Video & Transcript Research : 'Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit'
Page 6 of 500
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 28th, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair recognizes the Honorable Stan Lambert to lead us in our pledges of allegiance to the United
- one of us to represent them. ...them.
- It's not a good use of time. It's not a good use of taxpayer dollars.
- The vague language used in this bill regarding the process of complaints and investigations has the potential
- Reports, the traffic stop reports, they have to file use of force reports, etc.
Keywords:
sex designation, restroom access, civil penalties, private civil right of action, women's privacy, abortion, healthcare, jurisdiction, civil action, qui tam, prohibition, state law, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Local Government.(6-23-26)
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- > but but for for both of us, I see our but but for for both of us, I see our sheriff<00:02:35.560><c
- c> that kind of gets us into a that kind of gets us into a um<00:43:04.200><c> a</c><00:43:04.280><c>
- ., First Air Force, for us to have that response.
- </c><00:55:55.000><c> US,</c><00:55:55.480><c> uh,</c> Air Force US, uh, Air Force US, uh, it's,<00:55
- uh, First Air Force, um, for us to it's, uh, First Air Force, um, for us to have<00:56:00.320><c> that
Bills:
HB339
Keywords:
Civil Air Patrol, CAP, emergency leave, job protection, employment discrimination, leave of absence, volunteer service, emergency response, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, state employee leave, military leave, public employees, local government employers, reinstatement rights, seniority protection, unpaid leave, Meeting Start 00:00:03
Roll Call 00:00:14
Discussion of Local Law Enforcement Issues 00:03:08
Discussion of Civil Air Patrol Employment Protections 00:50:46
Adjournment 01:06:07, 958, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- hard for us to make that kind of call hard for us to make that kind of call and<00:55:20.559><c> we've
- of the speed task uh P uh of the of the of the speed task force.<01:35:50.960><c> So</c><01:35:51.280
- </c> And so half of about half of the units And so half of about half of the units that<01:46:10.480>
- of</c> the number of units or number of the number of units or number of projects<01:46:34.480><c> that
- Makes the DERF equity pilot program permanent and expands the use of proceeds in the dwelling unit to
Bills:
HB2611, HB2102, HB1710, HB1868, HB1920, HB1812, HB1733, HB1715, HB1723, HB1724, HB1727, HB1711
Keywords:
HB2611, Hawaii antitrust, rental housing, rent price-fixing, algorithmic pricing, algorithmic rent-setting, property management software, pricing algorithms, rent coordination, price-fixing, collusion, cartel, multifamily housing, landlord software, occupancy levels, lease terms, Attorney General, public education program, consumer protection, housing affordability
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 2611, which would prohibit algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii’s rental market, require public education by the Attorney General, and establish fines and penalties. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill, saying its language was too unclear and could expose landlords and agents to criminal and civil liability for ordinary rent-setting practices based on public information or assistance from property professionals. Members asked about antitrust standards, tacit agreement, and whether using county-published affordable-rent schedules would be unlawful; the AG said that would not be unlawful if based on public information and without collusion. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting support from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Realtors with comments, 50501 Hawaii and General Strike Hawaii, Haloha Project, 13 individuals, and one opponent.
The committee then heard HB 2102, which clarifies that residential projects involving ground disturbance in high-risk areas remain subject to state historic preservation review and removes an exemption for lands presumed nominally sensitive. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Department of Planning and Permitting supported the measure, saying it would improve clarity and ensure review focuses on projects most likely to affect historic properties or iwi kupuna, while also urging language refinements to better define sensitive sandy-soil areas and balance preservation with housing timelines. NAP Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing it would undo progress made last session and that the current process already includes protections for inadvertent discoveries and efficiency for lower-risk areas.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported HB 2102, explaining it was responding to beneficiary complaints about late-added language in last year’s law and saying the nominally sensitive-area language should be removed because it was adopted without sufficient stakeholder input and could be harmful to iwi kupuna protections. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and several individuals also supported the bill. Committee discussion focused on how “nominally sensitive” areas are determined, whether project proponents could self-certify areas as exempt, and how high-density residential projects should be treated; SHPD said it uses survey and monitoring data to map sensitivity, that highly sensitive areas like Kīauea are not nominally sensitive, and that some high-density projects should remain exempt if they do not involve new ground disturbance. The hearing included no final vote in the portion provided, but the chair noted 48 individuals in support and continued questioning on the bill’s definitions and implementation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Of Houston.
