Transcript Highlights:

• This is made up of both projects that are authorized through their operating budget, so federal funds
• What happens is we get borrowing authority in House Bill 3, and that borrowing authority translates into
• These had become priorities under that bonding authority, including when we expected those projects to
• Our goal ultimately is to not have debt service with the Finance Authority.
• The bonding authority—why don't you just get those to written response?

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Donnie Quintana with the New Mexico Finance Authority. One microphone on at a time.
• I'm the Managing Director of Lending at the New Mexico Finance Authority.
• The finance authority representatives, Mr.
• But when it comes to a loan through the New Mexico Finance Authority, they're not the answer.
• So the land grants have zoning authority.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They get to continue to have all the land use authority.
• They get to continue to have all the land use authority.
• Author: I'll defer to my technical witness.
• So we are anticipating an author and a quorum.
• If not, I'll turn it back over to the author to close.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and first heard AB 748, which would create pre-approved housing plans for single-family homes and small multifamily projects under 10 units, with delayed implementation for smaller cities and counties. The author said the bill is modeled on the state’s ADU preapproval process and is intended to make housing approvals ministerial and faster. Support came from housing and business groups, while several cities opposed it. Senators raised concerns about local control and whether small or rural jurisdictions have the staff and infrastructure to implement the program, but the author emphasized that local agencies would still control the plans and land-use decisions. No vote was taken because there was no quorum. The committee then heard AB 1621, which would tighten timelines and accountability for post-entitlement permits, limit plan-check resubmittals, and restrict field changes unless needed for health and safety. The California Building Industry Association and many housing groups supported the bill, arguing that permitting delays raise costs and slow housing production. The League of California Cities, counties, and several local governments opposed it, saying the two-plan-check limit is too rigid and that the bill could create litigation risk and reduce local flexibility to ensure code compliance. Members debated the proper standard for additional review and whether the bill should allow exceptions for state mandates; the author said the bill was meant to stop endless back-and-forth while preserving health-and-safety exceptions. The bill was recommended for a due-pass motion to Appropriations when quorum is reached. AB 2748 was next, proposing a three-year delay in the new electric-vehicle readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing projects, keeping the older 40% standard during that period. The author and affordable housing advocates said the change would reduce costs and help scarce housing dollars go further, while opponents from environmental, transportation, and clean-energy groups argued the current code is already cost-effective and that the bill would create a double standard and reduce EV access for low-income residents. Senators discussed whether the bill should require additional EV-capable infrastructure if projects use the older standard, and several members said they supported the bill but urged continued work on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining to student housing projects at public universities and community colleges with long-range plans. The author and student housing advocates said campus housing shortages are driving student homelessness and that the bill would help projects move faster; some senators supported the concept but questioned the bill’s geographic limits and whether labor standards or rural-campus criteria might be too restrictive. The meeting also included AB 1738, which would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple home inspections. Supporters said remote inspections save time and money and have been used safely in California, while one senator said she could not support virtual inspections for more complex items like roofs and solar work. No final votes were taken during the transcript, and several bills were held pending quorum or further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The author has asked us to defer it, so we will not be hearing it today.
• The author said LDH would do that.
• Representative Landry, because you're speaking on behalf of the author, it's as if the author is making
• of the author.
• I'm not sure if the author meant that the parent would...

Bills: HR249 , HR251 , HB395 , HB902 , SB83 , SB132 , SB157 , SB338 , SB450 , SB484 , SB501 , SB507

Committee: House Education

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the authors.
• I appreciate the authors.
• I appreciate the authors.
• I appreciate the authors.
• Subdivision 2 gets into the residential housing types that are going to be authorized again.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So this expansion of authorities is really important to improving biosecurity.
• So this expansion of authorities is really important to improving biosecurity.
• There's also a provision for the authority to administratively inspect all importations.
• </c> our work to strengthen the authorities our work to strengthen the authorities of<00:04:10.560><c
• </c> would be better if you had clear author would be better if you had clear author I<00:15:02.360><

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 252 on invasive species, which would broaden the Department of Agriculture’s authority to inspect items moved into or within Hawaii, prohibit the sale of pest-infested merchandise, and allow quarantine, treatment, or destruction of affected materials with clarified penalties. Testifiers from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, the Farmers Union, and many others strongly supported the bill, emphasizing gaps in current inspection authority and the need to address high-risk non-agricultural commodities such as outdoor furniture and other cargo that can carry pests like red imported fire ants. Members raised concerns about staffing, inspection capacity, commerce impacts, and whether better manifest descriptions or scanners could help target higher-risk shipments. The chairs recommended passage with Department of Agriculture and technical amendments, and the committees adopted the recommendation. The joint CPN/EDT hearing then took up SB 148 on combat sports, which would create a Hawaii Combat Sports Commission and regulate combat sports while prohibiting no-rules contests. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments on effective dates and later said other jurisdictions generally use a single commission for boxing and MMA. Supporters, including a professional fighter and a longtime advocate, argued the bill would help revive the sport in Hawaii, improve local opportunities, and reduce costs associated with separate commissions; one testifier initially appeared opposed but clarified he was actually in support. Committee members asked about safety, medical coverage, staffing, vacancies, and whether separate commissions could share staff. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including an Attorney General effective-date amendment, amendments from the Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses to increase health-care coverage at fights, and DCCA’s recommendation to unify boxing and MMA under one commission; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050, and the recommendation was adopted. A later joint CPN/Housing agenda began with SB 69 on deposits of public funds, which would require the Director of Finance to consider the benefits of using in-state depositories, including favorable lending terms for affordable housing. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Hawaii Bankers Association offered comments, and no other testimony or questions were noted before the discussion moved on. The next measure introduced was SB 24 on limited profit housing associations, which would create a regulatory framework and a limited profit housing council; the transcript cuts off as testimony on that bill was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand why the author hides the actual beneficiary of this bill.
• I understand why the author hides the actual beneficiary of this bill.
• The author needs to answer that, please.
• The author and Trevor Project...
• I think it's a really good bill and would love to be added on as a co-author.

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several emergency-management-related bills. AB 1749 would prohibit drones from knowingly or recklessly interfering with wildfire suppression or other emergency response airspace and authorize civil enforcement with penalties up to $75,000 per violation. AB 1540 would restore the 988 “press 3” option for LGBTQ+ suicide prevention, with the author and supporters describing it as a needed crisis lifeline; opponents argued the bill was unnecessary and criticized the Trevor Project. AB 1805 would overhaul oversight of the state’s troubled next-generation 911 project by strengthening the advisory board, requiring quarterly reports, and mandating an independent technical evaluation and audit. AB 1832 would create a statewide 2-1-1 support fund and a community needs dashboard to expand and stabilize 2-1-1 services. AB 2543 would require EV charging operators to develop emergency management plans and identify backup power or charging options during disasters, with opponents arguing it singled out one industry and could slow deployment. Testimony was largely in support of AB 1540, AB 1805, and AB 1832, with many public agencies, behavioral health groups, fire organizations, and local governments backing the measures. AB 1540 drew emotional testimony from a parent who lost a child to suicide, while AB 1805 received support from police chiefs, dispatchers, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which discussed the need for an independent technical review of regional versus statewide 911 system options. AB 1832 supporters emphasized that 2-1-1 helps divert non-emergency calls from 911 and provides critical disaster information and referrals. AB 2543 drew opposition from EV charging companies and industry groups, who said the bill imposed unique obligations on private operators and did not address all fuel types. After debate, the committee voted to advance all of the measures. AB 1540 was sent to Senate Health, AB 1749 to Senate Judiciary, AB 1805 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technology, and Consumer Protection, AB 1832 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications, and AB 2543 to Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications with amendments to be taken in the next committee. The consent item, AB 1836, was also approved. Final recorded votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with AB 2543 receiving the most opposition but still passing the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we start, I want to announce that Senate Bill 884 has been pulled by the author.
• Okay, and I want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
• We are committed, however, to working with the author and sponsors to meet their goals, but the bill
• One of the things that we would like is to have, again, express authorization to...
• And I understand you're going to work with the author. But like, what is the alternative?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 by Senator Rubio would require lobbyists to file employment changes and terminations directly with the Secretary of State through the new Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through employers or firms, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining the notice’s purpose. Both bills drew support from state election officials and were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard SB 1369 by Senator Reyes, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring oral disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, argued the bill would protect judicial independence and safety amid recent recall efforts, while one senator questioned whether judges should be treated differently from other officials. The bill passed on a 3-1 vote and was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Public Safety. SB 1414, also by Senator Reyes, would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters said it would reduce gerrymandering and improve public trust, while county representatives raised concerns but remained open to amendments. It advanced on a 3-1 vote to the Local Government Committee. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes would direct the Secretary of State to adopt regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, responding to the loss of the federal DOD fax service and mail delays. County election officials and veterans groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting integrity groups opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not feasible and could conflict with existing law. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1420 by Senator Richardson, which would expand voter awareness of “sign, scan, and go” voting and require guidance on implementation; it was supported by election officials and advocacy groups and advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1310 by Senator Choi would allow limited sharing of jury questionnaire information with election officials to help update voter rolls, but opponents warned it could lead to erroneous voter cancellations; the author narrowed the bill’s scope in response to concerns, and it passed to Judiciary. Several bills were held on call briefly until absent members were added, after which the committee completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we start, I want to announce that Senate Bill 884 has been pulled by the author.
• Okay, and I want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
• We are committed, however, to working with the author and sponsors to meet their goals, but the bill
• One of the things that we would like is to have, again, express authorization to...
• And I understand you're going to work with the author. But like, what is the alternative?

