Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Laurel Nesbitt, an attorney with Disability Rights New Mexico.
• I'm Laurel Nesbitt, an attorney with Disability Rights New Mexico, where I represent students in special
• We weren't going to include special ed in Martinez, and we were able to find a way for the attorneys

Bills: SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• I have my husband, United States Air Force veteran and attorney Chattabeda.
• He's an accomplished attorney.
• Speaker, he was a pro bono attorney for the Navajo Code Talkers. Mr. Michael Gross.

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• I have my husband, United States Air Force veteran and attorney Chattabeda.
• He's an accomplished attorney. He's an enrolled citizen of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
• Speaker, he was a pro bono attorney for the Navajo Code Talkers. Mr. Michael Gross.

Bills: HB111 , HJR1 , HB61 , HB8 , HB30 , HB43 , HB156 , HJM2 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50 , HB70 , SB3 , HJM3

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Summary: The House convened for a special American Indian Day celebration, with prayers, flag citations, a Navajo national anthem, and many members introducing tribal leaders, students, veterans, and community guests. Speakers emphasized Native sovereignty, government-to-government relations, cultural preservation, education, and the importance of representation in state government. The Speaker announced plans for a future tribal summit to discuss funding, capital, and policy priorities with tribes and nations. After the celebration, the House received executive messages, including gubernatorial authorization for new bills and notice that House Bill 9 had been signed into law. Committee reports were adopted on several measures, including House Bills 128, 285, 20, 52, 57, 58, 206, 109, 38, 66, 178, 198, 202, 224, 257, 103, and 247, with several health-related bills advanced via committee substitutes and referred onward. The House also adopted House Memorial 32 and enrolled House Bill 50 with a certificate of correction. On the floor, House Joint Resolution 1, as amended, passed 67-0. The resolution would create nominating committees for certain constitutionally named institutions, require no single party majority on those committees, and shift the student regent appointment to an elected student government body; members discussed the one-year party-registration requirement and the timing of implementing legislation. House Bill 8, which creates and funds the Major Capital Projects Fund for higher education projects, was then debated at length over its graduation-rate criteria and waiver provisions, and an amendment was offered to require Higher Education Department waiver findings to be reported to and approved by the State Board of Finance for added oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• the number off the top of my head, but several folks are dedicated to it, in addition to a deputy attorney
• general reporting to Attorney General Labrador.
• So 2024, you have 100,000, 390, 2025. reporting to Attorney General Labrador.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation on the Division of Medicaid within the Department of Health and Welfare, including an overview of the division’s five programs, staffing, spending trends, and the large share of the budget that goes to trust and benefit payments. Ms. Williamson explained the difference between ongoing and one-time enhancements, the role of population forecast adjustments, and why the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 numbers change significantly. Members asked about the growth in the budget, the FMAP match rate, the impact of provider rate changes, and the shift of some positions into Medicaid from other divisions after last year’s reorganization. A major topic was House Bill 345 and related budget changes, including the hospital assessment fund alignment, the 4% provider rate reduction, and the effect on Medicaid expansion and other populations. The committee discussed the decline in expansion enrollment, rising costs in traditional Medicaid populations, and the governor’s recommendation to offset part of the 2027 increase with additional reductions. Members raised concerns about access to care, especially for dental, behavioral health, developmental disability, and home- and community-based services, while the deputy director said the department is trying to contain costs through prior authorization, fraud and abuse work, and policy changes. The committee also focused on the MMIS replacement project, which is in year four of a five-year procurement and is funded through dedicated and federal dollars tied to milestones. Another significant item was estate recovery, where the department requested funding to replace an outdated case management system and add contractor support to address a backlog of roughly 20,000 cases; members questioned the return on investment and asked for more detail on the software and staffing split. The deputy director also explained the federally qualified health center reconciliation issue, saying the state had not been properly paying change-in-scope amounts and is now using a new process with interim payments and later reconciliation. In addition, lawmakers asked about program integrity staffing, the use of AI, and whether the department could better target fraud, waste, and abuse investigations. The deputy director said the department is reviewing AI use cautiously and sees opportunities for it in claims review and anomaly detection, but emphasized that the current request is for dedicated receipt authority rather than general funds. No formal votes were taken in the excerpt, but the committee received the presentation, asked extensive questions, and was told that some follow-up information would be provided later.

