Transcript Highlights:

• ago because... ...came to my attention several years ago because my wife, Carol, was serving on the city
• And so I just, I do have three small technical amendments that came from law enforcement that I need
• There were also three small cleanups in the 0.3.
• So I represent the historic part of the city of Santa Fe.
• In smaller communities, the ambulances are owned by the city or in the hospital, and bigger cities have

Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164

Committee: Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 40, a committee substitute addressing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and privacy. Sponsor Sen. Worth said the bill was intended to preserve ALPRs as a law-enforcement tool while adding guardrails to prevent sharing or selling data for immigration enforcement, protected health care activity, or criminalizing constitutionally protected conduct. Supporters included state and local law enforcement, the ACLU, immigrant-rights, reproductive-rights, and sexual-assault advocacy groups. Law enforcement witnesses said the bill balanced privacy with public safety and cited cases where ALPRs helped locate kidnapped children, murder suspects, and stolen vehicles; opponents and some senators argued the bill was too narrow, too focused on immigration and health care, and raised concerns about federal law, data sales, and enforcement. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment removing subsection F, then approved the committee substitute and advanced SB 40 on a do-pass motion. The committee then heard Senate Bill 104, which would create a process for removing wildlife commissioners after the 2023 wildlife commission legislation and the governor’s veto of the prior removal language. Sen. Worth explained that SB 104 would allow the governor to initiate removal for malfeasance, incompetence, or failure to attend meetings, with notice, a hearing, and exclusive review by the state Supreme Court; he said it was modeled on the Board of Regents removal process and was intended to complete the wildlife commission reforms. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Audubon Southwest, and the Department of Game and Fish supported the bill, saying it would depoliticize wildlife management and provide stability. Senators asked about the existing “three consecutive meetings” vacancy language, current vacancies, and the prior removal of a commissioner. The committee discussed the governor’s earlier veto and whether the bill was necessary, but no amendment was adopted and the committee approved SB 104 on a do-pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do that through a program we created called Appreciate AZ.
• And so that program has been really successful. We continue to do it.
• And we do that through a program we created called Appreciate AZ.
• And so that program has been really successful. We continue to do it.
• We do have a really robust research program of work.”

Committee: Senate Director Nominations

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• business loan program.
• The ought to be a law program where the heart and hustle fit.
• the program.
• Again, this is a very small number of...
• the program.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the House would focus on Senate bills and returning messages, and that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed by the end of the week. The chamber then adopted the special order calendar for the day. The House passed several technical and open-government bills, mostly on strong bipartisan votes. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and reviser changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public records or meeting exemptions involving the Public Service Commission, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety investigations, cybersecurity, small business loan records, trade secrets, emergency shelter locations, and conviction integrity units. Members asked questions on several of these bills, especially about the scope and purpose of the exemptions, but the bills generally advanced with little opposition. The chamber also took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund and drew extended debate over whether the fund had been misused for the Everglades detention facility; an Escamani amendment to let the fund expire failed, while a Griffiths amendment adding limits and oversight was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 82-25. CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency passed unanimously after supporters highlighted nature-based shoreline protection and a Biscayne Bay provision. CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits passed after a House amendment aligned it with the House version. CS/SB 474 on military affairs passed unanimously after an amendment allowing local governments to extend Guard leave. SB 488 on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was debated extensively over vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and I-94 documentation, with amendments including one for disabled veterans and another on dealer allocation; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an advocate, as you know, for small business in America.
• The small amount, right? You can't just start with $100 or $500.
• And in some cases where the company's very small, they go out of business.
• Those 7 million small businesses, they're all shark tankers.
• This is about protecting Main Street, small businesses, and those innovators.

Committee: Senate Aging (Special) Committee

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• A small sum when you consider the responsibilities and time commitment of the job.
• Second Assistance programs that require a financial eligibility determination.
• I'm the Chief Development and Programs Officer at Needs Service Dogs.
• We do have, I think, about a six-week training program in Las Vegas, of all places.
• My name is Paula Pietrella, and I live in the great city of Salem, Massachusetts.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We live in a small town that doesn't have a lot of resources or programs for families of littles.
• So we start these programs as soon as we get the referral and, um, So we start these programs as soon
• Chairman, I'm just curious if this is the same program or an evolution of the same program that LSS,
• So just to explain a little bit more of how the program works is if someone's sentenced to this program
• And in this program, it's a day-long program... ...where it's eight to ten hours, where we go over what

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), focusing on the economic and public-system impacts in North Dakota. She explained that ACEs are a population-level measure, not a diagnostic tool for individuals, and said higher ACE exposure is consistently associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare involvement, justice-system contact, and reduced workforce participation. She emphasized that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across a person’s life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based prevention and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, historical trends in ACEs, and the role of positive childhood experiences and home visiting. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota, including Healthy Families, Early Head Start, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers. They described home visiting as voluntary, relationship-based, and tailored to family needs, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, human service zones, pregnancy navigators, self-referrals, and other community sources. A parent, Abby, shared that home visiting helped her family after premature births and NICU stays by providing support with postpartum mental health, breastfeeding, developmental screenings, referrals, and parenting guidance. The presenters said the programs are funded through a mix of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E dollars, Medicaid targeted case management, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and grants, and they noted that current funding is fragmented and insufficient to serve all eligible families statewide. Members discussed whether the state should expand or better fund these services and how to improve outreach and referrals. Later, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, followed by a presentation from a BCI special agent on how AI is already affecting child exploitation investigations in North Dakota. The memo and testimony described AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and risks posed by chatbots, along with relevant federal and state law and recent executive orders. The agent said North Dakota saw 2,698 cyber tips in 2025, the highest on record, and that investigators are increasingly encountering AI-assisted exploitation that is harder to detect and verify. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI undermining critical thinking and spreading misinformation. No votes were taken on the AI materials during the portion provided, and the committee recessed briefly after the report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Originally, this program was created to help small charitable hospitals offset the cost of their charitable
• this program uh was created to help small<02:02:06.159><c> charitable</c><02:02:06.880><c> hospitals
• to do so. specific program, a complex program as specific program, a complex program as Representative
• </c> that you have on the program. that you have on the program.
• Programs like Harbor Care in programs.

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• </c> Program Feasibility Study. Program Feasibility Study.
• </c> Program, and Tax Credits. Program, and Tax Credits.
• It is making one small programmatic change to the program, but an important one, which is for DHCD, for
• </c> existing uh program. That's correct. existing uh program. That's correct.

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:53.120><c> We're</c> program. It's a voucher program. We're program.
• </c> original program like the city of original program like the city of Lexington<00:18:16.720><c> for
• </c> program at UK. program at UK.
• </c> program and a strong incentive program program and a strong incentive program for<00:30:16.399><
• </c> the program. the program.

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just, the revenue cap is just how much food they're allowed to sell under the auspices of this program
• Members, I come before you on behalf of my constituents and constituents in other districts within the City
• The City of Tulsa has an existing waste incineration facility that's been in place about 40-plus years
• And so what the City of Tulsa and what my constituents would like to see us do is to place this facility
• They've taken the city of Tulsa's solid municipal waste, and they incinerate it.

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is up near Silver City, for those of you that have been up there.
• I have been going to the cattlemen's meetings in Silver City and Owyhee for several years, and they always
• It's up near Silver City, for those of you that have been up there.
• I've been going to the Hawaii Cattlemen's meetings in Silver City and Oriana for several years, and they
• Fellow Senators, I'd like to introduce the Idaho State University Nurse Anesthesia Program and the Idaho

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present, establishing a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The journal was approved as corrected, and the chamber moved through routine orders, including referral of Senate Concurrent Resolution 115, which supports consolidating the Soil and Water Conservation Commission into the Department of Water Resources, to Judiciary and Rules for printing. Committee reports also advanced Senate Bills 1222 and 1225, and House Bills 491 and 492 were received from the House and referred for introduction. The Senate then considered several gubernatorial appointments. By voice vote, it adopted committee reports confirming Scott Smith to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles, Megan Ronk to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights, Salvador Cruz to the Treasurer’s Investment Advisory Board, Dylan Hobson to the Commission of Pardons and Paroles, and Cynthia Fairfax to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board. Senators speaking in support emphasized each nominee’s professional experience and qualifications, particularly in corrections, finance, human rights, and health care. The chamber also adopted Senate Joint Memorial 107, which urges support for the permitting process for reopening the Delamar Mine in Owyhee County. Supporters highlighted the mine’s potential economic benefits, including jobs and tax revenue, and argued for a timely federal permitting process. During first reading, Senate Bills 1232, 1233, and 1234 were introduced and referred to Judiciary and Rules, along with House Bills 491 and 492. The Senate then moved to miscellaneous business, heard announcements, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our programs are provided through both voucher-based programs, which provide certificates for families
• Based on the information that we have, in 2021-22, when child care programs and support programs were
• and child care support programs.
• Based on the information that we have, in 2021-22, when child care programs and support programs were
• and child care support programs.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittees on early childhood education heard a broad review of the Governor’s child care and preschool budget proposals, with testimony from the Department of Finance, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), the California Department of Education (CDE), and the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). The main topics were cost-of-care-plus and COLA adjustments, the California State Preschool Program, child care slot reductions tied to federal and Proposition 64 funding changes, disaster recovery grants for child care facilities, trailer bill proposals on family fees and absences, prospective pay, and several budget change proposals for departmental staffing and licensing. Officials also discussed the state’s transition toward an alternative methodology for setting rates based on the true cost of care. On rate reform, CDSS and CDE said the current reimbursement system remains below the alternative methodology in many counties and that providers continue to struggle with recruitment and retention. The LAO recommended aligning cost-of-care-plus increases across provider types, while CDE urged that any COLA be added to base rates rather than cost-of-care-plus payments because providers view the latter as less ongoing. CDSS said the next alternative methodology update will be developed with a contractor during fiscal year 2026-27, with public engagement and legislative input, and estimated that fully transitioning to rates informed by the methodology would take about 24 months once policy and funding are in place. CDSS also said the direct-service cost of care under the methodology was estimated at about $18.7 billion in a July 2025 report. A major point of contention was the proposed reduction of 4,167 child care slots due to lower federal CCDF funding and reduced Proposition 64 revenue. CDSS said it expects to absorb the reduction through unspent funds and relinquishments so currently enrolled children are not disrupted, while the LAO supported the reduction as a way to avoid worsening the structural deficit. Members strongly objected to the slot cuts, arguing the administration has repeatedly proposed reductions after prior budget agreements and emphasizing the economic and family benefits of child care. The committee also discussed preschool enrollment trends, including growth in three-year-old enrollment and a sharp increase in two-year-olds served under a temporary provision, with CDE warning that the temporary two-year-old authority expires in 2027. The committee also reviewed an $11.5 million Proposition 64 proposal for child care infrastructure grants for facilities impacted by 2025 state disasters, especially the Los Angeles fires, and members asked for trailer bill language to make the funds flexible for repairs, equipment, insurance, and permitting. On trailer bill items, the panel discussed codifying family fee reimbursement rules, defining excessive unexplained absences to allow disenrollment after prolonged nonuse, and expanding temporary provider absences; CDSS said the absence policy is meant to mirror federal CCDF rules, while CDE said it is already pursuing its own rulemaking. The hearing also covered prospective pay, with CDSS and CDE saying they are waiting for final federal guidance before moving ahead; LAO said the state could save ongoing costs if the federal requirement is rescinded. Finally, the committee reviewed staffing and support budget requests for CDSS and other implementation items, and held several items open for further discussion before the May Revision. Public comment overwhelmingly urged full funding for child care slots, true cost-of-care payments, and ongoing support for early education programs and county offices of education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2 relates to the paid family medical leave insurance program established, notice requirements
• Senate Bill 2 is identical to my House Bill 1207, which establishes a paid family medical leave program
• Delegate from Richmond City, Delegate Dr. Carr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.
• Delegate from Richmond City, Delegate Carr. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a cognate to HB 1046.
• Senate Bill 706 relates to the Department of Health opioid antagonist distribution program reports.

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session Part 2, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it Justice Programs policy bill.
• The Office of Justice Programs engages in research efforts including program evaluation that may involve
• </c> Justice Programs. Justice Programs.
• </c><00:57:03.640><c> engages</c> The Office of Justice Programs engages The Office of Justice Programs
• </c> in research efforts including program in research efforts including program evaluation<00:57:07.920

Bills: HF3951 , HF4005 , HF962 , HF4585 , HF3870 , HF4542 , HF3893 , HF4293 , HF4075 , HF4057 , HF3809

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, biometric data, consent, data protection, civil penalties, privacy laws, HF4585, Minnesota, harassment restraining order, HRO, restraining order, temporary restraining order, petitioner notice, service of process, law enforcement notification, sheriff

Transcript Highlights:

• These fine young ladies are here for the state championship tournament here in the Capitol City.
• It was online with a small number of senators that attended in the chamber.
• It was online with a small number of senators that attended in the chamber.
• Then we brought in other clarifying language on how that grant program would operate.
• Then we brought in other clarifying language on how that grant program would operate.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they offer Over 200 of them, so they offer distinctive athletic and educational programs, striving
• These four delegates are from the Youth Senate and Youth Assembly leadership for the program.
• The program is in its 78th year.
• Welcome to our YMCA Youth and Government Program delegates.
• And in that same vein, on behalf of Senator Smallwood-Cuevas, Senators please welcome the Culver City

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would the Association for Cities and Counties have been consulted at all on this legislation?
• This will provide a voluntary program so that if an employer of a contractor wanted to contribute into
• Again, it is a voluntary program, and it is a new section of code with a lot of definitions there.
• But I think in this particular situation, we're just looking at a small box right now.
• They did a loan program with their vehicle, so a title loan, essentially.

