Transcript Highlights:

• The index evaluates all 50 states across 18 performance indicators: voter registration rates, post-election
• audits, security protocols, voter registration rates, post-election audits, security protocols, ballot
• rejection rates, wait times, online voter resources, and more.
• Our crime rate has increased. Violent crime rates have increased.

Bills: SB264 , SB261

Committee: Senate House Rules & Order Of Business

Summary: The committee heard two election-related bills. SB 264, sponsored by Sen. Duhigg and others and presented by the Secretary of State, would add definitions and new offenses to New Mexico election law to prohibit interference with elections, including the presence of troops or armed persons at polling places or ballot drop boxes, attempts to impose election rules contrary to state law, and intentional obstruction of access to polling places. It also would create civil enforcement options, strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language, and include emergency voting procedures for voters displaced by natural disasters. Supporters, including Common Cause, the Center for Civic Policy, and the League of Women Voters, said the bill protects voters from intimidation and outside interference. Several county clerks and rural legislators raised concerns about late changes, lack of consultation, rural logistics, and possible litigation. The committee adopted the Rules Committee substitute and advanced SB 264 on a 5-3 roll call vote. SB 261, presented as a companion election measure, would remove the existing exception that allowed law enforcement to carry firearms at polling places, but the sponsor offered an amendment to allow armed law enforcement to respond when called by the presiding judge, county clerk, or Secretary of State. Supporters said firearms do not belong in or around polling places because they can intimidate voters and poll workers, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary because existing law already covers law enforcement response and that the amendment created confusion. After a recess caused by members leaving the room, the committee returned, adopted the Rules Committee substitute including the amendment, and advanced SB 261 by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside of King County, this levy can be imposed at a rate of up to 75 cents per thousand dollars of
• assessed value, while inside King County it can be imposed at a maximum rate of 7.5 cents.
• Because costs keep going up, rates need to keep going up from the county to help fund the operation of
• Raising our rates becomes a challenge.
• initiative activism, and three times the voters have passed initiatives that said we want just a flat-rate

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several transportation-related bills. On Substitute House Bill 2251, staff explained changes to Climate Commitment Act accounts and revenue distribution, including new operating and capital accounts and a revised split of auction proceeds among transportation, capital, operating, and air quality accounts. Members asked about the bill’s effect on CERA funding, the air quality account, and whether the bill responded to projected revenue declines. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of the bill’s goal of clearer, more predictable budgeting; tribal testimony requested clearer protections and a dedicated tribal set-aside, while other witnesses supported the bill for its transparency and climate/transportation benefits. No action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2588, which would allow county ferry districts to operate and finance vehicle ferries, not just passenger-only ferries. The prime sponsor and county officials from Whatcom and Pierce described the bill as a local option to help fund aging ferry systems without raising taxes, and public testimony from island residents, county representatives, and advocacy groups strongly supported it as a way to stabilize essential ferry service. The committee also heard House Bill 2722, which would raise the vehicle weight threshold for Transportation Benefit District fees from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. Staff said the change would modestly increase TBD revenue statewide, and the sponsor argued the current law unfairly exempts heavier trucks while lighter vehicles pay the fee. Cities and local officials supported the bill, while the trucking association said it would support a compromise at 9,000 pounds instead of 10,000. The committee also heard House Bill 2727, creating an Educational Transit Access Grant Program for transit agencies and community and technical colleges to pilot free or reduced fares for students; the sponsor and transit advocates said it would improve affordability and access, and testimony emphasized equity and student retention benefits. In executive session, the committee considered Second Substitute House Bill 1923, which would expand who can form passenger-only ferry service districts and where they can be formed, with added intent language related to southern resident orcas and a revised effective date. After discussion, the committee voted 23-4 to pass the bill out of committee with a do pass recommendation. The chair also announced a deadline extension for amendment requests on bills heard that day and thanked staff before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates among youth ages 10 to 24 in the United States increased by 57%.
• Between 2007 and 2018, suicide rates among youth ages 10 to 24 in the United States increased by 57%.
• results are things we've discussed today: harmful feelings of body image dissatisfaction, increased rates
• that the interruptions of picking up your phone from push notifications is enough to increase anxiety rates
• and stress rates.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And currently for property taxes in the state of New Mexico, residential rates are capped at 3%, subject
• Are not tax rates set by the counties?
• really an income-generating use, then those property values will be assessed at that property value rate
• But what this bill does is... ...will be assessed at that property value rate, but what this bill does
• zoning changes, residential properties are protected with the 3% cap, and that will not increase the rate

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The cases that appear before us also have a really high self-representation rate.
• The cases that appear before us also have a really high self-representation rate.
• In our health and social services division, we have about a 90% self-representation rate.
• On our general government side, we have about a 60% self-representation rate.
• On our general government side, we have about a 60% self-representation rate.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• As vacancy rates for landlords will grow and expenses will outweigh income at a time when Florida's rental
• market is in decline due to higher vacancy rates and thousands of additional vacant apartments being
• Decreased income, higher maintenance costs, and higher vacancy rates result.
• Why so much focus on registrants when the unsolved homicide clearance rate is 65 percent?
• Why so much focus on registrants when the unsolved homicide clearance rate is 65 percent?

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee met to consider three bills. HB 199, relating to Veterans Court, was presented as a repeat measure aligning Veterans Court procedures with mental health and drug court laws and allowing post-adjudicatory referrals. A technical amendment was adopted, numerous witnesses waived in support, and the bill passed unanimously 17-0. The committee then took up HB 45, which would add public swimming pools and public bathing places to existing sex offender residency, work, volunteer, and visitation restrictions. The sponsor argued it would protect children and apply only to specified sex offenses. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns that the bill’s definitions were overly broad, could effectively ban registrants from much of Florida, and could increase homelessness and make offenders harder to track. An amendment narrowing the bill’s scope and definitions was adopted after debate, and the bill passed 11-5 as amended. Finally, HB 17, the Jason Rayner Act, was heard to clarify that force may not be used to resist an arrest by an officer acting in the performance of official duties, retain good-faith language, add manslaughter to offenses requiring a life sentence when reclassified, and increase the severity level for battery on a law enforcement officer. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen protections for officers; opponents argued it could sweep in accidental or less culpable conduct, while supporters said existing law already covered serious cases. A clarifying amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-0 as amended. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• wildfire safety efforts, and save lives and property, and support effective regulation of insurance rates
• Effective regulation of insurance rates, and by analyzing past wildfire disasters, a model can point
• cost of wildfire mitigation without passing these costs onto consumers through higher electricity rates
• distribution lines in ways that limit the financial burdens on consumers, avoiding increases in electricity rates
• language in the findings and declarations intersects with other bills that restrict IOUs from earning a rate

Summary: The committee met to hear seven Senate bills, first approving two consent items, SB 352 and SB 804, on motions to do pass to Appropriations. SB 542 (Limón) would require public notice and comment before issuing a financial responsibility certificate for an oil pipeline and require hydrostatic testing before restarting pipelines idle for five years or more; it was supported by the Center for Biological Diversity and passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 616 (Rubio) would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to coordinate wildfire mitigation and insurance-related recommendations; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and several local and industry groups, while water agencies, special districts, and the building industry raised concerns about water infrastructure standards, and it passed on a due-pass motion to Insurance. SB 429 (Cortese), which would establish a public wildfire catastrophe model and related university-based research and education program, received support from the Department of Insurance and outside groups and passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 256 (Perez) would strengthen wildfire mitigation and emergency response by expanding planning, improving PSPS communication, requiring utility coordination with emergency centers, and directing removal of permanently abandoned electrical facilities; utilities and business groups were generally neutral after amendments, while the author emphasized the bill’s connection to recent wildfire losses, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 509 (Caballero) would require specialized training for local law enforcement on transnational repression targeting diaspora communities; it received support from the California Police Chiefs Association and immigrant-rights advocates, but drew extensive opposition from Hindu and civil-rights organizations concerned about bias, implementation, and First Amendment issues. Committee members discussed amendments to clarify cultural competency, diversity, and constitutional protections, and the bill passed as amended to Appropriations. After the hearing, the committee took final roll-call votes on the bills, with the consent items and SB 429, SB 256, and SB 509 moving forward, while SB 542 and SB 616 were also reported out on earlier motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is, um, Our chronic absenteeism rates are too high still, but we have made a significant drop. 10%
• seeing or if we still report out, but it's associated with attendance, um, the dropouts, the dropout rates
• Chair, Representative, um, so obviously, we do capture cohort graduation rates.
• I'm not sure if we capture dropout rates per se anymore, but I think we can get you information about
• We'll add that to the list and take a look at if there are certain communities that are seeing higher rates

Transcript Highlights:

• This is especially important for us in Texas because we have high diabetes rates and high limb amputation
• rates.
• urgently needed, particularly in our largest counties where there are higher traffic volumes and incident rates
• The cost of putting crash-rated bollards in place at these hospitals is on the order of twenty to thirty
• Restoration Center and Haven, from inception to 2023, have housed over 18,000 people with an 85% success rate

Bills: SB1117 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB1986 , SB1098 , SB626 , SB1784 , SB2480 , SB2487 , SB437 , SB660

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: dentistry, botulinum toxin, aesthetic treatments, dental regulation, training, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges, SB 672, Texas hospital emergency operations plan, hospital diversion, emergency department, cyberattack, cyber security, power outage, electrical outage, patient diversion, hospital preparedness

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the lingering impact of inflation, high interest rates, and the current administration's tariff
• the importance of a fair tax code that promotes economic efficiency with a broader base and lower rate
• And yet we as a state reimburse it at the lowest rate, and then we can't understand why we're seeing
• Even if this is desirable, the high rate that must be shared will prevent many projects from being viable
• Other providers outside of the self-directed programs will also receive similar rate increases.

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• This has led to an increase in turnover rates. and case managers at high levels of vacant positions.
• Higher turnover and vacancy rates increase the caseload for case managers and put additional strain on
• This is intended to decrease the vacancy rates and reduce the strain on the workforce.
• to become a CPA, even though the path may be easier from an experience standpoint, the average pass rate
• We are constantly rated the most trusted professional that anybody has. Forget about lawyers.

Bills: SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB3 , SB6 , SB15 , SB35 , SB290 , SB706 , SB842 , SB917 , SB1281 , SB1451 , SB1902 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB19 , SB388 , SR261 , SR265 , SR276 , SR277 , SR281 , SR286 , SR293 , SCR5 , SCR13 , SB2425 , SB2880 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB388 , SB412 , SB495 , SB2425 , SB2880

Transcript Highlights:

• , and you bring it out of a lower duty rate.
• So you take a high duty rate you put 3%.
• Very beneficial for those rate.
• So this rate on that's only 1 and a.5%.
• Uh, and uh it does allow you to get that lower duty rate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The refusal rate.
• And um it's the refusal<00:53:04.720><c> rate.
• Right now in New refusal rate.
• So the problem is our death rates take. So the problem is our death rates are<00:53:19.440><c> up.
• Uh and we believe that this bill rate.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:24:38.640><c> the</c> agencies to um to limit the rate the agencies to um to limit the rate the
• </c> I be free to have whatever rental rates I be free to have whatever rental rates I<00:47:42.880><
• Rent control has decimated rental rates and building and construction opportunities.
• Rent control has decimated rental rates and building and construction opportunities.
• </c> They're increasing them at a rapid rate They're increasing them at a rapid rate that's that's that's

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the actuarial study, which has led to a specific rate methodology, and the submission of RFIs
• First, the actuarial study, which has led to a specific rate methodology, and the submission of RFIs
• The care is provided by CMS regulation at a payment rate less than would be expected with a high level
• First, the actuarial study, which has led to a specific rate methodology, and the submission of RFIs
• </c><00:11:05.040><c> their</c> likewise Pace participants rated their likewise Pace participants rated

Bills: HF1937 , HF2407 , HF1678 , HF1477 , HF2040 , HF1840 , HF257

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• , given that these requirements are antiquated and consumers can find rental rates online.
• rate uh the rate because it in facts the rate uh the rate stays<00:37:00.520><c> the</c><00:37:00.720
• A 50-state study found no relationship between the rate of crime and longer sentences.
• So I hope those rates continue to go down as we find more options for people who are addicted.
• Those rates continue to go down as we find more options for people who are addicted.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:36.079><c> for</c> the asthma death rate for the asthma death rate for African-American<00
• And so we see that often where the disability community shows up with a much higher rate of many other
• of many other up with a much higher rate of many other health<00:58:03.720><c> conditions</c><00:58:
• typically to other providers rates typically to other providers although<01:25:05.880><c> not</c><01
• that are being paid and then you rates that are being paid and then you know<01:46:11.239><c> lastly

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and homophobia occur among young men at absurdly high rates for the time
• By the time these decisions register in aggregate enrollment figures and disengagement rates, and the
• The rate of change that everyone is experiencing, which is even further exacerbated by events like COVID
• The rate of change that everyone is experiencing, which is even further exacerbated by events like COVID
• So we're all here to try to address the issue of purposelessness, disconnection, and a rising rate of

