Transcript Highlights:

• The tax credit will help attract and retain small R&D businesses and help create high-quality jobs and
• We've decided in our tax code to enact this lab small business tax credit, which gets to that, as well
• as the technology readiness tax credit, where small.
• So it would be something that the county or the city would go through that and We would assist them in
• But that would be something done at the county or the city level, Mr. Chair.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program, and bus depreciation.
• So, sunset's not killing the program.
• We can afford to make sure that our TTK programs are made whole.
• To make sure that our TK programs are made whole.
• the transition to kindergarten programs that we have in our schools Representative Couture: The TK programs

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on three bills. For Second Substitute Senate Bill 6182, staff explained it would create an abortion savings program funded by a new assessment on health carriers to support grants for abortion clinical care access. Representative Marshall offered amendments to limit grants to Washington residents, expand eligibility to IVF and fertility providers, prioritize medically underserved areas, and add a 2031 sunset; all were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then voted 18-10 to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. For Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260, staff briefed a striking amendment that would reduce savings in K-12 spending by changing local effort assistance and Running Start limits, prioritizing some transition-to-kindergarten funding, and eliminating inflation increases for National Board bonuses. Members debated a series of amendments on bus depreciation, charter school LEA payments, transition-to-kindergarten funding, and Running Start. Some amendments were adopted, including a bus depreciation change and a Running Start adjustment, while others were rejected. The committee then adopted the striker as amended and reported the bill out 17-12 with a due pass recommendation. For Substitute Senate Bill 6355, which would establish the Washington Electric Transmission Authority and related board and advisory structures, members considered amendments on rural land-use expertise, eastern Washington board representation, corridor review standards, tribal workgroup removal, and payments in lieu of taxes for transmission facilities. One amendment was withdrawn and the others were rejected except for a landowner/rural expertise amendment that passed. The committee then reported the bill out 18-11 with a due pass recommendation. At the end of the meeting, members exchanged closing remarks thanking staff and colleagues, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, CMA sharing that what their members have not submitted any concerns of the program...
• The program provides coverage to over 1,200 public agencies and schools.
• We know many of our businesses are doing that, large and small.
• In the Medi-Cal program, SB 874 takes meaningful steps to strengthen program integrity by convening a
• As an autistic consumer of public programs, my survival depends on Medicaid.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Large cities operate differently than small towns.
• </c> sections now in the land use and City sections now in the land use and City Grant<01:41:49.080><
• </c> that's mainly because we are a small that's mainly because we are a small state<01:49:52.320><c>
• </c> specifically a mechanical inspector city specifically a mechanical inspector city of<04:56:57.360
• </c> it a federal federally funded program it a federal federally funded program yes<05:20:54.120><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• It can be as small as that.
• </c> apply to a number of very small apply to a number of very small landlords<00:05:42.280><c> and</
• That gives them at least a small amount of time.
• That gives them at least a small amount of time.
• </c> negotiation obviously we see a small negotiation obviously we see a small slice<02:44:09.720><c>

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're only a very small percentage of MCG.
• The bill does not create a new program.
• job search programs at Goodwill.
• All of the small-box stores. Of the what box? Small-box retail. So that's the dollar stores. Okay.
• violence isn't just unique to our small box, right?

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:41.759><c> uh</c> narrowly now on VIP programs uh narrowly now on VIP programs uh yesterday
• </c> excessive debt um and this is on a small excessive debt um and this is on a small Baseline<00:42
• </c><00:42:50.599><c> but</c><00:42:50.760><c> the</c> another small likelihood but the another small
• Some of them are small city police departments.
• ><c> we</c> are small City police departments we are small City police departments we have<01:11:35.880

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are complementary, voluntary, and market-based programs.
• The first is the Environmental Product Declaration Program.
• Similar to many of our other programs, like the Community Energy Efficiency Programs or Sustainable Building
• existing programs.
• Yes, we Have talked with Duke City ReadyMix.

