Transcript Highlights:

• Page 8, Section 3, Subsection B, line 12: strike 'seven' and replace it with 'three.'
• Page 8, Section 3, Paragraph B, line 12: strike seven and replace with three.
• Page 8, Section 3, Subsection B, line 12: strike 7 and replace with 3.
• Page 11, line 15: replace 7 with 3. Page 12, Section 4, C.
• Section 4D, line 12: strike 12 months and substitute 3 years.

Bills: SB20 , SB111 , SB211 , SB218 , SB14

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• Section four sets the effective dates.
• c> framework</c><00:21:17.280><c> by</c> Section one updates the framework by Section one updates the
• ><c> changes</c><00:21:37.120><c> to</c> Section two makes parallel changes to Section two makes parallel
• </c> Section 4 sets the effective dates. Section 4 sets the effective dates.
• 30</c> until Thursday, February 26 at 3:30 until Thursday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m.?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:29.960><c> that</c> uh Governor's recommended section that uh Governor's recommended section
• </c><00:08:18.639><c> in</c> 14879 million 25 there is a section in 14879 million 25 there is a section
• /c> bayum and then fishing game about $3 bayum and then fishing game about $3 million<00:16:13.600><c
• section toward the end relating to section toward the end relating to Historic<00:21:12.240><c> horse
• This budget also includes a 3% rate decrease across the board for Medicaid providers.

Summary: The House Finance Committee met for final approval of HB 1 and HB 2, with legislative budget staff Michael Kain reviewing the final amendment documents and surplus statements. Kain explained that HB 1474H and HB 1484H incorporated the committee’s prior votes and the Governor’s recommended sections, and he walked through the budget math for the general fund, education trust fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He said the committee’s proposal remained balanced overall, though the current-year general fund showed a projected deficit that HB 2 would address by allowing a possible rainy day fund transfer if needed. He also noted that the committee’s revenue estimates were below the Governor’s, requiring reductions and adjustments to appropriations and lapse assumptions. Members discussed the rainy day fund provisions, including a section in HB 2 that suspends existing restrictions so a transfer can be made if the deficit materializes. Kain said the committee’s approach differed from the Governor’s because the state was not below the overall revenue plan, and the fiscal committee would retain a role in determining any transfer. He also summarized that the Highway Fund would end with about a $13 million balance and Fish and Game with about $3 million, both without additional general fund support. The committee then adopted two amendments to HB 2 unanimously: Amendment 1473H, a technical cleanup to the Group 2 retirement seven-year rule, and Amendment 1482H, a technical correction to the recreational services language. Amendment 1484H, which incorporated those changes into HB 2, was adopted on a 14-1 vote after minority members objected to the bill’s broader cuts and policy changes, including reductions to state agencies, health and human services, and education-related provisions. The committee also adopted Amendment 1474H to HB 1A on a 14-1 vote after similar debate over budget reductions, vacancies, university funding, and school spending limits. Finally, the committee voted 14-1 to report HB 1A and HB 2 as amended as ought to pass, with the minority voting no and the committee planning a full House presentation the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our 3:00 p.m. delayed start.
• For all 25th, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
• </c> item is House Bill 2458 House Draft 3. item is House Bill 2458 House Draft 3.
• Anyone else that wishes House Draft 3.
• </c> 2458 House Draft 3. 2458 House Draft 3.

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided. The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown. In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days. Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> certain Tuesday, February 17th at 3 p.m. certain Tuesday, February 17th at 3 p.m. when<00:06:51.120
• I think section three, oh, actually section 2B2 may allow some flexibility, but we want to make sure
• I think section three, oh, actually section 2B2 may allow some flexibility, but we want to make sure
• ><c> um,</c><00:24:46.720><c> which</c> also in section three, um, which also in section three, um, which
• Decision-making on Tuesday, February 17th at 3 p.m. here in Room 225.

