Transcript Highlights:

• And the expense of purchasing land to produce grapes right now is astronomical.
• And then on Conig Vineyards, we purchased Conig, which is the one here with the tower there, this beautiful

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by motion and voice vote, with no opposition. Members then heard an annual update from the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission and the Idaho Wine Commission on the state’s wine industry. Presenters described the history and growth of Idaho wine, noting the first grapes planted in Lewiston in 1864, the industry’s decline during prohibition, and its revival beginning in the 1970s. They said Idaho now has about 1,300 to 1,400 acres of wine grapes, 65-plus wineries and cideries, and three federally designated AVAs. The commissions emphasized marketing, education, and grant-funded outreach, including seminars, social media promotion, and a recent grant for an Idaho-made wine campaign. They also highlighted industry growth in economic impact and jobs, and said many wineries are women-owned. Key challenges discussed were land-use restrictions, water supply, and labor. Roger Batt said some county zoning rules, especially in Ada County, make it difficult to plant, expand, or establish wineries without neighborhood approval, and he suggested legislation may be drafted for a future session. James Netteran explained that wine grapes are a high-value but labor-intensive crop, requiring significant hand work and upfront investment, while also using relatively little water. He also described agritourism and farm diversification as important parts of the industry’s business model. Members asked questions about industry growth, women-owned wineries, and tasting room traffic. Netteran explained that economic growth has outpaced tonnage because the industry has shifted from one dominant producer to many smaller family operations, and he said weekend visitation at his winery can range from about 100 to 500 people. The meeting concluded with thanks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the expense of purchasing land to produce grapes right now is astronomical.
• And then on Conig Vineyards, we purchased Conig, which is the one here with the tower there, this beautiful

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but then those insurance companies threw some trickery, tried to make it so it was difficult to purchase
• Some trickery tried to make it so it was difficult to purchase those plans.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Homes for the development of Hawaiian Homes land for the purchase
• appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Homes for the development of Hawaiian Homes land for the purchase

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Department of Hawaiian Home Lands measures. SB 2635 would appropriate funds for DHHL land development, land purchases, and mortgage or rental subsidies to address the wait list; DHHL and five supporters testified in favor, and the committee later recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, with the measure adopted as amended. SB 2924 would authorize funding for a capital improvement project for the Kaneili Community Hall, access road, and parking lot; DHHL stood on testimony in support, Randall Ao and another online testifier spoke in favor, and the committee later amended the bill to shift the funding structure from general obligation bonds to general funds before passing it. SB 3127 would raise the state liability cap for DHHL-related borrowing and guaranteed loans from $100 million to $500 million; DHHL testified, no other testimony was offered, and the committee passed it with amendments, including a date defect. The committee also heard SB 3248, which establishes labor requirements for Aleha Products. No testifier from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Board was present, and there was no additional testimony or questions during the hearing. During decision-making, the chair noted there was both support and some opposition but recommended passage with amendments, including a date defect, and the committee adopted the recommendation unanimously. The meeting concluded after all three decision-making votes were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• auto dealers came before us and put together a fund just to protect Idaho citizens and people that purchase
• first language, it says an Idaho resident or a person who was an Idaho resident at the time of the purchase

Summary: The committee first approved the January 26 and January 28 minutes. It then introduced RS 33089, which would amend Idaho law on license plates by eliminating the 10-year replacement requirement so plates would be replaced only when worn or no longer legible, and by removing the expiration year from certain plates. The committee also introduced RS 33080, which would clarify the RCARS Fund so it applies to an Idaho resident, or someone who was an Idaho resident at the time of purchase, to prevent out-of-state misuse. The committee next reviewed two Idaho Transportation Department rule dockets. Docket 39-0260-2501 covered license plate rules and made mostly cleanup and clarification changes, including updating terminology and removing provisions already covered in statute. Members raised concerns about striking the rule language on manually completed temporary registrations when the computer system is down; after discussion and confirmation that an emergency manual process still exists, the committee amended the docket to keep that provision in the rule. Questions also addressed special plates and the Centennial plate, with ITD stating those programs would still exist because they are established in statute. The second docket, 39-0349-2501, concerned alcohol ignition interlock devices and made minor cleanup changes, including removing a specific ethanol reference from the breath alcohol concentration definition because no device measures ethanol separately from other alcohols. After a question about redundant wording in the definition of department, the committee approved the docket in full. The meeting ended with all motions passing and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• auto dealers came before us and put together a fund just to protect Idaho citizens and people that purchase
• first language, says an Idaho resident or a person who was an Idaho resident at the time of the purchase

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE PURCHASE OF A HOME IS ESSENTIALLY THE LARGEST FINANCIAL PURCHASE BUT MANY AMERICANS MAKE.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS HAS CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE BUSINESSES AS BUSINESSES AS WELL AS TO CREATE MORE JOBS BECAUSE
• I ENDED UP BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE MY FIRST BUILDING TO GROW MY BUSINESS THROUGH THE SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• number of people who are in this individual market who rely on this as a mechanism to be able to purchase
• number of people who are in this individual market who rely on this as a mechanism to be able to purchase
• be left with the inability to have be left with the inability to have residents<00:41:07.960><c> purchase
• any kind of Private residents purchase any kind of Private health<00:41:10.400><c> insurance</c><00:
• </c> a mechanism to be able to purchase a mechanism to be able to purchase insurance<00:41:39.280><c>

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and school boards.
• and into high school.
• through middle school and in the<01:11:46.000><c> high</c><01:11:46.159><c> school.
• they're</c> whatever school happy day school they're whatever school happy day school they're actually
• </c> school. Now, there's some combination. school. Now, there's some combination.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, because when you purchase your insurance, your card has a six-month term, right?
• Now we have $7,000 of damage on a vehicle that was purchased from us that we were transporting to a client
• Now we have $7,000 of damage on a vehicle that was purchased from us that we were transporting to a client

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on March 18 and first took up House Bill 739, which would clarify the Department of Insurance’s authority to investigate insurance fraud, issue cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed actors, and work with law enforcement. The sponsor and department said the bill was meant to address ambiguity identified in recent administrative rulings. The committee adopted two amendment sets, including language requested by the Division of Administrative Law to route appeals through the Administrative Procedures Act and a clarification that the bill does not apply to lawyers lawfully engaged in the practice of law, while preserving authority over attorneys acting outside that role. HB 739 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then advanced House Bill 413, which prohibits property and casualty insurers from increasing auto rates solely because of a catastrophe claim on a homeowner’s policy, with an exception for multi-line policies. The sponsor and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said the bill is intended to protect consumers and prevent one line of coverage from being penalized by a claim on another line. After a brief clarification about bundled policies, HB 413 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on House Bill 234, which continues the Department of Insurance for another five years, and House Bill 850, a cleanup measure updating the standard fire policy’s cancellation notice period from 30 to 60 days to match prior law changes. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 174, as substituted, which would allow law enforcement to impound out-of-state vehicles when the driver cannot provide required bodily injury liability insurance, treating out-of-state drivers more like Louisiana drivers. Members raised concerns about how insurance would be verified, whether all states participate in electronic verification systems, and what safeguards exist when proof of insurance is unavailable or outdated. Testimony from State Police and OMV explained current verification practices, the limits of interstate data sharing, and existing officer discretion and exceptions for safety. Supporters argued the bill would improve fairness, reduce uninsured driving, and help lower costs for Louisiana residents. The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 174 favorably by substitute. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to do a power purchase agreement for power off of their reactor, which is also being built in Tennessee
• In different parts of the country where it's an opportunity, they are doing power purchase agreements
• Microsoft entered into a power purchase agreement with the utility Constellation to get all that power

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from January 14 and January 28. It then considered RS 3-2904, a bill from the DOGE Committee to remove 19 obsolete code sections, including provisions related to hazardous waste facility siting and the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act. The sponsor urged the committee to print the bill so members could review possible unintended consequences, including whether the changes would shift responsibilities or reduce public testimony. After a question about Department of Environmental Quality involvement, the committee voted to introduce RS 3-2904. The remainder of the meeting was a presentation by Dr. John Wagner, director of Idaho National Laboratory, on energy dominance and security through research, development, and demonstration. He described INL’s role in nuclear energy, critical infrastructure security, and critical minerals, and said the current federal administration has accelerated nuclear policy through executive orders aimed at expanding reactor deployment, reforming NRC processes, and supporting advanced reactor testing. He highlighted INL’s work with private companies on small modular reactors, microreactors, fuel fabrication, and used nuclear fuel research, including projects tied to AI/data center power demand and Department of War applications. Members asked about used fuel storage, Idaho’s potential role in nuclear recycling and reactor development, transmission and water constraints, public acceptance, and the timeline for deployment. Wagner said Idaho’s advantage lies in its expertise, existing infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that provides certainty, while noting that transmission, water use, and workforce remain key issues. He also said the legislature can help by signaling receptiveness, clarifying policy, and supporting infrastructure and workforce development. The committee took no further action after the presentation and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to do a power purchase agreement for power off of their reactor, which is also being built in Tennessee
• In different parts of the country where it's an opportunity, they are doing power purchase agreements
• Microsoft entered into a power purchase agreement with the utility Constellation to get all that power

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 153 creates a rebate program that offsets the cost premium associated with purchasing lower-carbon
• Materials buyers who purchase products meeting these benchmarks may receive rebates of up to $500,000
• And so that's why... ...this is so important to make sure that our local economy is able to purchase

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill. The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154. House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously. Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it would remove the provision that the tax obligation is that of the purchaser as well as the seller
• And it would remove the provision that the tax obligation is that of the purchaser as well as the seller
• And it would remove the provision that the tax obligation is that of the purchaser as well as the seller

Summary: House Finance heard briefings on several tax and housing-related bills, including HB 1717 on a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing, HB 1859 on expanding density bonuses for housing on religious organization property, HB 1960 on a renewable energy excise tax, HB 2133 on making a senior citizen center property tax exemption permanent, HB 2135 on extending a disabled veterans housing sales tax preference, HB 2140 on tax treatment for land transferred to government entities, HB 2442 on a broad package of local tax and levy changes, and HB 2559 on a local option short-term rental tax for affordable housing. Staff also described multiple proposed substitutes and amendments, many of them technical or aimed at shifting administrative duties, changing tax credits, or requiring voter approval. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1717 and reported it out unanimously with a due pass recommendation. HB 1859 was also reported out with a due pass recommendation after members discussed added flexibility for affordable housing on faith-owned land. For HB 1960, the committee adopted amendments clarifying tax administration and JLARC review, rejected an amendment that would have adjusted property tax levies to offset shifts, and then advanced the bill on an 11-4 vote. HB 2133 and HB 2135 both received technical amendments and were reported out unanimously, with members emphasizing the value of permanent or extended tax preferences for senior centers and disabled veterans. The committee then advanced HB 2140, which narrows tax consequences when land is transferred to a governmental entity and is used for current-use purposes, with members describing it as a fix for unintended burdens on landowners and farmers. HB 2442, a large local government finance package, drew the most debate; amendments to make new taxes credits against state taxes and to require voter approval were rejected, and the bill passed 9-6. HB 2559, which would allow a local option excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing, also saw rejected amendments on state tax credits, local control, and voter approval before passing 9-6. Throughout, supporters framed the bills as tools for local governments and affordable housing, while opponents argued they would increase taxes and should require direct voter approval or state offsets.

Transcript Highlights:

• For individuals purchasing insurance through the state's health insurance exchange, the requested rate
• And this allows that fund to provide those premium assistance to all New Mexicans purchasing coverage
• They still have to purchase the coverage through Be Well New Mexico when premiums exceed affordability

Transcript Highlights:

• We have members of our board who are former deans of the law school.
• I had to work through school, and it took me five years to get there.
• We do have the, uh, I do have one more school. Oh. What's that in opposition? Yeah. Interesting.
• These are folks who are teaching in our schools, staffing our hospitals.
• Or this math lab program in the Rio Grande schools was really successful.

Bills: SB132 , SB241

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Summary: The committee first heard HB 158 as amended, which would require state agencies receiving appropriations from the Grow Fund to submit accountability and evaluation plans to the State Budget Division and the Legislative Finance Committee. LFC staff said the bill would put existing practice into statute and formalize agency reporting and evaluation responsibilities. The bill drew no opposition testimony, and after questions about whether agencies or LFC would do the evaluations, it passed on a 9-0 due pass vote. HB 255, the Public Safety Workforce Building Program, was then presented as a bipartisan measure to consolidate public safety workforce funding into a competitive grant program for local law enforcement, fire, detention, and public attorney offices. The sponsor said it would not require a new appropriation. There was no opposition testimony, and the committee approved it on a 9-0 due pass vote. The committee then took up SB 309, which would replace the lottery’s 30% return requirement with a fixed floor return for several fiscal years, with a reversion to the current law if the floor is not met. Lottery officials and supporters argued the change would let the lottery offer more competitive prizes, including higher-value scratchers, and potentially increase scholarship revenue; opponents, including Think New Mexico and a nursing student, warned it could cap long-term growth and reduce scholarship funding. After extended debate, the bill passed on a 7-2 due pass vote. Later, SB 79, creating a statewide mosquito-borne disease prevention program through the Department of Health, was presented by its sponsor as a response to West Nile virus and warmer winters. Testimony from the sponsor and the state entomologist emphasized rising mosquito risk and the need for county grants and statewide coordination. Although the committee initially moved to table the bill because funding had already been included in the budget, that motion failed and the bill ultimately received a due pass vote. The committee also heard HB 295, which would create a centralized accessibility reporting position in the Department of Health; after testimony for and against, an amendment stripping the appropriation was adopted, and the bill passed 5-3. The committee then heard HB 124, establishing an Office of New Americans within Workforce Solutions to coordinate workforce integration for immigrants with lawful status. Supporters described barriers faced by immigrant workers and the need for bilingual training and centralized assistance, while the sponsor said the office would have no first-year budget impact. The bill passed 6-4. Finally, the committee considered SB 273 and SB 274, both involving state financial support for affected entities and the Patient Compensation Fund. SB 273, which would provide temporary state assistance to communities affected by economic disruption, passed after debate about precedent and economic recovery. SB 274, which sought repayment from the Patient Compensation Fund for prior state infusions, drew opposition from hospitals and physicians who warned of higher surcharges and questioned the timing and legality; discussion continued around the committee substitute and the fund’s statutory restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• There may be, you know, high school kids or college kids or somebody watching the streaming to, you know
• My district in particular, especially representing Silicon Valley, is very difficult to purchase a home
• Cocoa Ruzwald, faculty lead for Youth and Allies Against Homelessness at UC Berkeley School of Public
• It's why we do bonds for hospitals, why we do bonds for schools, why we do bonds for dams.
• About half of the units already lost were in high-opportunity neighborhoods with strong schools, good

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related measures, beginning with SB 222 by Senator Wiener, the Heat Pump Access Act. The bill would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, allow virtual contractor participation during inspections, and limit HOA barriers to installation. Supporters, including Spur, a contractor, and several clean-energy and environmental groups, said the measure would lower costs, reduce pollution, and speed replacements. The League of California Cities opposed the bill over the permit fee cap and concerns about virtual inspections, while committee members raised questions about HOA authority, electrical panel upgrades, and whether the bill could create unintended costs for local governments. SB 222 was approved 10-0 and sent to Local Government. The committee then considered SB 677, a follow-up to SB 79. The author announced the bill had been narrowed to two items: mobile home exemption language and a future SB 79 cleanup bill in the next session, with the larger set of implementation issues to be handled separately. Local governments and counties said the reduced bill still needed clearer definitions and more implementation guidance, while several housing and transit advocates supported the narrowing and the decision to revisit the broader cleanup later. After the amendments were accepted, SB 677 passed 10-1 and was sent to Local Government. The main debate centered on SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the 2026 ballot. Supporters, including the California Housing Consortium, labor, housing nonprofits, local governments, and many advocacy groups, argued that the state’s existing housing bond funds were exhausted, that thousands of shovel-ready projects were waiting for financing, and that the bond would leverage federal tax credits and private capital to produce and preserve affordable homes. Opponents and skeptics focused on state debt levels, the cost of housing production, and whether another bond was the right approach, with Habitat for Humanity asking for a dedicated CalHome allocation. Committee members discussed debt capacity, affordability, homeownership, and the need to keep funding flowing to existing programs. SB 417 passed 8-1 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 492, a youth housing and youth center bond proposal, which the author said was intended to be folded into the larger housing bond package; testimony from Covenant House California emphasized the need to house transition-age youth and prevent long-term homelessness. No vote on SB 492 was shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> was from and tell me about the schools was from and tell me about the schools there<01:04:20.240
• School was already opening.
• Well, it is with schools and school whether this would apply to school elections and town meetings and
• And a lot of times the school buildings are owned by, technically, the school district.
• And a lot of times the school buildings are owned by, technically, the school district.

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they have included two programs: the school-linked mental health grant program rider and the
• The school-linked mental health grant program rider is in here, as well as the rider for the Great Start
• two programs that are included.<00:48:18.960><c> Um</c><00:48:19.200><c> the</c><00:48:19.359><c> school
• Um the school linked um mental included.
• insurance on the applicants purchasing insurance on the individual<02:13:10.599><c> program</c><02:13

Keywords: 1187, senate, all