Transcript Highlights:

• cases that they think might be fraudulent, they refer those over to the Medicaid fraud unit at the Attorney
• Now, there are also remedies that exist, although it would rely on the Attorney General being willing
• Now, there are also remedies that exist, although it would rely on the Attorney General being willing

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The meeting focused first on a legislative working group report created under House Bill 368 from the prior session on medical education in Idaho. The presenter described Idaho’s physician shortage, noting the state ranks 50th per capita in physicians and would need roughly 1,400 additional physicians to reach the national average. The group’s unanimous recommendations included maintaining current state-supported medical school seats, adding 10 new non-WAMI seats this year, expanding graduate medical education by 15 seats, prioritizing in-state training, and creating a dedicated health education coordination role to manage undergraduate and graduate placements, clinical sites, and data. Members discussed whether WAMI should also expand, the quality of WAMI graduates, the need for more clinical preceptors and residency sites, rural recruitment incentives, and whether the plan should include other health professions such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The presenter said the plan includes benchmarks and timelines, and estimated costs of about $350,000 for coordination, $350,000 to $485,000 for 10 new UME seats depending on placement, and $900,000 for the GME request. The committee then heard from Legislative Audit Division Manager April Renfro on the state’s 2024 single audit and related accountability work. She reported $5.4 billion in federal assistance audited, 21 major federal programs across 15 agencies, 45 findings, seven repeat findings, $2.4 million in known questioned costs, and $2 million in projected questioned costs. Major issues were concentrated at the Department of Health and Welfare, including Medicaid findings involving delayed health and safety surveys, managed care provider eligibility and roster controls, and capitation payments tied to ineligible members; Child Care and Development Fund reporting and cost-allocation errors; and repeat issues in vocational rehabilitation and low-income home energy programs. She also noted Department of Environmental Quality problems with indirect cost proposals and a duplicate grant draw, while Transportation had no findings. Members asked about accountability for repeat findings, the role of Luma in reporting errors, fraud detection, and how to prioritize corrective action; Renfro said agencies, federal management decisions, and legislative oversight all play a role, and she planned to send a prioritized list of key findings to the co-chairs. A later presentation by budget analyst Brooke Dupree introduced front-end reports in the legislative budget book, explaining state government structure, the constitutional limit of 20 executive departments, and how the Legislature uses decision units to build appropriations. She walked through the original appropriation, reappropriations, supplemental appropriations, and how those pieces roll into the current-year total appropriation, with members asking brief questions about departmental divisions and the budget model.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I've actually brought some— a letter from the Strafford County attorney talking about RSA 53-G
• talking about uh H RSA attorney talking about uh H RSA 53g<00:29:46.600><c> and</c><00:29:46.919><c>
• I'm surprised the drafting attorney didn't notice it.
• Okay, part of our issue was, and why we had to go to Coos, was forced to go get our attorneys to look
• Next, the chair recognizes Attorney N. Grace, followed by Mr.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• now, reasonable—we've had that discussion before—and I think Representative Spilsbury, being an attorney
• And therefore the discretion of the IEP committee is enhanced. >> Attorney to attorney on pressure. >
• </c> &gt;&gt; Attorney<03:39:55.359><c> to</c><03:39:55.520><c> attorney</c><03:39:55.840><c> on</c><
• </c> &gt;&gt; Attorney to attorney on pressure. &gt;&gt; Attorney to attorney on pressure.

Committee: House Education Funding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that I serve on the audit committee, and it was brought up, along with Senator Roosevelt, by the attorney
• Is your recollection different from mine that what the Department of Education and the Attorney General
• What I recall is that there was a line presented by the attorney general.
• General said was not and the Attorney General said was not the<02:09:06.480><c> state</c><02:09:06.880
• There was a a a a line attorney general.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:53:17.040><c> state</c><00:53:17.359><c> and</c><00:53:17.680><c> the</c><00:53:18.559><c> attorney
• </c> secretary of state and the attorney secretary of state and the attorney general<00:53:19.440><c>
• For the attorney general, there is the one $1.976 million operating adjustment.
• For the attorney general, there levels.
• For the attorney general, there is<01:34:02.480><c> the</c><01:34:02.800><c> one</c><01:34:03.440><c>

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If I could have Commissioner Clark and County Attorney Magnus come to the table. File 2628.
• </c> Commissioner Clark and County Attorney Commissioner Clark and County Attorney Magnus<01:57:26.560
• I am<02:04:53.119><c> the</c><02:04:53.280><c> county</c><02:04:53.520><c> attorney</c><02:04:54.480>
• <c> um</c><02:04:54.560><c> from</c> am the county attorney um from am the county attorney um from Washington
• I am the county attorney from Washington County, and I am on the executive committee of the MCA board

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair then asked the attorney to identify himself.
• The attorney identified himself as Ian Council. The Chair said, "Oh, all right.
• The Chair then asked the attorney to identify himself.
• The attorney identified himself as Ian Council, for Cornerstone.
• He added that the question was actually whether they wanted to hear from Attorney H, and he thought they

