Transcript Highlights:

• And then continue to evaluate those site-specific analyses.
• ultimately package all of that up into a final report by December of this year and have it to you all to evaluate
• Okay, yeah, but we can take it back to the team and see if there's a use case we can evaluate.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I would emphasize that these questions cannot be evaluated in isolation.
• More comprehensive efforts may be needed in dense communities, in hilly or hard-to-evaluate areas.
• Florida's successful public hurricane model and will provide transparent, science-based tools to evaluate

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance held an information hearing on the impacts of climate change and catastrophic wildfire on California’s insurance market, with opening remarks focused on the state’s affordability, availability, and stability problems. Chair and members discussed the role of SB 254’s report, the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the growth of the FAIR Plan, and the need to better align insurance regulation, mitigation, and land-use decisions. The Vice Chair noted the importance of hearing from industry as well as consumer and academic experts, and Senator Becker said the report would inform further committee work. Amy Bach of United Policyholders described how climate-driven wildfire and flood risk, combined with inflation, insurtech, and risk modeling, have reduced competition and pushed more homeowners into the FAIR Plan and non-admitted surplus lines coverage. She said availability is improving somewhat, but affordability will depend on mitigation, insurer competition, and fair rate regulation. In response to questions, she emphasized underinsurance as a long-running problem, supported stronger insurer responsibility for replacement-cost estimates, and suggested a public reinsurance backstop and more mitigation funding rather than removing wildfire coverage from basic policies. Nancy Watkins of Milliman and Michael Wara of Stanford argued that the market problem is fundamentally that expected claims and expenses now exceed premiums because too many homes are burning. They said California needs both risk reduction and actuarially sound pricing, along with a state mitigation framework that targets the highest-risk communities and prioritizes home hardening, defensible space, and community-scale mitigation over broad acreage-based spending. They also discussed the role of non-admitted carriers as a gap-filler, the need for better data on reconstruction costs and mitigation effectiveness, and the importance of sustained funding rather than one-time grants. A later panel with Frank Freebalt of Cal Poly and Michael Golnar of UC Berkeley focused on modeling and mitigation science. They said wildfire policy should treat the issue as a structure-ignition and urban conflagration problem, not just a wildland fire problem, and stressed integrated land-use, utility, and community mitigation. Members asked about zoning, building codes, utility hardening, and who should pay for mitigation; witnesses said older, denser neighborhoods are the highest priority, that utilities must improve operational safety measures, and that targeted mitigation in the highest-risk areas offers the best return. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every voter, regardless of party affiliation or no party affiliation, would get to evaluate and vote
• systems that voters be able to read from a ballot meaningful information about candidates so they can evaluate
• partisan primary, who will come into that primary, and then that is what you would have to use to evaluate

Bills: H5001

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: election day registration, voter registration, proof of residency, provisional ballot, party affiliation

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-12, H.503, an act to implement all-party state primaries. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 process and said the hearing was part of the Legislature’s review before any measure could advance toward the 2026 ballot. The hearing format included subject-matter experts, proponents, opponents, and public testimony, though this excerpt mainly covers the expert and proponent panels. The first expert, Northeastern University political scientist Costas Panagopoulos, described top-two primaries used in states such as California, Washington, Alaska, Louisiana, and Nebraska, and said the research shows only modest or mixed effects. He argued that top-two systems do not reliably reduce polarization, can weaken party gatekeeping, may increase campaign spending and incumbent advantages, and can lead to undervoting when voters do not see a preferred candidate on the ballot. In response to questions, he said turnout effects are mixed and not substantially higher overall. Katie King of the National Conference of State Legislatures then outlined different primary systems, including closed, open, top-two/top-four, nonpartisan, all-comers, and blanket primaries, and reviewed Supreme Court cases holding blanket primaries unconstitutional while upholding Washington’s top-two system. She also noted that changing primary systems would require significant voter education and administrative preparation. The proponent panel, led by Danielle Allen of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, argued that Massachusetts has too many uncontested elections, low primary participation, and too little accountability, and that all-party primaries would give every voter a meaningful choice in a higher-turnout general election. Supporters said the proposal is tailored to Massachusetts, would keep party endorsements visible on the ballot, and could broaden competition, improve representation, and help independent and minor-party candidates. Jim Henderson, coalition counsel, said the bill is narrowly focused on state-level primaries and was drafted to fit Article 48 requirements. Other proponents, including Kevin Johnson, Kate Kavanaugh, and Spencer Reynolds, echoed that the current system overrepresents a small partisan electorate and that the reform would shift power to voters. Committee members pressed the proponents on turnout evidence, party endorsements, ballot access, the role of fusion-style cross-endorsements, the effect on polarization, and whether the change would actually improve representation or simply move party influence to an earlier stage. No votes or final committee action were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every voter, regardless of party affiliation or no party affiliation, would get to evaluate and vote
• systems that voters be able to read from a ballot meaningful information about candidates so they can evaluate
• partisan primary, who will come into that primary, and then that is what you would have to use to evaluate

Bills: H5001

Committee: Joint Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Keywords: election day registration, voter registration, proof of residency, provisional ballot, party affiliation, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President and Senator, how many evaluations is a teacher responsible for during the school year?
• physical therapist or the occupational therapist who a patient has been referred to for a medical evaluation
• are required to do certain things: develop joint agency instructions, submit accountability and evaluations

Bills: SB273 , SB37 , SB100

Keywords: SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services

Summary: The Senate convened on the 30th day of the 2026 session, established a quorum, heard an invocation from Chaplain Harry Eberts, and received several announcements and House messages. The chamber then took up multiple concurrence and third-reading items, including Senate Bill 273, Senate Bill 37, Senate Bill 100, Senate Bill 41, House Bill 34, House Bill 20, House Bill 43, House Bill 38, and House Bill 256. The body also heard that House Joint Memorial 2 was moved from the President’s table to the calendar, and later received messages from the House on several other Senate and House measures. The most contentious action was concurrence on Senate Bill 273, which concerns correction facility loss of revenue for counties affected by the loss of ICE detainees. Senators debated the economic impact on Torrance, Otero, and Cibola counties, with supporters arguing the bill provided partial relief and critics saying it did not come close to replacing lost jobs and revenue. The Senate ultimately concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 22-18. On Senate Bill 100, which would have expanded burglary-related definitions to include an “extension of a dwelling,” several senators argued the House language was too broad and legally vague, and the Senate voted not to concur, sending the bill back to the House. Senate Bill 41, with a technical correction and addition of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, was concurred with by voice vote. Among the bills passed on third reading, House Bill 34 updated school nurse licensure rules and supervision pathways and passed 38-0. House Bill 43, a PERA cleanup bill, clarified retirement and survivor-benefit provisions, and passed 39-0 after questions about whether it affected PERA’s unfunded liability; sponsors said it did not. House Bill 38 expanded insurance coverage for powered mobility devices and prosthetics, including coverage for batteries and in-state provider requirements, and passed 38-0. House Bill 256 expanded cardiac emergency response planning and AED requirements to athletic activities and schools, including private schools on a phased-in basis, and was debated over cost and scope before passing. House Bill 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and IDs, prompted extended discussion about tribal support, documentation, and possible profiling concerns; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act relating to parental access to special education evaluation. Last line.
• the school district has 35 days once they've obtained the consent of the parent to prepare the evaluation
• provisions currently in the bill that prohibit the consideration of the following factors when evaluating

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB1795 , HB2107 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2133 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2211 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2253 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2531 , HB2574 , HB1170 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2360 , HB2471 , HB2478 , HB2525 , HB2605 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1710 , HB1750 , HB1903 , HB1941 , HB1974 , HB1982 , HB1983 , HB2006 , HB2034 , HB2105 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2215 , HB2223 , HB2239 , HB2247 , HB2297 , HB2303 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2334 , HB2338 , HB2345 , HB2348 , HB2350 , HB2353 , HB2355 , HB2363 , HB2367 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2418 , HB2420 , HB2428 , HB2441 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2505 , HB2534 , HB2539 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2554 , HB2557 , HB2575 , HB2577 , HB2588 , HB2594 , HB2604 , HB2636 , HB2714

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House took up second reading and final passage on several bills. House Bill 2575, relating to reducing certain environmental reporting obligations, was amended to direct savings from reduced utility reporting toward low-income electricity assistance, then passed 95-0. House Bill 2334, on cash transaction rounding for the loss of pennies, passed 89-6 after debate over common-sense rounding, tax treatment, and concerns about moving away from cash. House Bill 2714, updating caseload forecasting for food and nutrition assistance programs including SNAP, passed 95-0. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2557, concerning parental access to special education evaluation meetings and timelines, passed 95-0 after a technical amendment clarifying terminology and discussion about giving parents more time to prepare for meetings. The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2594, which codifies protections for unhoused students and aligns state law with federal McKinney-Vento protections; supporters described the bill as ensuring continued educational access for homeless youth, and it passed 94-1. House Bill 2348, updating timber sale process efficiencies, including electronic notice and appraisal/approval requirements for certain land sales, passed 95-0. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215, dealing with Climate Commitment Act compliance obligations for fuels, drew extensive debate over market fairness, fuel prices, rural impacts, and Ecology’s authority; after adopting a striking amendment and rejecting several others, it passed 57-38. The House then considered House Bill 1710, a Washington Voting Rights Act compliance bill creating a new chapter in Title 29A RCW. Members debated numerous amendments focused on preclearance standards, lookback periods, fee shifting, rulemaking authority, settlement treatment, and the use of citizen voting-age population. Some technical amendments were adopted, while many substantive amendments were rejected. The transcript ends during continued amendment debate on the bill, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• therapy while a disease progresses, and there will be limited opportunity for the prescriber to evaluate
• to one year, generally, before they are required to rewrite a prescription and generally have to evaluate
• We do think that data privacy is an important thing that needs to be evaluated by this legislature.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization measure aimed at exempting certain medications and treatments for seriously mentally ill adults from repeat insurance prior authorization, while also extending prior authorization approvals to three years for chronic maintenance drugs. The sponsor described the bill as the latest in a series of bipartisan prior-authorization reforms and accepted an amendment from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to apply the bill to adults only and to cover PBMs in the interagency purchasing collaborative. Supporters, including NAMI New Mexico and state health officials, argued the bill would reduce barriers to needed care, especially for mental health treatment. Opponents from health plans, PBMs, and insurers warned the bill was too broad, lacked clear definitions for serious mental illness and chronic conditions, created patient-safety concerns, and should have a shorter reauthorization period and later implementation date. After committee discussion, the sponsor agreed to work on a committee substitute, and the bill was rolled over for a later meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 53, the Chispa data privacy bill, which would impose broad limits on the collection, sale, and use of personal data, require opt-in consent for many uses, strengthen rights to access, correct, and delete data, and create enforcement mechanisms including a private right of action. Supporters from advocacy, women’s, behavioral health, reproductive health, and civil rights groups said the bill was needed to protect sensitive health and location data, prevent surveillance and criminalization, and give New Mexicans real control over their information. Business, technology, insurance, and hospital representatives opposed the bill, arguing it was more restrictive than other states’ privacy laws, would burden small businesses and health-related services, create compliance uncertainty, and risk limiting digital services and innovation. After extensive questioning about data breaches, opt-in consent, nonprofit exemptions, and the bill’s impact on businesses and health care access, a motion to table failed 5-4, and the committee then passed SB 53 on a 5-4 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 86, which updates the state’s harassment-by-telephone law to cover electronic communications such as social media, messaging apps, and email. The sponsor and a Las Cruces police chief said the change would modernize an outdated 1967 statute and help law enforcement address harassment and domestic violence through current technology. The bill drew support from the governor’s public safety advisor and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and members asked a few clarifying questions about the wording. The committee approved SB 86 unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 96, on regulated childcare zoning requirements, using a committee substitute. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill would reduce confusing zoning and fire-code barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers, helping address a statewide shortage of child care slots and supporting working families. The discussion began with the committee substitute and an explanation that the measure is intended to streamline local requirements and expand child care supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• served on a national task force formed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to evaluate
• served on a national task force formed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to evaluate
• served on a national task force formed by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy to evaluate

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with agencies and accountability and expectations is what are we going to set that as and then evaluating
• to make sure that... ...is what are we going to set that as and then evaluating to make sure that every

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be evaluated, and the priority projects will ultimately be awarded funding.
• It will be evaluated, and the priority projects will ultimately be awarded funding.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on October 17 with members attending in person and virtually. The commission approved the September 15 minutes and then heard a detailed presentation from DCAM Commissioner Adam Bakey on the correctional facilities portfolio, including the age and condition of DOC and sheriff facilities, deferred maintenance, ADA compliance, decarbonization mandates, and how capital funding is allocated. Bakey said the correctional portfolio includes 36 facilities, with average ages over 50 years, and described how older, rapidly built facilities from the tough-on-crime era now face significant maintenance and replacement needs. He also explained the distinction between catch-up deferred maintenance and ongoing keep-up needs, and noted that construction costs and code thresholds have made projects more expensive. Commissioners and sheriffs asked about ADA requirements, aging and overcrowded facilities, hazardous materials, parts availability for obsolete systems, plumbing and health risks, and whether a newer, more modern correctional facility should be considered. Bakey said many projects trigger broader code upgrades, that some dormant facilities remain in the portfolio, and that health-care and correctional construction are among the most expensive building types. He outlined current funding, including annual deferred maintenance allocations for DOC and formula-based five-year commitments for sheriffs, plus a new competitive capital program for larger sheriff projects. He also explained the Designer Selection Board and “house doctor” process used to procure architects and engineers. The commission then shifted to planning its next steps, focusing on public input. Members agreed the next meeting should likely be a public hearing or include public testimony, with possible input from people with lived experience and consideration of facility tours, especially of women’s facilities such as Framingham. Members emphasized the need to define the commission’s scope clearly so testimony stays focused on structural and consolidation issues rather than all correctional policy topics. The meeting ended with plans for the co-chairs to coordinate the public process and a motion to adjourn, which passed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• always refer those over to our independent audit team, who will go and do kind of a deep dive and evaluate
• And sometimes it bears an evaluation of whether those rules need to be changed, especially if they’re

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but for the past several years, since around 2018, I've been the regulatory lead on the team that evaluates
• but for the past several years since around 2018 I've been the regulatory lead on the team that evaluates

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began by approving the March 11 and March 13, 2026 minutes and then advanced the gubernatorial reappointment of Bud Tracy to the State Building Authority to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard House Bill 650, a federalism-related measure described by the sponsor and Idaho Farm Bureau testimony as reaffirming constitutional limits on federal and state power; it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after brief discussion and no opposition. The committee next took up House Bill 674, which would streamline telecom service discontinuance by relying on the FCC process rather than duplicating review at the Idaho PUC. Lumen representative Rick Gutierrez testified that the FCC process already requires customer notice, identification of alternatives, public comment, and review of whether service can be discontinued without leaving customers without options; supporters argued the bill removes duplication, while opponents said it shifts final decision-making away from Idaho and could weaken state oversight. After debate over state sovereignty, consumer protection, and whether the FCC or PUC should be the final decision-maker, the bill passed 6-3 and was sent to the floor. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1365, which would exempt certain religious organizations from donor-disclosure requirements when they participate in ballot-measure advocacy, so long as related spending stays under 10% of prior-year receipts. The sponsor, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, and several pastors argued the current rules chill church participation and force disclosure of unrelated donors; opponents raised concerns about transparency, enforcement, and the possibility of churches becoming vehicles for political spending. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order failed, and a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee passed 5-4. Finally, Senate Bill 1411, expanding disclosure rules to paid in-person canvassing and related political activity, was introduced as a transparency measure aimed at paid campaign efforts; it was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senators Toews and Shippy recorded in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• working collaboratively to try to lower rates and risk, masking our ability to use data as a part of evaluating
• driving record, how many speeding tickets, red light tickets, accidents, all of those things are evaluated

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• full cost analysis has been presented to this committee and whether less intrusive solutions were evaluated
• William Harris: It is appropriate for the legislature to independently evaluate whether consolidation

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, our software and our process, we have been using pretty extensively to evaluate economic development
• This proposal came in the new year, and so we haven't had time to evaluate the impact using that software

Bills: SB151 , HB8 , SB177

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: corporate income tax, franchise tax, gross receipts tax, tax credit, tax deduction, controlled foreign corporation, CFC, bonus depreciation, interest expense, apportionment, unitary group, high-wage jobs tax credit, local journalism, news media, newspaper printer, physician incentive, health care workforce, affordable housing, multifamily housing, construction materials

Transcript Highlights:

• under these state claims, these new created state claims, that may be something that a court could evaluate
• under these state claims, these new created state claims, that may be something that a court could evaluate

Bills: HB2095 , HB2500 , HB2412 , HB2595 , HB2354 , HB2597

Committee: House Civil Rights & Judiciary

Keywords: public safety, vulnerable users, pedestrians, protected classes, transportation, charitable organization, charity, nonprobate transfer, beneficiary designation, life insurance, retirement account, payable on death, POD account, transfer on death, TOD, financial institution, insurance company, transfer agent, estate planning, donor intent

Transcript Highlights:

• and in HB2 includes substantial support for grant programs that support local projects, and LFC evaluation
• A few things that came to mind as we were Continuing with the discussion, and one of them really evaluates

Bills: HB1

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• We already know Washington's current strategy documents do not fully evaluate advanced nuclear.
• So I think it's, you know, all of these things need to be evaluated if we're going to stay competitive

Bills: HB2090 , HB2215 , HB2245 , HB2272

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy strategy, sustainable development, state energy policy, climate change, fuel regulations, compliance obligations, sustainability, environmental policy, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, ski areas, winter sports, terminology update, recreation, regulatory changes

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the time, I think it was evaluating the risk of this model where...
• And at the time, I think it was evaluating the risk of this model where it was a large number of people

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard three bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would reduce uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for transportation network companies from $1 million to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with committee amendments adding findings and declarations, higher limits than originally proposed, and a joint study on UM/UIM impacts. Supporters, including Uber, Lyft, business groups, and some consumer advocates, argued the bill would lower fares and increase driver earnings by reducing insurance costs. Opponents, including consumer attorneys, labor groups, and consumer watchdog organizations, warned it would cut protections for riders and drivers and might not guarantee savings would be passed through. The committee approved SB 371 on a due-pass basis and re-referred it to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. The committee then heard SB 716 by Senator Durazo, which would create a Home Internet Lifeline Program to let eligible low-income households apply Lifeline subsidies to home broadband service. Proponents said the bill addresses broadband affordability after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program expired, and that it would help students, workers, and families access reliable internet. Opponents from the wireless industry objected to the funding mechanism, arguing the surcharge would fall unfairly on wireless consumers, while one broadband group moved to neutral after amendments. The bill was approved on a due-pass basis and sent to Appropriations, but the roll was held open and later completed with the bill passing 7-1. The committee also took up SB 480 by Senator Archuleta relating to autonomous vehicles as a consent item, with no presentation or debate. It was approved on a due-pass basis and re-referred to Appropriations by a 9-0 vote. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly focused on affordability, consumer protection, and whether savings from the bills would actually reach riders, drivers, or households.

Transcript Highlights:

• focused and motivated and allow service providers and the court and our probation officers to re-evaluate
• You want as many evaluations of their status as possible.

Keywords: 988, house, all