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• scoping criteria and the availability of data, LOFT examined only office space located in Oklahoma City
• Last, if an agency implements federally mandated programs, they can be reimbursed with federal funds
• The Oklahoma State Government Asset Reduction and Cost Savings Program of 2011 established the state's
• The Oklahoma State Government Asset Reduction and Cost Savings Program of 2011 established the state's
• We have a small amount in the McConnors building, a small amount in the agriculture building, but I don't

Summary: The LOFT Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then received LOFT’s report on state office space utilization in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. LOFT presented three main findings: OMES is not fully exercising its statutory authority over state property and relies on flawed self-reported data; state office space is being used inefficiently and often below policy benchmarks; and better use of state-owned space could save tens of millions in private lease costs. LOFT also described errors in the state’s real property inventory, low utilization rates across OMES-owned, agency-owned, and privately leased space, and recommended stronger data verification, clearer space standards, and more active oversight of underused property. OMES responded that it believes it is meeting its statutory obligations and said it tries to balance oversight with being a partner to agencies, placing them in space that best fits their mission and service needs. OMES officials said they rely on agency-reported data, do not have enough staff to independently verify all inventory information, and do not “police” daily occupancy. Members questioned the distinction between meeting statutory duties and exercising full authority, the use of “shall” versus “recommend,” the lack of enforcement for agencies that decline space recommendations, and whether OMES should more aggressively consolidate or divest underused buildings. LOFT and OMES also discussed the methodology behind utilization calculations, including badge-swipe data, space standards, and common-area adjustments. In the final finding, LOFT estimated that relocating agencies from private leases into existing state-owned space could save roughly $16 million to $28.8 million annually, depending on the scenario used. LOFT cited other states and federal reforms as models and recommended that OMES more actively assess underutilized properties, verify data, and use actual utilization analysis to reduce private leasing. OMES said it would review the comments and work to improve. The committee then unanimously approved a rapid-response evaluation request for LOFT to examine DHS child care subsidy verification and reimbursement processes, citing concerns about possible improprieties and the need to confirm whether fraud or waste is occurring.

Transcript Highlights:

• program as well as other um various program as well as other um various programs<00:19:10.080><c> that
• The Minnesota State Grant Program is our state's largest financial need program.
• </c> state grant program. state grant program.
• </c> talked about to the work study program. talked about to the work study program.
• </c><01:37:36.000><c> Uh</c> affected programs. I don't have that. Uh affected programs.

Bills: HF4362 , HF4252 , HF4440

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry

Transcript Highlights:

• The program is funded by a small user fee that's rolled into the price of the paint based on volume.
• by</c><04:13:47.920><c> a</c><04:13:48.080><c> small</c><04:13:48.319><c> user</c> The program is funded
• by a small user The program is funded by a small user fee<04:13:48.800><c> that's</c><04:13:49.120><
• </c> and do this program? and do this program?
• It's entirely likely that small operators will choose not to participate in this program, but they'll

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because it's not just cities, it's also rural communities.
• Policy and regulation, community-based programs, policy at points of sale, manufacturing and design,
• We want to work with constituents in the cities.
• it's as much, you know, guns are everywhere and as much as we want to work with constituents in the city
• We want to work with constituents in the cities.

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 64, which urges the Indian Affairs Department to quickly fill open positions and build technical assistance capacity to help tribes, pueblos, and nations use capital outlay funds effectively, especially in light of changes made by House Bill 247. The sponsor and several members discussed concerns that the new capital outlay rules could cause tribal projects to lose funding and be forced into a competitive tribal infrastructure process. After brief discussion and no public opposition, the committee voted do pass. The committee then heard House Memorial 65, which asks the Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety to convene a task force and study firearm safety and gun violence as a public health issue, with recommendations to reduce firearm deaths in New Mexico. Supportive testimony emphasized gun violence, school shootings, suicide, rural impacts, and the value of data-driven prevention; several members also raised concerns about including gun safety trainers, rural and tribal voices, and clarifying some language in the memorial. The sponsor said the task force would meet monthly and report by September 15. After debate, the committee approved the memorial on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:50.720><c> and</c> Disabilities Housing Programs and Disabilities Housing Programs and Affiliated
• Now, we're on to subcommittee announcements. >> Recognizing the gentleman from Baltimore City. >> Thank
• Seeing none, we're going to delegation announcements. >> Recognizing the chair of the Baltimore City
• Instead, I'd like to invite you to join the Baltimore City delegation in celebrating the arrival of our
• </c> you to join the Baltimore City you to join the Baltimore City delegation<00:13:24.480><c> in</c>