- You've been a total supporter of us, and we really, really appreciate you.
- And part of that is having a strong savings account, which puts us on a very good footing when it comes
- I'm kind of on both sides of this deal.
- So an oyster is the pearl of the eye of the beholder here. The recycling of...
Keywords:
Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, retirement, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, salary supplement, county judges, judicial functions, state law, government compensation, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Under our current law, they are allowed to register using their parents' last place of residence here
- But this is something that I think brings us in line with some of the other states With that, unless
- Well, if somebody is otherwise qualified, even though they live outside of the United States, we wouldn't
- But it doesn't say outside of the state; it just says outside of the state.
- We know that in any type of employment, there are cases of retaliation.
Keywords:
elections, national elections, state elections, voter intent, election reform, absentee voting, electronic communication, facsimile device, voting materials, military voters, campaign finance, ethics, political contributions, candidate committee, Oklahoma legislation, voter registration, political party affiliation, Independent designation, Oklahoma, voter eligibility
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- 57.920><c> state</c><00:35:58.160><c> where</c> sorts of uses throughout the state where sorts of uses
- But in terms of what else is available, none of that information was ever made to us.
- </c> to help us make um an educated kind of to help us make um an educated kind of decision<01:11:53.440
- that sell 80% of all units to local working residents who agree to live in the unit for at least one
- of exemptions, land use >> a lot of exemptions, land use commission,<01:39:56.960><c> counties
Bills:
HB1817, HB2056, HB2616, HB1718, HB1842, HB1740, HB1919, HB1616, HB1774, HB1984, HB1603, HB2171
Keywords:
fishing regulation, ʻamaʻama, striped mullet, bag limit, overfishing, Hawaii fisheries, funding, appropriations, Honolulu, housing, construction, grant-in-aid, community development, Banyan Drive, Hawaii community development authority, cultural revitalization, special fund, public safety, economic development, affordable housing
Summary:
The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations.
Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year.
The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- us on behalf of the people that we work for.
- a greater of.
- Could you give any examples of what this would do for pet breeders, specifically independent businesses
- I think it's a well-taken point, but this is the language that I have in front of us.
- Kind of.
Keywords:
retirement, public employees, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, science and technology, research, board appointments, emergency legislation
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- us on behalf of the people that we work for.
- the greater of.
- Could you give any examples of what this would do for pet breeders, specifically independent businesses
- I think it's a well-taken point, but this is the language that I have in front of us.
- Kind of.
Keywords:
retirement, public employees, deferred option plan, service credit, contributions, distributions, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, rounding, cash payments, public finance, Oklahoma Common Cents Act, political subdivision, science and technology, research, board appointments, emergency legislation
Summary:
The Government Oversight committee opened with prayer and then took up a series of bills, many related to census preparation, election administration, municipal oversight, and state/local regulatory policy. Leader Lawson presented three census and mapping measures: HB 3619 updated the state geographic information one-stop initiative and authorized leaf-off aerial surveys to support a single boundary map layer; HB 3620 created the 2030 Complete Census Count Committee; and HB 3624 repealed a statute tied to meandering waterways and county boundary interpretation. All three passed, with HB 3619 and HB 3624 receiving unanimous support and HB 3620 passing 13-2.
Chairman Bowles presented HB 3463 to modernize municipal audit procedures for small communities under 2,500 population, emphasizing transparency and accountability; it passed 16-0. Floor Leader West presented HB 3041 on credit-card surcharge rules for retailers. Members debated whether the bill’s cap language was really a cap or a notice threshold, and an amendment to raise the percentage from 2% to 4% was ultimately withdrawn so the language could be fixed later; the bill still passed 19-0. Pro Tem Moore’s HB 4335, aimed at preventing a patchwork of local pet-shop and pet-breeder bans while preserving statewide standards, drew questions about preemption and enforcement but passed 13-6.
