Transcript Highlights:

• negligible in terms of the rate payers. therefore kind of negligible in terms of the rate payers, therefore
• Yeah, it seems like it's rate payers money so when you when you say the return to the rate payers would
• programs by the IOUs or prevent rate payer funds from being collected and have rate increases for the
• summer if they've already been approved how will we know that we're actually going to get rate payer
• This would prevent them from collecting these funds from rate payers.

Transcript Highlights:

• is going to raise or lower the tax rate?
• Yeah, so per is already there, so we've got $1,000 tax rate, $1,000 equalized valuation.
• rate set yeah<00:21:51.120><c> so</c><00:21:51.480><c> per</c><00:21:51.799><c> is</c><00:21:52.000>
• </c> $1,000 tax rate $1,000 tax rate equalized<00:22:00.600><c> valuation</c><00:22:01.520><c> her</c
• </c><01:33:25.360><c> in</c> it'll most def impact our tax rates in it'll most def impact our tax rates

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• for economic development and economic diversification. ...how many recipients received, retention rates
• , I think maybe if you could answer some questions like: Is this supposed to help your absenteeism rate
• , I think maybe if you could answer some questions like: Is this supposed to help your absenteeism rate
• , I think maybe if you could answer some questions like: Is this supposed to help your absenteeism rate
• yes so so currently um we don't ISM rate yes so so currently um we don't have<00:36:57.720><c> a</c>

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and high burnout rates. and high burnout rates.
• There wasn't an established temporary rate put in place until such rates are set up by the legislature
• put in place until um temporary rate put in place until such such such um<01:07:44.520><c> rates</c>
• <01:07:45.080><c> are</c> um rates are um rates are set<01:07:46.760><c> up</c><01:07:46.880><c> by</
• </c><01:08:25.480><c> that</c><01:08:25.600><c> are</c> these are the temporary rates that are these

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, and welcome. minority rate attacked to alternative B-A program.
• And college completion rates.
• Maternal mortality has doubled, with the highest rates among Black and Native mothers.
• of 91% of students from college district, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 91% of students
• from Cerritos to the CSU, which matched our statewide admissions rate for community college transfer

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• This practice also comes with low success rates.
• ><c> of</c><00:32:01.760><c> of</c> So, cumulative pregnancy rates of of So, cumulative pregnancy rates
• Um, and yes, our cumulative success rates are at a point that we're not asking for this for nothing.
• I I I spent going to affect their rates.
• </c> 30% rate increases in their premiums. 30% rate increases in their premiums.

Transcript Highlights:

• Teacher mentors must have at least three years of teaching experience, earn a highly effective rating
• The Medicaid reimbursement rate for this repeat test is $3.11.
• low disciplinary action rates, licensed naturopathic doctors have low complaint rates, low disciplinary
• firefighters. ...and are injured at work at far higher rates than police or firefighters.
• Both property insurance and automobile insurance rates are way too high for our residents.

Bills: S0042 , S0688 , S0762 , S1168 , S1296 , S1298 , S1300 , S1318 , S1332 , S1376 , S1548 , S1570 , S1574 , S1632 , S1634 , S1750

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:27.360><c> a</c><00:07:27.440><c> 28%</c><00:07:28.000><c> vacancy</c><00:07:28.479><c> rate
• </c><00:07:29.280><c> Uh</c> we have about a 28% vacancy rate now.
• Uh we have about a 28% vacancy rate now.
• is too high, person's restoration rate is too high, heart<00:29:20.960><c> rate</c><00:29:21.200><c>
• So, so we have a vacancy rate about 28%. With our corrections officers, that's down from about 34%.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, do you have any sense at all as to what the impact of the Eversource rate increase is going to have
• increase is going to Eversource rate increase is going to have<00:09:24.240><c> on</c><00:09:24.720>
• increase will be on the the rate increase will be on consumers nationwide?
• </c><00:50:42.480><c> There</c> into all of our electric rates.
• There into all of our electric rates.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 219, which would revise the renewable portfolio standard by changing several class definitions, eliminating Class 2, lowering the utility obligation for Class 1 thermal renewable energy certificates from 2.2% to 1.7%, and adjusting alternative compliance payments. Representative Vose said the bill would save ratepayers an estimated $5.7 million annually, arguing that Class 2 is already saturated and that the changes would not materially affect renewable energy development. Members questioned the fiscal impact, with an amended fiscal note cited as showing a $1.2 million reduction in general fund revenue, and some members raised concerns that the bill could weaken one of the remaining incentives for renewable investment. The committee also reviewed the bill’s history, including that it had been added to HB 2 and then removed in conference committee. No vote was taken in the work session. The committee then heard House Bill 164, concerning local records retention and the creation of a local records manager position. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the position has existed in statute for years but has never been funded, and said the need has grown as records management has become more digital and ADA accessibility has become more important. He described the bill as a way to help towns preserve and digitize records, especially for smaller communities with limited resources, while keeping records locally when possible. Members asked about the fiscal note, the potential cost of a public website and storage system, and whether the state could start by funding the position alone; the secretary said the staffing cost estimate remained accurate but that storage costs could rise over time. Several members expressed support and suggested further discussion with the Department of Information or other agencies. The work session was then closed without action. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 365, which would provide proof of U.S. citizenship assistance for indigent voters. Secretary Scanlan said the bill is intended to help voters comply with the new voter registration documentation requirements by allowing the state to verify eligibility through federal, private, and other state databases, and by providing vouchers to cover the cost of obtaining documents such as birth certificates. He compared the proposal to the earlier voter ID law, which he said was successfully implemented with accommodations for voters lacking acceptable ID. Members asked how “indigent” would be defined and how the process would work for out-of-state-born applicants; the secretary said indigency would likely be based on a voter’s statement of inability to pay and that the state would help identify where to obtain records and, if necessary, verify them through outside databases. The discussion continued as the transcript ended, with no vote recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Clerk: H.R. 695, an act to amend Title 38, United States Code, to increase the rate of the special
• THE CLERK: H.R. 695, AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 38 UNITED STATES CODE TO INCREASE THE RATE OF THE SPECIAL
• And the worst rates are in the Southern region of the United States.
• AND THE WORST RATES ARE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE UNITED STATES.
• AT REASONABLE RATES I PURCHASED HEALTH INSURANCE ON THE MARKETPLACE AND THE BENEFITS THEY'VE OFFERED

