Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the digitization because as a practicing the digitization because as a practicing attorney,<00:30
• So that practice, I assume, is how you do it.
• So that practice, I assume, is how you do it.
• So that practice, I assume, is how you do it.
• So that practice, I assume, is how you do it.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Recognition of New Members: 00:01:17 Disaster Response: 00:01:41 Pretrial Discussion: 00:31:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• it's possible to serve data centers without shifting costs onto other ratepayers, doing that in practice
• Businesses seeking data center partners are looking for these efficiencies and best practices.
• </c> efficiencies and best practices. efficiencies and best practices.
• Um agravalttaics is the practice effort.
• </c> site management practices. site management practices.

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a practice that a lot of people are already doing.
• It puts into practice what people are already doing.
• </c><00:31:29.799><c> that</c> that we talk about it's a practice that that we talk about it's a practice
• </c> vehicles coming it uh puts into practice vehicles coming it uh puts into practice what<00:32:03.880
• But, he said, as a department, DVS does not print that manual as a current practice.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunities to build wealth for people in communities negatively impacted by previous cannabis practices
• opportunities to build wealth for people in communities negatively impacted by previous cannabis practices
• opportunities to build wealth for people in communities negatively impacted by previous cannabis practices
• We hope that this can help curb predatory lending practices and build trust with communities that have
• been previously harmed by cannabis-related policies and practices.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That, in practice, goes through the fiscal analyst.
• goes through the fiscal that in practice goes through the fiscal analyst<00:10:35.040><c> so</c><00:
• If you need to go through the chair, just from a practical standpoint, I will help you.
• If you need to go through the chair, just from a practical standpoint, I will help you.
• The program is drawing on the best practices from all around the country and the rest of the world.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• down to it, we're talking about therapies that support children and young adults to have better practical
• down to it, we're talking about therapies that support children and young adults to have better practical
• down to it, we're talking about therapies that support children and young adults to have better practical
• </c><00:04:22.600><c> or</c><00:04:22.759><c> functional</c> better practical or functional better practical
• registered nurse or a advanced practice registered nurse or a mental<00:07:29.280><c> health</c><00:

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Expenditures were coded to the promotion fund as a matter of routine practice.
• Expenditures were coded to the promotion fund as a matter of routine practice.
• And because no one was measuring the ceiling, no one noticed when routine practice went through it.
• That practice ended this year.
• To my knowledge, Senator Murdole, members of the committee, this is not a common practice at all.

Committees: Joint Judiciary , Joint Judiciary Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . on the Texas Court of Appeals for 10 years, and is currently in private arbitration practice.
• I'm told by local homeowners that this is a common practice.
• My understanding is cruise ships do this when people board them, and they practice a muster drill.
• If you would have had a plan that was practical.
• There must be practice.

Committee: House The July 2025 Flooding Events, General Investigating

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second program is the Abortion Practical Support Fund, which provided $20 million for services that
• The second program is the Abortion Practical Support Fund, which provided $20 million for services that
• Together, the LA Safe Haven pilot program, practical supports, and the Uncompensated Care Abortion Access
• As someone who practiced dentistry in California for over 40 years and worked over 20 years to bring
• Just for an example, a $39 filling that we get in 1990 pays a private practice. Charges $234.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a fundamental shift in practice.
• Start practicing health care. Maybe a neighbor can diagnose your illness.
• And when we deregulate, we are removing the practice that protects patients.
• This is a deregulation bill, but it's already within their scope of practice.
• This was done several years ago to practice as a naturopath doctor as well.

