Transcript Highlights:

• They're no longer even the legislators that worked hard to get here. And the path.
• And my greatest fear and message to the rest of the legislators is if we do not properly fund you and
• And I'm disappointed that the Department of Justice didn't properly request monies for your work.
• And it's looking at about $4.5 million to $5 million to appropriately start and carry the office.
• Madam Chair, Senator, could the bill be that, along with the appropriation she needs for funding?

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee held confirmation hearings for Don Walters as New Mexico’s first State Child Advocate and for two New Mexico Highlands University regents, Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera. For Walters, the sponsor and selection committee chair described her extensive child welfare background, including work as a guardian ad litem, CYFD attorney, and director of CYFD’s Office of Advocacy. Multiple supporters testified, including former colleagues, a foster parent, and CYFD Acting Secretary Valerie Sandoval, all praising her integrity, child advocacy experience, and commitment to collaboration and transparency. Committee members focused heavily on the new Office of the Child Advocate’s startup needs, especially staffing, access to CYFD records, and funding. Walters said she expected the office to need roughly $4.5 million to $5 million to launch and envisioned about 26 to 27 staff, with regional presence across the state. Members urged the legislature to fund the office through House Bill 2 and discussed possible legislation to ensure timely access to records. The committee then voted unanimously to advance Walters to the full Senate. For New Mexico Highlands University, Senator Campos introduced Elaine Luna for reappointment, highlighting her background in social work, hospital administration, and community service. Luna said she would focus on student support, basic needs, and mental health, and the university president testified in support. The committee asked about campus safety and student issues, including how the board would respond if students were affected by ICE actions. The committee voted to advance Luna unanimously. The final confirmation was Grace Margaret Herrera, presented as a student regent candidate for Highlands. Supporters described her as a former foster youth, small business owner, and current student success center employee who mentors students and brings lived experience to the role. Members praised her resilience and connection to students, and the committee unanimously advanced her to the full Senate as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> request that the clerk read HR 276. request that the clerk read HR 276.
• ><c> legislation.
• </c> today is our 25th legislative day. today is our 25th legislative day.
• My reading of the legislation is that it appropriately shifts authority upward away from faculty senates
• </c> But we do appropriate money. But we do appropriate money.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and request a roll call. and request a roll call.
• </c> Roll call requested, roll call granted. Roll call requested, roll call granted.
• </c> the president and request a roll call. the president and request a roll call.
• </c> request a roll call. request a roll call.
• </c> and I request a roll call. and I request a roll call.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a big piece of legislation.
• It should be taxed appropriately.
• It should be taxed appropriately.
• This is the supplemental appropriations bill, which will provide additional appropriations for particular
• So again, this is just supplemental appropriations.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote, and then moved through a series of introductions recognizing guests and student groups at the Capitol, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university groups, nursing students, and several legislative interns. The chamber also handled a point of order about an unauthorized prop in the room, which was removed. The first major bill taken up was House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction calculations. Supporters argued it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits and provide fairness to taxpayers, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. After debate, the House passed HB 1766 by a vote of 94-50. The House then considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming measure that would criminalize illegal gaming machines, create a regulated framework for video lottery terminals, give local governments an opt-out, and expand enforcement authority for the Attorney General and prosecutors. Members debated whether the bill was a needed enforcement tool or an inappropriate expansion of gambling, with concerns raised about addiction, local control, revenue distribution, and whether the bill should have gone to Fiscal Review. A motion to refer the bill to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill itself passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provided just over $3 billion in additional authority, including tax refund authority, disaster relief, St. Louis tornado recovery funding, and major MoDOT funding, along with other smaller items. Members from both parties supported the bill, while also noting concerns about reliance on supplementals and the need to budget more accurately in the future. The House adopted an amendment reducing some general revenue authority, then adopted the bill and perfected and printed it. The meeting ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's the bare minimum of requests of saying this is what we need.
• </c><00:24:37.679><c> of</c> And it's the bare minimum of requests of And it's the bare minimum of requests
• But I do think this is a major issue, and I think we as legislators down here need to make sure when
• But I do think this is a major issue, and I think we as legislators down here need to make sure when
• Major issue, and I think we as legislators down here need to make sure when we're passing legislation

