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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Committee 4/7/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, it is a topic of discussion in the public safety committee. It's not in this bill.
  • Um, it is a topic of discussion in the public safety committee. It's not in this bill.
  • </c> is a topic of discussion in the public is a topic of discussion in the public safety<00:05:09.120
  • I just want to public safety is upheld.
  • So, if that external to the public?
Bills: HF3006 , HF2130 , HF1290
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing none, public testimony is closed.
  • Hearing none, public testimony is now closed and the bill will close.
  • The chair opens public testimony on a Senate Bill 511 and calls Lucy.
  • Public testimony is now closed and the bill will be left pending.
  • a bill 14 Seeing and hearing none, public testimony is closed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • pay the fee to the federal government. 16 inches is an arbitrary number and serves no legitimate public
  • I had a client who was doing a photo shoot out in public and it was at the zoo in San Antonio, he was
  • Well, so they started selling all these M1 grams. and M1 carbines to the general public.
  • Congress took necessary public safety action to regulate these firearms.
  • Seeing and hearing none, public testimony is closed.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part I) Mar 13th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sixteen inches is an arbitrary number and serves no legitimate public purpose.
  • I had a client who was doing a photoshoot out in public, and it was at the zoo in San Antonio.
  • Well, so they started selling all these M1 Garands and M1 carbines to the general public.
  • And we'll open public testimony on Senate Bill 1596.
  • Seeing and hearing no public testimony is closed. Bills left pending at this time.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1596, which would remove short-barreled rifles from the list of prohibited weapons in the Texas Penal Code. The author, Sen. Hagenbuch, said the bill would align state law with federal realities and argued that the current prohibition is arbitrary and unnecessary. Supporters, including representatives from Gun Owners of America and Texas Gun Rights, said the bill would reduce confusion, protect lawful gun owners, and preserve the ability to use shorter firearms for self-defense, hunting, and for smaller shooters. One supporter also described a recent case in which an AR pistol was mistaken for a short-barreled rifle and led to a state charge that was later dismissed. Public testimony was split. Supporters said stabilizing braces and shorter firearms can improve accuracy, safety, and accessibility for women, children, and smaller-statured shooters. Opponents, including Texas Gun Sense and two Santa Fe shooting survivors, argued that short-barreled firearms are more concealable and dangerous, and pointed to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting as evidence of the risks of easier access. They urged the committee to keep the existing restrictions in place to protect public safety. After public testimony closed, the committee took up pending business. Senate Bill 1505, relating to the Compassionate Use Program, was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 8-0 vote. Senate Bill 17, relating to the acquisition of real property by certain aliens or foreign entities, was first amended by adopting a committee substitute and then reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed until after the Senate’s adjournment or final recess.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/13/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> before it is distributed to the public before it is distributed to the public without<00:26:46.679
  • </c> sewer infrastructure and Street sewer infrastructure and Street reconstruction<00:43:26.640><c>
  • This is a public health issue.
  • </c> increased costs and created public increased costs and created public health<01:12:53.840><c> and
  • He's a wonderful public servant.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there any any member of the public here? I will open up a public testimony for Senate Bill 1119.
  • and it's open to the public so long as the public does not interfere with the testimony and with the
  • Should a laced product be sold on the street? Should a laced product be sold on the street?
  • , Texas public in mind will appear.
  • This has nothing to do with public- public safety in the way that it's written, and I think that it's
Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 11th, 2025

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I do know that most publications...
  • I'm seeing some of the same folks on these public hearings, so we may try to... ...these public hearings
  • It makes sure that, hey, we're not... if there are any other time frames, public hearing, public notice
  • Public hearing, public notice, federal requirements, etc.
  • On the other bill, specifically, it says if there are any public notice requirements, public hearing
Bills: SB36 , SB39 , SB40 , SB12 , SB29 , SB121 , SB131 , SB12
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Feb 4th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tab 4, SB 1216, on public school personnel compensation.