Summary: The House first approved the journal and then received several Senate messages, including enrolled bills and resolutions sent onward for gubernatorial action. It also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 516 after a lengthy debate over process and committee referral; members argued both that the bill had been handled through the rules and that it had been routed around the Education Committee and public input. The concurrence passed 41-23-6, and a later motion to send HB 516 to the Education Committee failed 20-45-5. The chamber then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 1254, which would allow chiropractors with a clinical nutrition certification to acquire certain vitamins, minerals, fluids, epinephrine, and oxygen for office use. Supporters described it as a narrow deregulation to reduce barriers and costs, while opponents said it expanded scope and raised patient-safety concerns. The bill passed the House 43-22-5 and was transmitted to the Senate. The House next debated Senate Bill 1247, a 287(g) immigration-enforcement bill requiring local law enforcement agencies to apply for participation or explain why they could not. Supporters said it would strengthen immigration enforcement, bring federal reimbursement, and align with constituent concerns; opponents said it would impose an unfunded mandate, undermine local control, and force agencies into federal arrangements they did not want. After extensive debate, the House passed the bill 47-13-4. The House then moved to House Bill 621, a firearms/preemption measure affecting county buildings and courthouses, with supporters arguing it protected constitutional carry rights and opponents warning of major local costs and safety risks; debate was interrupted by a recess and continued when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really a targeted, practical fix that matches the sophistication of the crime.
• This is really a targeted, practical fix that matches the sophistication of the crime.
• , practical fix that matches the sophistication<00:20:04.640><c> of</c><00:20:04.799><c> the</c><00:20
• Numerous lawsuits and regulatory actions have identified the predatory practices of these markets, and
• </c><00:31:27.919><c> of</c> identified the predatory practices of identified the predatory practices

Bills: HF2354 , HF3407 , HF4359 , HF4192 , HF3356 , HF3695 , HF1597 , HF3155 , HF3871 , HF4437 , HF4446 , HF3990

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• This is consistent with current law, current practice, and that's what you see in the proposal.
• And what it means practically is that now when someone is detained in the numbers that we're seeing,
• And what it means practically is that now when someone is detained in the numbers that we're seeing,
• I can say I practiced for 10 years representing people in detention.
• Immigration attorneys must now be fluent in federal court practice because a habeas corpus petition is

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services opened its first hearing of the year with a discussion centered on CalFresh, the Department of Social Services, and related anti-poverty and immigrant services programs. Chair Jackson framed the hearing as a response to the “historic and enormous challenges” created by H.R. 1, emphasizing that the committee’s goal was to minimize harm to vulnerable Californians. No votes were taken in the hearing. The first major topic was the impact of H.R. 1 on CalFresh eligibility and administration. CDSS estimated major federal funding reductions, with hundreds of thousands of Californians potentially losing benefits under new time limits and work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, and additional losses among certain non-citizen groups. County welfare directors, eligibility workers, SEIU, and other advocates argued that counties are underfunded and understaffed to implement the new rules, and urged release of the previously authorized $20 million General Fund, a county match waiver, and an additional ongoing workforce investment. LAO and the Department of Finance said they were reviewing the administration’s proposals and emphasized the need to use existing data, automation, and statutory direction to reduce administrative burden and improve implementation. A second panel addressed county administrative backfill and the broader fiscal effects of H.R. 1. CDSS explained that the law shifts more administrative costs to the state and counties beginning in federal fiscal year 2027 and could also create future state benefit costs tied to payment error rates. County and food bank representatives warned that many counties will struggle to absorb the higher match and that penalties tied to payment error rates could worsen budget pressure. Members pressed Finance and CDSS for clearer timelines, written responses, and more detailed workload assumptions, while Finance said it was still analyzing the federal guidance and county resource needs. The final major topic was the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and possible state responses for people losing federal CalFresh eligibility. CDSS said CFAP remains limited by statute and by the federal structure it currently uses, but that the planned expansion to Californians age 55 and older regardless of immigration status remains on track for October 1, 2027, subject to funding. Immigrant advocates urged the state to fold newly excluded humanitarian immigrants into CFAP and to invest in outreach and administration, while Western Center on Law and Poverty proposed a broader state-funded anti-hunger response for people cut off by H.R. 1. LAO noted that the CFAP expansion is difficult to estimate and that further policy and technical work would be needed to assess costs and implementation options.