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to add that when it's a deduction, it's a deduction in the amount of what the tax rate is
• At a $2,400 deduction at our current tax rate, we're looking at each person receiving a benefit of $112.80
• And our current tax rate is 4.7%, right? So they would pay $112.80 less in taxes?
• I mean, our tax rate is 4.7%, and 4.7% of $2,400 is $112.80. That's where I'm coming up with that.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• community college are a bright spot at a time when Vermont's high school graduation and college-going rates
• Vermont's high school graduation and Vermont's high school graduation and collegegoing<00:03:39.360><c> rates
• </c><00:03:39.920><c> declining</c><00:03:40.799><c> and</c><00:03:41.040><c> now</c> collegegoing rates
• are declining and now collegegoing rates are declining and now the<00:03:41.599><c> lowest</c><00:03

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1745, local exercise access rate limit. SB 1746, elections, voting centers, polling places.
• SB 1745, local exercise access rate limit. SB 1746, elections, voting centers, polling places.
• SB 1745, local exercise access rate limit. SB 1746, elections, voting centers, polling places.
• addition. limits SB 1799 commerce authority tax incentive certification SB 1800 income tax additional rate

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 30 members present. The journal was approved, no guests were introduced at first, and the Governor’s signed bill HB 2022 was reported. The President also announced temporary committee substitutions for the Rules Committee on February 9. Senator Shamp introduced licensed naturopathic physicians in the gallery and highlighted SB 1178, which would expand their authority to administer certain intravenous drugs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals. The chamber then read a lengthy calendar of first- and second-reading bills and resolutions covering elections, education, health care, water, criminal justice, housing, taxation, and other topics, with no floor action taken on those measures during the reading. The Senate recessed to recognize law enforcement personnel involved in the rescue of an eight-year-old boy from a human trafficking situation. A proclamation commended Deputies Gregory Sanders and Jacob Montoya, along with Cochise County and Border Patrol personnel, for their courage and professionalism. After returning to order, members made personal privilege remarks urging the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to review $2.85 million in election-related funding for the Secretary of State, and another senator spoke about water security and the need for long-term planning. Additional announcements included caucus and committee meeting notices, an invitation to Arizona Aerospace Day, and a motion to adjourn until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. The transcript ends as the chamber was considering adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1745, local exercise access rate limit. SB 1746, elections, voting centers, polling places.
• SB 1745, local exercise access rate limit. SB 1746, elections, voting centers, polling places.
• SB 1800, income tax additional rate schools.
• SB 1800, income tax additional rate schools. SB 1801, event wagering data.

Transcript Highlights:

• What does it mean to take out a credit card that you're being hit with a 23% interest rate?
• What does it mean when you're in a tax rate that moves up or down?
• There's a difference between how, at the rate of advance of... ...or what a child can do.
• There's a difference between how, at the rate of advance of—I don't think I'm going to tell the ladies

