Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:15.120> for input, and develop recommendations for input, and develop recommendations
• these are actionable recommendations.
• inform our final recommendations. inform our final recommendations.
• :00.240> might<00:20:00.480> be recommendations that ultimately might be recommendations
• recommendation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The recommendation is >> Thank you chair. The recommendation is adopted. adopted. adopted.
• Your recommendation is adopted. >> Thank you, members.
• Your recommendation is >> Thank you chair. Your recommendation is adopted. adopted. adopted.
• /c><01:18:54.320> defer<01:18:54.719> this recommendation here is to defer this recommendation
• Your recommendation is >> Thank you, chair. Your recommendation is adopted. adopted. adopted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:32.880> to 2322 as amended to be recommended to 2322 as amended to be recommended to
• put together a bunch of recommendations put together a bunch of recommendations did<00:32:25.880
• <00:41:06.880> does package this this recommendation does package this this recommendation
• I would just recommend it to be sent with no recommendation.
• That's what I would recommend.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2310 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed
• Senator Betancourt moves that House Bill 2310 be recommended for the local non-contested.
• Senator King moves that House Bill 5515 be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
• House Bill 322 be recommended for the local and uncontested. Is there any objection?
• Senator Betancourt moves that House Bill 3062 be recommended for the local non-contested calendar.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cook moves that Senate Bill 1079 be reported to the full Senate with her recommendation to do
• Senator Nichols moves that Senate Bill 1243 be reported back to the full Senate with a recommendation
• It is that Senate Bill 1504 be recommended for local and contested calendars.
• Senator Gutierrez moves that Senate Bill 1851 be recommended for local and contested calendars.
• Full Senate with a recommendation to do pass and be printed. The clerk will call the roll.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:02.880> House with favorable recommendation. House with favorable recommendation.
• recommendation and with a recommendation recommendation and with a recommendation that<00:40:07.440
• Committee on recommendation.
• whole with favorable recommendation. whole with favorable recommendation.
• the whole with favorable recommendation. the whole with favorable recommendation.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and received a series of committee and conference committee reports. Committee reports advanced several bills, including House Bill 106 from Education; House Bills 1312 and 1322 from Judiciary; Senate Bill 172 from Transportation and Energy; and a large group of bills from Appropriations, many of which were sent to the Committee of the Whole, some placed on the consent calendar. The chamber also received a conference committee report on House Bill 1410, the state budget bill, which was later taken up for repassage. A special order consent calendar was then considered and adopted, advancing Senate Bills 154, 156, and 157. Those bills were described as dealing with Colorado Channel Authority Board appointments, State Workforce Development Council practices, and abandonment of a town with critical water infrastructure. The Committee of the Whole report on those bills was adopted, and they were ordered engrossed and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also adopted the first conference committee report on House Bill 1411, which concerns health insurance benefits for certain low-income individuals who are ineligible for medical assistance due to immigration status and adjusts appropriations. The report was adopted 34-0, and the bill was repassed 32-2. House Bill 1410, the long bill, was then adopted from conference committee and repassed after extended debate on funding for the ID community and related developmental disability and transition funding; the final repassage vote was 23-11. During debate, senators discussed the difficulty of the budget decisions and the need to revisit the issue with better information in the interim. Later, the Senate considered Senate Bills 17, 45, and 91 in Committee of the Whole. SB 17, concerning out-of-network health care dispute resolution, received committee amendments and was adopted. SB 45, concerning workforce development opportunities in Colorado’s nuclear sector, was amended to include a one-year sunset if funding is not raised for the School of Mines program, then adopted. SB 91, concerning exclusion of certain printed news deliverers from employee definitions in labor and employment law, drew debate: supporters said it would help preserve local newspapers and independent contractor delivery models, while opponents argued it would weaken worker protections and favor large newspaper owners. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 91.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that House Bill 4169 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it