Representative Hildebrandt’s HB 3075 created a penny-rounding rule for cash transactions by public entities, allowing rounding to the nearest nickel; it passed 18-0. Representative Ranson’s HB 3378 made a temporary change to the Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board’s terms to address delays in grant timing, and it also passed 18-0. Representative Crosswhite Hader’s HB 3722 would require incomplete voter registration applications to be returned rather than defaulted to “independent/no party,” prompting extended debate with the State Election Board about voter intent and processing; it passed 15-3. Finally, Vice Chair Hays presented HB 1268, which adds a DROP option to the pension system for EMTs, county jailers, and assistant sheriffs with a five-year cap; it passed 13-4. The committee adjourned after announcing a Thursday meeting.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of its uses pose a novel and unique threat.
- , it is incumbent on us to protect Floridians from some of its problematic uses.
- Some of its uses pose a novel and unique threat.
- I use it, and we're using it very significantly in a whole lot of industries.
- So you said it's 80% of owner-occupied units.
Bills:
S2500, S2502, S2504, S7028, S2506, S2508, S2510, S2512, S2514, S2516, S2518, S0482, S0678, S0984, S1016, S1074, S1706, S7030
Keywords:
budget, appropriation, education funding, healthcare, environmental protection, infrastructure, local government, Appropriations Act, funding, education, rural development, economic assistance, collective bargaining, state employees, labor relations, impasse resolution, negotiations, retirement, elected officials, Deferred Retirement Option Program
Summary:
The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote.
The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan.
The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (10-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- It is not... of us want a piece of paper or a tool to be telling us, you know, what decision to make.
- 25.200><c> had</c> of us have probably had of us have probably had someone<00:26:26.320><c> in</c><00
- </c> of Aging and Independent Living. of Aging and Independent Living.
- all of us.
- </c> We're with the commissioner in front of We're with the commissioner in front of us. us. us.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:01
SERVS Informational Update- 00:01:22
Child Removal and Reunification Update: Department for Community Based Services Financials- 00:03:00
Small Business Sales Tax Websites: Department of Revenue-00:28:05
Senior Citizen Meal Programs: Department for Aging and Independent Living-00:35:50
Adjournment-01:41:57, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding.
The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays.
The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 30th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Not all of us.
- everyone that uses the healthcare system, which is all of us.
- None of us want that.
- I was chair of public health in the House when all of this happened. that exploded on us.
- investigations, the dispositions of those investigations, and their outcomes.
Bills:
HB136, HB451, SB425, SB466, SB905, SB1986, SB2311, SB2450, SB2805, SB2826, SB2919, SB3001, HB136
Keywords:
Medicaid, lactation, healthcare, consultation, reimbursement, maternal health, infant care, commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/10/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- from regulating the use or occupation of land for the construction and operation of small modular nuclear
- It also increases the nameplate rating of generating units that would be subject to this definition of
- divesting the United States and the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the San Carlos Irrigation Project Electric
- appreciate your support in getting this passed to show Congress that the state of Arizona is united
- your support in getting this passed to show Congress that the state of Arizona is united behind this
Keywords:
groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, irrigation, active management area, domestic use, stock watering, water rights, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use, industrial users, water storage, recovery well, Arizona Revised Statutes, water management
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force (7-15-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j34Y5iRKknc, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Roll Call – 00:00:10
Task Force Overview – 00:01:00
Overview of School District Organization – 00:04:58
Announcements – 01:49:04, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- communications with them, asking for clarification, giving us a well-defined purpose of a machine.
- And the solutions are right in front of us: stronger education, safer environments, and consistent...