Summary: The hearing was the inaugural meeting of the Assembly Select Committee on Developing Pathways to Purpose for Young Men, chaired by Assembly Member Avelino Valencia. In opening remarks, Valencia and several committee members described concerns about boys’ and young men’s disconnection from school, work, and relationships, and tied the committee’s work to technology, mentorship, education, and suicide prevention. Members repeatedly noted the effects of COVID-era screen use, the importance of positive male role models, and the need to think beyond funding alone toward broader policy and cultural changes. The first panel focused on the state of men online. Testimony from David Sakaki of the American Institute for Boys and Men, Vihon Bardwaj of Generation Up, and Dr. Alok Kanojia (“Dr. K”) emphasized that pornography, gaming, gambling, social media, and AI can meet real needs for belonging, status, and relief, while also encouraging addiction, isolation, distorted sexual expectations, and harmful comparisons. Witnesses argued that young men are especially vulnerable to algorithm-driven content, that online systems often amplify misogyny and other harmful behavior, and that public policy should address design defaults, age-appropriate sex education, gambling-like game mechanics, and offline alternatives such as sports, mentorship, and social-emotional skill building. Committee members asked about pornography, loot boxes, gambling ads, and how to create healthier substitutes for the immediate gratification these products provide. Witnesses said the answer is not to match the addictive pull of harmful content, but to build more fulfilling offline pathways and teach practical social and emotional skills. Assembly Member Brian also spoke about the need for policy frameworks that help young men and boys be seen and supported, while acknowledging that these issues affect women and girls as well. The second panel shifted to design and health impacts. Dr. Ravi Iyer, drawing on his experience at Meta, said platforms are often optimized for engagement rather than users’ aspirations, which can increase exposure to nudity, violence, hate, and unwanted sexual content; he also warned about emotionally manipulative chatbot interactions and suggested stronger rules and public tracking of app harms. Dr. Jason Nagata of UCSF described research linking problematic social media use to later ADHD symptoms in boys, and explained how social media can intensify muscularity pressures, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and risky appearance-modification trends such as “looksmaxxing.” No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and homophobia occur among young men at absurdly high rates for the time
• By the time these decisions register in aggregate enrollment figures and disengagement rates, and in
• The rate of change that everyone is experiencing, which is even further exacerbated by events like COVID
• The rate of change that everyone is experiencing, which is even further exacerbated by events like COVID
• So we're all here to try to address the issue of purposelessness, disconnection, and a rising rate of

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts specified non-residential... ...market-rate and affordable units in the same building.
• Californians already pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, but this bill continues
• place since 2004, allows the state to draw down additional federal funds to support reimbursement rate
• The program also establishes facility-specific reimbursement rate methodologies that will expire at the
• July 1, 2029, and increases the maximum payment rate per ton from $150 to $250.

Summary: The Senate session opened with a roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long series of floor recognitions and votes. Members spent substantial time honoring the Los Angeles Dodgers, celebrating their back-to-back World Series championship and highlighting the team’s history, community role, and connections to Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Vin Scully, and Jaime Jarrín. Senators also recognized summer interns and welcomed members of Kappa Alpha Psi’s Kappa League and Guide Right program to the floor. The chamber then took up several measures, beginning with AB 182 on ballot order and proposition numbering for the 2026 statewide ballot, which passed 38-8 after debate over whether placing legislatively referred measures first was fair. SR 113, commemorating the International Day of Peace and honoring Dr. Yongshik Cho’s role in proposing it, passed unanimously after supportive remarks about peace, education, and California’s diversity. The Senate also adopted SJR 16 urging Congress to restore commercial driver’s licenses for affected California truck drivers, and SCR 185 designating Probation Services Week. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to budget trailer bills. The Senate concurred in Assembly amendments to AB 112, AB 150, AB 152, AB 181, and AB 179, covering Medi-Cal, child care, human services, education governance, and housing. It also passed or concurred in SB 168, SB 169, SB 170, SB 171, SB 172, SB 174, SB 177, and SB 180, addressing public resources and energy, transportation, executive branch reorganization, labor, state government, courts, Medi-Cal financing, and taxation. Several of these drew opposition centered on energy costs, transparency, business impacts, or the proposed “fair share” approach to Medi-Cal costs for large corporations, but most measures passed on party-line or near-party-line votes. The Senate also confirmed three California Horse Racing Board appointments and ended with adjournment motions, including a request to adjourn in memory of Francis Lydia Limos of American Canyon.