• The question is on the motion that House Bill 4169 be reported to the full Senate with recommendation
• Chairman, I move that House Bill 4364 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation. Mr.
• Chairman, I move that House Bill 4364 be reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do
• That House Bill 4755 be reported to the full Senate with recommendation for passage.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, with several administrative reminders about floor session and the need to keep testimony focused. House Bill 4169, which expands the list of professionals who may provide the verified mental health certificate needed to petition to regain firearm possession rights, was reported to the full Senate without amendment. House Bill 4364, establishing concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government over certain military lands and related juvenile matters, was amended with technical/title changes and then reported as amended. House Bill 4366, allowing military protective orders to be used as evidence in protective-order proceedings and requiring notice to issuing agencies after arrests, was also amended and reported as amended. The committee then took up House Bill 4415, a strike-and-insert measure increasing penalties for bringing telecommunications devices and other contraband into correctional facilities, expanding the definition of telecommunications device, and adding federal correctional facilities; the strike-and-insert and title amendment were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 4606, which revises bail factors and adds language stating a magistrate may not release a felony defendant on personal recognizance, drew extensive debate and testimony from the House Judiciary chair, court system officials, and advocates. Concerns centered on whether the bill conflicted with existing code, whether magistrates should be barred from PR bonds in felony cases, and the impact on poor defendants and jail populations; an amendment to strike the felony PR-bond prohibition failed, and the bill was reported on a divided vote. House Bill 4610, expanding the Right to Try Act to include patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses and additional treatment types such as biosimilars and individualized gene therapies, was reported without amendment. House Bill 4552, clarifying that correctional officers are law enforcement officers for purposes of federal concealed-carry protections, received a technical amendment and was reported as amended. House Bill 4625, relating to the real estate transfer tax, was amended to change the valuation calculation and add/clarify exemptions, then reported as amended. House Bill 4755, adding certain offenses to the list of crimes triggering enhanced sentencing for repeat offenders, was reported with a title amendment. House Bill 4842, clarifying that civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images apply to sexual extortion and aggravated sexual extortion and establishing joint and several liability, was amended and reported as amended. Finally, House Bill 4850, requiring the State Bar to post free online educational materials about executors and administrators of estates, was amended and reported as amended after discussion about scope, disclaimers, and existing county resources; the committee then recessed for floor session, with two remaining bills postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is at the same level as the governor's recommendation.
• Other parts of that recommendation are not in the bill.
• On line 460 is a governor's recommendation to cancel a grant.
• is at the same level as the governor's recommendation.
• We, of course, recommend that you do so.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we do recommend, similar mediation.
• /c><01:04:18.840> is >> Madam Chair, your recommendation is >> Madam Chair, your recommendation
• So, our recommendation is to pass with So, our recommendation is to pass with amendments<01:12:26.840
• >> With SB 2251, the chair's recommendation >> With SB 2251, the chair's recommendation
• Um<01:15:36.560> the<01:15:36.600> recommendation<01:15:37.240> here Um the recommendation