Transcript Highlights:

• working with the university and working with, I think, in this clear way, trying to see if it is practical
• believe a pilot is designed for a short period of time, or time certain, to see if something is practical
• Um, and so, you know, students when they learn about sustainable land practices, um, they can be the
• ,</c> about sustainable land practices, about sustainable land practices, um, um, um, they<01:15:19.360
• And you also apply cultural practices that can help reduce stress on the plant so that it can still be

Bills: SB2706 , SB2320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This practice is called wallet pinning and ensures that a wallet is restricted to one person.
• This practice is called wallet wallet.
• </c><00:43:14.720><c> In</c><00:43:14.960><c> practice,</c><00:43:15.599><c> this</c><00:43:15.839><c
• In practice, this would satisfy the law.
• In practice, this would force<00:43:16.400><c> third</c><00:43:16.720><c> parties,</c><00:43:17.280><

Bills: HB2227 , HB1775 , HB1560 , HB1642 , HB1647 , HB2003 , HB1640 , HB2198

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: eviction, housing stability, tenant screening, court records, writ of possession, foreclosures, public sale, eligible bidders, housing, downpayment, judicial foreclosure, digital financial assets, consumer protection, financial kiosks, refunds, transaction security, HB1642, Hawaii, cryptocurrency ATM, crypto ATM