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, February 13, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No cases are okay, but the amount of cases that we're seeing are very small.
• Our staff is relatively small because of the focused use that we currently go through.
• </c> essentially stand up a program essentially stand up a program to<01:25:21.199><c> perform</c><01
• </c> activities our staff is relatively small activities our staff is relatively small because<01:25:
• I would like to make just one small amendment so that the statute is consistent.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is it going to take to keep these programs going?
• </c> defend its cities and hold its lines. defend its cities and hold its lines.
• </c><01:39:24.480><c> they</c> $900 per dose, but under a program they $900 per dose, but under a program
• It has fueled small businesses and homes on Main Street.
• It has fueled small businesses and homes on Main Street.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Others have commissions that take care of a small area.
• I have a resolution from the Bossier City Council.
• to promotional seniority for the Bossier City Police Department.
• We have already started in the city of Baker.
• Is this something that the mayor has requested, or the city council?

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs Committee heard and advanced a series of local and statewide measures. SB 430 would renew, every 12 years by voter approval, the Shreveport-Bossier hotel occupancy tax that supports tourism and sports-related entities; SB 286 updates the New Orleans Downtown Development District statute by clarifying its status as a political subdivision, streamlining tax collection, removing staggered board terms, and clarifying bond-election boundaries; SB 198 requires government projects in historic districts to follow local historic district guidelines for new construction; and SB 172 expands a planning-commission provision so smaller municipalities can waive certain subdivision formalities and costly studies in limited family land-split situations. Each of these bills was described as largely technical or permissive, with supporters emphasizing efficiency, local control, or reduced costs. The committee also advanced SB 439 to add pre-screening for esophageal/Barrett’s esophageal cancer for firefighters and fire service employees, with firefighters’ representatives explaining the test can detect pre-cancerous cells and prevent later, more serious cancer. SB 458 would allow a local tax for a proposed St. Tammany Parish Inspector General/ethics entity to be allocated and, if excess remains, transferred to the district attorney’s office; members discussed the parish-wide referendum process and the connection to state-required funding obligations. SB 447 changes Bossier City Police Department promotional seniority and civil service classification from competitive seniority to promotional seniority, and SB 281 expands the Baker Economic Development District boundary to include additional commercial areas near the airport and support blight removal and growth. Additional measures moved favorably included SB 385, which changes appointments to the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association board and allows City Park to opt out of certain state insurance coverage because it carries private insurance; HR 84, which urges Shreveport to create an interest-free loan program for TSA agents at the regional airport during federal shutdowns; and SB 417, which adds two members to the St. Mary Parish Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2A board. In each case, the committee heard brief testimony from sponsors and local officials or advocates, asked clarifying questions, and then approved the bills without objection. One member, Representative Murray, recused himself from the City Park bill because of his board membership. The committee then took a short recess, noting a few remaining bills would be deferred if sponsors did not appear.

Transcript Highlights:

• the transition to kindergarten program.
• reductions to the Wellness Arts and Military Grant Program.
• We have had the same program, which is a sexual assault forensic nurse program, which has received significant
• This is about a teleSANE program.
• So it's a good program in many ways.

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on Senate Bill 5998, the proposed operating budget, and received a staff briefing on 39 proposed amendments. The amendments covered a wide range of issues, including technical corrections; truancy intervention funding; public defense and Blake-related vacatur work; family reading, shellfish program review, cultural resource protection, agritourism, transmission planning, paid leave, developmental disabilities services, nursing home rates, TANF workforce services, food bank language, oral health access, behavioral health partnership access, sexual assault nurse examiner training, Department of Corrections security measures, child welfare staffing, pediatric interim care centers, Working Connections Child Care, range rider funding, Chinese American history month materials, Running Start, retiree health subsidies, school bus contractor costs, local effort assistance, transition to kindergarten, charter school enrichment, arts grants, and a tribal liaison position. Several amendments were withdrawn before action, including the truancy increase, Blake funding, one DD-related amendment, and others. The committee adopted a number of amendments, including the technical corrections packet, reductions or savings-related corrections, the family reading program, shellfish review funding, the transmission-system implementation funding, the oral health foundation, the partnership access line, health technology assessment funding, the governor errata correction, the sexual assault nurse examiner training contract, the DOC canine scheduling language, the child welfare staffing correction, the people transportation language, the TTK-related amendment, and the tribal liaison funding. It rejected several others, including agritourism, paid leave study language, DD waiver expansion, nursing home add-ons, the PIC program, range rider funding, Chinese American history month materials, Running Start restoration, the LEA restoration amendment, and the arts grant restoration. Some amendments were withdrawn after discussion, including the DD waiver and LEA-related proposals. During debate, supporters of various amendments emphasized service needs for vulnerable populations, including people with developmental disabilities, survivors of sexual assault, Medicaid dental access, behavioral health callers, and students in Running Start and TTK. Opponents repeatedly cited budget constraints, the need for a sustainable operating budget, and the view that some issues were better addressed through collective bargaining or future negotiations. The committee then rolled the adopted amendments into a new substitute Senate Bill 5998 and voted to send it to the Rules Committee with a do-pass recommendation, subject to signatures. Several members stated they would vote no on the budget overall, while others supported it as a difficult but necessary compromise. The meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, these are nothing more than small modular reactors.
• Personally, I would put a small modular reactor on my property. I have seven acres.
• And he said that the waste would be stored there with a small reactor.
• I'm glad our school district is going to be able to support their CTE programs.
• And carbon emissions for the city of Albuquerque, Las Cruces, all come on.