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's it and I'm happy legislation.
• So individuals, when they request a copy of a transcript, and remember they may be requesting multiple
• She was neutral and um she legislation.
• So, um, I'm going to move in expedient to legislate.
• They're they're not legislation.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are
• And we as legislators are required to be nuanced in our legislation to consider the fact that there are

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> given a couple um raises and legislators given a couple um raises and legislators as<00:13:54.240
• </c> trying to think through our legislation trying to think through our legislation um<01:06:10.880>
• </c> budget. the general assembly appropriate budget. the general assembly appropriate 973<01:13:33.360
• </c> contributions uh that will be requested contributions uh that will be requested of<01:26:35.360>
• the seek formula request that will make the seek formula request that actually<01:32:24.480><c> comes

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum call, the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer, and approval of the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was from Bo Craycraft of the Judicial Form Retirement System, who gave an update on investment performance, asset allocation, cash flow, and projected employer costs. He reported strong fiscal year 2025 investment results, with both the legislative and judicial retirement plans outperforming their actuarial assumed rates of return and benchmarks, driven largely by U.S. equity performance. He also noted the plans remained near their target asset allocation and continued to experience negative cash flow, though he said that was manageable in context of strong asset growth. Craycraft then discussed a recent experience study and actuarial assumption changes, especially a revised salary growth assumption and a higher cash balance interest credit rate. He said these changes increased projected employer costs, with contributions rising from about $700,000 to a projected $2 million in later years, though he expected the eventual 2025 valuation and investment gains to reduce that estimate. Members asked about mortality assumptions, the impact of the experience study on liabilities, and the sharp increase in the judicial plan’s projected employer cost. Craycraft explained that the increase was driven mainly by the updated assumptions and that no other major plan changes were involved. At the chair’s request, Craycraft also addressed the recent rise in Medicare Advantage premiums for the plan’s health coverage, saying the 2025 increase was largely tied to Part D changes and the Inflation Reduction Act and had been about 45%, but that future growth was expected to be under 5%. After his presentation, the committee moved to the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority update, where the next speaker began by saying the funds had exceeded actuarial assumed returns for the fiscal year.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT WILL COME TO ORDER
• THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY REQUEST IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
• THE LAST TIME THERE HAD BEEN A REQUEST FOR PERMIT WAS PROBABLY 10 YEARS AGO.
• I AM HERE TO OFFER MY SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION.
• AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE SENATE COMMITTEE WILL APPROVE THIS LEGISLATION.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation mirrors Florida's legislation that's named Brooks Law.
• In addition, this legislation allows for penalties against the platforms.
• So how is that happening, and then we need to do this legislation?
• So how is that happening, and then we need to do this legislation?
• I left mine, I think, open to appropriation.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as legislative Kelly Half.
• <00:36:19.960><c> $250,000</c> appropriated $250,000 appropriated $250,000 last<00:36:22.400><c> year
• </c> responsibility for us as legislators. responsibility for us as legislators.
• </c><00:52:18.760><c> Non-compliance</c> bother requesting it. Non-compliance bother requesting it.
• </c> system issued a memo to the legislative system issued a memo to the legislative leadership<00:54