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 227 relating to eviction records. Supporters, including the Public First Law Center and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would help people who prevail in eviction cases avoid long-term housing harm from online court records, while the Public First Law Center said keeping records off eCourt Kokua would not violate the First Amendment because the records would still be available in person. Members discussed access-to-justice concerns, and a witness said legal aid attorneys could still access the records through the attorney-only Jeff’s system and the court’s access-to-justice room. The chair also asked about precedent, and a witness cited a Hawaii Supreme Court case as supporting removal from the online database rather than sealing records entirely. The committee then took up HP 1775 relating to foreclosures, but the transcript only shows in-person opposition comments from the Hawaii State Bar Association Collection Law Section, the Hawaii Credit Union League, and the Hawaii Bankers Association. The credit union and banking groups said they had concerns about broader negative impacts on mortgage lending and other requirements, but no detailed discussion or action was captured before the committee moved on. The next measure, HB 1560 relating to consumer protection, drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and cryptocurrency companies including Coinflip and America Digital, which said they already use wallet-pinning and other safeguards to prevent fraud. AARP Hawaii did not take a formal position but said the bill addressed a real problem, noting that Hawaii residents, especially in Kona, had lost more than $920,000 in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams and arguing that stronger oversight was needed. The committee also heard HB 1642, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the ban as the best way to protect consumers from fraud, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed it, arguing kiosks provide cash-based access to crypto, especially for unbanked or underbanked consumers, and that targeted regulation would be better than an outright ban. AARP Hawaii took no formal position but strongly emphasized the harm caused by scams, saying victims are often frightened into acting quickly and that kiosk transactions currently lack enough friction or intervention. Finally, HB 1647, also on consumer protection, would impose liability on host businesses that provide space for crypto kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection warned small businesses might not understand the liability, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed the bill, saying it would unfairly shift enforcement duties to host stores and could discourage businesses from hosting kiosks, effectively creating a de facto ban. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a standard infrastructure practice.
• It is a standard infrastructure practice.
• It is a standard<00:30:09.600><c> infrastructure</c><00:30:10.240><c> practice.
• </c><00:30:11.120><c> Solar</c> standard infrastructure practice.
• Solar standard infrastructure practice.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Financial practices have contributed to the improvement of our bond ratings to AA+ stable with Fitch
• And they have some best practices.
• Some of them have best practices across the entire country, bar none.
• And they have some best practices.
• Some of them have best practices across the entire country, bar none.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes heard first from city representatives through the Florida League of Cities, who argued that property taxes are a stable local revenue source that funds core services such as police, fire, parks, public works, and stormwater work. Casey Cook emphasized that cities are optional governments with widely different tax bases and service levels, that exemptions shift the burden to fewer taxpayers, and that transparency already exists through TRIM notices, public budgets, and local hearings. Sarah Campbell of Fernandina Beach, T. Michael Stavris of Winter Haven, and Stephen O’Kee of Port St. Lucie described their budget processes, the share of general-fund revenue coming from property taxes, reserve policies, debt and capital planning, and the impact of inflation, minimum wage increases, and personnel costs. They all said local governments need predictable revenue and that any property tax changes would require careful consideration of replacement funding or service reductions. Members questioned the city panel about whether homebuyers are clearly informed about city versus county taxes and services, the role of HOAs, how many lobbyists cities employ, reserve levels, average salaries, and whether utility revenues are used only for utility purposes. The panel said TRIM notices, realtor listings, and city websites provide tax information; HOAs generally do not provide emergency services; lobbyists help local governments track Tallahassee legislation; reserves vary by city and fund; and utility revenues are generally restricted, though some cities use limited transfers. Members also asked about revenue replacement if ad valorem taxes were reduced or eliminated, and the panel said options would likely include user fees, service cuts, or other local revenue shifts. The chair also asked about public safety consolidation, and the response was that such decisions are local and may shift costs rather than create true savings. The committee then heard from county representatives after an overview by the Florida Association of Counties’ Davin Suggs, who framed counties as shared partners with the state and emphasized the gap between rising market values and the shrinking share of taxable value after exemptions and assessment limits. He said counties face a mismatch between revenue based on taxable value and expenses driven by real-world costs, and noted that most counties either held millage steady or lowered it without reaching rollback rates. He also highlighted that property taxes are only one part of county revenue, with charges for services and intergovernmental revenue often larger in some counties, and that public safety at the county level includes more than law enforcement, such as EMS, emergency management, inspections, and corrections. Deborah Manzo of Okeechobee County described a fiscally constrained rural county with limited staff, a county-supported airport, heavy reliance on property taxes for the general fund, and major cost pressures from inflation, insurance, retirement, and state and federal mandates. She said the county lowered millage slightly over recent years but still depends on multiple revenue sources and special assessments, and she flagged Medicaid, medical examiner costs, and possible firefighter workweek changes as significant concerns. Bay County Administrator Mark McQueen said his county’s budget is shaped by Hurricane Michael recovery, non-discretionary obligations, and rapid growth; he described ongoing FEMA reimbursement delays, substantial borrowing to cover disaster costs, and continuing interest expenses while the county waits for reimbursement. The county panel was still in progress when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And during the entire time we have collected data and looked at demonstrated best practices, I'm interested
• that we always find new demonstrated best practices, but we never move the needle.
• that we always find new demonstrated best practices, but we never move the needle.
• that we always find new demonstrated best practices, but we never move the needle.
• that we always find new demonstrated best practices, but we never move the needle.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met after several reschedulings due to flooding, welcomed a new assistant, and confirmed a quorum. It first approved the March 11 minutes, then reported that the day’s agenda included 310 items totaling about $139.4 million, with all vendors registered with the Secretary of State. The committee then approved deferred items involving the Transportation Cabinet/Department of Highways, including one routine PSC green-list item and one PSC amendment item, after hearing from the Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Professional Services and noting prior questions had been answered. The bulk of the meeting focused on Department of Education contracts tied to reading and literacy initiatives. Officials described a competitive grant program for high-quality instructional resources and related professional learning, explaining that resources are selected through evidence-based reviews and a quality curriculum task force, and that districts apply using an instructional resources alignment rubric. Members questioned the program’s reach, whether districts opt in, how many schools applied, and whether the effort is producing measurable reading gains. Department witnesses said about 155 schools applied and were awarded, the program is voluntary, and the University of Louisville’s Reading Research Center is collecting qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate effectiveness. Several members expressed concern that the state has repeatedly funded literacy efforts without improving reading scores, though the committee ultimately approved the education items, with Senator Meredith noting support but frustration about the lack of progress. The committee also approved an MOA amendment item supporting the Principal Partnership Project, which provides tools, resources, and professional learning for administrators and helps meet statutory evaluation-training requirements. Members asked about the use of nonrecurring federal funds and whether the arrangement affects retirement benefits; staff said the contract pays districts based on daily wage and additional workdays, which does increase retirement packages. Representative McCool voted yes but voiced caution about possible supplanting. Finally, the committee took up an Office of the Controller contract for a brokered insurance-related procurement. Representative Balman moved to disapprove the contract, arguing the winning broker was not the low bidder and that the committee lacked answers about how technical scoring outweighed a roughly $600,000 price difference. The motion to disapprove did not prevail, and the contract was approved after further discussion about procurement scoring and the committee’s limited information.

