existing practice into statute and formalize agency reporting and evaluation responsibilities. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and after questions about whether agencies or LFC would do the evaluations, it passed on a 9-0 due pass vote. HB 255, the Public Safety Workforce Building Program, was then presented as a bipartisan measure to consolidate public safety workforce funding into a competitive grant program for local law enforcement, fire, detention, and public attorney offices. The sponsor said it would not require a new appropriation. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee approved it on a 9-0 due pass vote. The committee then took up SB 309, which would replace the lottery’s 30% return requirement with a fixed floor return for several fiscal years, with a reversion to the current law if the floor is not met. Lottery officials and supporters argued the change would let the lottery offer more competitive prizes, including higher-value scratchers, and potentially increase scholarship revenue; opponents, including Think New Mexico and a nursing student, warned it could cap long-term growth and reduce scholarship funding. After extended debate, the bill passed on a 7-2 due pass vote. Later, SB 79, creating a statewide mosquito-borne disease prevention program through the Department of Health, was presented by its sponsor as a response to West Nile virus and warmer winters. Testimony from the sponsor and the state entomologist emphasized rising mosquito risk and the need for county grants and statewide coordination. Although the committee initially moved to table the bill because funding had already been included in the budget, that motion failed and the bill ultimately received a due pass vote. The committee also heard HB 295, which would create a centralized accessibility reporting position in the Department of Health; after testimony for and against, an amendment stripping the appropriation was adopted, and the bill passed 5-3. The committee then heard HB 124, establishing an Office of New Americans within Workforce Solutions to coordinate workforce integration for immigrants with lawful status. Supporters described barriers faced by immigrant workers and the need for bilingual training and centralized assistance, while the sponsor said the office would have no first-year budget impact. The bill passed 6-4. Finally, the committee considered SB 273 and SB 274, both involving state financial support for affected entities and the Patient Compensation Fund. SB 273, which would provide temporary state assistance to communities affected by economic disruption, passed after debate about precedent and economic recovery. SB 274, which sought repayment from the Patient Compensation Fund for prior state infusions, drew opposition from hospitals and physicians who warned of higher surcharges and questioned the timing and legality; discussion continued around the committee substitute and the fund’s statutory restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• each scheduled for approximately an hour or so, and we'll try and keep on schedule without trying to limit
• Some major areas we advocated for include municipal bonds and tax status through various coalitions that
• Again, we look at state fiscal sovereignty and providing more exemptions that would limit the state's
• There are implications already issued by CMS from the executive branch. to CMS to limit reimbursement
• But I will tell you there are two provisions that we've talked about today on the provider tax limitation

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• our current assessment, shared by the administration right now, is that moving forward there's a limited
• because our current assessment shared by the administration right now is moving forward there's a limited
• Given the resource limitations there, I think I mentioned a couple of things, reviewing some of those
• Given the resource limitations there, I mean, I think I mentioned a couple of things, you know, sort
• And the sky's the limit. There's many opportunities in manufacturing.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask members to do their best to adhere to these time limits.
• My limited experience in this town is from when I attended American University, waited tables and worked
• who can talk to each other about ongoing cases, limiting it to a very few... very senior officials on
• I don't know the reasoning behind Attorney General Bond. these decisions to do what she did on her first
• Well I'm going to interrupt with apologies because my time is very limited. Okay.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:52:24.440><c> number</c> currently um there are a limited number currently um there are a limited
• I'm just curious about the two-case limit.
• There are some that have no limits. There are some that have two cases a month, so 24.
• I'm just curious about the two-case limit.
• There are some that have no limits. There are some that have two cases a month, so 24.