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House File 3939, a bill to support a Helping Paws service-dog litter named in honor of Gilbert and the Hortman family. Testimony from Helping Paws and service-dog graduate Angie Foley described the organization’s work, the significance of the “Guided by Gilbert” litter, and how the funding would help train dogs that provide independence and support to people with disabilities, veterans, and others. Members from both parties spoke warmly about Speaker Hortman’s connection to the organization and Gilbert, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion. The committee then considered House File 3769, the Department of Corrections’ technical omnibus bill, with an A1 amendment adopted to clarify tuberculosis testing language. The bill updates TB screening procedures in correctional facilities, including how refusals are handled, and adds Quantiferon Gold Plus testing as an option alongside existing methods. Members discussed whether the bill would create costs for counties and jails, with some noting added testing and segregation costs and others arguing the changes would improve accuracy and reduce time in restrictive housing. The bill, as amended, was recommended to the general register. House File 3978 was next, a technical cleanup bill for a provider wellness program created last year. The bill expands eligibility and confidentiality protections from physicians to all health care providers, while supporters said the program is meant to address burnout and mental health strain in the workforce and does not require new money. Some members questioned whether the change was redundant or would broaden the program without additional funding, but the Minnesota Medical Association testified that the program is separate from insurance and was intended to serve all providers. The bill was recommended to the general register. Finally, the committee began House File 3476, which Rep. Liebling described as a cleanup bill related to Minnesota’s Medicaid managed care system and public program oversight. She argued that the state spends billions through managed care organizations and that the system has never been proven better than direct payment, setting up a broader discussion of the bill’s purpose and the state’s oversight of public health care spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 503, an act making appropriations for the operations, maintenance, and support of the legislative
• </c> why we need this legislation? why we need this legislation?
• </c> legislative citation 74? legislative citation 74?
• </c> clerk please to uh call legislative clerk please to uh call legislative citation<01:54:53.560><c
• </c> all legislators are invited. Thank you. all legislators are invited. Thank you.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• I request unanimous consent to suspend Assembly Rule 1188.
• This is a pivotal point for us as legislators. And for me, as your legislator, I see the pain.
• And as we honor these young lives, as legislators to protect our children.
• Thank you. ...and requesting that we adjourn in their memory. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:45.360><c> time</c> appropriate time, their appropriate time appropriate time, their appropriate
• </c> legislation contains important updates legislation contains important updates to<00:12:53.279><c
• </c><00:25:58.640><c> out</c><00:25:58.799><c> to</c> mutual aid requests go out to mutual aid requests
• Uh, it is an appropriation.
• </c> decisions will be appropriate. decisions will be appropriate.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It says summary of legislation. see. It says summary of legislation.
• </c><01:03:41.839><c> who</c> falls in our purview as legislators who falls in our purview as legislators
• </c> continuously appropriated authority. continuously appropriated authority.
• And let's have it go appropriately through the appropriations committee so we can make sure that we are
• </c><01:51:39.360><c> private</c> we include in our legislation private we include in our legislation

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for reimbursement but submit a request for reimbursement but the<00:14:33.720><c> funding</c><00:14:
• appropriated and obligated but<00:16:00.240><c> as</c><00:16:00.959><c> we</c><00:16:01.160><c> all<
• I hope that you're requesting them, Director, to do that.
• I hope that you're requesting them, Director, to do that.
• Would you please request me being on it?

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> Alabama as a business owner, legislator, Alabama as a business owner, legislator, administrator
• </c> legislative day be dispensed with. legislative day be dispensed with.
• </c> Child Advocacy Day, Legislative Child Advocacy Day, Legislative Breakfast<00:17:55.440><c> from<
• </c> Creek Indians will have a legislative Creek Indians will have a legislative reception<00:18:12.480
• He said this was anti-cloning legislation. He said it was a piece of proactive legislation.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMBERS LET'S TAKE UP TAB 4 AND FIVE, CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR APPOINTMENTS, UNLESS A SENATOR REQUEST
• IN YOUR COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS WE HAD MULTIPLE NUMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
• Harrell: LOOKING AT THIS BEING CHAIR OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE THAT WILL BE DEALING WITH THIS,
• , WE CANNOT HEAR THE BILL WITHOUT AN APPROPRIATION I NEED TO KNOW FROM DOE WHAT THE FISCAL ON DOE IS
• THE BEST THING I CAN TELL YOU IS THERE IS NO FUNDING REQUEST TIED TO THIS AREA WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So today I have a couple of simple urgent requests.
• That's the thing that we requested and that happened on Monday.
• Indeed, there is no enabling legislation for the OSC.
• State standards of legislative standards and reviewed by government officials, state standards of legislation
• There was legislation and funding, and there was a focus There was legislation and funding, and there

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> had mentioned, the proposed legislation had mentioned, the proposed legislation would<00:07:41.599
• So, that is the way that they are requesting the information, how it is being requested.
• Uh, I very much support this legislation. bringing in this legislation. bringing in this legislation.
• . legislation. legislation.
• </c><04:18:02.159><c> It</c> a request for a study committee. It a request for a study committee.

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all