Transcript Highlights:

• Um when million in additional capacity.
• </c><00:09:05.040><c> available</c> 400 517 million in capacity available 400 517 million in capacity
• This will reduce the state's capacity.
• </c> heard there was still lots of capacity heard there was still lots of capacity there,<00:25:56.799
• ,</c> mentioned to us about the debt capacity, mentioned to us about the debt capacity, if<00:32:07.519

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future. Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions. After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Homelessness can look different between these different places, as do the resources and the capacity
• The first is the Emergency Housing Voucher program. in the capacity of the system.
• And that's because the capacity wasn't there.
• Without it, we risk losing capacity.
• It's really a capacity issue. CalAIM has expanded how many people we can serve.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so 74% of them were in that capacity.
• Because they have a bed-space capacity issue.
• Because they have a bed space capacity issue.
• And so you slowly start to run at capacity on all sides.
• I don't have the capacity to, um, to... I'll be much briefer. I don't have the capacity to best Ms.

Bills: SB100 , SB100

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights

Transcript Highlights:

• The core question, I think, is whether the capacity matches the risk profile New Mexico already faces
• DHSEM's core constraint is capacity, not authority.
• The HSEM core constraint is capacity, not authority.
• When disasters overwhelm local capacity, state involvement becomes essential.
• State capacity ensures equitable recovery across rural and tribal New Mexico. And we've seen it.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So the approved supplier program is a farmer capacity and market readiness program.
• Limited cold storage capacity and rail space.
• What we need to do is expand our capacity. In New Mexico, we need feedlots.
• It's the right time now to invest in increased capacity.
• I mean, we were at like 3/8 of capacity currently.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• To operate a jail at less than capacity is nothing new.
• We were at capacity, and we had to close our jail.
• And we don't have the jailers, and we're at capacity.
• I would say this, when you go back to you were at capacity, I assume capacity doesn't mean...
• Bed capacity, it means staffed bed capacity, different deal.

Bills: HB1320 , HB2012 , HB2293 , HB2655 , HB3174 , HB4108 , HB4661 , HB4799 , HB5534 , HB5580

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• centers, but mostly in the small to medium size, generally around an average of 35 megawatts in capacity
• We have massive extra capacity most of the day.
• Or, if we have to procure excess capacity during that time, they will fully pay for that.
• I am here in my personal capacity.
• I am here in my personal capacity and take a neutral stance on SB 978.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• centers, but mostly in the small to medium size, generally around an average of 35 megawatts in capacity
• So we have massive extra capacity most of the day.
• Or if we have to procure excess capacity during that time, Or if we have to procure excess capacity during
• I am here in my personal capacity.
• I am here in my personal capacity and take a neutral stance on SB 978.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• This coalition is here to support our sector with building capacity and increasing impact.
• Increased his floor capacity by 5,000 square feet. That's big. That's a lot.
• And on the place, you know, how big it is, what other capacity they have there.
• I think that speaks to the capacity challenges that we have in many of our communities.
• This would contribute to future capital capacity generally by the legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• to train those that we have the capacity to train those students students students effectively<00:19
• We did find, which is included in the testimony, that there is ample capacity in Maui for this type of
• Nurses do seek higher education, and there is capacity, so it will be supported on Maui.
• in Maui for that there is ample capacity in Maui for this<00:23:47.960><c> type</c><00:23:48.159><c>
• is um so that capacity really does it<00:23:59.039><c> will</c><00:23:59.240><c> be</c><00:23:59.400