Bills: SB2064 , SB2662 , SB2862 , SB2343 , SB2075 , SB2781 , SB2927 , SB3068 , SB3015 , SB2929 , SB2938 , SB3230 , SB3249 , SB3332 , SB3216

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Summary: The committee met on February 12, 2026, to take decision-making on measures previously heard earlier in the month. Several bills were deferred indefinitely or set for later discussion, including SB 2064 on the Office of the State Architect, SB 3068 on procurement, and SB 3216 after its contents were moved into another measure. SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, SB 2781, and SB 315 were all deferred to Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225 for further work. The committee also noted that if technical problems interrupted the meeting, it would reconvene later for outstanding decision-making. The committee passed SB 2343 on the Legislature with amendments incorporating language from SB 3216, technical changes, and a defective date of 2525. SB 2075 was advanced as a Senate draft 1 after amendments responding to constitutional concerns raised by the attorney general and SPO. SB 2927 on procurement was also passed with amendments clarifying debriefing requirements and adding technical changes, and SB 2938 on search and rescue was amended to place the position in Hima rather than the Governor’s office before being adopted. SB 3249 on procurement protests was amended to remove the term "frivolous," reduce the forfeiture to half the bond amount, and note unresolved issues, then adopted. The committee also took up SB 3332 on state-funded travel, amending it to remove certain lines, report travel by position number to protect confidentiality, remove subsection G, and add a defective date of 2525; it was adopted. SB 2929 on public notice was amended into a pilot project for counties with populations between 100,000 and 175,000, with a year-end report to the Legislature, and was adopted. Later, the committee returned to SB 2094 on environmental action levels, heard testimony from the Department of Health in support of its current scientific process and from an environmental caucus witness in strong support of the bill’s transparency and petition provisions, and then deferred decision-making to February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225. In the joint hearing portion, SB 3233 on agricultural workforce housing drew generally supportive testimony from ADC, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the State Procurement Office, with concerns focused on clarity, flexibility for smaller farms, and avoiding concentration of benefits in one large operation. The committee ultimately recommended passing SB 3233 with the State Procurement Office’s clarifying amendments and the Hawaii Farmers Union’s amendment to ensure workforce housing incentives benefit multiple farmers, and the measure was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2415, an act amending section 34-401 and section 36-7-905. It was an advice statute.
• 0-3, 36-9-0-3-6, 9-0-3-8, 0-6-8-0-8-0-0-8-0-1.
• Amending Title 41, Chapter 203, Article 3, advice. Section 4,125, linking to the procurement code.
• Amending Section 34-01 and 36-795, as advised. Appealing Section 36-955-0-1-0-0, advised.
• Amending Section 34-01 and 36-795 as a statute.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the journal. The body then extended the session under Rule 27 and agreed to request House consent to adjourn until April 27, 2026. It moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2170 (procurement code-related), HB 2415 (kratom regulation), HB 2700 (housing technology study committee), and HB 2950 (special districts/tourism improvement areas). Amendments were adopted on HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2950, and the committee reported HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2700 do pass; HB 2950 was later defeated on third read. The Senate also heard a brief welcome for visiting students and a personal privilege statement on Earth Day and environmental issues. The Senate then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for HB 2035 (child welfare and placement), HB 2249 (parental bill of rights), and HB 2573 (DUI/local referendum-related language). HB 2035 received a Warner amendment expanding the definition of extended family to include adoptive family members; HB 2249 received a Mesnard amendment adding liability and technical changes; and HB 2573 received a Rogers technical amendment. All three were reported out do pass as amended. On third read, HB 2573 passed 20-9, with several senators explaining opposition based on referendum and emergency-clause concerns tied to a Marana data center dispute; HB 2170 passed 17-12; HB 2415 passed 22-7; HB 2035 passed 26-3; and HB 2249 passed 17-12. HB 2950 failed 10-19. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 2043, substituting it for the Senate version and sending it to third read. The resolution, which calls for a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms, passed 16-13 after several senators warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and the lack of limits on its scope. The House’s message on adjournment was read, committee meetings for April 27 were announced, and members made personal privilege remarks, including birthday wishes and an announcement about the annual legislative charity softball game. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• That section includes your capital outlay appropriations.
• On row 15, you'll see the section called unit value changes.
• So there's no changes here in this section from FY26.
• new section.
• Those students who qualify for Section 504, we did check.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3C, Florida Constitution, and Section 11.01, Florida Statutes, do hereby proclaim.
• And Section 11.01, Florida Statutes, do hereby proclaim: Section 1, that the Legislature of the State
• of Florida is convened in special session pursuant to Article 3, Section 3C, Florida Constitution, and
• Section 2, that the Legislature is convened for the sole and exclusive 14th, 2025.
• Section 3, that the committees and subcommittees of either house of the Legislature are authorized to

