Transcript Highlights:

• Tornadoes north of Dallas recently claimed the lives of seven on Memorial Day weekend last year, and
• ratios over time, looking back over any period of years, our loss ratio—what we're paying out in claims
• There at the bank, he defaulted and claimed he didn't get consideration.
• Mathematics from UTD independently confirmed that the CUS claim of one state, one vote is unfounded.
• They make that claim with nothing to back it up.

Bills: HB246 , HB796 , HB 1056 , HB1544 , HB1846 , HB2001 , HB2618 , HB2625 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3069 , HB3114 , HB3157 , HB3228 , HJR98 , HB246

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• First, um, this is a reminder to clean out everything from your fridges before you leave tonight.
• And our cleaning staff would greatly appreciate that.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It cleans up language in the Major Events Incentive Fund.
• It cleans up language in the Major Events Incentive Fund.

Bills: HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB314 , HB383 , HB983 , HB1126 , HCR3

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: state budget, appropriations, education funding, public health, social services, government operations, state institutions, capital outlay, budget, infrastructure, appropriation, general obligation bonds, bond authorization, capital improvement, financial management, state treasury, funding, state general fund, local government, fiscal year

Transcript Highlights:

• We're very hard on this amendment to try to clean up some of the language and remove the definition of
• We're very hard on this amendment to try to clean up some of the language and remove the definition of

Bills: SB1734 , SB1630 , SB1894 , SB1975 , SB1432 , SB1437 , SB1812 , SB346 , SB1250 , SB710 , SB1489 , SB2045 , SB1614

Committee: House Common Education

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, schools, public school districts, education technology, edtech, student privacy, FERPA, data privacy, data security, emerging technologies, machine learning, generative AI, classroom technology, instructional technology, teacher oversight, human-in-the-loop, student data, parental consent, opt-out

Summary: The committee took up a series of education-related Senate bills, first accepting untimely filed PCS amendments for SB 1614 and SB 1250 without objection. SB 1734, the Oklahoma Responsible Tech in Schools Act, would prohibit AI tools from being used for instruction in public districts except for educator-directed uses, and it passed 12-0. SB 1630 would allow a school district up to one day or six hours of virtual instruction when students are completing statewide assessments, and it also passed 12-0. SB 1894, using PCS language, caps teacher professional development requirements at 200 hours over five years for teachers with fewer than five years of experience and 150 hours for those with more experience; it passed 11-0. SB 1975 would expand access to AP testing locations and the state’s Horizons online learning platform, and it passed 11-0. SB 1432 removes pilot-program and sunset language from an alternative certification program, and SB 1437 creates the President’s Physical Fitness Act and directs districts to use student fitness results to improve health outcomes; both passed 11-0. SB 1812 requires districts to make K-8 benchmark assessment results available to parents and guardians, and SB 346 modifies the background check process for certain teachers moving to a new district; both passed 11-0. SB 710 would expand the Teach Forward education preparation program to additional providers if funds are available, and SB 1489 concerns special-needs students; both passed 10-0. The committee also approved SB 1614, which creates a teacher induction program for new and emergency-certified teachers, by an 11-0 vote. The committee then considered SB 2045, a recess-related bill that would provide 30 minutes of recess and prohibit recess from being used as punishment. Members asked about possible compromise language with other PE/recess proposals, and the bill passed 11-0. Finally, the committee debated SB 1250, which was described as addressing school library materials and, through amendment, removing the definition of obscene in favor of sexually explicit language. Supporters said it would give districts and superintendents clearer guidance and require local library collection lists to be submitted to the Department of Education; opponents questioned whether the bill was necessary, whether it would require additional staff or create fiscal impacts, and whether stronger repeated-violations language was needed. After discussion, SB 1250 passed 8-2, and the chair noted it was the committee’s last meeting for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were three pieces of statute, and they got where they conflicted, and so we've cleaned them out
• with repealer in this bill, and so it gets that cleaned out and shows all that the way for that.

Committee: House Common Education

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There were three pieces of statute, and they got where they conflicted, and so we've cleaned them out
• with repealer in this bill, and so it gets that cleaned out and shows all that the way for that.