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education heard Senate Bill 101, which would require University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine graduates who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in Hawaiʻi for at least two years after residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. The Deputy Attorney General said the bill addressed a matter of statewide concern. JABSOM Dean Sam Shoemaker testified in opposition, arguing the school already uses scholarships, loan repayment, and other incentives, and that the strongest predictor of where physicians practice is where they complete residency; he said the school is working to expand residency slots, neighbor-island training, and class size. Supporters argued the state faces a severe physician shortage and should do more to ensure publicly subsidized students remain in Hawaiʻi. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including a statewide concern statement, and deferred the measure to July 31, 2025; the vote was adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 19, which creates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program on Maui. University of Hawaiʻi and nursing workforce representatives testified in support, saying there is ample capacity on Maui and strong demand for higher nursing education. Members discussed the broader nursing pathway, including existing associate and bachelor’s programs at UH campuses and the need to improve access for Maui and nearby communities. The measure was moved to decision-making and adopted with amendments and a deferred date. Senate Bill 637, appropriating funds for various University of Hawaiʻi nursing programs, also received support from UH nursing leaders, who said the funding would support the final phase of the West Oʻahu-Manoa collaboration and an online RN-to-BS program. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing said its research showed capacity and demand for these programs. The committee recommended amendments to blank out appropriation amounts for the committee report and deferred the measure, then adopted it. The committee also adopted Senate Bill 741, which establishes an external audit committee within the UH Board of Regents, and deferred or amended several other measures, including a wastewater technology pilot program, a coconut rhinoceros beetle response program, and a climate-resilient development appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> appointed in an advisory capacity appointed in an advisory capacity Senators<00:33:18.440><c> Bailey
• In addition, the House has appointed in an advisory capacity Delegates Griese and Acevero.
• Said bill is returned herewith. advisory capacity Senators Bailey, advisory capacity Senators Bailey,
• </c> capacity Delegates Griese and Acevero. capacity Delegates Griese and Acevero.
• In addition, the House has appointed, in an advisory capacity, Delegates Griese and Kaiser.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, both that operating system plus the ability to work with a high-capacity magazine.
• So when we think about what the bill is targeting, it's really targeting the kind of combat capacity
• or mass shooting-level capacity.
• And that's... ...or mass shooting-level capacity.
• You keep your situation that you have at home with your firearms or max mass capacity magazine.

Bills: SB38 , SB17 , SB41 , SB264

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 38, which would make permanent the New Mexico affordable spay-neuter program funded by fees on registered pet food. The sponsor and supporters said the program helps reduce companion animal overpopulation, shelter intake, and euthanasia, while opponents argued the charge is an unlawful tax, is tied to ongoing litigation, and that required annual reporting has not been done. After public testimony, the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 38 by a 10-1 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 17, a gun-safety measure that would impose new requirements on firearms dealers and prohibit future sale of certain assault-style and high-capacity weapons. Supporters, including sponsors, gun-violence survivors, public safety advocates, and some local officials, argued the bill would address straw purchasing, trafficking, dealer accountability, and mass-casualty weapons. Opponents, including firearms retailers, ranchers, law enforcement, and gun owners, said the bill would burden lawful businesses, raise constitutional concerns, and do little to stop crime. After extensive testimony and questions about the bill’s legal basis, definitions, and dealer regulations, the committee did not vote and instead rolled the bill for further work on amendments. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 41, as amended, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor. Support came from the Chamber of Commerce and sexual assault advocacy groups, who said delayed disclosure is common and justice should not expire before survivors are ready to come forward. Committee members asked detailed questions about the bill’s scope, including why certain offenses remained covered and how the criminal statutes are categorized. The committee adopted an amendment to correct drafting issues and then passed SB 41 as amended on a 10-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 264, an elections safety bill that would strengthen penalties for election interference, create emergency polling-place protocols, and clarify when law enforcement may be present at polling places at the request of election officials. Supporters said it was needed to protect voters from intimidation, while an opponent argued it could put law enforcement at risk and restrict their ability to vote. The sponsor and Secretary of State explained that the bill was aimed at preventing ordered deployment of armed personnel to polling places, not barring officers or service members from voting. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, Minute may have less capacity to continue advancing the transformative leadership goals
• And finally, Minute may have less capacity to continue advancing the transformative leadership goals
• And finally, Minute may have less capacity to continue advancing the transformative leadership goals
• And finally, Minute may have less capacity to continue advancing the transformative leadership goals
• </c> would uh which would increase capacity would uh which would increase capacity at<00:25:29.520><c

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But then, in addition, as we look at increasing capacity to serve more veterans, that would really be
• But then, in addition, as we look at increasing capacity to serve more veterans, that would really be
• It's really to develop new capacity to address the gap that we've seen.
• capacity to address the gap that we've seen.
• And so this is really about enhancing our capacities, which we're already working on.