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen literacy rates that are improving at over 70% of the schools in New Mexico, and we've seen
• And so with stability, we may be slow to enter, but our recovery speed can be at a higher rate because
• we'll have the money to invest to bring us back out at a higher rate and a quicker return.
• In this last year, we passed a bill for the State Land Commission to raise royalty rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• would allow local counties and municipalities to charge up to three times the daily towing and storage rate
• college student at FSU involved in an accident and forced to leave the scene could face the triple rate
• counties can already set fees, so the bill is effectively mandating a fee structure up to three times the rate
• What it does is caps inmate health care compensation at 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard four bills. HB 37 by Rep. Nix addressed the removal, storage, and cleanup of damaged electric vehicles, allowing towing and storage operators to charge an administrative fee when EVs are stored under enhanced safety standards such as a 50-foot separation or protective barrier. The sponsor and towing industry witnesses described post-crash battery fire risks, while Tesla and Enterprise Mobility raised concerns that the bill was too broad and could lead to triple storage charges even when battery damage is not present. Members largely supported the concept, though some urged further narrowing; the bill was reported favorably after debate. HB 401 by Rep. Tant would cap inmate health care compensation at 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for Jefferson County, with the sponsor and Sheriff Matt McNeil saying the measure would help a fiscally constrained county control rising outside medical costs and encourage providers to contract in advance. With no opposition or debate, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered HB 4003 by Rep. Benaroch, a local bill for Marco Island that creates a special-election process for council vacancies when the council fails to act; an amendment extended the election window to 130 days and required the governor to call the election if the council does not do so within 30 days. The amendment was adopted and the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, HB 407 by Rep. Snyder would modernize the Martin County Health Care Fund and define indigency criteria for county-funded indigent care, including residency, income, asset, and Medicaid eligibility limits. County and hospital representatives supported the measure, and one member suggested comparing the bill’s indigency definition with existing criminal indigency standards for consistency. The bill also was reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• payments to providers that, up until the enactment of the bill, could be up to the average commercial rate
• enactment of the bill could be up to the average<00:09:29.760><c> commercial</c><00:09:30.240><c> rate
• </c><00:09:31.519><c> and</c><00:09:31.760><c> then</c> average commercial rate. and then average commercial
• rate. and then increasing<00:09:32.399><c> the</c><00:09:32.640><c> frequency</c><00:09:32.959><c> of

Summary: At its second meeting on July 30, 2025, the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board approved the minutes from its June 25 meeting and received housekeeping materials, including follow-up information on provider taxes, mandatory and optional Medicaid services, and the 1115 community engagement waiver. The chair noted that members should hold general questions until the end of the meeting. The main presentation came from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislators, who gave a nonpartisan overview of Medicaid provisions in HR1. She explained that the bill contains more than 20 Medicaid-related provisions, with major changes affecting provider taxes, state-directed payments, eligibility and enrollment rules, work or community engagement requirements, and the frequency of eligibility redeterminations for expansion populations. She emphasized that five provisions account for most of the federal savings, that the fiscal effects are backloaded into the final years of the 10-year window, and that expansion states and provider payment changes make up a large share of the impact. Castanza also highlighted that the Medicaid provisions would take effect either upon enactment or before October 1, 2029, creating roughly a five-year implementation period. She noted that some states may not realize the same savings as the federal government because of financing changes and implementation responsibilities, and she cited estimates that the enacted Senate provisions could reduce hospital payments by 18.2%, or more than $660 billion over 10 years. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final actions beyond adoption of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In actually integrating a business and occupation tax deduction and increasing a rate for persons conducting
• And what it does here is establish a B&O tax rate of 3.1% for payment...
• This here is establish a B&O tax rate of 3.1% for credit card processing activities, and then allows
• President, and that's why we have the higher rate. We want those to get spent.

Summary: The Senate opened with a moment of silence for Senator Chris Gildon and his family after the death of his wife, Autumn. It then took up several bills on final passage, beginning with Substitute House Bill 2020, which establishes a 3.1% B&O tax rate for payment card processing activities and allows a deduction for certain related fees. Supporters said it resolves a long-running dispute with the Department of Revenue; it passed 47-0. The chamber also passed House Bill 2039, delaying the child support pass-through expansion from 2026 to 2029, and House Bill 2040, delaying the elimination of recoveries from the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Assistance Program from October 2025 to October 2028. Supporters framed both as timing changes, while opponents argued they would postpone benefits for families and vulnerable people. Both bills passed 25-22. Substitute House Bill 2051, dealing with payment to acute care hospitals for difficult-to-discharge patients, passed 27-20 after several proposed amendments were withdrawn. Supporters said the bill helps hospitals care for patients who have nowhere else to go, while opponents argued the state should not delay payment support for these patients. The Senate also passed In Gross Substitute House Bill 2061, imposing a 10% concession fee on duty-free sales to fund tourism promotion and sustainable aviation fuel, over objections that it was a tax increase passed on to consumers. Finally, Substitute House Bill 2077, which taxes certain business activities related to zero-emission vehicle credits, passed 28-19 after an amendment to remove or narrow parts of the tax was rejected. Supporters said the measure would encourage spending of credits and support clean transportation goals, while opponents called it a targeted tax on Tesla and warned it could raise EV prices. The Senate then concurred in amended Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1293, a litter and plastic bag measure that increases litter penalties and keeps the planned bag-thickness increase from taking effect, and passed it 27-20. The Senate adjourned until April 27, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually one of the factors that Forbes rated us as the worst drivers in America.
• And for the state of New Mexico, one of the major reasons for that was our high fatality rate.
• I'm sure most of you are well aware that we have the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities pretty much
• Led to, um, somebody's life being taken, such as, uh, driving at a high rate of speed in a busy residential