Committee: House Common Education

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 4427, with the sponsor explaining that it would place guardrails on the use of adjunct teachers in school districts. The bill would, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, prohibit adjunct teachers from teaching core subjects in pre-K through 4th grade, including math, ELA, science, and social studies, with a limited exemption process through the State Board. After brief discussion, the committee voted 8-0 to report the bill out as a do pass. Next, House Bill 3021 was presented as a graduation requirements measure that had been worked on with SDE, higher education, and career tech. The sponsor said a PCS or amendment would remove a conflicting section and that the agencies were in agreement on the planned changes. After questions about agency alignment, the committee voted 10-1 to report the bill out as a do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 3711, a transparency bill requiring school districts to post the percentage of spending devoted to instruction on the front page of their websites and include it in bond applications. The sponsor said the goal was to give taxpayers clearer information about how school funds are used. After discussion about how districts define instructional versus support spending, the bill passed the committee on a 7-9-4-N-A vote as announced in the transcript. Finally, House Bill 2987 would change the default outcome for academic standards if the legislature fails to act within 30 legislative days, making them deemed disapproved rather than approved. The sponsor argued this would preserve legislative oversight and prevent substandard standards from taking effect, while opponents raised concerns about delays and outdated standards. The committee discussed how the process would work if standards were rejected or sent back with instructions, and then voted 10-1-1-0 to report the bill out as a do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• We think it cleans things up.
• We think it clean things up.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2248, described by the prime sponsor and Secretary of State staff as a technical cleanup and clarification measure affecting several Secretary of State programs. The bill would redirect portions of annual business filing fees over $50 into the Secretary of State’s revolving fund, require initial reports from nonprofit corporations and limited liability partnerships, clarify that employing a remote worker in Washington does not by itself constitute doing business in the state, remove a requirement to issue a new trademark certificate to an assignee, create reinstatement procedures for terminated international student exchange placement organizations, and limit certain notarization authentication practices. The sponsor and agency witness said the bill does not change policy or raise fees, but improves clarity and aligns statute with current practice. A committee member asked about trademark transfers, and staff said the bill would not affect public tracking of ownership changes. No vote was taken on HB 2248 during the hearing. The committee then moved into executive session on House Bill 2178 and House Bill 2158. For HB 2178, staff said the proposed substitute would remove a two-year extension for courts of limited jurisdiction to implement electronic submission of protection order petitions and would place into statute the treasurer’s authority to distribute appropriated local fiscal officer collection grant funds to county clerks, while repealing AOC’s role in administering those grants. Members generally supported the substitute, though one member voted no without recommendation, citing concern about how the Administrative Office of the Courts would comply with earlier legislation after removal of a section from the original draft. The committee approved the substitute and reported HB 2178 out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, and 1 excused. For HB 2158, staff explained that the bill updates the Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts to address remote notarization of tangible records, with proposed substitute H-2937.1 narrowing the procedure to one acceptable method for confirming the record and adding the word “tangible” for clarity. Supporters said the substitute incorporated helpful technical changes from the Court Reporters Association and added a two-year delay to allow the Department of Licensing time for rulemaking. The committee approved the substitute unanimously and reported HB 2158 out with a due pass recommendation by a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also cleaned up some language on when a student is actually counted. Absent.
• This amendment, just so Representative Keillor said it well, we want to make sure that this is a clean

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a long time since we've revamped or even looked at our state liability and claims process.
• our state revamped or even looked at our state liability<00:54:27.760><c> and</c><00:54:27.960><c> claims
• </c> Liability and claims process.
• and also types of claims, because not all claims are the same.
• To consider whether we should have tiered claim amounts and also types of claims, because not all claims