Committee: House Business

Summary: The House Business Committee introduced several RS measures and advanced one bill. RS 33-267, from Rep. Cheatham, would exempt four-plex dwellings from mandatory sprinkler requirements to reduce housing costs and would add heat-detection devices in new construction to address garage fires involving lithium-ion batteries. Members discussed whether heat detection was already being added in the rules package, and some expressed concern about changing prior sprinkler policy, but the RS was introduced. RS 33-022, a travel insurance regulatory framework based on a national model act, was also introduced after testimony that it would standardize consumer protections, disclosures, licensing, and a free-look period. RS 33-208, on third-party litigation financing, was introduced with support for disclosure requirements and a prohibition on foreign adversary participation. RS 33-065, aimed at reducing barriers to manufactured housing by easing zoning treatment and covenant restrictions, was introduced despite questions about consultation with cities and counties. RS 33-274, creating a voluntary portable benefits plan for independent contractors, was introduced after questions about how it would interact with existing benefit plans and whether contributions would be limited to hiring parties. The committee then heard House Bill 530 on oral chemotherapy parity. Rep. Bruce and Rep. Green described the bill as a response to cancer patients facing much higher out-of-pocket costs for oral anti-cancer drugs than for IV treatments, and several witnesses, including Susan G. Komen, a cancer patient, a St. Luke’s pharmacist, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, testified in support. They said the bill would not create new coverage mandates but would require equal cost-sharing treatment for oral and IV anti-cancer medications, helping patients avoid delayed or abandoned treatment. Members debated whether the bill should include a $250 monthly cap on out-of-pocket costs; the sponsors said the substitute RS removed that cap while preserving parity, and some members preferred the cap for predictability. A motion to table the bill failed, and HB 530 was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The substitute RS 33-222 was then introduced. Finally, RS 33-262, from Rep. Skog, was introduced to cap interest and fees on loans from non-regulated lenders, targeting payday and title lending practices described by supporters as predatory and trapping borrowers in cycles of debt. Members raised concerns about whether the cap could reduce access to short-term credit, while supporters cited examples of 200% to 300% or even higher effective rates. The committee also noted existing Idaho usury law questions during discussion. The RS was introduced, and the meeting adjourned after announcements about upcoming floor and committee schedules.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:41:03.119><c> But</c> the property tax relief program. But the property tax relief program.
• So, you have a small scale, right?
• </c> thanks for having us in your fair city. thanks for having us in your fair city.
• program for the tax refunds.
• hall and say, "Hey, city council.

Committee: Joint Revenue

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Loan program, Senate.
• Mo Works, Jeff City, the house, the difference is the one-time. 20, 10, Mo Works, Jeff City, House, the
• Department operations contractual audits, Senate. 6.200 audit program offset. Audit program offset.
• Pertaining to MoHealthNet's prescription drug program and the costs associated with the 340B program
• I mean, it is a statutory program.

Committee: House Conference Committee on Budget

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we see attacks and policies on programs we see attacks and policies on programs uh<00:16:09.279>
• And so we have a lot literacy programs?
• So we are talking about giant programs.
• </c> because it is a fee for service program because it is a fee for service program and<00:21:14.640
• ><c> has</c><00:21:16.159><c> cost</c> and so far that program has cost and so far that program has cost

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Sen. Erin Maye Quade, Rep. Esther Abad, and other Minnesota DFL legislators held a press event focused on responding to Trump administration and federal Republican actions that they said threaten health care, education, housing, public health, and other state services. Speakers argued Minnesota must not make “false trade-offs” between core services and should instead protect programs like Medicaid, school funding, disability services, nutrition, and public health by raising additional revenue and closing tax breaks for wealthy individuals and corporations. Rep. Abad and others outlined possible revenue options, including a fifth-tier income tax, a corporate rate match, closing tax exemptions for luxury items and second homes, a social media tax, and ending data center tax exemptions. They said these measures would not fully replace possible federal cuts, but could help mitigate harm and preserve services. Several speakers also criticized Republican opposition to tax increases and said the state should ask wealthy taxpayers and corporations to contribute more. Testimony from Olivia Dylan, a laid-off Minnesota Department of Health epidemiologist, described the impact of federal public health funding cuts and MDH layoffs on outbreak response, nursing home support, lab work, and tribal public health. Sean Leaden of SEIU Local 284 described low pay and staffing shortages among hourly school workers and said underfunding has hurt students and employees. Sen. Doran Clark and Rep. Emma Greenman framed the issue as both a budget and democracy question, arguing that federal cuts and attacks on public programs undermine self-governance and community well-being. In response to questions, speakers said Minnesota cannot fully backfill expected federal Medicaid losses, but can use state tools to reduce harm and should press Republicans to identify what services they would cut instead.