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 695, relating to school districts and medically related grants. The sponsor argued the bill was vague and could undermine existing law, and another member said it would add an unnecessary mandate for school districts. The committee voted to recommend inexpedient to legislate, and the motion passed 18-0. Next, House Bill 765, which would consolidate school administrative units and make superintendent jobs elected positions, was also recommended inexpedient to legislate. Members said the bill raised too many questions, could duplicate other legislation, and would move away from local control. That motion likewise passed 18-0. House Bill 768, allowing public school districts to contract with approved private schools, drew more debate. Supporters described it as a language cleanup and an expansion of educational opportunity, while opponents raised concerns about the placement of the language and pending Supreme Court cases. The committee voted 10-8 to recommend ought to pass, and then 10-8 to recommend ought to pass as amended, with a minority report noted. The committee then considered House Bill 446, dealing with parental notice for non-academic surveys. An amendment was offered to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in rather than opt-out. Supporters said parents should be informed and should choose whether their children participate, while opponents argued the survey is an important tool for mental health data, grants, and school programming, and that opt-in would reduce participation and data quality. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report noted. Finally, the committee began House Bill 741, which would allow parents to send children to any school district they choose and expand open enrollment. The sponsor described it as broadening choice and keeping public funds in public schools, and an amendment was proposed to restore provisions for children of military personnel. Discussion on the amendment began, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on House Bill 741 or the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hiring immigration attorneys with the skills and experience to secure clients released from detention
• Hiring immigration attorneys with the skills and experience to secure clients released from detention
• our nonprofit partners, this funding would further tap into the expertise of California's existing attorney
• Also, the strategies may differ by region, depending on factors such as the availability of attorneys

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m not an attorney, but if I was a physician, I was treating these people, and I’ve just heard you say
• bill that we passed in 2021, the fair share, fair chance hiring bill, they can currently go to an attorney
• the law, the bill that we passed in 2021, the fair chance hiring bill, they can currently go to an attorney
• bill that we passed in 2021, the fair share, fair chance hiring bill, they can currently go to an attorney

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first disposed of several measures without debate, including deferrals of House Bill 460, House Bill 561, Senate Bill 322, and another deferred Senate measure, before taking up House Bill 819 by Chairman Cruz. HB 819 would replace Louisiana’s current workers’ compensation medical treatment schedule with ODG by MCG, a private evidence-based guideline system used in other states. Cruz and Troy Prevo argued ODG is more comprehensive, updated more frequently, and could reduce claim duration, medical costs, and premium rates; Dr. Jason Picard said Louisiana already uses ODG as a secondary reference for gaps in the state schedule and that the bill would not change appeals or variance procedures. Opponents, including injured-worker advocates Joseph Jola St. and Robin Crumholt, argued Louisiana’s current guidelines are working, that ODG is more cost-cutting and insurer-driven, and that the bill could increase denials and delay care. Members discussed amendments to add a two-year sunset, allow tacit approval when treatment follows the schedule, require payment within 30 days, and raise the carrier’s burden to challenge care; the committee adopted the amendments and then reported HB 819 favorably by a 7-6 vote. The committee then began Senate Bill 409 by Senator Myers, the Louisiana Living Donor Leave Protection Act. The bill would provide paid leave protections for living organ donors, set eligibility and verification procedures, and prohibit forfeiture of leave in certain circumstances for private employers. Myers said the measure is intended to remove job and paycheck barriers for people willing to donate organs and to support better transplant outcomes. Technical amendments were adopted at the start of the presentation, and the bill was introduced for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We of course heard from our legislative council attorney and we heard from the Bankers Association and
• We of course heard from our legislative<01:33:24.440><c> council</c><01:33:24.840><c> attorney</c> legislative
• council attorney legislative council attorney and<01:33:26.120><c> we</c><01:33:26.200><c> heard</c>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of whether you could limit this to, you know, just California, I'm not an attorney, so... but
• That's something I think we'd have to consult with our attorneys on.
• Even as an attorney, I don't want that. Final comments, Professor. I think it's so two things.
• I'm a fuel and carbon attorney.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General's Office has some fairly significant changes: 19 additional FTE and funds.
• They are non-general revenue funds, though, that we've included and recommended for the new Attorney
• The city is found negligent because of the former circuit attorney. We won't beat that dead horse.
• Because of the former circuit attorney. We won't beat that dead horse.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General's office has some fairly significant changes.
• The Attorney General's office has some fairly significant changes, 19 additional FTE and funds.
• Their non-general revenue funds, though, that we've included and recommended for the new Attorney General's
• The city is found negligent because of the former circuit attorney. We won’t beat that dead horse.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and numerous introductions of visiting groups and guests, including schoolchildren, Republican women’s organizations, county commissioners, and family members of legislators. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow baseball apparel in celebration of opening day, with the motion passing 118-22. The chamber then took up the state budget bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2002, covering elementary and secondary education and child care, drew the most debate. Supporters said it maintained record funding for the foundation formula, transportation, and early childhood programs, while critics argued it still fell short of fully funding the formula and underfunded child care subsidies by about $51 million. After extended debate over statutory obligations, school funding, and child care policy, the bill passed 85-70. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2003, the higher education and workforce development budget, also prompted substantial debate over a proposed shift to an FTE-based funding model for colleges and universities. Supporters called it a fairer, more equitable system that follows students and encourages efficiency, while opponents warned it would sharply reduce funding for some institutions, including community colleges and regional universities. The bill passed 83-66. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2004, covering revenue and transportation, 91-50, despite objections over a public transit cut and constitutional concerns raised about MoDOT appropriations. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration and employee benefits budget, passed overwhelmingly after members discussed state worker compensation, deferred compensation, and benefits funding. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2006, covering agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, passed 133-17 after members highlighted restored funding for agriculture business development and food insecurity grants, while others criticized cuts to natural resources and parks funding. The chamber then moved on to House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2007, covering economic development, commerce and insurance, and labor and industrial relations, with the budget chair introducing the bill and outlining its major departmental appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• children being picked up at one, two, three in the morning by law enforcement and DHS or a district attorney
• By law enforcement and DHS or a district attorney, and these kids are just given a... just no time, and
• So I may go back and may have to hire an attorney to get that.
• So I may go back and may have to hire an attorney to get that.