Bills: HF1262 , HF1741 , HF472 , HF1668 , HF2055 , HF1786 , HF1876 , HF1089 , HF1121 , HF509 , HF1545 , HF2027 , HF642

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: food truck, liquor license, temporary license, community events, catering, municipal regulations, food hall, St. Louis Park, on-sale, intoxicating beverages, food vendors, common seating area, HF472, Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato, MSU Mankato, Taylor Center, special liquor license, on-sale wine license, malt liquor license

Transcript Highlights:

• million of rainy day funds were used, basically emptying those accounts without any impact on the bond
• For some reason, even though we're over the limits on those reserve accounts, we refuse to even consider

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the March 11 journal and received routine communications, including notice of a temporary substitute senator and several committee reports. The chamber also received a gubernatorial message transmitting signed Senate bills and House messages on enrolled bills and new legislation. Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including measures on finance, judiciary, resources, education, local government, agriculture, and transportation, with some bills held for amendment or one legislative day. On the floor, the Senate considered several third-reading bills. Senate Bill 1351, concerning state office vacancies and limits on reappointed gubernatorial appointees, passed 34-0. Senate Bill 1364, revising the expiration of temporary administrative rules, passed 35-0. Senate Bill 1370, amending the abortion trafficking statute by removing the word “recruiting” after constitutional concerns raised by the Attorney General’s office, passed 28-6. Senate Bill 1337, allowing limited flexibility for small irrigation district boards, passed 34-0, and Senate Bill 1339, replacing continuous improvement plans with multi-year strategic performance plans for schools and reducing reporting requirements, also passed on a 34-0 vote. The Senate also passed House Bill 576 on the Consumer Asset Recovery Fund, House Bill 731 on participation in the federal tax credit scholarship program, House Bill 591 cleaning up obsolete indigent eligibility law, House Bill 663 shifting agricultural license plate design authority, House Bill 543 updating retirement system Roth contribution language, House Bill 563 revising CPA licensure pathways, and House Bill 652 designating hunting as Idaho’s state sport. Senate Bill 1303, revising provisions related to renewable/sustainable energy resources and the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, passed 27-8. House Bill 822 was introduced, and Senate Bill 1227 received House amendments that the Senate concurred in. The major defeat of the day was Senate Bill 1375, the fiscal year 2027 Health and Human Services maintenance appropriation bill. After extensive debate over Medicaid rate reductions, provider impacts, federal funding losses, and the use of reserves versus cuts, the bill failed 10-25 and was retained by the Secretary. The Senate then returned to committee reports, received additional House and Senate messages, and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• million of rainy day funds were used, basically emptying those accounts without any impact on the bond
• For some reason, even though we're over the limits on those reserve accounts, we refuse to even consider

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The flag bill in the school has already had that limitation. Boise doesn't follow the rules anyway.
• back that $275 million, which really is more like $2 billion for roads because it allows us to go on bond

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• including... ...contract, this includes all on-site and off-site health care services, including, but not limited
• Per the terms of the contract, they have to possess a performance bond.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Going back to when it was first bonded, it was completely paid off in June of this year.
• probably mimic some of that as the Transit bus has been very successful in those areas. but with limitations

Transcript Highlights:

• is</c> Moving to page 11, section 5 is Representative Olsen's House File 1443, which increases the bonding
• limit for the State Armory Building Commission.

Bills: HF2446 , HF2563 , HF2444

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Perdue, let me ask your thoughts on the no-limits partnership between Russia and China.
• Of course, President Xi famously said that... that the bonds of friendship between China and Russia know

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy

Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.

Transcript Highlights:

• people maybe then go find a vacation rental that does have private deeded beach access, but that is a limited
• Instead of preference for bids that include a 10-year construction bond, which was the original idea,

