Transcript Highlights:

• And then lastly, the salary equalization of the assessors will have no financial impact to the state
• Page three of the digest gives an overview of all...
• Page three of the digest gives an overview of all.
• I mean, it's part of our job. It's part of their job.
• I think it's a due process challenge in a lot of cases because of the expense of getting a transcript

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 13, 2026, and reported several bills favorable. HB 27 was approved after testimony that it would delete a constitutional sentence requiring debt payments to be applied to the oldest outstanding amortization, giving retirement boards more flexibility to pay off the most advantageous debt. HB 143 was supported by the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and local law enforcement representatives to raise the statutory per diem for housing state inmates in local facilities from $26.39 to match the current $29.39 rate already being paid in practice. HB 205 drew extensive testimony from clerks of court and election officials who said election commissioners have not had a pay increase in 19 years and are struggling to staff precincts, especially under the new closed party primary system; the bill would let local governing bodies enhance commissioner pay as a stopgap, and it was reported favorable despite concerns that it does not fully solve the staffing problem. The committee also approved HB 308, which would require state stadium and arena facilities to accept cash for smaller transactions or provide a kiosk to convert cash to a prepaid card without extra fee. HB 417 was reported favorable to increase the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million and tie it to inflation; DEQ staff explained the fund helps pay for Superfund matches and cleanup of abandoned or bankrupt hazardous waste sites, and the increase would not affect the state general fund. HB 12, supported by the Louisiana Assessor Association, would provide 5% annual salary equalization increases for assessors through 2029, with local opt-in and no state general fund impact; members discussed the recurring pay parity issue with clerks of court and the possibility of a study resolution to address future adjustments more systematically, and the bill was reported favorable. Representative Kerner announced HB 311 would be deferred after concerns it could amount to a tax increase. HB 1129, supported by the Louisiana Auctioneers Association, was amended to clarify that the state’s movable-property auctions include internet auctions and to give Louisiana auctioneers preference to bid on those contracts; it was then reported favorable. HB 562, which would update transcript fees for the 19th Judicial District Court, prompted concerns about higher costs for litigants and due process implications, and the committee agreed to defer it to the next meeting for further discussion. The meeting ended with adjournment after brief recognition of visiting cattle industry representatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Education to be considered based on the definition of a School of Hope.
• So why would we ever entertain the idea of funneling any more of that capital money out of our public
• You know, I was a part of the creation of one of the first charter schools in Florida.
• The funds must be accounted for in a charter school's monthly or quarterly financial statement, and should
• And there's a couple of changes to the Schools of Hope.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. CS/HB 1267, by Rep. Boussada, would require school districts to allow Schools of Hope to use vacant or surplus facilities or co-locate in schools with capacity, with non-instructional services handled through a pro rata agreement and a performance-based agreement requiring Schools of Hope to meet expectations within five years. Supporters argued it would better use underfilled public schools and help students in the bottom 10% of schools statewide; opponents raised concerns about local control, funding, and the effect on public schools. The bill passed 13-2. The committee also heard CS/HB 1115, by Rep. Valdes, which would require sharing certain discretionary sales surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment, create a standardized charter school monitoring tool, and align Schools of Hope sponsoring-entity rules with charter school processes. Supporters said it would improve consistency and accountability; critics questioned fiscal impacts and district flexibility. That bill passed 13-2. The final bill, CS/HB 1213, by Rep. Alvarez, would create a K-12 School Route Optimization Pilot Program using five counties to test AI-assisted analysis of school bus routes and walking conditions, with the goal of improving child safety for students who currently walk long distances. Members discussed hazardous conditions, possible use of safe-school transportation funds, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. Public testimony included support from education and parent groups. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think one of the key takeaways of the report and of the speech you just gave is that there is real
• And so that's part of why we're interested in working with the Legislature on ways to refine statute
• All of those products have warning statements on them, and all of them are sold in child-resistant packaging
• Have warning statements on them, and all of them are sold in child-resistant packaging.
• And just the nature of them having an interest does not necessarily mean a child would be attracted to