Committee: Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The third part of the taxation framework does not apply to agreements authorized under Chapter 100 that
• I just had a question about the exemption for Chapter 100 agreements authorized under Chapter 100, if
• to somebody, but we don't want that rulemaking authority to extend beyond that particular section.
• This section does define a list of who is authorized to possess materials.
• He is an authorized possession, person or entity to have copper wire. Okay.

Committee: House Utilities

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our regulatory authority exists to prevent and... So I'll go ahead and start.
• Our regulatory authority exists to prevent and WSDA is a regulatory agency.
• Here are a few examples of our regulatory authorities.
• On the screen, I share a couple of our other regulatory authorities.
• A covered agency is explicitly authorized or required by statute to carry out.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed substitute allows counties to authorize detached ADUs outside of urban growth areas.
• The next bill is SB 6214, establishing land banking authorities.
• It authorizes specified entities to operate land bank authorities, provides powers, duties, and affordability
• county ordinances or resolutions before they may operate land bank authorities.
• bank authority must legally own real property in its inventory.

Bills: SB6015 , SB6069 , SB6096 , SB6200 , SB6201 , SB6214 , SB6237 , SGA9280 , SGA9281

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: residential building, construction permits, housing development, planning efficiency, state regulations, affordable housing, homelessness, homeless shelter, emergency shelter, emergency housing, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, low-income housing, very low-income, extremely low-income, housing crisis, land use, zoning, local preemption

Transcript Highlights:

• the Army continue to refuse to provide the internal memo, this committee will exercise its full authorities
• The organizational design authorization that is expiring soon will need to be reauthorized.
• I'm sure you're aware that whistleblowers and others, including Ethiopian authorities, have suggested
• If they came to you right now and said, we want to give you an inspection. authority back today.
• I think that it is not appropriate this time for you to accept that delegation of authority.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: Boeing, aviation safety, safety management system, military aviation, air traffic control, transparency, oversight, accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on significant safety concerns surrounding Boeing and its compliance with federal aviation standards. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the Army's failure to provide requested operational transparency regarding helicopter operations near Washington, D.C., amid recent incidents indicating a strained air traffic control situation. Several members called for reform in Boeing's oversight, emphasizing the need for a robust safety culture and mandatory safety management systems to prevent future disasters like the 737 MAX crashes. The discussions were passionate, with survivors and families impacted by past accidents present, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, members, any other questions for the bill's author? OK. Um, seeing none.
• Ms any questions for the bill's author. OK. Um, thanks.
• Uh, Representative members, any questions for the bill's author? All right, thank you.
• Uh, members, are there any questions for the bill's author? All right.
• Um, members, are there any questions for the bill's author?