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Joint Revenue committee met with a quorum and heard a series of interim topic proposals focused on tax policy. Representative Brown raised two ideas: reinstating an exemption reporting requirement for corporations and entities receiving tax exemptions, with loss of the exemption for the current and prior year if they fail to report, and revising property tax treatment for wind turbines and related infrastructure by shifting the taxed footprint from agricultural to industrial classification. Senator Case and others then discussed energy taxation more broadly, including a possible generation tax for electricity, how to handle large data-center electricity loads, and whether sales tax revenue from very large electrical loads should be shared statewide rather than concentrated locally. The committee referenced prior bills and studies, including House Bill 300 and Senate File 76, and discussed using a mechanism that would keep local electricity bills net neutral while redirecting revenue distribution. The committee also took up problematic gaming and program funding. Senator Case described personal experiences with gambling addiction and the lack of available resources, while the presenter said the topic had been requested in multiple committees and that the biggest concern from House Bill 171 was protecting county and municipal funding. Members discussed whether the issue belonged in Revenue, Health, Labor, or Transportation, and several suggested it should stay with the standing committee handling gaming. Ideas raised included using gaming-related revenue for prevention and treatment, fully funding the 988 lifeline, and creating a broader trust fund for addiction-related services and law enforcement. The committee appeared to agree to continue the topic for educational purposes and to examine taxation of HHR and other gambling activity. Senator Case then proposed a severance tax on wind energy, arguing that wind development creates permanent landscape impacts and that the state should be compensated similarly to coal, oil, and gas extraction. Curt Meier, the state treasurer, supported reviewing lease agreements and said Wyoming should get more from wind resources, noting the state’s unique wind potential and the loss of viewshed. Finally, the committee heard a proposal to reform property tax relief by extending it to motor vehicle registration. Former Revenue director Dan Noble argued that vehicle taxes should be treated like other property taxes, using fair market value, depreciation, the residential assessment ratio, and local mill levies, which he said could provide broad relief but would be expensive, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $120 million. Representative Chestek followed with a related reform proposal based on Pennsylvania’s base-year assessment model, arguing that Wyoming’s current statewide relief measures treat symptoms rather than the underlying problem of rapidly rising local valuations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you can see in terms of the type of offenses and the compensation claims, in terms of assaults
• near the bottom among its surrounding states in the percent of victim compensation for DV-related claims
• </c><00:08:56.720><c> Uh</c> compensation for DV related claims.
• Uh compensation for DV related claims.
• </c> ownership claims. ownership claims.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Kentucky’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative – Domestic Violence: 00:02:00 Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act: 00:46:41, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary approved the minutes from its July 24, 2025 meeting and heard an announcement about a lunch sponsored by the Kentucky State Buildings and Trades Council on forming a blue-collar caucus. The main presentation came from the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center on the Kentucky Justice Reinvestment Initiative’s domestic violence work, which was described as a multi-year effort begun in 2023 to analyze data and interview stakeholders across the state. Presenters reported that domestic violence is widespread in Kentucky, with about half of adults experiencing some form of violence or stalking in their lifetimes, and that an average of about 22,000 IPV incidents occurred annually from 2018 to 2022. They said domestic violence is a major driver of violent crime, accounting for about 48% of person offenses over a six-year period, and is linked to significant shares of homicides, sex crimes, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and simple assault. They also said reported incidents and arrests have risen in recent years, that protective-order violations and convictions have increased, and that Kentucky ranks near the bottom among surrounding states in the share of victim compensation for domestic-violence-related claims. Law enforcement survey results showed strong adoption of model policies and guidance, but