Summary: The Florida Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and pledge, then the Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation stated the session was called to address immigration-related legislation, including measures to coordinate with federal immigration enforcement, create a state immigration board, restrict benefits for undocumented immigrants, create offenses related to non-citizen voting, strengthen detention and bail rules, require identification in state interactions, and provide funding and penalties related to enforcement and officials. The Senate read the filed bills first time: SB 2C and SB 4C, both relating to immigration, and SM 6C, a memorial urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. The President and several senators discussed the immigration package, emphasizing support for President Trump’s immigration agenda, funding for law enforcement, and cooperation with the governor and House. The President also condemned threats and violent rhetoric directed at Commissioner Simpson and his family, and Senator Pizzo echoed concerns about threats and urged senators to discourage inflammatory social media behavior. The Rules Chair announced the Appropriations Committee would meet the next day, and the Senate adopted motions waiving rules to place SB 2C, SB 4C, and SM 6C on the special order calendar for Thursday, with an amendment deadline tied to the Appropriations Committee meeting. Another motion sent bills filed outside the call to the Rules Committee for review. Senator Burgess recognized USF Health medical and resident students in the gallery. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 13, or upon the call of the President.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2041, enacting Section 8-201 relating to child neglect.
• House Bill 4043, amending section 15-1207, relating to public schools.
• Senate Bill 1242, amending Sections 36-50-101, 36-50-39, 36-5-40, 4-4-3, 3-5-203, and 5-203-10, relating
• Senate Bill 1448, amending Section 13-124, as amended by Laws 2025, Chapter 172, Section 2, relating
• House Bill 2874 and act in section 169.28, 169.34, 169.37.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3 of the bill establishes a state-level tariff that is ostensibly for data centers.
• Section 3 of the bill establishes a state-level tariff that is ostensibly for data centers.
• We have concerns with Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, and we're offering constructive redlines focused on
• We do have concerns with one section of the bill at the end of Section 3, which assumes that the utility
• We do have concerns with one section of the bill at the end of Section 3, which assumes that the utility

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2515, which addresses emerging large energy use facilities, especially data centers. Staff explained that the bill requires utilities to adopt tariffs or policies for data centers, adds reporting and sustainability requirements, sets renewable energy targets, and creates a sales tax exemption for certain eligible data center equipment in eastern Washington. The House sponsor said the bill is intended to protect ratepayers, grid reliability, water resources, and Washington’s climate goals as data center growth accelerates. Tribal representatives and several environmental and labor witnesses urged restoring provisions removed from the House version, especially authority to curtail data center load during energy emergencies and to refuse service if reliability or affordability would be harmed; they also asked for stronger water reporting and protections for salmon. Utility, business, and data center industry witnesses supported the bill’s general framework but raised concerns about implementation, costs, and some of the added requirements, while some opposed the tax exemption and the loss of earlier protections. No final action on 2515 was taken during the hearing portion shown. The committee then heard and acted on several bills in executive session. It passed Substitute House Bill 1302, which allows municipal utilities to waive connection charges for industrial symbiosis projects. It also passed House Bill 2338 on community-scaled weatherization projects after rejecting an amendment, and House Bill 2367 on eliminating preferential treatment for a coal-fired plant after rejecting an amendment. Substitute House Bill 2496 on tribal consultation by the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council was amended and then passed, while amendments to change public meeting and tribal summary provisions were rejected. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225 on AI companion chatbots, House Bill 2426 on PCHB efficiency and appeals, House Bill 2606 on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, Engrossed House Bill 2575 on reducing reporting obligations, and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2215 on Climate Commitment Act compliance for fuels were also advanced, with some amendments adopted and others rejected. The committee then reopened public hearing on House Bill 2416, which would treat a Spokane waste-to-energy facility differently under the Climate Commitment Act by allocating no-cost allowances in the second compliance period and requiring a decarbonization and waste-reduction plan. Spokane city officials, labor, environmental groups, and Ecology generally supported the bill as a balanced approach that protects ratepayers while allowing the facility to decarbonize, though Avista raised a concern about language implying a utility compliance obligation. After that, the committee resumed testimony on House Bill 1170, which requires large AI providers to offer provenance tools and disclosures for AI-generated or altered images, video, and audio. Supporters said the bill would help workers and consumers identify synthetic media and prevent impersonation and misinformation, while industry and civil liberties witnesses argued the bill is technically difficult, uses new definitions, and may be unworkable or premature compared with California’s evolving approach.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will move forward with an update on the SR 3 freight corridor.
• Again, a double-roundabout configuration at SR 3 and Lake Flora Road.
• The importance of the SR 3 corridor is essential.
• The SR 3 corridor is vital for those efforts.
• Then, in Section 303, this is a new item.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on two major corridor projects before moving to public hearing and executive session. In the Yakima area, WSDOT, Yakima County, and Ecology described the Interstate 82/east-west connector work as a coordinated effort to add capacity, improve interchanges, and address the Boise Cascade mill site contamination that sits in the project footprint. County and Ecology witnesses said the county is ready to remove wood waste and contaminated material, but the project is stalled pending a draft work plan and a de minimis consent decree; several senators pressed for faster action and clearer direction from Ecology. The committee then heard an update on the SR 3 Belfair freight corridor, where WSDOT said environmental review is complete and the next major step is an access hearing this summer, followed by right-of-way acquisition and construction likely in late 2027 or early 2028. Local and tribal partners emphasized the project’s importance for freight mobility, housing growth, emergency access, and regional economic development. The public hearing was on engrossed substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources bill that largely tracks provisions from prior legislation but also adds or changes several tax and account provisions. Staff explained that the bill clarifies fuel tax and peer-to-peer tax distributions, treats trade-in value differently for recreational vessel and luxury vehicle taxes, provides a six-month motor home exemption and penalty waiver for the luxury vehicle tax, allows lease payments to be made over time, exempts tribal members and nonresidents, creates a Preserve Washington account, changes some transfer timing, and repeals the luxury aircraft tax. Testimony was mixed: aviation groups supported repealing the luxury aircraft tax; trucking and some citizens opposed fuel tax and diesel tax increases; Sound Transit, transit advocates, labor, and ferry interests asked for amendments such as 75-year bonding authority, mobile driver’s licenses, ferry funding, and bike education funding. Alaska Airlines and Delta also supported adding mobile ID language. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills, including SHB 1823, SHB 2114, E2SHB 2251, SHB 2323, SHB 2410, EHB 2588, 2SHB 1923, and HB 2495, all with due pass recommendations after adopting amendments where applicable. The committee adopted a striking amendment to E2SHB 2251 adjusting Climate Commitment Act account distributions and a striking amendment to EHB 2588 limiting the ferry district changes to Whatcom County and removing the voter-approval tax provision. It also adopted an amendment to 2SHB 1923 that added further conditions for passenger-only ferry districts, including whale-protection and fare-related provisions. Senator King voted no on E2SHB 2251, objecting that the bill reduced the transportation share of Climate Commitment Act revenues. The chair announced one more executive action meeting would be held Wednesday morning, with amendment requests due the prior day.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:25:11.000><c> is</c><00:25:11.120><c> the</c> Section 3 is straightforward and is the
• Section 3 is straightforward and is the same<00:25:11.480><c> language</c><00:25:11.920><c> passed</
• Section 3 adds 26 V.S.A. subsection 1396, pathway to licensure for internationally trained physicians
• Section<00:47:58.120><c> 3</c><00:47:59.120><c> adds</c><00:47:59.440><c> 26</c><00:48:00.200><c> BSA
• Section 3, effective date. This act shall take effect upon passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking at section 401.1.
• It's section 650, so it's page 488. Page 488, section 650.
• The next section is section 010.01.8.I, which is on page 270.
• The last section I wanted to cover is section 060, which is violations on page 291.
• And we deleted that section.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• It's 3:15 p.m., and we're in Conference Room 225.
• Previously, the measures were heard on February 3, 2025.
• 15</c> sp730 and that concludes our 3:15 sp730 and that concludes our 3:15 deferred<00:02:41.680><c>
• I just want to highlight our comment regarding section three.
• Um, maybe the definition section is broader.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: On the deferred agenda, the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs took up SB 1364, which makes emergency appropriations for law enforcement personnel costs, and SB 1452, which relates to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The chair recommended both measures pass with amendments, including technical corrections and a committee-report effective date of July 1, 2077. For SB 1364, the amendments included specified general fund and transfer fund amounts for DAGS, the Judiciary, and the Department of Law. For SB 1452, the chair said the bill was being corrected to fix a drug-name error that had been replicated from a federal mistake. Both recommendations were adopted by vote, with Senator Dort excused. The committee then discussed SB 1612, a joint measure on fitness to proceed that would require and appropriate funds for a five-year pilot program involving the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Health, with interim and final reports to the Legislature. Testimony was mixed: the Judiciary and Department of Health were supportive, while the Office of the Public Defender and the Disability Rights Center opposed it, arguing it conflicted with best practices and the Clark consent order, and that people found not fit to proceed must be sent to the state hospital. DCR said its main concern was that the bill would still require patients to be housed in its facilities, which it said are not rehabilitative and are already strained by staffing shortages and limited access. The bill’s author argued the proposal was meant to create joint custody and reduce the high cost of state-hospital placement, but the committee did not take final action in the portion provided. In the joint hearing with Health and Human Services, the committees heard SB 1322, a broad rewrite of the state mental health code. The Attorney General supported the measure as a comprehensive cleanup and modernization effort, but many testifiers raised concerns. Queen’s Health System and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation supported the concept but warned about emergency-room impacts and asked for amendments; IHS supported the bill with a caveat about assisted community treatment procedures; and the Public Defender, Disability Rights Center, and others opposed parts of it, citing due process, privacy, HIPAA, counsel rights, liability immunity, and the reduction of an involuntary-treatment panel from three clinicians to one psychiatrist. The hearing also covered SB 951 on child protection, where the Department of Defense supported the bill and proposed technical amendments and MOUs with military components to clarify reporting and coordination procedures; DHS and the Attorney General said they were still working through possible changes. Finally, SB 228 on excited delirium was heard, with the Public Defender and Disability Rights Center supporting the bill and arguing the term has been misused and that better police de-escalation training is the real solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot support H.J.R. 3.
• H.J.R. 3 does none of those things.
• H.J.R. 3 does not create new rights. environmental rights. H.J.R. 3 does not create new rights.
• Under H.J.R. 3, resources.
• Additionally, H.J.R. 3, as written, does not repeal Article 20, Section 21 on pollution control, but

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• My first question is related to Section 4 and that documentation of radiation levels after a landowner
• I'm including him in the bill because it's been a 3 or 4 your conversation.
• My first question and is on line. 31 line, 29 31 it references a section 3. 78.2, 1, 3, Is that of forward
• Section 3.78, 2, 1, 3, Yeah. Online. 34 it says Reid section to Section 3, 7, 8, 0.2 thousand.
• So those sections, 30 allies, 30 33 with the and so those are 2 provisions that this bill is creating

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill contains two sections.
• This section also 12 and under.
• </c> uh statute which is section uh 2605. uh statute which is section uh 2605.
• 30</c> until Thursday, February 5th at 3:30 until Thursday, February 5th at 3:30 p.m.?
• </c> February 5th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. February 5th, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Governor's Council said in response, because race-based provisions in Article 3, Section 20, are
• The executive branch position on this is that the rest of Article 3, Section 20, cannot be saved.
• Senator Smith: This language is new to me as it relates to Article 3, Section 20A of the Constitution
• 3, Section 20?
• The executive branch position on this is that the rest of Article 3, Section 20 cannot be saved.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D / House Bill 1D, which would establish Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Sen. Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a redistricting plan two days earlier and argued that mid-decade redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based districting is unconstitutional. Much of the floor time was spent in extended questioning about the process, the lack of public hearings compared with prior redistricting cycles, the use of population estimates from the Census/EDR/ACS, compactness scores, and whether the Governor’s office used partisan data or outside consultants. Gates repeatedly said he was relaying the Governor’s proposal and legal theory rather than offering his own legal opinion, and he said any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. A major portion of the debate focused on the U.S. Supreme Court’s newly issued Calais decision and its implications for the Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators questioned whether the decision struck down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, whether it affected Florida’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering, and whether the Legislature should postpone action to review the ruling. A motion to temporarily postpone the bill failed by voice vote and then by recorded vote, 12 yeas to 23 nays. Senators also raised concerns that the proposed map cracked minority communities, including Latino and Black populations in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, and that it would produce a heavily Republican-leaning map despite the state’s voter registration mix. After debate on the Senate bill, the chamber substituted the identical House companion bill, read it a third time, and proceeded to final debate. Opponents argued the map was an illegal partisan gerrymander, was based on assumptions rather than verified data, and would likely lead to litigation. Supporters maintained that the Governor had authority to propose a congressional map, that the plan was race-neutral, and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The transcript ends during continued debate on House Bill 1D, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was actually a separate Section 11 item 5.
• I think the prior one was actually item 3 in the bill.
• Going to the bottom of the table, this is also a reference to item 3, Section 11 for 2024.
• Laws of 2022, special appropriation, Section 9. Laws of 2020, special appropriation, Section 9.
• Laws of 2024 special appropriation, Section 9.

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, you'll see at the end of the sections that there is a section about not requiring a compact
• of Albuquerque there in the northwest section.
• That's in another section of law.
• Senate Bill 3 in the negative. Senate Bill 3 as amended has duly passed the Senate.
• 64-164-1-23 NMSA 1978, being Laws 1965, Chapter 34, Section 3.