Bills: SB78 , SB235 , SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, these are nothing more than small modular reactors.
• And he said that the waste would be stored there with a small reactor.
• I'm glad our school district is going to be able to support their CTE programs.
• And carbon emissions for the city of Albuquerque and Las Cruces is all combined.
• And carbon emissions for the city of Albuquerque and Las Cruces is all combined.

Bills: SB78 , SB235 , SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 78, which would classify nuclear energy as renewable energy. Senator Thornton and supporters argued that New Mexico needs dispatchable, baseload power and that nuclear should be added to the state’s renewable portfolio standard because wind and solar are intermittent and require extensive land, mining, and battery storage. Supporters also emphasized nuclear’s zero-carbon profile, the safety record of U.S. Navy reactors, the possibility of small modular reactors, and the fact that New Mexico already uses nuclear-generated electricity from out of state. Opponents, including Senator O’Malley and Senator Charlie, argued nuclear is not renewable because it relies on finite uranium and creates long-lived radioactive waste, and they raised concerns about uranium mining impacts, waste storage, and the bill’s lack of a limiting principle. The committee voted 5-4 to do not pass the bill, with Senators Cervantes, Hamblen, O’Malley, Lopez, and Charlie voting yes on the do-not-pass motion and Senators Ezell, Scott, and Thornton voting no; the chair then explained that the vote reflected disagreement over whether nuclear should be labeled renewable, not opposition to nuclear power itself. The committee then heard Senate Bill 235, the Microgrid Oversight Act, with a committee substitute. Sponsor Senator Steinborn said the substitute would restore existing renewable benchmarks for microgrids, require large microgrids to meet zero-carbon targets by 2045, add reporting and PRC oversight, and close a loophole that could let utilities buy microgrid power and shift costs to ratepayers. Supporters, including environmental groups and community advocates, said the bill was needed to regulate large data-center microgrids such as Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County, which they said could drive major emissions, ozone, and nitrogen oxide pollution, strain water supplies, and undermine state climate goals. They also argued the bill would protect ratepayers and ensure transparency and community benefits. Opponents, including Americans for Prosperity, the Chamber of Commerce, oil and gas associations, Xcel Energy, PNM, Consumer Energy Alliance, and economic development groups, argued the bill would impose unnecessary regulation on private microgrids, slow investment, raise costs, and reduce flexibility for reliability projects and industrial development. They said microgrids are already regulated for safety and interconnection, and that the bill could discourage projects in New Mexico. In response, Steinborn said the bill was necessary because current law leaves a loophole for large polluting microgrids and because several major projects are already planned or underway. The committee heard extensive public testimony on both sides, but the transcript ends before a final vote on SB 235 is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we do under the Pink Dome is just a small part of the giant machine here.
• Their efforts are crucial in providing support and resources for these individuals, and their programs
• So together, we must be able to fight this and bring education and awareness to this program.
• It's a four-year program, and I think the most important thing we do is put God in these young men's
• I appreciate it, glad to have a small partner. We have a truck here. Yes.

Bills: SJR36 , SB2 , SR9 , SR10 , SR16

Keywords: American Public Works Association, public works, infrastructure, Texas, recognition day, local government, municipalities, APWA, Texas Chapter, community development, engineering, professional recognition, community impact, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Lubbock leadership, recognition, professional achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority, social service