Transcript Highlights:

• We have healthcare workers on the front line, faith leaders, community organizers, and first generation
• HB 4462 by Harless relating to authorizing certain counties to contract for outside legal counsel in
• HB 4483 by Hefner rulings to the funding mechanism for the regulation of workers' compensation and workers
• AG 4827 by relating to the contract of the professional services rendered to the school district for
• Issue 44,830 by FELA relating to the regulation of service contractors and service contract providers

Transcript Highlights:

• That means that these drivers do not have workers' compensation.
• It does not have the same guarantees for workers.
• Well, workers' compensation benefits would need to be provided immediately.
• And the workers' comp claim may take years to go.
• The workers' comp claim may take years to get reimbursed.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• It started to become a difficult situation for those workers.
• And lately, threats against election workers have increased. increased.
• and we look forward to working with you to protect our election workers.
• That was like accidentally. done by a worker or fraudulent deletion?
• I think an impatient poll worker, perhaps.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're making good contract.
• Occasionally we would have to seek for workers’ comp, but we’ve so far been able to manage workers’ comp
• for your workers? for your workers?
• I see contracts that EAB is now contracted $8 million, I think, when I'm adding them all up.
• I see contracts that EAB is<02:09:06.159> now<02:09:06.800> contracted<02:09:07.440>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It states that the Veterans Services Department's analysis would allow the department to contract for
• It will supplement that, and the need for two-term employees and contracting requirements.
• Under the existing requirements, we would need both full-time employees: one as a contract manager at
• We currently do have a licensed social worker on our staff under our health care coordination so that
• For us to undertake having a social worker to start providing services and managing a... ...of having

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and heard two bills from Representative Martinez. House Bill 56 would appropriate $1 million to the Department of Veterans Services to expand behavioral health and suicide prevention efforts for veterans. Supporters, including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Veterans Services, the Disability Coalition, New Mexico Professional Firefighters, the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, and NAMI New Mexico, said the funding would help veterans navigate a difficult system, improve outreach in rural areas, and address New Mexico’s high veteran suicide rate and related alcohol and drug deaths. Committee members asked about whether the program was new or an expansion of an existing effort, how services would be delivered, and whether outreach would reach homeless and rural veterans. The secretary explained that the bill would augment an existing Suicide Prevention Act program, use contracts with outside providers rather than direct services, and require two term employees for contract management and outreach. The committee voted 7-1 to give HB 56 a due pass and send it to the next committee. The committee then heard House Bill 55, which would create an income tax deduction for retirement income earned by first responders, similar to an existing benefit for military retirees. Supporters argued it would help recruit and retain firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders, and could encourage retirees to move to New Mexico and contribute economically. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal impact, the lack of a sunset, the narrow definition of first responder, and Taxation and Revenue Department concerns that the bill could reduce general fund revenue by about $6.1 million in the first year and might not attract retirees on its own. The sponsor said he had not yet met with Tax and Rev but would do so, and noted he was open to a sunset if it helped the bill move forward. Despite concerns, the committee voted 7-1 to pass HB 55 to the next committee, with members explaining their votes and emphasizing that the bill would receive further vetting in Tax and Revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• These excluded workers perform similar work to their co-workers, contract the same illnesses, are exposed
• and adult workers.
• similar work to their co-workers similar work to their co-workers contract<00:05:01.759> the<
• > they full-time workers and adult workers they full-time workers and adult workers they are<00:05
• <00:20:10.440> and worker less for a part-time worker and worker less for a part-time worker

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This means fewer opportunities for many workers who are already in the pipeline.
• These workers are disproportionately immigrants, and I...
• and having the information to call out for help for other workers.
• We contract with these entities to do cleanup in these areas.
• contract to clear your home.