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee took up eight bills focused on water policy, coastal resilience, environmental regulation, beaches, wildlife funding, and carbon sequestration. HB 7001 preserved the public-record exemption for site-specific location information on endangered and threatened species before its scheduled repeal, and it was reported favorably 16-0. H.R. 661, expressing support for a “one-water” approach to the state water supply, drew discussion about whether it implied centralized control; an amendment aligning the resolution with Senate language was adopted, and the resolution passed 16-0 with a committee substitute. The committee also advanced HB 1345 on infrastructure and resiliency, which after a strike-all amendment authorized DEP to procure coastal resiliency projects through public-private partnerships and use incentives such as revenue-sharing, expedited permitting, public engagement, and workforce training; it passed 16-0. HB 477 on weather modification was substantially amended to return to current statute and add a $10,000 fine for failing to obtain a permit; the bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against weather modification and cloud seeding, and it passed as amended with a committee substitute. HB 6043, repealing the 2018 customary-use beach statute affecting Walton County, prompted testimony about beach access, tourism losses, and private property rights; it passed 17-0. The committee then approved CS for HB 843, making clarifying changes to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds and allowing use of the non-game wildlife trust fund for law enforcement and coordination with related agencies and landowners; it passed 17-0. HB 1169 revised water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and procurement practices, including restrictions on lobbyist funds and updated project preference rules; two amendments were adopted and the bill passed 16-0. Finally, HB 1063 created a task force to study carbon sequestration and related ecosystem services in Florida’s natural and agricultural lands and waters; after amendments removing a fiscal component and clarifying voluntary participation and property-rights protections, it passed 15-2. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know that the limited number of graduates at medical education slots is a bottleneck that contributes
• So fortunately as you know the bond election of last year allowed us to now start the construction for

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why does a bill not just limit piece?
• ><c> these</c><00:20:53.440><c> addictive</c> permission, it limits these addictive permission, it limits
• <00:27:29.600><c> companies</c><00:27:30.000><c> hold</c> limits that social media companies hold limits
• </c> Department of Human Rights is limited Department of Human Rights is limited from<01:31:16.159><c
• </c> limited transparency. limited transparency.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Number four, and this is always important to the legislature, protect the state's future bonding rating
• legislature, protect the<00:15:23.760><c> state's</c><00:15:24.120><c> future</c><00:15:24.400><c> bonding
• </c><00:15:25.680><c> Um</c> the state's future bonding rating.
• Um the state's future bonding rating.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Report of KCNA Board Meeting 00:00:09 KCNA Transition to COT 00:35:55 KCNA Request for Proposals 00:42:00 Kentucky Wired Operations Company 00:42:30, 958, all

Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met, approved the January 12, 2026 minutes, and then heard testimony from KCNA Chair David Couch, KCNA Director Jim Barnhart, and KCNA General Counsel Adam Adkins about the ongoing dispute involving KCNA, Excelacom, and the implementation of House Bill 314. Couch said the board and vendor had recently shown some willingness to work toward a settlement, and he emphasized the importance of KCNA’s broadband service to K-12 schools, noting that litigation had already cost about $1.4 million and could cost another $1.4 million if it continued. He also said the board had identified five immediate goals, including reconnecting 38 K-12 sites, de-escalating disputes, better understanding KCNA finances, protecting the state’s bonding rating, and examining whether duplicate networking hardware could be consolidated. A major portion of the discussion focused on whether House Bill 314 changed KCNA’s authority and how much control the Finance and Administration Cabinet and KCNA’s legal counsel have over operations and contracts. Senator Williams argued that the board now has authority to set policy, implement policy, and approve budgets, and questioned why the cabinet appeared to be exercising operational control. Adkins responded that HB 314 changed the reporting chain from the general government cabinet to the finance cabinet but did not alter the board’s authority, and said budget work on the Ice Miller contract predated HB 314. Couch and other members disputed that interpretation, saying the board had not been properly informed about a recent extension or increase in legal spending and that the board’s directives were not being followed. Representative Hodgson asked why the board could not terminate a contractor if it was not carrying out the board’s wishes, and Adkins replied that Ice Miller was not a party to the board’s contract and that the Finance and Administration Cabinet signs such agreements. The exchange ended with committee members and KCNA representatives agreeing to disagree on the meaning of the statute and the extent of board authority. No formal action was taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.