limited use of screening tools for serious injury risk. The presenters emphasized that domestic violence also places heavy demands on law enforcement, courts, and corrections, citing roughly 30,000 law-enforcement responses in 2022 and noting that more than a third of people entering DOC custody and nearly a third under supervision had DV-related histories. They said a small group of repeat offenders drives ongoing harm and that targeted interventions could reduce recidivism. They highlighted a North Carolina example in which focused intervention reduced IPV-related homicides and calls for service, and they referenced Kentucky’s 2020 assessment recommendations on training, language access, protective-order service, and coordination with victim services and batterer intervention providers. They estimated that a 25% reduction in reported DV incidents could prevent nearly 5,000 victimizations annually and reduce DOC commitments and costs substantially. Committee members asked about the relationship between civil domestic violence petitions and companion criminal cases, and the presenters said they would check whether the data could answer that question. Members also discussed recent Kentucky legislation, including Senate Bill 319 on crime victims compensation and House Bill 38, which made a third domestic violence offense a Class D felony. Several members thanked the presenters and advocates, and one member raised concerns about service of process and recent violent incidents involving domestic violence-related warrants, prompting discussion of dedicated service units in larger jurisdictions and the resource limits faced by smaller agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> California's<00:32:39.440><c> claims</c><00:32:39.760><c> in</c><00:32:40.000><c> the</c><00:32:
• 40.159><c> case</c><00:32:40.880><c> uh</c><00:32:41.519><c> you</c> California's claims in the case
• uh you California's claims in the case uh you know<00:32:41.840><c> reciting</c><00:32:42.320><c> the
• it was a they claimed a violation of<00:33:30.799><c> the</c><00:33:30.960><c> Posi</c><00:33:31.360
• Uh, a Tenth Amendment claim and violations of the APA.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on federal and state authority over National Guard deployment in response to civil protest or unrest, prompted by recent federal actions and the California litigation in Newsom v. Trump. The chair explained the purpose was to help lawmakers and the public understand the legal background, the status of the California case, and possible Hawaii policy responses. David Day of the Attorney General’s office outlined several recent federal immigration-related executive actions and enforcement directives, then described Hawaii’s participation in multiple lawsuits challenging federal funding conditions, data-sharing demands, and the birthright citizenship order. A major portion of the briefing focused on Newsom v. Trump. Day summarized the June 2025 Los Angeles protests and the president’s memorandum federalizing National Guard units under 10 U.S.C. 12406, which California challenged as ultra vires, procedurally improper, and violative of the Posse Comitatus Act, the Tenth Amendment, and the APA. He said the district court initially granted relief, but the Ninth Circuit stayed the TRO and held, in a published decision, that review under section 12406 is highly deferential and that the president lawfully exercised authority under paragraph 3. He also noted California-law issues about orders being issued through the governor, and said Hawaii had supported California through amicus briefs and would continue to do so; the bench trial was scheduled for August 11-13. Members then asked how Hawaii law differs from California’s and whether the Ninth Circuit ruling would control here. Day said the standard-of-review aspects would likely apply, but the California-specific procedural language about orders issued in the governor’s name does not appear in Hawaii law. The committee also heard from Colonel Lloyd C. Phelps of the Hawaii Department of Defense, who explained that National Guard activations generally occur under Title 10 federal orders, state orders, or other statuses, and said the June 2025 federalization mechanism was a Title 10 call-up. He began addressing the president’s authority, the Posse Comitatus Act, and Hawaii’s own preparedness, but the discussion was cut short and members indicated they would return to the topic later. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Impostor claims were the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC in 2023.
• 00:05:04.199><c> to</c> billion to billion to fraud<00:05:06.560><c> impostor</c><00:05:07.160><c> claims
• </c><00:05:07.680><c> were</c><00:05:07.840><c> the</c><00:05:08.000><c> most</c> fraud impostor claims
• were the most fraud impostor claims were the most common<00:05:08.680><c> type</c><00:05:08.960><c>
• </c> a third party administrator if the claim a third party administrator if the claim is<01:01:43.920