  • Senate Bill 1216 is related to public school personnel compensation.
  • Public testimony. That was the third and final. Okay, perfect.
  • I'm a 36-year veteran public school teacher.
  • And public school teacher.
Bills: S0920 , S1036 , S1216
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met with a quorum present and first temporarily postponed SB 920 on mathematics education. The committee then took up SB 1216 on public school personnel compensation, sponsored by Senator Rodriguez, which would give districts more flexibility in educator pay by restoring meaningful cost-of-living adjustments for teachers with direct student contact, allowing recognition of relevant advanced degrees, and removing rigid performance-pay caps. Several senators spoke in support, emphasizing teacher retention, compensation, and education as a state investment. The bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. After a brief recess, the committee considered CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, sponsored by Senator Calatayud, to address counselor shortages by removing certification barriers tied to classroom teacher requirements. The sponsor and supporting testimony described recruitment and retention problems, high counselor-to-student ratios, and the need for counselors to focus on student academics, mental health, and college/career readiness rather than administrative duties. Public testimony came from students, educators, and school personnel who described limited access to counselors and the impact on student well-being and college planning. Committee members broadly supported the bill while noting that counselors are often overburdened and that additional support personnel, including BRACE advisors, may also need attention in the future. Senators also discussed broader efficiency measures and the need for schools and colleges to improve access to guidance services. CS/SB 1036 was reported favorably by unanimous vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on the two bills, and the committee adjourned.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Care & Wellness Jan 16th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health Care & Wellness

Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, so we'll go ahead and suspend public hearing on House Bill 1496 and we'll begin public testimony
  • We'll go ahead and suspend public testimony on House Bill 2182.
  • And let's go ahead and open up testimony in public hearing for House Bill 2196.
  • That concludes public testimony on House Bill 2196.
  • I recently read that Washington is the seventh... strong public health system.
Bills: HB1496 , HB2182 , HB2196 , HB2242
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • That provides money for public uses, outdoor recreation, and education.
  • partnerships, and federal public-private partnerships, and federal partnerships.
  • We're looking into updating our public opinion research on this issue.
  • And then also one from the Public Service Commission.
  • </c> one from the Public Service Commission. one from the Public Service Commission.
Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations Mar 31st, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • The growth is largely attributable to increases to public education, public safety, and criminal justice
  • This process was open; it was open to the public.
  • I'm the Director of Public Policy for Texas CASA.
  • I'm the Director of Public Policy.
  • There being none, public testimony is closed.
Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB 1
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/20/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> um actions regarding protest in public um actions regarding protest in public and<00:31:15.919><
  • </c> into either um violence on the streets into either um violence on the streets or<00:41:46.119><c
  • </c> not that the jurisdiction of Public not that the jurisdiction of Public Safety<00:42:06.640><c>
  • </c><00:42:07.800><c> safety</c> Safety or the concept of public safety Safety or the concept of public
  • </c><00:43:59.520><c> comments</c> media talking to people public comments media talking to people public
Bills: HF414 , HF768 , HF359
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Education May 7th, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I don't know how much more of a threat that could be to public education, in my opinion.