Bills: SJR47 , SB1491 , SB1579 , SB1806 , SB1552 , SB483 , SB63 , SB137 , SB346 , SB514 , SB1344 , SB1360 , SB1380 , SB1437 , SB1189 , SB1217 , SB1221 , SB1262 , SB1272 , SB1325 , SB1339 , SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Summary: The Senate began with a quorum call, a ceremonial recognition of two Elgin High School students, Clayton Raoul and Leon Anderson, and bus driver Kevin McDonald for their heroic actions during a March 2 bus crash. A citation was read honoring their selfless efforts to evacuate injured students and assist first responders. The chamber also introduced several student pages and recognized visiting groups in the gallery, including Impact Oklahoma and the Ardmore Leadership Group. The Senate then considered several bills. Senate Bill 1491, requiring appointed presidential electors to take the same oath as other electors, advanced and passed. Senate Bill 1579, which requires assessors to mail taxpayers a statement of rights when property valuations increase, also advanced and passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1806, extending foster care eligibility to age 21 for those who opt in and meet program requirements, drew supportive debate about helping youth transition to adulthood; it advanced and passed as an emergency measure. A lengthy debate followed on Senate Bill 1552, which would allow certain large counties to pursue home rule charters through a voter-approved process. Supporters argued it would give populous counties more flexibility and local control, while opponents raised concerns about unequal treatment, population-based governance, rural representation, and possible constitutional issues. The bill advanced and then passed 26-18. Senate Bill 483, authorizing county-run relocation assistance programs funded by private donations for voluntarily relocating individuals, especially homeless persons, also prompted extensive questions about liability, trafficking concerns, accountability, and whether it could shift people between jurisdictions; it advanced and passed 39-6. Finally, Senate Bill 63, raising school board member stipends from $25 to $190 per meeting under permissive language, advanced over concerns about cost and then moved to final passage, with debate beginning at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agency Directors for Senate Confirmation: Attorney General Keith Kautz, Revenue Department Bret Fanning
• Confirmation</c> Agency Directors for Senate Confirmation Agency Directors for Senate Confirmation Attorney
• General</c><00:49:15.880><c> Keith</c><00:49:16.200><c> Kautz,</c><00:49:17.120><c> Revenue</c> Attorney
• General Keith Kautz, Revenue Attorney General Keith Kautz, Revenue Department<00:49:18.160><c> Bret<

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the name of a balanced budget amendment, uh, now they’re pushing for suing Congress, getting state attorneys
• the name of a balanced budget amendment, uh, now they’re pushing for suing Congress, getting state attorneys
• the name of a balanced budget amendment, uh, now they’re pushing for suing Congress, getting state attorneys
• However, in the fine print and when the attorneys all got together and discussed it, they believe that

Bills: HB0108 , HB0039 , HB0091 , HB0070

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: audit, transparency, government reporting, accountability, public access, firearm rights, restoration of rights, criminal justice, felony convictions, Wyoming law, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws