Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:48.400> American illegal aliens act that protect American illegal aliens act that protect
• this resolution is about protecting this resolution is about protecting American<02:44:48.680>
• <02:54:13.600> public Industry in order to protect public Industry in order to protect public
• This is a matter of conscience.
• principle this is a matter of conscience principle this is a matter of conscience there<07:24:20.920

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This will protect the stability of the dental safety net system and help avoid a breakdown in access
• 1, 2026 to January 1, 2028.<00:04:05.439> This<00:04:05.680> will<00:04:05.840> protect
• <00:04:06.239> the<00:04:06.480> stability<00:04:06.879> of This will protect
• I can't<00:41:38.240> in<00:41:38.480> good<00:41:38.720> conscience<00:41:39.680
• vote um or I can't in good conscience vote um or I cannot<00:41:42.800> allow<00:41:43.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe you have chosen quiet when your conscience yearned and craved for boldness.
• He called us to protect the vulnerable, not scapegoat them. Now, let's talk about Dr. King.
• <00:14:29.360> scapegoat protect the vulnerable, not scapegoat protect the vulnerable, not
• Where are the ones who don't like politics when policy determines who is protected and punished?
• <00:15:45.839> and determines who is protected and determines who is protected and punished

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, January 19, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with the pledge of allegiance, prayer, roll call, and approval of the previous day’s journal. Members introduced a large block of House bills (331 through 380) and journalized several bill reassignments, including House Bill 174 to Environment and Transportation and House Bill 296 to Ways and Means and Economic Matters. The chamber then turned to a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day address delivered by the delegate from Calvert and Prince George’s County, which focused on Dr. King’s legacy, moral courage, rest as resistance, protecting vulnerable communities, and the need for legislators to move beyond ceremony into action on civil rights, voting rights, and justice. The speech also highlighted Maryland’s early recognition of King’s birthday, the restoration of a neglected graveyard near the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and the state’s history of diverse leadership. After the address, the House memorialized and journalized the speech. The remainder of the session consisted largely of announcements: caucus meetings were scheduled for the next day, including Democratic, Republican, Royal, women’s, rural, and running caucus gatherings; the women’s caucus said it was accepting numbered bills for review and possible sponsorship; and the Montgomery County delegation continued a food drive for the Upcounty Hub. Members also welcomed several guests and constituents to the gallery, including District 22 visitors, a delegate’s daughter, and a delegate’s son. The protocol chair then introduced a group of student pages from several counties and schools. The House took a second roll call, confirming 132 members present, and then adjourned on motion of the majority leader until Tuesday, January 20th at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• that if a person went through the process through the courts to make sure that their address was protected
• natural, scenic, historical, and cultural values, and determine if it's the smallest necessary to protect
• We'd modernize the 75-foot voter protection zone for drop boxes and voting locations, increasing election
• We'd modernize the 75 foot voter protection zone for drop boxes and voting locations, increasing election
• Vote your conscience, sir. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair. Vote your conscience.

Bills: SB1037, SB1040, SB1259, SB1281

Keywords: elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway, tabulation equipment, secretary of state, certification, decertification, HAVA, Help America Vote Act, ballot images, audit logs

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:31.400> for of comprehensive protections for of comprehensive protections for employees
• These protections are in place to protect farm workers.
• few protections for what they do. few protections for what they do.
• that these are protected. that these are protected.
• solidifying protections for workers. solidifying protections for workers.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This change will better enable members to vote their conscience and provide for a more accurate voting
• 43:15.920> their better enable members to vote their better enable members to vote their conscience
• and provide for a more conscience and provide for a more accurate<00:43:18.760> voting<00:43:
• violates constitutionally protected violates constitutionally protected First<00:48:40.160> Amendment
• on Rules and Procedure, is one of those committees described in part three, and it enjoys this protection

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House convened, completed roll call with 48 members present and three excused, deferred reading of the journal, and received Senate communications noting adoption of House Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2. The chamber also recognized several visiting groups and guests, including Congresswoman Jill Tuda, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii participants and students, Okinawan visitors, Farrington High School students, James Campbell High School students, and Waiau High School students, many of whom were introduced in connection with Chamber Week activities and educational presentations. The main business was unfinished business on House Resolutions 6 and 7, which adopted the House rules for the 33rd Legislature, including rules for the Committee on Standards of Conduct. Members generally supported the rules package as a transparency and modernization update, citing earlier public access to testimony, a public list of Speaker appointees, changes to conference committee eligibility, telework for staff, social media guidance, and a public list of bills introduced by request. Several members raised reservations or opposition, focusing on concerns about staff involvement in approving written remarks, budget information timing, the Vice Speaker’s role, social media/free speech issues, and whether some changes reduced public access or conflicted with constitutional open-meeting requirements. No vote on the rules package is recorded in the excerpt. The debate ended with multiple members yielding time and the discussion continuing on the merits of the proposed rule changes, especially the balance between transparency, internal House procedure, and public participation.

Bills: HB145, HR1, SB29, SB37, SB193, SB58, SB64, HB195, HB234, HB279, HB287, HB292, HB303, SB30, SB35, SB40, SB43, SB48, SB96, SB143, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM39, HM29, HM43, HM59, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB332

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation, subpoena power, public corruption, criminal activity, Zorro ranch, Santa Fe County, public accountability, government oversight, impeachment power, children and vulnerable persons, public funds

Bills: SJR 4, SCR 36, SCR 37, SCR 38, SCR 39, SCR 40, SCR 41, SCR 42, SB 7, SB 30, SB 31, SB 32, SB 33, SB 34, SB 36, SB 37, SB 38, SB 39, SB 1851, SB 1852, SB 1853, SB 1854, SB 1855, SB 1856, SB 1857, SB 1858, SB 1860, SB 1861, SB 1862, SB 1863, SB 1864, SB 1865, SB 1866, SB 1867, SB 1868, SB 1869, SB 1870, SB 1871, SB 1872, SB 1873, SB 1874, SB 1875, SB 1876, SB 1877, SB 1878, SB 1879, SB 1880, SB 1881, SB 1882, SB 1883, SB 1884, SB 1885, SB 1886, SB 1887, SB 1888, SB 1889, SB 1890, SB 1891, SB 1892, SB 1893, SB 1894, SB 1895, SB 1896, SB 1897, SB 1898, SB 1899, SB 1900, SB 1901, SB 1903, SB 1904, SB 1905, SB 1906, SB 1907, SB 1908, SB 1909, SB 1910, SB 1911, SB 1912, SB 1913, SB 1914, SB 1915, SB 1916, SB 1917, SB 1918, SB 1919, SB 1920, SB 1921, SB 1922, SB 1923, SB 1924, SB 1925, SB 1926, SB 1927, SB 1928, SB 1929, SB 1930, SB 1931, SB 1932, SB 1933, SB 1934, SB 1935, SB 1936, SB 1937, SB 1938, SB 1939, SB 1940, SB 1941, SB 1942, SB 1943, SB 1944, SB 1945, SB 1946, SB 1947, SB 1948, SB 1949, SB 1950, SB 1951, SB 1952, SB 1953, SB 1954, SB 1955, SB 1956, SB 1957, SB 1958, SB 1959, SB 1960, SB 1961, SB 1962, SB 1963, SB 1964, SB 1965, SB 1966, SB 1967, SB 1968, SB 1969, SB 1970, SB 1971, SB 1972, SB 1973, SB 1974, SB 1975, SB 1976, SB 1977, SB 1978, SB 1979, SB 1980, SB 1981, SB 1982, SB 1983, SB 1984, SB 1985, SB 1986, SB 1987, SB 1988, SB 1989, SB 1990, SB 1991, SB 1992, SB 1993, SB 1994, SB 1995, SB 1996, SB 1997, SB 1998, SB 1999, SB 2000, SB 2001, SB 2002, SB 2003, SB 2004, SB 2005, SB 2006, SB 2007, SB 2008, SB 2009, SB 2010, SB 2011, SB 2012, SB 2013, SB 2014, SB 2015, SB 2016, SB 2017, SB 2018, SB 2019, SB 2020, SB 2021, SB 2022, SB 2023, SB 2024, SB 2025, SB 2026, SB 2027, SB 2028, SB 2029, SB 2030, SB 2031, SB 2032, SB 2033, SB 2034, SB 2035, SB 2036, SB 2037, SB 2038, SB 2039, SB 2040, SB 2041, SB 2042, SB 2043, SB 2044, SB 2045, SB 2046, SB 2047, SB 2048, SB 2049, SB 2050, SB 2051, SB 2052, SB 2053, SB 2054, SB 2055, SB 2056, SB 2057, SB 2058, SB 2059, SB 2060

Keywords: economic stabilization fund, state finance, constitutional amendment, budget management, financial security, public safety, university property, peaceful assembly, law enforcement coordination, disruptive protests, balanced budget, federal debt, fiscal responsibility, Texas governance, national budget, Tomato Suspension Agreement, trade, economic impact, tariffs, Texas-Mexico relations

Transcript Highlights:

• We can protect taxpayers' dollars and make sure the program stays strong.
• Bureau, one of the only agencies set up to protect military and veteran consumers.
• It's our turn to ensure that they're protected from scams and fraud.
• I encourage all my colleagues to protect our veterans by supporting the V-SAFE Act.
• CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU, THE RESULTS OF PROTECTING MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS BY THAT PARTICULAR

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them did come back, but I couldn't in good conscience encourage any of them to come back to get
• And I again couldn't in good conscience try to steer them away from that, knowing that they're going
• encourage any of them to come conscience encourage any of them to come back<00:20:54.000> to<
• <00:21:11.280> uh<00:21:11.520> try again couldn't in good conscience uh try again
• DCBS has been proactive in its efforts DCBS has been proactive in its efforts to protect children and

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met in September 2025, established a quorum, introduced new member Larry Forester, and approved the minutes from the August 26 meeting. The main presentation came from Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton and Assistant Superintendent Sarah Johnson, who discussed the district’s work serving English language learners and multilingual students, including immigrant and refugee families. They said Warren County now serves roughly 5,500 multilingual students out of about 19,000 total, representing about 92 languages and 90 countries, with 57 certified multilingual teachers, a GO Center, migrant and refugee advocates, and the state’s first international high school. The presenters emphasized that the district welcomes immigrant families and that students and parents generally value public education, but they described major challenges tied to accountability and funding. They explained that multilingual students are tested after one year in the system, even though many need more time to become proficient in English and grade-level standards, and they argued that current graduation-rate rules can unfairly penalize schools when transient students enroll briefly and then leave. They also said the cost of serving this population has risen sharply, with special revenue and especially general-fund spending increasing substantially over the past decade, prompting the district to reallocate resources from EL teacher assistants toward translation technology and additional certified staff. Committee members asked questions about how long-term multilingual students compare with the general student body and whether the district’s data show similar graduation outcomes. Clayton said he did not have the specific comparison data at hand but believed students who stay K-12 generally reach proficiency. He and Johnson asked legislators to consider giving students more time before accountability measures apply and to shift some graduation accountability from individual schools to the district level for highly transient populations, while still maintaining accountability. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's missing several protections for families.
• teachers to follow the child protective teachers to follow the child protective act<01:06:45.400
• I could have quietly voted my conscience, could have followed the party line, but, Mr.
• <05:26:18.718> could have quietly voted my conscience could have quietly voted my conscience
• This bill seeks to carve out key exceptions to those protections, specifically the protections against

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It will protect lower income well.
• This is shocking to the conscience.
• This is shocking to the conscience.
• And I've given my conscience speech before.
• And I've given my conscience speech before.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A 25-year window ensures meaningful protection without being indefinite.
• I believe that every child and every family deserves to be protected.
• You can protect kids and protect the liberty of adults. You can do the right thing.
• Let me aid in your class to protect kids while protecting people's freedoms and life choices as adults
• And it certainly protects people's privacy. So I urge a yes vote.

Bills: SB1015, SB1049, SB1066, SB1081, SB1092, SB1133, SB1134, SB1139, SB1147, SB1148, SB1168, SB1189, SCR1001, SCR1002, SCR1005, SCR1010

Keywords: gender transition, detransition, healthcare liability, medical malpractice, youth protection, legal action, Arizona law, spousal maintenance, court guidelines, self-sufficiency, financial support, marriage dissolution, child safety, dependency cases, attorney regulation, foster care, legal representation, probation, dangerous crimes, children

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects victims who are unable to come forward due to fear.
• This proposal would not protect American values. It betrays them.
• This is about protecting our civil liberties. This is about protecting our rights.
• You're not protecting democracy; you're restricting it.
• You protect the office of the president.

Bills: SB1018, SB1037, SB1568, SB1687, SB1825, SCR1001

Keywords: foreign law, Sharia law, cultural practices, women's rights, marriage laws, domestic violence, honor killings, Arizona legislation, elections, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security, internet connectivity, offline voting, chain of custody, polling place equipment, counting center, central counting center, election management system, EMS gateway

Transcript Highlights:

• Protection for officers who are acting lawfully.
• to protect citizens from unlawful use of excessive force.
• So I think what you're saying is that that protection kind of replaces this other protection for citizens
• , exist right alongside the protection for civilians that law enforcement... ...right alongside the protection
• This bill will improve safety, strengthen privacy protection, and privacy protection.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and visiting groups, including the Challenger Learning Center, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, Zeta Phi Beta, Pine Forest High School students, and others. Senators also noted President Albritton’s recovery and upcoming caucus and appointment announcements. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which increases penalties for crimes against law enforcement officers and other personnel, including making manslaughter of an officer punishable by mandatory life imprisonment without release and clarifying resistance to officers. Senator Leek described the bill as a compromise intended to honor Officer Jason Rainer, while Senators Rouson and Bracy Davis offered and then withdrew amendments. Senators Pizzo, Berman, Smith, Polsky, and others questioned the bill’s impact on self-defense, officer conduct, jury instructions, prosecutorial discretion, and the removal of language regarding unlawful force by officers. Supporters argued the bill corrects confusion and strengthens protections for officers; opponents said it removes civilian protections and imposes disproportionate mandatory sentencing. The bill passed 31-4. The Senate then passed SB 168 on public nuisances, expanding nuisance law to include gambling establishments and increasing penalties; SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives; SB 292 and SB 298 creating public records protections for appellate clerks and dating-violence victims; SB 296 establishing the HAVEN alert platform study and expanding address confidentiality protections for domestic violence victims; SB 364 modernizing CPA licensure; SB 386 creating protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserving or extending public records and meeting exemptions, including SB 7000, SB 7202, SB 706, SB 708, SB 7012, SB 7014, and SB 7016. Most passed with little or no opposition, though some of the public-records measures drew a few nays. At the end, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify passed bills to the House and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protection for officers who are acting lawfully.
• to protect citizens from unlawful use of excessive force.
• So I think what you're saying is that that protection kind of replaces this other protection for citizens
• , exist right alongside the protection for civilians that law enforcement... ...right alongside the protection
• The civilian loses protection and law enforcement gains authority.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions recognizing guests and visiting groups, including the Challenger Learning Center, the Florida Dental Hygienists Association, school students, and other local officials and organizations. Members also offered remarks about President Allbritton’s recovery and upcoming events, including State of Black Florida Week and a future executive appointments calendar. The main floor debate centered on Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 156, which revises criminal penalties involving law enforcement officers. The bill clarifies that resistance to an officer with violence is not justified when the officer is performing official duties, removes language stating an officer is not justified in using force if the arrest or duty is unlawful and known to be unlawful, and adds mandatory life imprisonment for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. Senators offered competing views: supporters said the bill corrects a verdict-form and charging problem exposed in the Officer Jason Rainer case and honors his family, while opponents argued it removes civilian protections, expands police authority, and imposes disproportionate mandatory sentencing. Two amendments were offered and withdrawn, and the bill passed 31-4. The Senate then passed a series of bills, mostly on public records and regulatory topics. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling establishments and increased penalties; SB 288 narrowed statutory ambiguity affecting rural electric cooperatives; SB 292 and SB 298 created or extended public-records protections for appellate court clerks and victims of dating violence in the Address Confidentiality Program; SB 296 created the HAVEN initiative to study a secure alert system for domestic violence victims and expanded confidentiality protections; SB 364 modernized CPA licensure pathways; SB 386 created protections for farm equipment purchasers; and several Open Government Sunset Review bills preserved exemptions for emergency shelter information, Department of Military Affairs records, conviction integrity unit records, Public Service Commission and Gaming Commission proceedings, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles investigatory records, social media platform investigations, and certain economic development loan-program financial records. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition, and the Senate waived rules so all bills passed that day could be immediately certified to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 437 offers flexibility, protection.
• And above all, to protect the safety of the public.
• while protecting the employer's confidential information.
• while protecting the employer's confidential information.
• Are we there to protect kids or not protect kids?

Summary: The Senate convened with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions and introductions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. The chamber then took up a motion to reconsider the prior day’s failed vote on CS for SB 1080 (local government land regulation), which was adopted without objection, and moved into the special order calendar. A series of bills were debated and mostly passed, often after substituting House companions. Measures approved included funding for expedited DNA testing grants, additional aggravating factors in capital cases, fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients, commuter rail indemnification, migrant vessel disposition, specialty license plates, an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign, relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University, charter school changes, sexual offender registration updates, utility worker assault/battery penalties, juvenile justice revisions, student mental health outcome reporting, foster home licensure transfers, water access facilities, Florida Virtual School changes, school readiness resources for children with disabilities, sexual images/child exploitation penalties, tampering with electronic monitoring devices, certified recovery residences, the FSU Election Law Center, the Office of Faith and Community, and bonuses for county tax collector/property appraiser employees. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, school social workers, and brownfields. Debate centered on public safety, health care access, education, recovery housing, and government administration. Some of the most substantive discussion came on the Office of Faith and Community bill, where an amendment to bar political activity by office staff was offered and defeated after extended debate over election-related communications and the proper scope of existing ethics laws. The certified recovery residences bill also drew extensive support and testimony about addiction recovery and housing stability. Most bills passed on strong bipartisan votes, with a few receiving notable opposition, including the charter schools bill, the aggravating factors bill, and the Office of Faith and Community bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reasonable force is protecting my family, my privacy, and my property.
• This will likely strengthen background checks and investor protection.
• And above all, to protect the safety of the public.
• while protecting the employer's confidential information.
• protect kids?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including guests from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Clay County, and a moment of silence for Pope Francis. Members then moved to the special order calendar after adopting a motion to reconsider the earlier failed vote on CS/SB 1080, which was temporarily postponed. The chamber also temporarily postponed several bills during the day, including measures on social media use by minors, veterans’ nursing homes, Parkinson’s disease, mental health and substance use disorders, education, educator preparation, benefits for certain officers injured in the line of duty, Brownfields, and school social workers. The Senate passed a series of bills with little or no opposition, often substituting House companions for Senate bills. These included expedited DNA testing grants for law enforcement; additional aggravating factors in capital felony sentencing; fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients; commuter rail indemnification; disposition of migrant vessels; specialty license plates; an Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign; relocation of the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys to Florida Memorial University; charter school changes; registration rules for sexual predators and offenders; assault and battery penalties for utility workers; juvenile justice revisions; reporting of student mental health outcomes; foster home licensure transfers; water access facilities and boating-related funding; Florida Virtual School changes; school readiness program improvements; protections against lewd sexual images of children; age-related criminal offense provisions; tampering with electronic monitoring devices; certified recovery residences; and codification of the FSU Election Law Center. Most of these bills passed overwhelmingly, though the charter school bill and the aggravating factors bill drew more divided votes. One of the most debated measures was SB 820, codifying the Office of Faith and Community. Senator Polsky offered an amendment to bar political activity by office employees while on duty and using government resources, citing alleged election-related emails and concerns about mixing government and religious influence. Supporters argued the amendment was needed as a guardrail; opponents said existing law already covered the conduct and that the amendment could be confusing or overly broad. The amendment failed 13-23, and the underlying bill passed 27-9 after extended debate about faith, politics, and the office’s role. Another notable debate involved SB 954 on certified recovery residences, where senators emphasized the need for stable housing in addiction recovery and the bill passed unanimously after supportive remarks from members who had personal experience with recovery. The Senate also passed SB 674 on bonuses for county tax collector and property appraiser employees after questions about safeguards and the purpose of the bonuses.

Transcript Highlights:

• and outside influence, and that their objectives align with our constituents' priorities, namely protecting
• I would have asked whether she agrees with Planned Parenthood's position that religious conscience protections
• Specifically, we have developed a licensee rights and protections document that includes rights of conscience
• Yes, and we have developed a licensee rights and protections document. Okay, that was just a yes.
• And that really is consumer protection.

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could they get in trouble, and are there protections for these teachers? Mr.
• My protection, I want my protection to go to the teachers first, and I want it all the way down to the
• My protection, I want my protection to go to the teachers first, and I want it all the way down to the
• Speaker and gentlelady, we have to start protecting our teachers. And, Mr.
• to protect students.

Bills: HB111, HB103, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB145, HB154, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB38, HB47, HB63, HB64, HB127, HB165, HB184, HB200, HM20, HM51

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