Transcript Highlights:

• this structure and having the OIG have the oversight of the other agencies that don’t have functioning IGs
• Bonner continued, saying the OIG should have oversight of the other agencies that don’t have functioning IGs
• 59:29.319><c> don't</c><00:59:29.880><c> have</c><00:59:30.720><c> functioning</c><00:59:31.720><c> IGS
• </c><00:59:32.520><c> in</c><00:59:32.720><c> them</c> that don't have functioning IGS in them that don't
• have functioning IGS in them so<00:59:33.559><c> that's</c><00:59:33.760><c> just</c><00:59:33.880><

Bills: HF1 , HF779 , HF1034

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• abuse, and then provide the same definitions in the Whistleblower part of statute that exist in the IG
• abuse, and then provide the same definitions in the Whistleblower part of statute that exist in the IG
• Statute that exist Whistleblower part of Statute that exist in<01:25:48.360><c> the</c><01:25:48.719><c> IG
• c> of</c><01:25:49.520><c> statutes</c><01:25:50.080><c> that</c><01:25:50.199><c> we're</c> in the IG
• part of statutes that we're in the IG part of statutes that we're aligning<01:25:51.000><c> statutes

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• requires him to give 30 days to Congress before he does so and to give good reason for it when the IGs
• That's more important, and it adds up to more and more and more dollars that the IGs find.
• requires him to give 30 days to Congress before he does so and to give good reason for it when the IGs
• are there to find fraud, abuse, and waste of government monies. ...President to not fire the IGs when
• That's more important, and it adds up to more and more and more dollars that the IGs find.

Bills: HR26

Keywords: domestic terrorism, Antifa, law enforcement, criminal activity, violent protests, political ideology, federal response, socio-political conflict

Transcript Highlights:

• fleshed out all the detailed planning required for our final EIS, which was also accepted by Governor Ige
• final EIS which was also accepted by final EIS which was also accepted by Governor<00:37:13.040><c> Ige
• > moved</c><00:37:14.240><c> into</c><00:37:14.600><c> our</c><00:37:14.720><c> master</c> Governor Ige
• and moved into our master Governor Ige and moved into our master plan<00:37:15.800><c> again</c><00:

Bills: SR185 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2272 , HB2273 , HB2335 , HB1656 , HB2207 , HB2289 , HB1854 , HB2581 , HB20 , HB2296 , HB1707 , HB2297 , HB1890 , HB2241 , HB2474 , HB1688 , HB2546 , HB1574 , HB1546 , HB2218 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1749 , HB2385 , HB1576 , HB1974 , HB2022 , HB1973 , HB2005 , HB1894 , HB1515 , HB1718 , HB1591 , HB2475 , HB1721 , HB1864 , HB1946 , HB1920

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, Michelle Ige, if you would say a few words, please. Hi, Michelle.

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard several governor’s nominations for advisory and regulatory boards. The first group included William Smith, Michelle Ige, and Kayana Neman for the Community-Based Economic Development Advisory Council; Leland Park and Cynthia Hobson for the Small Business Regulatory Review Board; and Nicole Kacal for the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation board. DBEDT and related witnesses testified in support of all nominees, and each nominee described experience in small business, finance, community engagement, or technology. Much of the discussion focused on strengthening Hawaiʻi’s economy through small business support, financial literacy, and better access to capital and grants. Committee members questioned nominees about priorities for Hawaiʻi Island and the state more broadly. Topics included agricultural infrastructure, value-added food production, shared processing facilities and commercial kitchens, workforce housing, and ways government and nonprofits can partner to help small businesses navigate permitting, licensing, and grant processes. Several nominees emphasized community impact, measurable outcomes, and practical regulatory reform. Nicole Kacal also discussed diversifying the economy beyond tourism, expanding technology and AI opportunities, and creating locally governed training and research pathways so workers can adapt to changing jobs. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted to recommend advice and consent for all nominees. The nominations for GM 608, GM 609, GM 612, and GM 613 were adopted by voice vote, with Senators Kim and Fevella excused. The committee then voted separately on GM 794 for Nicole Kacal, and that recommendation was also adopted. The hearing concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank the House for adding a provision to the Fair Share supplemental budget and also for the IG to
• We thank the House for adding a provision to the fair share supplemental budget and also for the IG to

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The hearing focused primarily on H. 517/S. 314, a bill to provide a sustainable future for rural schools, and H. 697, a bill to require full funding of regional school transportation. Witnesses from rural districts, school committees, superintendents, students, and local officials described chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, high fixed costs, special education and transportation burdens, and the loss of programs, staff, and extracurriculars. Several speakers argued that rural aid should be funded at $60 million annually and made non-discretionary, while others emphasized that transportation reimbursement for regional districts has repeatedly fallen short of the state’s promise and is driving budget crises and overrides. A number of students testified in support of rural aid, describing cuts to classes, counselors, and activities, and the impact on their schools and communities. Committee members also discussed whether transportation policy should be revisited to address underlying cost drivers, including bus bidding practices and whether regional districts should have more flexibility in transportation requirements. The committee also heard H. 515, concerning Hancock Elementary School and a school choice-related exemption from a state requirement that has created a large financial burden for the district. Hancock’s superintendent and Rep. John Barrett explained that a decades-old regulation, recently enforced by DESE, would require Hancock to pay tuition for choice-in students through high school graduation even though the district only serves pre-K through grade 6 and sends its own students elsewhere for middle and high school. They said the rule creates a significant per-student shortfall and has forced Hancock to opt out of school choice. Committee members asked for clarification about how the arrangement works and how the costs fall on Hancock. Additional testimony supported related transportation bills for non-regional districts, especially Plymouth/Carver and North Middlesex, describing high and rising bus costs, special education and McKinney-Vento transportation expenses, and the strain on local budgets. Speakers repeatedly said that state reimbursement has not matched actual costs and that communities are being forced to choose between transportation and classroom services. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing; the committee simply received testimony and closed the hearing on the bills discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would also echo the sentiments of removing the IG language from this bill.
• sentiments of al I would re um echo the sentiments of removing<00:57:48.240><c> the</c><00:57:48.640><c> IG
• </c> removing the IG language from this bill. removing the IG language from this bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had an opportunity to work with the IG efforts in St.
• It did feel like, I don't know, the last, since I've been in the legislature, it seemed like the IG wasn't

Bills: HB1011 , SCR11 , SB41 , SB49 , SB107 , SB123 , SB224 , SB292 , SB425 , SB479

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, public meeting minutes, transparency, government accountability, publication deadlines, open meetings, SB49, Louisiana elections, party primary, primary elections, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, school board elections, election law, candidate qualification, ballot access

Transcript Highlights:

• The Federal IG ghost network report recommended that CMS work with the states to improve directory accuracy

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held another oversight hearing on Access, focusing on fee-for-service behavioral health management, prior authorization and claims processing, the Targeted Investment Program (TIP), and network adequacy. The chair criticized Access for implementing a covered behavioral health services guide without public comment and for failing to produce records such as decision-making documentation, work group minutes, and public/tribal feedback. Members also raised concerns about ARPA compliance, the reduction of intensive outpatient reimbursement to a $157 per diem, and the impact of these actions on providers and Native American communities. Interim Director Roberta Harrison said Access had improved fraud controls and operations after the sober living fraud crisis, including tripling prior authorization speed, reducing denial codes by 64%, cutting claims processing to under 30 days, and adding dashboards and staffing. She said the agency is modernizing outdated systems and invited fraud referrals. On questions about claims and prior authorizations, Access reported average processing times of six days overall and 17 days for behavioral health prior authorizations, and said it had hired Constellation under a direct procurement to help with claims backlog. Harrison acknowledged that a proposal language suggesting higher ROI from denying more claims was not part of the contract scope. The committee also pressed Access on TIP delays. Staff explained that TIP payments depend on provider documentation, programmatic review, and allocation across many sites, and said year one of TIP 2.0 had been paid while years two and three had not yet been distributed. The chair requested a formal plan within 30 days to pay the delayed year two and year three TIP funds, estimated at about $122 million, along with all CMS-related TIP 2.0 documentation. On network adequacy, Access described its standards and annual MCO reporting process, but acknowledged gaps in tracking and said it would follow up on whether a fiscal year 2025 report was submitted to CMS. Members cited a federal ghost network report finding 28% of providers in Santa Cruz County inactive or unavailable, and requested unredacted network adequacy reports and further information on CMS engagement. The hearing ended with the chair noting some improvements but saying more oversight may follow, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if the provider tax, the amount that we're taking in for that, that's going to the IG teases helping

Transcript Highlights:

• He said, "If there's an IG bill, put it on my desk. I will sign it."

Transcript Highlights:

• BY THE FALL OF 23 WE HAD BEEN UP AND RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND OUR REQUEST OF THE IG WAS TO

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this unit is also looking at—so Jamie talked about it, the IG talked about it—we do have a comprehensive
• But it also has generated some referrals to the IG that have led to significant recoupments.
• But it also has generated some referrals to the IG that have led to significant recoupments.
• And I think Molly will also mention one in her presentation that a statutory change, which the IG also
• I think the IG spoke to that.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• no evidence, not a shred of evidence, that has been shared with members of Congress, the public, the IG
• no evidence, not a shred of evidence, that has been shared with members of Congress, the public, the IG
• no evidence, not a shred of evidence, that has been shared with members of Congress, the public, the IG
• no evidence, not a shred of evidence, that has been shared with members of Congress, the public, the IG
• no evidence, not a shred of evidence, that has been shared with members of Congress, the public, the IG

Bills: HB2966

Keywords: citizenship, small business, loan eligibility, immigration status, entrepreneurship

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're just awaiting IG Hirons.

Transcript Highlights:

• YOU DON'T WANT ELDERS AFFAIRS OFFICE AND THE IG OFFICE TO COME KEEP COMING THEN THE FIX IS SIMPLE.

Transcript Highlights:

• The withholding provisions are narrowly tailored, require the IG to provide an explanation of the reason
• only limited withholding provisions, the withholding provisions are narrowly tailored, require the IG

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I hear your points, particularly of, okay, so you voluntarily—the IG has put out public reports, but
• another IG might decide not to do that, okay?

Transcript Highlights:

• So if somebody remember, I hear your points, particularly of, okay, so you voluntarily, the IG has put
• out public reports, but another IG might decide not to do that, okay?

Summary: The committee first heard a DMV budget presentation on the state-to-state verification system required for Real ID compliance and the Digital Experience Platform (DXP) modernization project. DMV officials said the state-to-state system is a pointer-based exchange used when a person applies for a license in another state, with only limited identifying data shared initially and the full driver history sent only after a qualified request. Members raised concerns about privacy, possible misuse by other states or federal actors, notification to Californians, hacking, and whether California could detect or stop abusive access. DMV said it can monitor requests, see patterns of access, work with AAMVA and legal counsel, and seek to block or challenge misuse; LAO said California is in a difficult position and should consider guardrails rather than opt out. On DXP, DMV said the project is on its revised schedule and budget, occupational licensing is complete, vehicle registration is expected by the end of calendar year 2026, and the full system should be finished by fiscal year 2028-29, with phased rollout and reappropriated funding to keep costs controlled. The committee then heard from the California High-Speed Rail Office of Inspector General on a trailer bill and AB 1608. The Inspector General said current law does not clearly authorize public reports or establish a framework for retaining and disclosing work papers, and the proposed trailer bill would create that framework while also adding authority to hire needed classifications and purchase goods and services. He also said the office needs a clearer statutory definition of “proposed agreements” and notice when the High-Speed Rail Authority is reviewing them, so the office can review contracts and related agreements effectively. LAO raised no concerns with the trailer bill language, and Finance said any amendments would come in the May revision. Members debated the scope of confidentiality in the Inspector General proposal, especially whether reports could be held confidential when they identify weaknesses in fraud controls, security, or other vulnerabilities. The Inspector General said confidentiality would be temporary, tied to articulating the risk, reassessing it every 120 days, and releasing the report once the risk is no longer substantial; he also said the office had already published reports at its discretion and had found at least one procurement violation involving an amendment that added services not in the original contract. Several members pressed for stronger transparency and suggested time limits or broader disclosure, while others argued the bill would improve oversight and make the Inspector General’s authority clearer. No votes were taken during the discussion, and the item was left for further work on the trailer bill and AB 1608 language.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have my vice president for Burlington County, Teddy Ig McGrath, also here with me, who has a unique
• Teddy Ig McGrath also here with me who has a unique perspective because we were able to achieve some

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization measure aimed at exempting certain medications and treatments for seriously mentally ill adults from repeat insurance prior authorization, while also extending prior authorization approvals to three years for chronic maintenance drugs. The sponsor described the bill as the latest in a series of bipartisan prior-authorization reforms and accepted an amendment from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to apply the bill to adults only and to cover PBMs in the interagency purchasing collaborative. Supporters, including NAMI New Mexico and state health officials, argued the bill would reduce barriers to needed care, especially for mental health treatment. Opponents from health plans, PBMs, and insurers warned the bill was too broad, lacked clear definitions for serious mental illness and chronic conditions, created patient-safety concerns, and should have a shorter reauthorization period and later implementation date. After committee discussion, the sponsor agreed to work on a committee substitute, and the bill was rolled over for a later meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 53, the Chispa data privacy bill, which would impose broad limits on the collection, sale, and use of personal data, require opt-in consent for many uses, strengthen rights to access, correct, and delete data, and create enforcement mechanisms including a private right of action. Supporters from advocacy, women’s, behavioral health, reproductive health, and civil rights groups said the bill was needed to protect sensitive health and location data, prevent surveillance and criminalization, and give New Mexicans real control over their information. Business, technology, insurance, and hospital representatives opposed the bill, arguing it was more restrictive than other states’ privacy laws, would burden small businesses and health-related services, create compliance uncertainty, and risk limiting digital services and innovation. After extensive questioning about data breaches, opt-in consent, nonprofit exemptions, and the bill’s impact on businesses and health care access, a motion to table failed 5-4, and the committee then passed SB 53 on a 5-4 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 86, which updates the state’s harassment-by-telephone law to cover electronic communications such as social media, messaging apps, and email. The sponsor and a Las Cruces police chief said the change would modernize an outdated 1967 statute and help law enforcement address harassment and domestic violence through current technology. The bill drew support from the governor’s public safety advisor and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and members asked a few clarifying questions about the wording. The committee approved SB 86 unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 96, on regulated childcare zoning requirements, using a committee substitute. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill would reduce confusing zoning and fire-code barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers, helping address a statewide shortage of child care slots and supporting working families. The discussion began with the committee substitute and an explanation that the measure is intended to streamline local requirements and expand child care supply.