  • It's established a pilot program in partnership with city-parish and other local public school systems
  • programs provide for adolescent literacy, to provide requirements of the Department of Education, public
  • governing authorities, and public schools with respect to adolescent literacy, to provide with respect
  • When they enter a public school, it would be tied to whatever student identification number they get
Bills: HCR26 , HB28 , HB195 , HB283 , HB316 , HB319 , HB363 , HB380 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB636 , HB738 , HB807 , HB905 , HB992 , HB1146
Committee: Senate Education
Summary: The committee met with a large docket and adopted the April 29 minutes. Several bills were heard and advanced, mostly on education, workforce, literacy, early childhood, charter schools, and student mental health. Testimony was generally supportive, with many witnesses waiving in favor; a few bills drew questions about implementation, student awareness, and whether proposals were sufficiently broad or specific. House Bill 406, requiring the Department of Education to study the direction and regulation of interscholastic high school athletics and report back by March 1, 2027, was reported favorably after testimony from a retired principal who urged an open-minded study and discussion from the bill author about compliance and the bill’s purpose. House Bill 380, creating a pilot program between community and technical colleges and local school systems to expand awareness of CDL, entry-level driver training, and related programs, was also reported favorably. House Bill 807, creating a workforce and structure capacity investment program and fund to help industry partner with colleges to train instructors, was reported favorably after support from higher education and industry witnesses; senators raised interest in adding a stronger health care component and in reaching students earlier, but the author said he would work on amendments. The committee also advanced House Bill 316 on adolescent literacy and high-dose tutoring, with amendments clarifying teacher training timing, existing statutory bans on outdated literacy practices, and charter school participation; House Bill 1146, consolidating early childhood governance into a commission; House Bill 28, creating an appeal path for denied teacher certification applicants through BESE; and House Bill 992, assigning early childhood education identification numbers to support data collection on outcomes. House Concurrent Resolution 26, urging BESE to add the science of human growth and development to science and health standards and provide approved instructional resources, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 386, allowing local districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own LEA under district rules, was amended and reported favorably. House Bill 392, expanding suicide prevention information requirements on school websites, ID cards, handbooks, and signage, was reported favorably as well.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 27th, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Transcript Highlights:
  • Amendment 7 adds the requirement that the department must hold a joint public meeting of the two committees
  • north-south highway that ultimately became I-49 was one of the defining priorities of his entire public
  • Now we'll have a public records request for that.
  • House Concurrent Resolution No. 63 creates a task force to examine the feasibility and public safety
  • , improving its drainage performance and flood resilience presents an opportunity to enhance both public
Bills: HCR63 , HCR69 , SCR6 , SCR18 , SB2 , SB19 , SB24 , SB50 , SB70 , SB96 , SB101 , SB103 , SB104 , SB114 , SB122 , SB159 , SB160 , SB182 , SB412 , SB418 , SB460
Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Monday, April 27, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills and one House concurrent resolution, most of them related to transportation infrastructure, memorial highway designations, and prestige license plates. Early action centered on Senate Bill 122, which would direct the Department of Transportation and Development to be more proactive about bridge maintenance, inspection, reporting, and public meetings on bridge conditions; the committee adopted a large amendment package before reporting the bill with amendments. The committee also reported favorably SCR 6 supporting an LNG facility at Port Fourchon and SCR 18 directing a study of commercial driver’s license privileges compared with neighboring states. Several bills designated memorial highways or bridges, including SB 50 for the Elwood T. Brady Jr. Memorial Bridge, SB 70 for the Officer Mark Brock Memorial Highway, SB 460 for the Hayden Lane Mangum Memorial Highway, SB 101 for the Daniel Edward Didillo Memorial Highway and Bill Blue Evans Memorial Highway, SB 160 for the Speaker Joe R. Salter Memorial Highway, SB 418 for the Dick and Jacques Schuford Memorial Highway, SB 103 for the Gladys Edwards Highway, SB 159 for the Surgeon Roelio Roy Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Highway, SB 182 for the Mayor Billy Cobb Memorial Highway, SB 104 for the Ernest J. Gaines Memorial Highway, and SB 2 for the Falcons Band Highway. The committee also approved SB 114 creating a prestige plate for the Foundation for Moral Law and SB 96 creating a Fallen Heroes prestige plate. One of the more substantive policy items was HCR 63, which creates a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel without civilian driver’s licenses should be allowed to operate federally owned vehicles on state highways; it was reported favorably after discussion of military training and licensing differences. Another major item was HCR 69, urging DOTD to improve Interstate 12 in Livingston Parish; the committee adopted amendments adding findings about flooding, drainage, and evacuation concerns, and then reported the resolution with amendments. The committee also considered SB 19 on the state employee retired prestige plate; after objections about whether proceeds should continue supporting LASERS, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote, 13-1, with Representative Schamberhorn voting no.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:38:54.240><c> trust</c> of protecting the public trust of protecting the public trust resources
  • Thank you. the amendments prioritized public trust the amendments prioritized public trust resources<
  • So, we'd still have public review.
  • So, we'd still have public does not. So, we'd still have public review. review. review.
  • </c> So, there would be public input. So, there would be public input. &gt;&gt; Correct.
Committee: House Water & Land
Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard testimony on SB 5253 SD2 relating to conservation and SB 2401 relating to regional shoreline mitigation district, with the chair emphasizing short testimony limits and the need to finish before session. On SB 5253, DLNR said it stood on its written testimony and answered questions about the bill’s proposed nonprofit endangered species sanctuary. Members asked whether existing entities or agreements, such as land trusts, private landowners, and DLNR safe harbor agreements, could accomplish similar conservation goals without creating a new entity. DLNR said similar work already exists, but it was not aware of a comparable sanctuary model in the state. A member also questioned language suggesting for-profit businesses in the sanctuary, and DLNR said the intent appeared to be sales of outreach or similar materials, though it agreed that such activities could be handled by a nonprofit. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2401, which would create a regional shoreline adaptation/mitigation framework. The Department of the Attorney General said it had concerns about inconsistent use of the terms “mitigation” and “adaptation,” warning of possible title-subject issues. DLNR said it was neutral on the terminology and more concerned with the substance, and noted that the bill would not waive permits; any plan would still require environmental review and applicable state and county permits. DLNR also supported OHA’s recommendation to consider impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices during regional planning, and said the bill’s language on temporary shoreline protection measures could help address the gap between emergency permits and longer-term planning while avoiding a hardening-only approach. The Office of Planning supported the regional planning concept but noted it is not a regulatory agency and would need to work with DLNR and the Land Board. OHA supported the bill’s planning-based approach but recommended amendments to require assessment of impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices during plan development and to clarify that environmental review would still apply at the project level. Testifiers from the Ka‘anapali Steering Committee strongly supported the bill, saying it would provide a regional framework for ongoing erosion problems while preserving full regulatory authority and normal permitting, and they proposed amendments to standardize terminology, create a limited pathway for temporary shoreline protection, and address ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Members discussed the meaning of “mitigation” versus “adaptation,” the scope of shoreline hardening, and whether the bill would help the legislature take a broader, more holistic view of shoreline decisions. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
OK
Committee: House Rules
Summary: The committee first announced that House Bills 3568 and 3891 and H.J.R. 1019 would be laid over and not heard that day. It then took up a series of bills, adopting PCS versions where offered and generally moving them forward with do-pass recommendations. House Bill 3015 would allow Oklahomans to add a driver’s license to a digital wallet and use it as an optional credential; members questioned why legislation was needed now versus the 2019 digital ID effort and whether the state would work directly with Apple and Google rather than a third-party vendor. The bill passed 10-0. Other measures included House Bill 314, which adds a DOC electronic monitoring ineligibility item; House Bill 3567, which increases transparency in campaign fund use and was amended to correct a citation; House Bill 3749, which lets county clerks, county court clerks, and county commissioners retain outside counsel; House Bill 4229, which narrows when schools may declare emergencies for contracts when facilities are unusable; and House Bill 4237, which modernizes collection of criminal court fees, fines, and costs. Each of these bills advanced, with HB 3749 drawing the most discussion over whether it duplicates district attorney services and whether county commissioners would be approving their own outside-counsel contracts. The committee also advanced House Bill 4253, a union-related bill that the author said he was carrying as a vehicle and would substantially revise before final passage; members discussed federal labor-law concerns and the bill passed 10-0. House Joint Resolution 1046 would exempt homeowners from property tax for a year if a residence is uninhabitable for six months after a disaster; members debated the impact on local tax bases and whether existing ad valorem refund mechanisms should be used instead, and it passed 10-0. House Joint Resolution 1084, which states that Oklahoma and U.S. constitutional standards govern courtroom matters and no court should enforce incompatible religious law, passed 8-2 after questions about whether it addressed a current problem. Finally, House Bill 3411 on biosolids and PFAS testing would require DEQ testing and disclosure to landowners and authorize treatment protocols; it passed 9-1. The meeting ended with notice that the next rules meeting was moved to Thursday at 11:30 in a different room due to technical difficulties.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 18th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • Following public health to provide for a report on the effects.