Transcript Highlights:

• The practical reality is that only Republicans... ...cannot support the motion.
• The practical reality is that only Republicans can, elected Republicans, can exercise this in Ada County

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• enrollment in 2027, these funds that Idaho has, that they're giving for supported slots, will commit to practicing
• These funds will commit students to practicing in Idaho with a focus on mixed agricultural animal veterinary

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several print hearings and one bill hearing. Senator Nichols presented RS 33432, which would update Idaho’s contract requirements for state-supported veterinary school slots beginning with the 2027 class, requiring graduates to practice in Idaho with a focus on mixed agricultural animal medicine and at least 600 hours per year serving agricultural animals. She said it aligns veterinary obligations with existing WHAMI requirements, strengthens Idaho’s return on investment, and has no additional cost. The committee asked about current hour requirements and learned there is no existing veterinary hour requirement; the motion to introduce RS 33432 passed unanimously. Senator Adams presented RS 33440, a resolution urging Congress to exercise its war powers before deploying the Idaho National Guard into conflict, citing prior deployments and the 2001 AUMF. Members praised his effort, and the committee voted to introduce the RS. Senator Ruchti then presented RS 33426, which would create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency kiosks or Bitcoin ATMs to reduce fraud, money laundering, and scams, especially against seniors and vulnerable Idahoans. He cited rising losses from crypto scams and said the proposal was developed with stakeholder input; the committee voted to introduce that RS as well. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1297, the Conversational AI Safety Act, from Senator Taves. The bill would require AI chat services to disclose when users are interacting with AI, adopt protocols for suicidal ideation, restrict sexually explicit content and gamification for minors, provide parental tools, and create civil penalties and injunction enforcement without a private right of action. Google testified in support, saying it already uses similar safety-by-design measures and that the bill would set a consistent industry floor. After discussion, the committee voted to send SB 1297 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want to take money from their stream so that they can continue to practice. ...to take money
• I don't want to take money from their stream so that they can continue to practice. to take money from

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

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 323, Access to Affordable Broadband, sponsored by Rep. Pamela Herndon. The bill would appropriate $5 million from the general fund to expand broadband affordability for low-income residents, very small communities, unincorporated areas, and tribal lands. Jeff Lopez, director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, testified that affordability is now the biggest barrier to broadband access in the state, even as infrastructure deployment continues through state and federal programs. Members asked about rural service options, including low-Earth-orbit satellite providers such as Starlink and Amazon Project Kuiper, the use of unobligated broadband funds, and whether the bill would disadvantage existing New Mexico providers. Lopez said the office’s federal BEAD program included some satellite service in very remote areas, but that HB 323 would be technology-neutral and intended as either a pilot or a broader affordability subsidy depending on whether Senate Bill 152 becomes law. He also said the office is not pursuing the prior policy that favored Starlink in areas already served by wired providers. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of broadband for education, business, and rural communities. The committee then voted do pass on the bill, with Representative Mason making the motion and Representative Garcia seconding it, and no opposition recorded.