Transcript Highlights:

• endured by somebody convicted of I’d like to draw particular note to lines 1.18 and 1.19, in the capacity
• knowing it is in excess of lawful authority or knowing it is forbidden by law to be done in that capacity
• knowing it is in excess of lawful authority or knowing it is forbidden by law to be done in that capacity
• knowing it is in excess of lawful authority or knowing it is forbidden by law to be done in that capacity
• In the capacity of such officer or employee, makes a return, certificate, official report, or other like

Bills: HF3489 , HF3990 , HF3825 , HF3826 , HF3827 , HF3822

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• whom are sitting in front of me today, which is funny, and I'm glad to see you all here in this capacity
• So we are gearing is funny and I'm glad to see you all here in this capacity now.
• There really isn't any excess capacity available for new large loads such as data centers.
• We have capacity shortfalls. We’re experiencing rapid load growth across our system.
• Capacity shortfalls.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um and they were at uh capacity um and they were at uh capacity um<00:42:46.080><c> I</c><00:42:
• My, I do have another question too on the conversation around what is considered school capacity.
• If we're talking about the capacity.
• </c> we're talking about classroom capacity. we're talking about classroom capacity.
• " could maybe be looking at the total construct of the building's physical capacity.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 34, concerning parental consent for student participation in the Medicaid-to-schools program. Members said they were not comfortable with a suggested amendment and wanted more information from Health and Human Services about how the program and billing work. On motion by Representative Noble, seconded by Representative Freeman, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill, 18-0. The committee then considered Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Supporters said the bill could help parents and teachers recognize warning signs early and could be life-saving in some cases. Opponents argued the material belonged on the Health and Human Services website rather than the DOE site, and some suggested a narrower link-only approach. After discussion, the committee voted 13-5 to ought to pass, with a minority report requested. The final major item was Senate Bill 97FN on intradistrict public school transfers. The committee first adopted an amendment that incorporated provisions from House Bill 68, required superintendents to approve best-interest transfer requests unless they failed to meet requirements, and revised language on capacity and accommodation. Supporters said the changes would help students, including those facing bullying, while opponents raised concerns about local control, capacity, and fairness to families who can transport children. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report requested. The chair then announced the next meetings would be on the 21st and 27th, and reminded members to watch the Senate calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: ... capacity of about 120.
• We have an operational capacity of about 120.
• But yet have the capacity.
• But yet have the capacity.
• But yet have the capacity is already there.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• getting in the hands of folks like the Annunciation shooter, and to take away the ability to have high-capacity
• You know, we are going to keep fighting for a high-capacity magazine ban and an assault weapons ban until
• And we know from other states that assault weapons bans and high-capacity magazine bans would also save
• magazine bill, I bill, the high capacity magazine bill, I had<00:23:55.040><c> started</c><00:23:56.400
• magazine ban is a very and high capacity magazine ban is a very small small small very<00:24:22.800>

Transcript Highlights:

• The lack of capacity at the state hospital is an incredible challenge. Good morning.
• The lack of capacity at the state hospital is an incredible challenge.
• The lack of capacity at the state hospital is an incredible challenge, and in late 2024, fearing that
• individual deemed dangerous and incompetent, and given the state hospital's operation at or near capacity
• So, for the very real capacity concerns, thank you.

Bills: HB2050 , HB2082 , HB2176 , HB2195 , HB2202 , HB2307 , HB2584

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth