Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these safeguards block the model outright from certain activities, like writing ransomware.
• Some of these safeguards block the model outright from certain activities, like writing ransomware.
• And my team learns from investigating misuse and feeds this straight back into what we want to block
• Every day, we are blocking up to almost 31 billion cyber events.
• Every day, we are blocking up to almost 31 billion cyber events.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how frontier AI is changing cybersecurity, with testimony from OpenAI, Anthropic, Palo Alto Networks, California OES/Cal-CSIC, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Witnesses said AI is making attacks faster, cheaper, and more scalable, while also giving defenders new tools for vulnerability discovery, incident response, and patching. Several recent incidents were discussed, including AI systems autonomously reaching real production systems during testing, and AI-assisted cyber activity against critical infrastructure, especially water systems and operational technology. OpenAI and Anthropic described their internal safety and evaluation processes, including pre-release testing, layered safeguards, monitoring, and restricted access programs for vetted defenders. They discussed the recent Hugging Face and related incidents as lessons in safer testing, stronger isolation, and the need for independent review. Both companies emphasized that the same capabilities that can find vulnerabilities can also be used offensively, and said they are working to put advanced cyber tools into the hands of trusted defenders, including California agencies and utilities. State officials from Cal OES said California is expanding its cyber posture through CalSecure 2.0, the California Cybersecurity Collaboration Playbook, MS-ISAC membership, and a secure portal for reporting under SB 53. They said the state is working with CDT, local governments, and critical infrastructure partners to improve cyber hygiene, information sharing, and incident response, especially for water districts and other resource-strapped entities. Palo Alto Networks described the scale of current threats and the value of machine-speed defense, virtual patching, and attack-surface monitoring. Lawrence Livermore warned that open-weight models pose distinct risks because they can be downloaded, modified, and used without developer oversight, and argued that the U.S. should not cede leadership in that space to China. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with calls for continued collaboration and follow-up briefings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Block or even limit anyone's ability to access the church building. Thank you for the question.
• President, it seemed like they didn't block or limit anyone's ability to access the church building.
• Just to let you know, they blocked the driveway. People were getting into the driveway.
• They blocked the front of the church, where you couldn't get into the church.
• You can block. You do all the things that you do when you protest. It doesn't restrict that.

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080 , SB1226 , SB1456 , SB1462 , SB1463 , SB1980 , SB1479 , SB1608 , SB1923

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these safeguards block the model outright from certain activities, like writing ransomware.
• And my team learns from investigating misuse and feeds this straight back into what we want to block
• We want to enable all of that while at the same time blocking destructive actions, credential theft,
• Every day, we are blocking up to almost 31 billion cyber events every day.
• Every day, we are blocking up to almost 31 billion cyber events every day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid, block grant. Food stamps, block grant.
• Medicaid, block grant. Food stamps, block grant.
• Medicaid, block grant. Food stamps, block grant.
• All of the things that we discuss... ...Food stamps, block grant.
• It means a vendor can be blocked from submitting a bid to the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Block. Thank you. Mr. Chair, Jay Block, Rio Rancho in Northwest Albuquerque.
• Chair, Senator Block, again, that's a VA cemetery.
• Chair, Senator Block, that is the intent of the VA. That's the best I can say.
• Chair, Senator Block, that is only the Veteran Service Organization.
• Chair, Senator Block.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Representative Block. Well, this will help in a number of ways.
• As I mentioned, I've mentioned, Thank you, Representative Block.
• Madam Chair, Representative Block, I hope I have the same analysis as you.
• Thank you, Representative Block, for the clarification.
• It’s a question that Representative Block brought up.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 206, which would expand eligibility under the Crime Victims Reparation Act to cover additional offenses: simple assault, simple battery, criminal sexual contact, and robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. The sponsor, the Crime Victims Reparation Commission, and multiple supporters said the change would help victims access compensation for medical care, counseling, lost income, and related costs, with no added state administrative burden. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then took up HB 20, which would allow Native American designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people who provide proof of membership in a federally recognized tribe. Sponsors and tribal supporters said the designation could help with identification, Turquoise Alert notifications, and jurisdictional issues, while also serving as a voluntary option for tribal members. Some members raised concerns about possible profiling, lack of consultation with every tribe, and the absence of data from other states; supporters responded that the designation is optional and intended to assist, not harm. The bill passed 4-2. HB 52, a technical cleanup bill correcting statutory cross-references after prior competency-law amendments, passed unanimously 6-0. HB 58, which updates the telephone harassment statute to include electronic communications such as texts and social media, also passed 6-0 after supporters said the current law is outdated and too limited for modern harassment cases; committee members discussed possible definitional refinements. HB 57, allowing certain lab analysts and toxicologists to testify by interactive video in misdemeanor and DWI cases, drew support for efficiency and reducing travel burdens, but also concerns about confrontation rights and technical drafting issues; it passed 6-0 with a no recommendation. Finally, HB 79, which would lower the burden of proof for juvenile probation violation hearings to a preponderance standard, drew strong opposition from defense advocates and a law student who argued it would reduce due process protections for youth; after debate, the committee tabled the bill on a 4-2 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senator Block followed by Senator Trujillo. Senator Block. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Thank you, Senator Block. That'd be Senator Nava or Senator Lopez.
• Thank you, Senator Block. We do have further debate. Senator Rizzo. Mr.
• Senator Block. Her name is Noel. Congratulations once again, Senator Brandt. Senator Block.
• President, and Senator Block. Thank you for all your remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were built in the 1950s, cinder block.
• Senator Block. Let her come in at the end, so you can go ahead, Senator Block. Thank you, Mr.
• Chair, Senator Block. I can get you really good detail, but the quick answer is no.
• Chair, Senator Block, I'll have to get back to you.
• Senator Block. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Nicole, for the brief.

Transcript Highlights:

• The nerve block. And if you could call the roll, please. Then our Block, aye. Then our Charley.
• Senator Block, aye. Senator Charley. Senator Gallegos. Senator Nava. Senator Pinto.
• Senator Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Just a couple of quick questions.
• Madam Chair, Senator Block, let me back us up a moment. Senator Block, let me back us up a moment.
• Senator Block, yes. Senator Charley, yes. Senator Gallegos, yes. Senator Nava, yes.

Bills: SB21 , SB42 , SB81 , SB101 , SB139

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• This data, however, is not broken down into the granular detail you need at the census block level to
• So the census blocks, that's the smallest unit of geography provided to us for the purpose—when I say
• We cannot assign them to census blocks or equalized population based on those estimates, so...
• census blocks, provided to us by the Census Bureau.
• So sometimes it just necessitates, as I showed you the block lines.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard a Governor’s Office presentation on a proposed congressional reapportionment map. The governor’s counsel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be considered at all in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection law and should be treated as non-severable. The presentation also discussed the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision as part of the legal rationale for the map. Jason Parada, who said he drew the map alone, described the map as based on 2020 census block data, with county-level population estimates used only as a guide to identify faster-growing areas. He said the plan keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores similar to the current benchmark map, and uses traditional geographic and political boundaries such as roads, railways, county lines, and municipal lines. He walked through regional changes, emphasizing a race-neutral redesign that significantly altered South Florida, including changes to districts in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Everglades, while leaving several northern districts largely unchanged. Members questioned the witnesses extensively about the legal theory, the use of partisan data, the role of race, population growth, and the timing and review of the map. The witnesses said partisan data was considered along with other traditional redistricting criteria, but race was not used. They also said they could not speak to who else reviewed the map beyond EOG staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns about the map’s compactness, county and city splits, the apparent partisan effects, and the fact that the map was released shortly before the special session. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This data, however, is not broken down into the granular detail you need at the census block level to
• We cannot assign them to census blocks or equalized population based on those estimates, so...
• those census blocks provided to us by the Census Bureau.
• Because every one of those census blocks I talked about before Would not be in compliance.
• Because every one of those census blocks I talked about before has to be accounted for.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a presentation from the Governor’s office on proposed congressional reapportionment. Executive Office of the Governor counsel Mo Jazeel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be used in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection principles and, in the executive branch’s view, are inseverable. Jason Parada then presented the proposed map, explaining that it was drawn using 2020 census block data, with county growth estimates used only as a guide, and that the plan was designed to be race-neutral while also considering compactness, county and municipal boundaries, and other traditional redistricting criteria. He said the map keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores comparable to the current map, and makes the largest changes in South Florida, with some districts remaining unchanged and others reconfigured around population shifts and geographic boundaries. Members questioned both presenters extensively about the legal basis for disregarding the Fair Districts Amendment, the use of partisan data, the absence of racial analysis, and whether the map truly reflects population growth. Jazeel said the executive branch’s position is that race-based provisions in the state constitution cannot be used if they conflict with the U.S. Constitution, and that the forthcoming U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Calais could further clarify the law. Parada said he did not use race in drawing the map, did use partisan information as one of several traditional criteria, and relied on 2020 census data for population equality. Senators also pressed him on who reviewed the map, why the public and legislators had limited time to review it, and whether the plan was intended to favor Republicans; Parada denied partisan intent and said he was the only person who moved lines on the map, though he consulted with other Executive Office of the Governor staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns that the map did not clearly reflect Florida’s recent population growth, that some districts remained highly irregular, and that the plan appeared to be based on a legal theory contingent on future court rulings. The presenters responded that congressional districts must be equal to the person, that growth estimates can only guide orientation rather than replace census data, and that the map was designed to preserve as much of the existing structure as possible while making the largest adjustments in South Florida. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the excerpted portion of the meeting, and the committee continued with questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This data, however, is not broken down into the granular detail you need at the census block level to
• So the census blocks, that's the smallest unit of geography provided to us for the purpose—when I say
• We cannot assign them to census blocks or equalize population based on those estimates.
• And then in the central part of Pasco County, it's sometimes difficult to find block lines to divide
• those census blocks provided to us by the Census Bureau.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• They're able to navigate uncertain times, that block grant.
• A hundred for the student block?
• Yeah, for the discretionary—are you talking about the student block grant?
• And then lastly, I just wanted to uplift the Student Support Block Grant.
• And we will move on to issue six, which is the student support block grant.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that is what the bill is done, and they will just block those days out as a school holiday.
• And that is what the bill is done, and they will just block those days out as a school holiday.
• And that is what the bill is done, and they will just block those days out as a school holiday.
• And that is what the bill is done, and they will just block those days out as a school holiday.
• They'll use those as a block those off and not use those as a in-school day.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Elections Committee met in executive session first and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2387, which combined HB 2387 and HB 2480. The substitute removed provisions on extending no-excuse in-person absentee voting and shortening the absentee voting window, shifted the presidential candidate filing fee to be set by state party committees, and added language to bind presidential delegates to primary results while allowing national party rules to control where required. Members discussed the legal basis for delegate binding, party input on the substitute, and the role of closed primaries, then the committee voted 10-2-1 to do pass HB 2387 as substituted. The committee also passed House Bill 1987 and House Concurrent Resolution 23 without opposition, and passed House Bill 1802 after members discussed election transparency and concerns about applying the measure uniformly across counties; the vote was 11-2. In public hearing, the committee heard House Bill 2605, which would update election notice requirements, especially for bond elections. Sponsor Rep. McGaugh and the State Auditor’s office said the bill would address technical publication errors that had jeopardized voter-approved bond issues by allowing notice defects to be cured if no election contest is filed within 30 days, while also allowing one newspaper publication and one direct mailing notice. Testimony from county clerks, school administrators, a fire district, the Missouri Press Association, and others generally supported the bill as a practical fix, though one witness urged broader website posting of notices. The hearing also covered House Bill 2301, a campaign finance cleanup bill that would clarify definitions and reporting rules in Chapter 130, especially for continuing committees and indirect political spending; the sponsor said it was intended to fix ambiguity from prior law, and the only testimony in favor called for additional restrictions on recurring donations and more transparency. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1787, which would require schools used as polling places to treat election days as school holidays beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve child safety and could also help with staffing and voter participation, while members raised concerns about school calendars already being set and whether the mandate should instead be optional or delayed to a later school year. A witness in favor supported the safety goal but asked for local control and a later effective date. No opposition testimony was presented, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It raises the state and local tax deduction, the SALT, from $10,000 to $40,000, and that's from 2025
• It raises the state and local tax deduction, the SALT, from $10,000 to $40,000, and that's from 2025
• We knew that they would be back on the chopping block because of how dated they were, right?
• We knew that they would be back on the chopping block because of how dated they were, right?
• They would be back on the chopping block because of how dated they were, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Block. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senator Block. Mr.
• Senator Block voting no. Senator Block voting no.
• Senator Block. Thank you, Mr. President.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, we have the child care block grant.
• and I'm sure Andrea would be happy to come up and answer any questions you have about the child care block
• </c><00:10:09.000><c> have</c><00:10:09.440><c> uh</c><00:10:09.680><c> halfe</c><00:10:10.279><c> block
• </c> and then finally we have uh halfe block and then finally we have uh halfe block grants<00:10:11.120
• </c><00:10:27.480><c> grant</c> care block grant care block grant okay<00:10:30.000><c> I</c><00:10:30.079

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, passed over House Bill 291, and took up House Bill 479, an act related to dementia training. Rep. Derek Lewis, joined by Rep. Adriel Camel and Mackenzie Wallace of the Alzheimer’s Association, explained that the bill would provide free dementia-specific training for Adult Protective Services workers and help them better recognize and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and the needs of people with dementia. Testimony emphasized the personal impact of dementia on families, the difficulty of navigating diagnosis and care, and the need to connect families to services. A senator asked about the bill’s data and scope, and Wallace explained that the county-level figures reflected Adult Protective Services referrals and diagnosed cases of Alzheimer’s or other dementia among people 65 and older. She also noted broader public health efforts related to brain health and a federal grant effort tied to those issues. Several members spoke in support, including Sen. Denine, who described his father’s recent death after a difficult period with dementia and said the training would help families and workers identify and respond to the disease earlier. After discussion, Sen. Heron moved the bill, the motion was seconded, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass House Bill 479 with favorable expression. The chair said it should pass on the Senate floor. Afterward, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulation 921 KAR 2:100 and found it reviewed with no questions. A child care block grant item was also presented for information only, with no questions raised. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator Block. Senator Lanier. Thank you, Mr.
• Senator Block, you have the floor. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Thank you, Senator Block. We do have further debate.
• Senator Block? No. Senator Block votes no. Senator Boone? No. Senator Boone votes no.
• Senator Block. Aye. Senator Block votes yes. Senator Boone. Yes. Senator Boone votes yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If there's only one road that goes to the polling place in a community and federal agents block that
• You can block that one road, the only road in that community that leads to the polling location.
• And did he say that he was gonna come block roads?
• Madam Chair, Representative, I'm not aware of him saying he's going to block roads.
• Representative Block, for a second time. Thank you, Madam Chair, I will try to be brief.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a bill aimed at protecting New Mexico elections from outside interference and codifying emergency election procedures. The sponsor argued New Mexico already ranks first nationally in election administration, but said the bill was needed in response to threats of federal interference, including possible deployment of federal agents at polling places. The bill would create state prohibitions on stationing troops or armed federal personnel at polling places, interfering with election workers or voters, or changing voter qualifications or election rules contrary to state law. It would also create civil enforcement authority for the Attorney General, Secretary of State, county clerks, or affected voters, with injunctions and civil penalties, and make violations a fourth-degree felony. A second major section would allow emergency changes to polling locations and voting procedures during declared disasters such as wildfires or floods without first obtaining a court order, including use of mobile voting units and secure online ballot return options for some voters. The Secretary of State’s office said these procedures were already largely in rule and that the fiscal impact would be minimal, with existing voter education materials and law enforcement guides covering implementation. The office also said the bill would extend who may request law enforcement assistance and strengthen existing election offenses by adding “under color of law” language and a new offense for intentionally obstructing access to a polling place. Committee members raised concerns about definitions, possible effects on military personnel, police, federal officers, county clerks, tribal jurisdictions, and polling places on federal property, as well as the scope of civil penalties and how intent would be proven. Several members questioned whether the bill was rushed, whether all analyses had been received, and whether the emergency provisions could disadvantage rural communities if notice requirements could not be met during disasters. The sponsor and Secretary of State representative responded that the bill would not prevent qualified voters, including military members, from voting, that local police were treated differently from federal personnel, and that courts would determine intent and appropriate defendants. No vote was taken; the chair said the hearing was being held as a subcommittee and would reconvene later, likely the next day, for a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• FLASHING BEACON AS LONG AS IT IS NOT WITHIN THE INTERSECTION PER THE BILL COULD ACTUALLY BE EVERY BLOCK
• AND THESE DEVICES ARE ALREADY BEING INSTALLED AT ALL NEW FDOT MID BLOCK CROSSWALKS IN MANY AREAS OF THE
• IF IT IS A SUBDIVISION THERE REALLY IS NO NEED FOR A MID BLOCK CROSSING.
• IF IT IS IN AN AREA WHERE POTENTIALLY YOU HAVE PEOPLE CROSSING FOR EXAMPLE IF THERE'S A SCHOOL MID BLOCK
• IT'S VERY PROBABLE THEY WILL NOT GO TO THE LIGHTED INTERSECTIONS TO CROSS THEY WOULD GO MID BLOCK.