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on whether products are attractive to children. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague, enforcement is inconsistent, and licensees are left to interpret standards without prior review. In a review of 80 packaging cases, the audit team disagreed with the department’s conclusions in 13 instances, and the report highlighted examples involving cartoon imagery, colorful fonts, candy-like references, flavor names, and cannabis beverages that resembled ordinary drinks. The auditor recommended clearer statutory definitions, possible consideration of plain packaging or pre-approval models like Oregon’s, better internal guidance, and stronger tracking and escalation for repeat violators. Committee members and Assembly Member Irwin emphasized the rise in poison control calls involving children under five since legalization and argued that legal-market packaging can contribute to accidental ingestion, especially when products resemble candy or drinks. Several members pressed the department on why items such as root beer, strawberry lemonade, and cherry pie strain names should be allowed if they may appeal to children. The Department of Cannabis Control responded that it has already centralized label review, added staff and technology tools, improved compliance-history tracking, and is using progressive discipline tools such as notices to comply, citations, embargoes, abatements, and license actions. The department also argued that the illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp markets are major drivers of youth exposure and that enforcement resources must be balanced across those markets. Public health witness Dr. Lynn Silver urged stronger restrictions, including plain packaging, bans on added flavors and child-appealing imagery, lower THC limits for edibles and beverages, and a dedicated pre-market review process. Industry representatives from the California Cannabis Industry Association and the California Cannabis Operators Association agreed that youth protections are essential, but argued that clearer, objective standards are needed so compliant businesses can know the rules and enforcement can be consistent. They said most licensed products are already compliant, that the most blatant youth-targeted packaging is concentrated in the illicit market, and that the Legislature should refine definitions and guidance rather than rely on subjective case-by-case judgments. No formal vote or bill action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course. Of course.
• Yeah, I know this is something that's been an issue in some areas of Dover, so it's interesting to see
• </c><02:01:56.280><c> piece</c><02:01:56.520><c> of</c> of meet in this piece of piece of of meet in
• We had reference and received the copy of the 2025 DOE statement that the program seems to be working
• the I guess the 2025 DOE copy of the I guess the 2025 DOE uh<02:09:12.000><c> statement</c><02:09:12.880

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many provisions of interest to the city of Minneapolis in these bills, such as MSA funding
• of brevity I would like to just interest of brevity I would like to just say<01:04:57.920><c> that</
• The financial cost of ending service is staggering.
• The financial cost of ending decades.
• The financial cost of ending service<01:07:03.039><c> is</c><01:07:03.280><c> staggering.

Transcript Highlights:

• further silence the will of the voters, the voices of the voters, to further silence the will of the
• , on top of documents, on top of all kinds of red tape.
• like a clarification of terms, of terminology, of restoring and recognizing some biblical terms of Judea
• It is actually a political statement, and it was another one of these bills that the Muslim community
• can of worms, could lead to a lot more of that sort of activity right here in the United States.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the status of each of those.
• of the sample size when the majority of the cases, you know, come from the larger parts of the state
• lot of work on your plate and continual turnover of staff.
• The care and protection of children who have been placed in the custody of the state of Arizona is important
• Any system that creates even an appearance of a financial incentive to report can undermine trust between

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• of the sample size when the majority of the cases, you know, come from the larger parts of the state
• The care and protection of children who have been placed in the custody of the state of Arizona is important
• We will get to the bottom of that. So... ...get to the bottom of that.
• of the Regiment.
• Any system that creates even an appearance of a financial incentive to report can undermine trust between