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Both projects point to potential water savings while generating clean energy as alternatives to land
• We have to utilize the Valley to diversify, creating energy that returns clean water to the residents
• We have to utilize the Valley to diversify, creating energy that returns clean water to the residents
• time we replace some of the older, heavier polluting farm equipment with brand-new, state-of-the-art clean
• older, heavier polluting farm equipment that is replaced with brand new state-of-the-art equipment, clean

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Both projects point to potential water savings while generating clean energy as alternatives to land
• We have to utilize the Valley to diversify, creating energy that returns clean water to the residents
• We have to utilize the Valley to diversify, creating energy that returns clean water to the residents
• time we replace some of the older, heavier polluting farm equipment with brand new state-of-the-art clean
• time we replace some of the older, heavier polluting farm equipment with brand new state-of-the-art clean

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the state of agricultural production in California, with opening remarks from the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committee chairs and Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry emphasizing agriculture’s economic importance and the need for stronger state investment. They highlighted concerns about water scarcity, labor shortages, rising costs, extreme weather, tariffs, pesticide and regulatory pressures, and the lack of agricultural funding in recent climate-related allocations. Aguiar-Curry also urged immediate action on the glassy-winged sharpshooter outbreak, which CDFA said would cost about $18.5 million annually to detect, monitor, and eradicate. The first panel featured CDFA and the Department of Water Resources. CDFA described California agriculture as a $61.2 billion industry producing more than 400 commodities, but also noted farm bankruptcies, rising input and compliance costs, climate stress, trade issues, and crop removals in vineyards and almonds. DWR focused on hydrologic variability, snowpack decline, groundwater overdraft, subsidence, and SGMA implementation, and discussed tools such as forecast-informed reservoir operations, groundwater recharge, basin characterization, and the 2028 water plan update. Members asked about immediate legislative priorities, flood response after 2023, Prop. 4 and greenhouse gas reduction funding, and regulatory alignment; officials pointed to pest control, science-based water management, affordability, infrastructure, and better coordination across agencies. The second panel examined water, climate, and resource sustainability. PPIC presented estimates that SGMA, climate change, and environmental regulations could reduce irrigation water in the San Joaquin Valley by about 20% by 2040, potentially requiring 500,000 to 900,000 acres of fallowing and affecting billions in agricultural GDP and tens of thousands of jobs. UC Merced discussed practical adaptation tools including FIRO, managed aquifer recharge, on-farm recharge, land repurposing, agrivoltaics, and crop flexibility. The Agricultural Energy Consumers Association argued that energy costs are unsustainable, that electricity and natural gas rates are rising sharply, and that state programs supporting climate-smart agriculture, biomass, and food processing need more funding and coordination. Members and witnesses discussed how limited Prop. 4 and GGRF dollars might be used for recharge, conveyance, subsidence mitigation, and regulatory improvements. The final panel addressed workforce innovation and the future of food production. Industry representatives said food and fiber processors cannot pass along rising costs from energy, labor, workers’ compensation, packaging rules, and compliance mandates, and warned that SGMA-driven land fallowing, pest pressure, and abandoned orchards threaten small farms and processing jobs. The Almond Alliance called for periodic review of regulations, stronger invasive species response, and targeted support for orchard removal, ag burn alternatives, and water efficiency. The California Farmworker Foundation described its work providing health, education, and civil assistance services to farmworkers in multiple counties, including health navigation, field-based clinics, and food support, and stressed the needs of an aging labor force and food insecurity in rural communities. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members and witnesses discussing possible future legislation and funding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• A full day of milking, cleaning, and choring, if I can coin a term, and doing it again later that day
• changed, and we're talking about the dry cleaners that we all rely on to make sure that our clothes are clean
• But do they clean it up in time? Do everything? We're taking this to a level that's unnecessary.
• If you're in the gym and you're done working out and you're sitting there trying to clean up in front
• window or the mirror in here. ...gym and you're done working out and you're sitting there trying to clean

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then held a memorial program honoring former Idaho legislators and public servants, including tributes to Frank Brunel, Jeannie Givens, Carl Shirtliff, Wendy Ungrich Kachetti, Ron Vieselmeyer, and Gail Wilde. Speakers highlighted their careers, community service, family lives, and contributions to Idaho, and the chamber observed the memorial with music and remarks about public service and legacy. After the memorial, the House received messages from the Senate and reported several committee actions. Committee reports moved a number of bills and resolutions to calendars or other committees, and the House introduced a large slate of new bills covering state budget/logo restrictions, elections, telecommunications, broadband, water, fish and game, trapping, self-defense and public assemblies on roads, child abuse interview recording, criminal procedure, parental rights, sex offender residency, sheriff reimbursement, masking during crimes, bribery and nepotism, artificial intelligence procurement, airbags, administrative subpoenas, attorney general duties, child protection, election interference, voting rights, divorce and custody attorney fees, unauthorized employment, rental application fees, commercial code changes, professional licensing, land use, building codes, land division, HOA dissolution, programmable money, school start dates, civics education, and health insurance cost-sharing. The House then took up third-reading votes on three bills. House Bill 576, concerning the Idaho Consumer Asset Recovery Fund and limiting coverage to Idaho residents or former Idaho residents at the time of purchase, passed 53-14. House Bill 577, which removes the requirement to replace license plates every 10 years so long as they remain legible and readable, passed 66-1. House Bill 632, expanding whistleblower protections and setting a timeline for legislative information requests, passed 68-0. House Bill 607, dealing with separate restroom, shower, and locker room access in government buildings and public accommodations, generated extended debate over privacy, safety, enforcement, and business costs, but no final vote was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A full day of milking, cleaning, and choring, if I can coin a term, and doing it again later that day
• changed, and we're talking about the dry cleaners that we all rely on to make sure that our clothes are clean
• But do they clean it up in time? Do everything? We're taking this to a level that's unnecessary.
• If you're in the gym and you're done working out and you're sitting there trying to clean up in front
• window or the mirror in here... ...gym and you're done working out and you're sitting there trying to clean

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• paid to a council member for mowing services, $3,700 and $400 were paid to a council member for cleaning
• She has totally cleaned everything up, and these are the only findings we have.
• I want to assure the committee that our 2025 audit will be cleaned up as best as we can, but I think
• And I want to assure the committee that our 25 audit will be cleaned up as best as we can, but I think
• Okay, so the question on that is, because we would like to keep a clean book that shows the CD interest