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard. SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments. SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.

Transcript Highlights:

• on Commerce and Economic Development when amended as recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means.
• Member from Burlington. recommended by the Committee on Ways and recommended by the Committee on Ways
• We recommend that the bill ought to pass in concurrence with proposal of amendment when amended as recommended
• by the committee on ways and recommended by the committee on ways and means?
• finding and and recommendations. finding and and recommendations.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional performance by four Vermont music therapists, followed by remarks recognizing music therapy as an evidence-based profession and welcoming the performers to the chamber. The body then handled several referral and procedural matters: Senate Bills 212 and 328, and Senate Bill 325 after an Environment Committee report, were referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A because of revenue impacts. The House also read HCR 263, congratulating the 2026 Mount Mansfield Union High School Division 1 championship girls basketball team, and members offered brief congratulations and announcements, including a birthday greeting for the Chief of Staff, notice of an art social, and a reminder about the House Adjournment Pool benefiting Good Samaritan Haven. The House voted to move Senate Bill 206, relating to licensure of early childhood educators, from Government Operations and Military Affairs to Human Services. It then took up House Bill 951, the state budget bill, suspended rules to consider it immediately, and voted not to concur with the Senate’s proposal of amendment. The House requested a committee of conference and appointed Representatives Shay, Feltes, and Lumley to serve on the House side, then suspended rules again to message its action to the Senate forthwith. In the orders of the day, the House passed House Bill 902 on amendments to the City of Barre charter, and passed Senate Bills 142, 179, 227, 230, and 298 in concurrence with proposals of amendment. Action on Senate Bill 223, relating to water quality, was postponed for two legislative days. The House then considered Senate Bill 327 on economic development, hearing detailed testimony from the Commerce and Economic Development, Ways and Means, and Appropriations committees. The bill would support small businesses, repeal the VEGI sunset, create hospitality and culinary workforce initiatives, revise the Rural Industrial Development Grant Program, authorize cash rounding when pennies are unavailable, and establish a C-PACE financing program. Ways and Means offered nine amendments, including changes to VEGI limits, grant language, rounding notice provisions, and C-PACE timing and tax clarifications; the House adopted the amendments and proposed the bill back to the Senate as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we will seek action on those recommendations.
• We will be recommending funds budgeted to be spent in Q4 be reallocated to projects with gaps who can
• We'll also be recommending interest funds be used to address the projects with Q4 expenditures.
• We would like to make a motion to recommend appropriating up to $10,582,596 in interest funds to the
• We will also be recommending the appropriation of interest funds to address these gaps.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the first bill on the calendar together with committee recommendations.
• The clerk will read the first bill on the calendar, together with committee recommendations.
• You've heard the motion before you that SB 1092 receive a do pass recommendation.
• Seeing none, the question before you is that SB 1135 receive a do pass recommendation.
• Seeing none, the question before you is that SB 1135 receive a do pass recommendation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also introduced guests and honored National Women’s History Month visitors, Father Andres Arango and interfaith guests, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation declaring March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. The House also noted the birth of the pro tem’s son and announced several committee substitutions and bill referrals on the Speaker’s desk. In Committee of the Whole, the House considered SB 1092, SB 1097, and SB 1135, and each received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1092 was described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children. SB 1097 was identified as the annual claimant bill, and SB 1135 also passed without discussion. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and the three bills were referred to engrossing. On third reading, SB 1430, the annual tax corrections bill relating to the Department of Revenue, passed 51-0. One member raised concern that a provision might affect tax exemptions, while another explained that the bill was intended as a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The House then announced committee meetings for Wednesday and Thursday and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would recommend the space, first floor of the Capitol in the rotunda area.
• And I don't think there are any other recommendations that we would have to make. Correct.
• We're making a recommendation to the full commission.
• Anyway, we're making a recommendation so they'll know where it looks like. Yeah, we can do that.
• And I think we need to go back and look at what our recommendation was for the actual portrait.

Keywords: Tribute to Senator Yvonne Miller Work Group, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item up is the January 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• Next item up is the January 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• Moving to the February 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• This is the February 2026 medical drug recommendations.
• This is the February 2026 medical drug recommendations.

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met to review and approve several Employee Benefits Division (EBD) and pharmacy formulary actions. Grant Wallace, director of EBD and the Office of Property Risk, presented a $280,000 Boston Consulting Group contract to help develop the third-party administration RFP, and the committee approved it. The committee also approved the December 2025, January 2026, and February 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations, along with February 2026 medical drug recommendations. The formulary changes focused on removing prior authorization for injectable migraine CGRPs, replacing a discontinued capsule with a tablet, updating items for FDA guidance, and leaving some drugs not covered when lower-cost alternatives or insufficient efficacy data existed. For February 2026, EBD recommended removing Skyrizi and Renvoke in favor of lower-cost biosimilars and other alternatives, re-tiering several drugs to encourage generics, adding an anti-seizure medication developed by the Department of Defense, and adding a subcutaneous version of Keytruda for faster administration. The medical drug list similarly shifted toward biosimilars and aligned coverage for Skyrizi and Renvoke across pharmacy and medical settings. Members raised broader questions about the impact of new pharmaceutical discount programs such as Trump RX and Mark Cuban Cost Plus, as well as concerns about PBM compliance and whether Navitus might be violating state law or paying affiliate pharmacies more than independent pharmacies. Wallace said the new programs and their effects were still being studied, that EBD was working with Navitus to evaluate pricing opportunities, and that Navitus had said it was in compliance with Rule 118, though additional research and auditing were underway. All items were approved by voice vote, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• moves that Senate Bill 2403 as substituted be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation
• Senate Bill 2417 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and
• Senator Bettencourt moves that the bill be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar.
• And so House Bill 1393 will be recommended.
• Senator Bettencourt moves the bill be recommended for local and uncontested calendars.

Bills: SB 18, SB 34, SB82, SB1807, SB2254, HB119, HB130, HB581, HJR98, SB1988

Keywords: Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water permit, water appropriation, dam permit exemption, reservoir, flood control, floodwater control, erosion control, sediment control, watershed protection, flood prevention, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, USDA, local sponsor, district, authority, water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• reservations chair your recommendation reservations chair your recommendation is is is adopted<03
• <03:17:31.199> is this members um my recommendation is this members um my recommendation is
• <03:18:58.080> is reservations CH your recommendation is reservations CH your recommendation
• <03:23:11.560> is centers um chair's recommendation is centers um chair's recommendation is
• <03:23:25.760> is Management um chair's recommendation is Management um chair's recommendation

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• line 843, the governor's recommendation line 843, the governor's recommendation for<00:05:29.520
• <00:07:19.360> to 868 is the governor's recommendation to 868 is the governor's recommendation
• the governor's recommend recommendation the governor's recommend recommendation for<00:07:58.319
• The governor recommended an same.
• recommended an operating adjustment recommended an operating adjustment which<00:11:07.600> the

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Staff recommends the does not.
• Staff recommends the House.
• <00:15:00.639> the each case, the staff recommends the each case, the staff recommends the
• Uh staff recommends the differences. Uh staff recommends the house.<00:15:28.079> Okay.
• Staff recommends House.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It recommended a range of options.
• The recommendation of the chair is to pass with amendments.
• The recommendation of the chair is to pass with amendments.
• The recommendation of the chair is to pass with amendments.
• The recommendation of the chair is to pass with amendments. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 13, 2025, and first announced that SB 1456 would be deferred to the end of the agenda and ultimately worked on later, with the chair indicating the bill would be deferred and revisited in a future measure. The committee then heard SB 841 on marine life conservation districts. DLNR supported the bill, saying it would fund carrying capacity studies to inform rules and policies. Testimony noted a pilot study already underway at the Puka Marine Life Conservation District and another nearing completion at the old Kona Airport MLCD. Members discussed costs, with DLNR estimating about $300,000 per year for one user-experience study, potentially more for ecological analysis, and also discussed possible funding from the Mālama Kai special fund. DLNR said it had no objection to consulting current operators and other users, and explained the program would be a new, ongoing adaptive-management tool. The committee next heard SB 411 on capital improvement projects at small boat harbors. DLNR supported the intent, saying the bill would help expedite use of special funds for CIP work, while the Department of Budget and Finance opposed it, arguing the draft could conflict with constitutional limits on appropriations. Public testimony from an industry representative supported the bill and urged more collaboration with commercial operators, while committee discussion focused on whether DLNR could already use special funds for repairs, how much engineering and bidding work is required before projects go out to bid, and whether the current process creates bottlenecks when bids exceed initial estimates. DLNR said it can do some repairs and maintenance within existing authority and funding ceilings, but that the bill as drafted could be too broad. The committee also heard SB 5 on historic preservation, where DLNR supported the measure and NAOP Hawaii opposed it, saying the bill’s broader definition could expand the scope beyond the stated goal of narrowing reviews and reducing backlog. The committee then took up SB 1462 on the state historic preservation income tax credit. The Department of Taxation said the revenue estimate assumes the cap would be reached each year the credit is available, and DLNR supported the bill. SHPD said the prior credit had sunset, outreach had previously been done in targeted communities such as Chinatown, and owners of eligible historic properties are notified during review. Finally, the committee heard SB 268 on island burial councils. DLNR supported the bill, and OHA strongly supported it, saying the councils have struggled with quorum and expertise and that the measure would restore the original intent of having lineal descendants and cultural practitioners as decision makers, while still allowing landowners and developers to testify and participate. OHA also said it would help provide technical support and urged continued involvement from SHPD and the Attorney General’s office.

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually had two primary recommendations.
• The recommendations were published in December of 2024.
• Chair, in the committee, formal safety recommendations.
• So it is a broad term known as a recommendation.
• A recommendation. A recommendation. It actually compels the Department of Energy. A recommendation.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.