  • We're now adopted and back on the bill, and we'll move into the public hearing for HB 400.
  • </c> bill and we'll move into the public bill and we'll move into the public hearing<00:24:47.440><c>
  • It's going to free up funding for a lot of our providers and our public EMS provider.
  • It's going to free up funding for a lot of our providers and our public EMS provider.
Bills: HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312 , HB185 , HB378 , SB28 , HB400 , SB155 , HB312
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 10th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • meetings and accept public feedback in the rural development process.
  • Even if someone's wrong in the public discourse, that is the amendment.
  • And so this will allow for public discussion rather than limit it.
  • Christian Cochran, Texas Public Policy Foundation Right on Crime, Waves in Support.
  • Tab 4, CS for CS for SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, by Senator Jones.
Bills: S0050 , S0054 , S0176 , S0178 , S0198 , S0290 , S0420 , S0502 , S0538 , S0706 , S0834 , S0936 , S0962 , S1004 , S1080 , S7022
Committee: Senate Rules
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 9th, 2026 at 06:43 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • That concludes our public comment portion.
  • I've noticed that the Public Assistance Act isn't amended in this.
  • And it also clarifies that in no way are the public entities, the municipalities, the counties, on the
  • Kim Chavez-Cook with the Law Offices of the Public Defender.
  • Are we treating survivors of public harm differently than survivors of private harm here?
Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 9th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, I get that, but it just doesn't seem like it's good public policy.
  • And I'd like the ACLU to tell me why that is good public policy. Mr.
  • We learned, we were informed by Mexico's Chihuahua Department of Public Safety initially.
  • There's no exception for important public issues. There's no journalistic exception.
  • , ambulance B is on the south side of the street, and never do they have the ability to cross the street
Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 40, a committee substitute addressing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and privacy. Sponsor Sen. Worth said the bill was intended to preserve ALPRs as a law-enforcement tool while adding guardrails to prevent sharing or selling data for immigration enforcement, protected health care activity, or criminalizing constitutionally protected conduct. Supporters included state and local law enforcement, the ACLU, immigrant-rights, reproductive-rights, and sexual-assault advocacy groups. Law enforcement witnesses said the bill balanced privacy with public safety and cited cases where ALPRs helped locate kidnapped children, murder suspects, and stolen vehicles; opponents and some senators argued the bill was too narrow, too focused on immigration and health care, and raised concerns about federal law, data sales, and enforcement. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment removing subsection F, then approved the committee substitute and advanced SB 40 on a do-pass motion. The committee then heard Senate Bill 104, which would create a process for removing wildlife commissioners after the 2023 wildlife commission legislation and the governor’s veto of the prior removal language. Sen. Worth explained that SB 104 would allow the governor to initiate removal for malfeasance, incompetence, or failure to attend meetings, with notice, a hearing, and exclusive review by the state Supreme Court; he said it was modeled on the Board of Regents removal process and was intended to complete the wildlife commission reforms. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Audubon Southwest, and the Department of Game and Fish supported the bill, saying it would depoliticize wildlife management and provide stability. Senators asked about the existing “three consecutive meetings” vacancy language, current vacancies, and the prior removal of a commissioner. The committee discussed the governor’s earlier veto and whether the bill was necessary, but no amendment was adopted and the committee approved SB 104 on a do-pass motion.