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on Government convened, took roll, introduced members and staff, and heard an Auditor General presentation on a special audit of the Arizona Department of Child Safety’s handling of non-criminal child abuse and neglect reports. The audit found that while DCS generally met initial contact timeframes in most cases, 123 of 125 sampled cases had at least one policy noncompliance issue, including failures to properly notify alleged perpetrators of rights and allegations, incomplete or undocumented investigative steps and safety plans, and investigations that exceeded required timeframes. The Auditor General said DCS agreed with the findings and would implement the recommendations; members asked about sample size, staffing, turnover, and whether the problems were systemic and documentation-related. The chair also gave an opening statement emphasizing oversight of DCS and the committee’s intent to focus on systemic issues and child safety. The committee then considered House Bill 262, which authorizes a memorial for the Buffalo Soldiers at Wesley Boland Plaza. Several supporters testified about the historical significance of the Buffalo Soldiers and the importance of recognizing their contributions in Arizona. Members from both parties spoke in support, and HB 262 passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. The committee next heard House Bill 2018, which would prohibit DCS from entering into agreements with health care institutions that allow or require payment in exchange for reports of child abuse or neglect. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to prevent financial incentives from influencing reporting and to protect parents’ rights, while some testimony described alleged overreporting and harmful removals tied to hospital reporting arrangements. Members debated whether there was a sufficient paper trail for such payments and whether the issue was limited to one hospital or broader; the sponsor said DCS had not provided requested data and that subpoena power might be needed. After a recess and further discussion, HB 2018 passed on a 4-3 vote and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned, Much of me is made of what I learned
• We demand the immediate end to any financial support, whether direct or indirect, of Hamas, the Iranian
• They would not, so they have to meet all of the criteria of concurrency or any of those types of things
• time, individuals accused of misconduct may remain in office, continue making financial decisions, and
• What that financial structure looks like when they are entering into some sort of agreement with a large

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was first interested in finding this legislation to get after the interest of encouraging manufacturing
• It's one of the interesting things about coming to work here.
• So kind of prepared, you know, a statement over here that will address some of those questions.
• That’s a statement. That’s the opening of a presentation. It’s not statute.
• That's a statement. That's the opening of a presentation. It's not statute.

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Deduction for car loan interest affecting a lot of low income families to, $11 million.
• The first item, statement number one in the bill, that will result in my estimation of Idaho companies
• He said the provision would effectively create an interest-free loan to the state of Idaho and burden
• He also said the statement of purpose does not include a third exception, referring to decoupling from
• He added that, related to the Idaho R&D credit being eliminated and not mentioned in the statement of

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm currently looking at the impoundment agent program, but, in the interest of time today with the Senate
• </c> chairman of the Board of Examiners. chairman of the Board of Examiners.
• , and we tried to be accommodating to the people with the interests of these regulations.
• Uh, we tried to be accommodating to the people with the interests of these regulations.
• 00:31:46.440><c> things,</c><00:31:47.200><c> rather</c> statement on all of these things, rather statement

Summary: The committee first reviewed several Fish and Wildlife regulations. Staff explained amendments to 301 KAR 2:176, 4:112, and 6:030, including updating wildlife control tag language, creating an impoundment agent program for seized wildlife, and clarifying boating safety rules. A member raised a concern about boat wakes near docks, and staff said the commission had recently voted on related changes that were not yet included because the regulation had been filed earlier; those changes would have to come back later. The committee approved the staff amendments without objection. The Board of Veterinary Examiners then presented 201 KAR 16:767, which would require veterinary managers to be physically present during business hours and limit them to five registered facilities. Board representatives said they had tried to meet with affected parties before the hearing but had not reached agreement. A representative for Kentucky Pet IQ argued the rule was written for full-service hospitals and would be impractical for short, limited-service clinics that only provide vaccinations, preventive care, and parasite testing. Members expressed concern about the rule’s impact on veterinary access in underserved areas, and the committee voted to defer the regulation until the next month so the parties could continue negotiating. The committee next considered Transportation Cabinet 601 KAR 9:120, the online insurance verification system, in both ordinary and emergency form. The chair said staff had identified conflicts with a bill passed the prior year and moved to find the regulations deficient. The motion passed on a roll call vote, with six ayes and two pass votes. The committee then found ordinary ABC regulations 804 KAR 12:020 and 12:030 deficient as well, again by six ayes and two pass votes, after noting that the emergency versions had already been found deficient the previous month. Finally, the committee reviewed Cabinet for Health and Family Services 902 KAR 55:110, which would require veterinarians to report dispensed controlled substances to KASPER while exempting administered medications. OIG staff said the rule was meant to align regulation with statute, which includes veterinarians as prescribers, and emphasized that the reporting duty applies to prescriptions, not administration to animals. Some members supported the change as a needed anti-diversion measure, while others worried about implementation burdens and timing. After discussion, the committee found the regulation deficient by a 6-2 vote. The meeting then moved into full review of 922 KAR 1:565, a Department for Community Based Services rule implementing kinship care provisions from Senate Bill 151; staff said it was needed for implementation once funding is available, but a member criticized the two-year delay and the inclusion of language conditioning implementation on funding. A public witness from the Kinship Families Coalition argued the rule should not shift the 120-day application window in a way that could affect federal funding eligibility and urged the committee to reject the regulation as written.

Transcript Highlights:

• Surplus statement, you know, SL, SN, uh, snapshot of the Governor's recommended budget, and I've built
• you know SL SN uh Surplus statement you know SL SN uh snapshot<02:35:58.200><c> of</c><02:35:58.880>
• various</c> the number of positions of the various the number of positions of the various types<02:47
• of pages of their whatever thousands of pages of their budget<02:51:45.239><c> yep</c><02:51:45.880>
• cost of collections is recognized on the Highway Fund surplus statement.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. Department of Education testimony said the bill’s definition would conflict with the federal definition and be unusually restrictive, potentially affecting curriculum, educator training, and many existing state requirements. The department said it could force a broad overhaul of school programs and create a need for at least one new state position, with local districts likely facing significant unbudgeted costs. Members raised concerns about impacts on federal pass-through funding, curriculum materials, and whether the bill was workable at all. Several members said the proposal would be too costly and difficult to implement, especially during a tight budget cycle. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0. Members who supported retention said they wanted to set the bill aside because of the scale of the concerns, while also stating they did not support the bill as written. The committee then opened HB 133, dealing with DMV follow-up on residency and licensing issues tied to voting and other interactions. Department of Safety/DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology update plus a full-time position to handle manual correspondence and review of possible matches, and that postage was not included in the fiscal note. They said the bill’s 60-day residency trigger is vague, that the DMV would be acting outside its normal role by investigating status after the fact, and that the measure could create privacy and operational problems. Members questioned whether the bill would effectively force people to buy a driver’s license to vote, whether non-driver and voter ID options would avoid that concern, and whether the Secretary of State rather than DMV would be the more appropriate agency to handle any follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• of it.
• of it.
• of it.
• of it.
• </c> advantage of this a lot of startups advantage of this a lot of startups would<00:58:57.520><c> take

Bills: HF4 , HF173

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• It also sets out a statute of limitations for statements published on the internet. Thank you, Mr.
• It also sets out a statute of limitations for statements published on the internet.
• And we're also giving a special look at the portion of the bill that applies to claims of defamation
• Senate Bill 1148 relates to the licensing of attorneys for the practice of law by requiring that the
• And the issue here is that of separation of powers.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, the Secretary of State is in support of this. The Clerks Association are in support of this.
• The Secretary of State is in support of this. The Clerk's Association are in support of this.
• a sheet of paper or a sheet of paper potentially.
• I was just thinking in the interest of time, where it was just a resolution.
• I was just thinking in the interest of time where it was just a resolution.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians were promised that cannabis products would be kept out of sight and out of the hands of
• And so that's part of why we're interested in working with the Legislature on ways to refine statute
• All of those products have warning statements on them, and all of them are sold in child-resistant packaging
• So, Have warning statements on them, and all of them are sold in child-resistant packaging.
• And just the nature of them having an interest does not necessarily mean a child would be attracted to

Transcript Highlights:

• Hiding data and suppressing evidence is not in the best interest of public health.
• </c><00:47:47.360><c> of</c><00:47:47.440><c> public</c> not in the best interest of public not in the
• best interest of public health. health. health.
• a year and stack it on a desk statements a year and stack it on a desk of<01:57:04.080><c> an</c><01
• Um, it would be administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're right, there is an additional number of foster beds than a number of kids.
• There is an additional number of foster beds than a number of kids.
• I guess it should be interesting to have this study take into account all of these different things.
• interest in people doing that.
• It would not be part of this study, but it's part of the work that we're currently doing.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• member of the New Mexico Municipal League Board of Directors.
• With all of this interest in New Mexico, however, For the special appropriation.
• With all of this interest in New Mexico, however, we need places for companies to go and to locate.
• Just a little bit of overview of the Department of Health.
• of the things I know folks are very proud of.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.