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 692 prohibited employment contracts that require workers to pay their employers a debt if they leave
• their job, regardless of whether that worker was fired, laid off, or quit.
• debt employment contracts would therefore not apply until January 1, 2027.
• This bill strengthens the Inspector General's office by giving it position classifications and contract
• We're simply ensuring that every workplace training covers the full scope of what workers are actually

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and first took up a large consent calendar. It moved a set of bills to the Assembly Floor consent calendar by unanimous vote, including AB 1773, 1785, 1828, 1873, 1918, 2001, 2085, 2173, 2412, 2536, 2644, and 2781, and separately approved another group of unanimous bills not eligible for floor consent, including AB 1544, 1555, 1614, 1621, 1637, 1704, 1816, 1933, 2529, 2559, 2663, and 2731. The committee then heard several individual bills, with each author describing the measure and witnesses generally testifying in support; no organized opposition was recorded on the bills discussed. Among the measures heard, AB 2393 would create fixed statutory damages for certain false imprisonment and arrest claims, while exempting peace officers, custodial officers, and public entities. AB 1697 would delay implementation of a recently enacted prohibition on employment contracts that require workers to repay employer debts if they leave a job, and AB 2534 would extend Domestic Violence Prevention Act restraining order protections to attempted forced marriages and survivors of forced marriages. AB 1608 would strengthen the High-Speed Rail Inspector General’s office by adding staffing and contracting authority, requiring public reports, and allowing limited temporary confidentiality for sensitive information; the bill drew questions from members about transparency and whether information could be withheld, but the author and Inspector General said the measure would increase accountability and only allow narrow, time-limited confidentiality. The committee also approved AB 1916, which would allow American Sign Language interpreters to participate in the same collective bargaining process as other certified court interpreters, and AB 1803, which would require anti-hate speech training as part of workplace harassment prevention training for employers with five or more employees. AB 1821 would change Public Records Act response timelines from calendar days to business days, with local government sponsors arguing it would better reflect actual processing time for broad and complex requests without reducing access. AB 1919 would establish election procedures to let voters decide the future of Santa Cruz Metro service funding after a one-time grant expires. Each of these bills was moved forward on due pass votes, with some members not voting on certain measures. The committee then approved a long suspense file, and the remaining suspense bills were deemed approved without further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is emergency dislocated worker money.
• It's what we saw in the workers' comp. We just talked about.
• No, that is a city contract with Tetra Tech, and that is their money.
• So if they signed a contract, why are we asking for more?
• This is based on the contracted rate and also additional offenders.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Slide three on your contracting.
• Are you contracting with all those New Mexico companies, or are some of those contracts out of state?
• The more you spend on a contract... contract, the greater your odds of failure.
• , out-of-state workers?
• states are being successful in that, i.e., remote workers, out-of-state workers.

Transcript Highlights:

• In service of this aim, since 2023, the Public Education Department (PED) has contracted with Panorama
• So to become a licensed social worker, you would need a master's degree.
• I was thoroughly impressed as a master-level social worker myself.
• supervising social worker or psychologist.
• When I I entered into school as a licensed master level social worker.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you may have heard, Integrion has decided not to renew its contract.
• We're not waiting for the large contract statewide.
• So, we have the Workers' Compensation Fund put up by one agency.
• And even the attorney fees are capped in the Workers' Compensation Fund.
• And thank you to all of our state workers.

Transcript Highlights:

• And did you have a contract with DEED? Yes.
• with deed yes and then uh based contract with deed yes and then uh based on<00:14:22.240> your
• <01:34:25.760> and become positive productive workers and become positive productive workers
• training and preparing more workers training and preparing more workers helps<01:43:21.520> to
• We anticipate we'll definitely meet contract goals or exceed them.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SF 818, a request for funding for the Block Builders Foundation, which provides financial literacy and job-readiness training for youth. Senator Fate and testifiers described a 12-week program covering budgeting, savings, banking, credit, debt, career exploration, job preparation, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. They said the program served youth ages 13 to 19, had expanded to multiple cohorts, and had produced graduation ceremonies and job placements. Testifiers also said the organization had transportation challenges and limited space, and that additional funding would help with staffing, participant support, and transportation partnerships. Committee members asked extensive questions about the program’s outcomes, funding sources, and finances. Block Builders said it had 40 graduates in the most recent cohort, with 30 placed in jobs, and that participants who complete the program receive a $500 stipend. The organization said it had been operating since 2023 in North and South Minneapolis, had received $50,000 from the state previously, and raised additional community support. Members also asked about IRS filing status, audits, and how outcomes were measured; the organization said outcomes were tracked through graduation and certificates, and that it had not yet filed a 990 because it had not reached the threshold. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, with committee members noting the current language makes the appropriation available only through June 30, 2026 unless amended. The committee then began hearing SF 927. An A1 technical amendment was adopted without objection. Senator Pappas introduced the bill, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Mung American Partnership for workforce development and business lending. The transcript cuts off before further testimony or committee action on SF 927.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cooperative technology contracts cover hardware, software, and IT services.
• for hardware, software, and IT services. and what the cooperative technology contracts for hardware,
• It was expanded in 2019 to include school counselors and social workers.
• The department also contracted with a third party for coordinating the placement of off-duty officers
• In 2019, this legislative body added school counselors and school social workers.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cafeteria people and other kinds of workers there that are also suffering from the heat.
• The rest is in the bid process or hasn't been awarded yet in a contract, but those contracts will be
• It cost these two healthcare workers their lives.
• We want to give them the tools to protect their workers and patients.
• This includes police, patient safety officers, risk managers, and mental health workers.

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, as far as community health workers as well.
• Madam Chair and Representative, it actually leaves open the possibility to contract.
• It actually leaves open the possibility to contract.
• I mean, on your first page, lines 19 through 21, it says that you would contract with, sorry, contract
• It also sends a clear message on behalf of the state of New Mexico: we value health care workers.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in contracts review. K-1.
• Service contract.
• The service contract.
• , not an intergovernmental contract.
• These are in-state contracts. There are 22 contracts.

Summary: The committee heard a series of appropriation requests and contract reviews across multiple sections. In Section B, members approved temporary appropriations for the Court of Appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics, and Insurance-related payments and refunds. Section C ARPA requests from DHS were approved to return unused federal funds. Section D infrastructure-related appropriations, including wildfire preparedness, broadband BEAD funding, forestry support, recycling, and oil and gas sample preservation, were approved after questions about broadband audit controls and performance safeguards. Section E DHS reallocations were approved, including large transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical to private and public nursing home lines, along with smaller transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services; members asked about the source and purpose of the medical services transfer. Sections F and G were reviewed, covering cash fund requests, federal grants, and miscellaneous grants, including community college storm repairs, corrections commissary and maintenance, 911 enhancements, maternal health, disability determinations, state police equipment, digital newspaper archiving, and CDL data improvements. In Section H, the committee reviewed pay plan appropriations and performance fund transfers tied to the new Class and Comp pay plan. Section I reviewed three methods of finance for UA Little Rock, UAMS, and the University of Arkansas system. In Section J, the committee reviewed discretionary grants, including a $1.4 million HIV services grant and nine tobacco prevention subgrants through UAPB. Members questioned the effectiveness, metrics, and addresses of some tobacco-cessation arts-based grantees, especially Arts Absolutely Inc.; after discussion, Representative Kavanaugh moved to expunge the vote on J2 and refer it back for review at a later ALC meeting, and that motion passed. J3, a Department of Energy and Environment grant for propane safety training and e-waste recycling services, was then reviewed. The committee also reviewed contracts in Section K. K-1 ratified emergency management nuclear planning work performed during a transition between agencies. K-2 construction contracts included architectural and engineering services for corrections, National Park College signage, a Razorback Road parking facility, and UAMS cyclotron installation. K-3 intergovernmental contracts covered health, education, autism waiver, stroke, newborn screening, Medicaid evidence review, and radiation testing services. K-4 out-of-state contracts included staffing, IT, tobacco prevention, audit, marketing, planetarium, recruitment, and janitorial services; Senator Irvin noted one contract appeared to belong in the out-of-state list rather than intergovernmental. K-5 in-state contracts covered staffing, cleaning, re-entry and treatment services, foster care and disability services, hearing officers, asbestos abatement, campus IT support, and janitorial work. The meeting ended after a brief personal update from Senator Irvin about tornado damage in Stone County and thanks to members for their concern, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:13:12.639> some<00:13:12.800> paths contract issues which have some paths contract
• They were going to be contract workers, so they weren't people within the system necessarily, but they
• workers.
• So, they weren't be contract workers.
• So that's really really contracts.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• mention the risk to our contracted mention the risk to our contracted employees<00:16:04.680>
• The Producers to come into a contract The Producers to come into a contract with<01:02:00.240>
• <01:02:16.799> it's any say in that in that contract it's any say in that in that contract
• mpca and once they're in that contract mpca and once they're in that contract the<01:03:09.599><
• pro reaching out and having contracts pro reaching out and having contracts with<01:13:54.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there. ...and harassed just because they were hotel workers there.
• This would help support our small businesses, consumers, and workers.
• , electricians, and day workers.
• And yet the data shows that we've had very productive workers.
• So I do... ...the data shows that we've had very productive workers.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.