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee began with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that for the 2022 reports, 19 of 43 entities had had their turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reports, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five outstanding. The committee also filed a report on Adona, where staff said the city had made enough progress toward substantial compliance with municipal accounting laws to discontinue withholding turnback, and the committee adopted that recommendation. The bulk of the meeting focused on municipal accounting noncompliance cases. Gum Springs and Denning were presented with extensive repeat findings involving budgets not adopted by ordinance or resolution, missing or incomplete bank reconciliations, inadequate receipts and disbursement records, payroll issues, and improper handling of Act 833 funds or other city money. Both cities’ mayors and recorders-treasurers testified about efforts to correct records, obtain training, and work with the Municipal League; the committee voted to start the 60-day turnback-withholding clock for both and then filed the reports. Fargo was deferred because no city representative was present. Additional reports included Green Forest, Elaine, Strong, Brooklyn, Mineral Springs, Rondo, Waldo, Columbia County, and several private water and sewer entities. Strong drew significant concern over missing garbage-bag revenue, improper fund transfers, and deficit balances; the committee deferred that report to the March meeting. The committee also heard investigative or referred reports on the Faulkner County Fair Association, Brooklyn payroll direct-deposit fraud, and other entities with questionable disbursements or recordkeeping. In several cases, staff recommended filing the reports after responses were received; in others, the committee deferred action when responses were lacking or representatives were absent. The meeting ended with a motion to defer a Cross County Rural Water matter so the entity could appear at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• . $3,700 and $400 were paid to a council member for cleaning services and mowing services, respectively
• 4,365 was paid to a council member for mowing services. 3,700 and 400 paid to a council member for cleaning
• She has totally cleaned everything up, and these are the only findings we have.
• I want to assure the committee that our 2025 audit will be cleaned up as best as we can, but I think
• Okay, so the question on that is, because we would like to keep a clean book that shows the CD interest

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• note that our intent with the Environmental Transition Act (ETA) was to be carbon-free and promote clean
• I've also learned about all the new technologies around clean energy as they are developing. energy as
• Clean energy for the future is directed. That's why I'm raising this one question.
• and understand the role of RETA and how you all are forward-thinking and prepared for for promoting clean
• We have a strong clean energy, environmental justice commitment.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of house cleaning measures before we go. I'd like to welcome all the new members here.
• Just another house cleaning measure: there has been a fiscal note requested on this, but it has not been
• committee sub is adopted just another committee sub is adopted just another house<00:01:53.159><c> cleaning
• 53.880><c> there</c><00:01:54.040><c> has</c><00:01:54.200><c> been</c><00:01:54.360><c> a</c> house cleaning
• measure there has been a house cleaning measure there has been a fiscal<00:01:54.840><c> note</c><00

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:30 Introduction of New Members 00:53 SB 69 Discussion 01:24, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met for its first session and took up Senate Bill 69, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute was adopted by motion and vote, and the chair noted that a fiscal note had been requested but not yet received, so the bill would proceed and the fiscal note would be trailed. The bill concerns equine dental care and related chiropractic services, creating a licensing and regulatory framework for equine dental providers and allied animal health practitioners. Senator Robin Webb, the bill sponsor, said the substitute made technical corrections requested by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and the chiropractors association. She described the measure as a compromise intended to clarify scopes of practice, establish a credentialing/licensing board, and provide a legal pathway for people who have long provided equine dental services, especially in rural areas where veterinary access can be limited. Supporters said the bill would improve accountability, allow providers to obtain liability insurance, and preserve referrals to veterinarians for issues outside the defined scope. Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association and Board of Veterinary Examiners representatives said the bill was developed through a working group, modeled in part on Texas, and would include continuing education, grievance procedures, and due process protections. Justin Tallup, an equine dental provider, testified in favor, saying the bill would not change day-to-day practice but would legalize and formalize it. He said the scope would be limited to floating and balancing molars and incisors and removing caps and wolf teeth, with anything beyond that referred to veterinarians. He also said certification requires formal training, case submissions, testing, and annual continuing education. Senator Deneen asked about sedation, and witnesses said sedatives would still be prescribed and dispensed by a veterinarian under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, with the owner administering them. Michelle Shane of the Board of Veterinary Examiners said the board supported the bill’s disciplinary framework and would defer to federal law on controlled substances. Dr. William Rainbow, a veterinarian, testified against the bill, arguing that equine dentistry is veterinary medicine and that the proposal would allow undertrained practitioners to work without sufficient standards, including a grandfathering provision. He said practitioners should have training comparable to licensed veterinary technicians and warned that the bill could leave horses vulnerable to poor care. The committee did not take final action on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided, but the chair indicated time was running short and that a vote would be needed.