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we really need a ramp-up of authority. we really need a ramp-up of authority.
• And then, the authority to dissolve.
• But it'll the authority to dissolve.
• Well, this is dissolution authority.
• to provide that authority or or not?

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recommend that you consider authorizing all types of pedestrian improvements.
• Have used consultant authority to implement.
• Does it require a state law to authorize jurisdictions to choose to do that?
• Senate Bill 5801 modernized Washington's P3 authority.
• And that's only because the state has granted us this authority to do this.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> member from Anoka, the author, member from Anoka, the author, Representative<00:16:36.520><c> Scott
• Senate author, Senate author, Erin<00:18:38.000><c> Maye</c><00:18:38.160><c> Quade,</c><00:18:38.760
• ><c> representative</c> I recognize the author representative I recognize the author representative Anderson
• I was asked to jump on this and co-author with Representative Kraft.
• </c><01:15:52.200><c> with</c> to jump on this and co-author with to jump on this and co-author with

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• About $40 billion total in authorized wildfire-related costs.
• And we only authorize recovery of $700 million.
• So it explicitly recognizes ongoing PUC authority.
• So it explicitly recognizes ongoing PUC authority.
• I think the PUC has a lot of inherent authority.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes prior authorization.
• ...That's not prior authorization. Prior authorization is a long and lengthy process.
• So, as I was saying, removing prior authorization gets the drug more quickly.
• Browning, how would that be possible if we got rid of the pre-authorization?
• I think it's important to get the prior authorization piece.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to radiation protection in cardiac catheterization labs and later a stem cell/regenerative therapy bill. On SB 1121, which would allow hospitals with radiation protection systems to let clinicians forgo lead aprons if they work in the designated safety area and use real-time dosimetry, testimony was largely supportive or neutral after a late amendment gave radiation safety officers discretion to require protective gear if exposures approach thresholds. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1121 on a 9-1 vote. SB 1120, a more prescriptive bill requiring at least 50% of cath lab rooms in hospitals to be equipped with the radiation protection system, drew divided testimony: sponsors and several physicians argued it would reduce orthopedic injury and radiation exposure and improve recruitment and retention, while hospital and radiology groups objected to the mandate, cost, limited vendor pool, and lack of clarity in the bill’s definitions. After adopting an amendment excluding children’s hospitals, the committee deadlocked 6-6 and SB 1120 failed to pass. The committee then considered SB 1118, which would appropriate $3 million to help rural hospitals install radiation protection systems in cath lab rooms. The sponsor said the funding would help rural facilities meet the same safety goals, and the committee passed the bill 6-5. The committee also heard SB 1214, a “guardrails” bill regulating non-FDA-approved stem cell and regenerative therapies, requiring informed consent, sourcing and reporting standards, advertising limits, and civil penalties for violations. Supporters said it would protect patients while allowing access to promising therapies; some members raised concerns about evidence and commercialization, but after adopting a technical amendment, the bill passed 9-3. The transcript ended as the committee moved on to SB 1630, which would seek federal approval for a home- and community-based service benefit for adults with serious mental illness; the sponsor described it as a capped, Medicaid-based community care option, and Access testified neutral while estimating a fiscal impact, but no final action on SB 1630 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Uh so we'll be working with the authors Uh so we'll be working with the authors and<00:10:48.880
• </c> to work with you to work with the author to work with you to work with the author in<00:42:30.560
• I'm a co-author. As Mr.
• Um but it it really I think author of.
• So bodies that have the authority to levy mostly property taxes and other bodies that have the authority

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: 1183, house