- Some of us got some information that suggested perhaps that this bill would allow illegal products from
- Some of us got some information that suggested perhaps that this bill would allow illegal products from
- So we have options with the realities in front of us, and I think this is a meaningful way to deal with
Keywords:
Florida lottery, state lottery, lottery tickets, lottery retailer, Department of the Lottery, Division of Security, ball machine, lottery vending machine, instant tickets, online lottery tickets, major procurement, vendor disclosure, performance bond, retailer bond, security report, counterfeit ticket, altered ticket, false claim, ticket theft, fraud
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries considered and reported several bills. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments adopted, including changes to lottery department contracting language and machine-purchase flexibility; the committee then reported the bill favorably. SB 204, which increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a declaratory-statement process for veteran service organizations to confirm machine legality, drew support from gaming interests and some soft opposition from a veterans group concerned about implementation; it was also reported favorably.
The committee then took up a proposed committee substitute combining SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and vacation properties. The combined bill would require certain rental properties near water bodies or with pools to install specified alarms, locks, fences, covers, or similar safety devices, with enforcement through DBPR and a grace period for correcting some violations. Senators emphasized the bill as a response to child drowning deaths, including those involving autistic children, and the PCS was reported favorably. SB 980, as a delete-everything amendment, would create the Florida Agegate Act to restrict advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in areas accessible to those under 21, with penalties and inspection authority; after questions about counterfeit products and enforcement, it was reported favorably.
The committee also approved SB 1708, which removes a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for veterinary licensure by endorsement while keeping other competency requirements, and SB 680, as amended, which creates a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, subject to metering and affidavit requirements. Several members recorded votes after the roll calls, and the meeting ended with an invitation to return later for another bill before adjournment.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- We got a lot of people standing. We don't want to force them to have any undue inconvenience.
- Thank you for being with us today. >> Some of those projects are $1,500 projects.
- Thank you for being with us today. >> AIA, architects, all of the construction companies, all of the
- Any quick questions of Mr. Horton. >> All right. Thank you for being with us today. >> Ivy.
- So just passing this out to be mindful of those types of vehicles when they come before us."
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not just about the tax rates and the ability of other taxing units to fill in the void.
- And so we used, you know, we used federal dollars for that. So I, and when times of plenty, I mean.
- Kind of give us the example of the equipment you bought, what you paid for it, and what the assessment
- And first of all, thanks to Chairman Meyer and his staff for talking with us. and working with us, and
- As you may know, the bulk of our membership is composed of independent contractors.
Keywords:
HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Just ask for a favor of passage.
- It's a set of three amendments.
- Amendment number three removes the prohibition on collectors using a waiver of the prescriptive period
- To kind of clarify, I just was full of that. But I don't think that was the intent of the language.
- The original bill did do some of that. The original bill did do some of that.
Keywords:
local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension, delinquency penalties, estimated assessment, arbitrary assessment, certified mail notice, audit notice, taxpayer rights, installment agreement, Louisiana tax law, Title 47, revenue collection, tax administration
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- And some of the numbers I have looked at just for the state of Oklahoma because of the congestion, it's
- Members, House Bill 4484 is legislation that allows for the use of state-owned and state-leased vehicles
- Place of employment or where they travel and performance of work duties at the discretion of the Corporation
- now, it's either $35 an acre or $1000 an acre without us using dual use practices.
- use.
Keywords:
electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management, state vehicles, state-owned vehicles, state-leased vehicles, motor vehicle use, commuting use, personal use, fleet management, Corporation Commission, field inspectors
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- of, of, of, I know the initial cost of redoing all these lines to smart technology is, you have a little
- So Oklahoma is part of Miles of it.
- Members, House Bill 4484 is legislation that allows for the use of state-owned and state-leased vehicles
- now it's either $35 an acre or $1,000 an acre without us using dual-use practices.
- Chair. $35 an acre or $1,000 an acre without us using dual-use practices.
Keywords:
electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management, state vehicles, state-owned vehicles, state-leased vehicles, motor vehicle use, commuting use, personal use, fleet management, Corporation Commission, field inspectors
Summary:
The committee first considered the nomination of Russell Isaacs to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. Isaacs described his farming background and experience with cotton, corn, sorghum, and wheat, and said he regularly tests conservation technologies on his farm. Senators discussed his water-conservation experience and the value he could bring to the board. The nomination received 10 ayes and 0 nays and was advanced to the full Senate floor.
Members then took up House Bill 3183, dealing with smart transmission technology and electric grid efficiency. Senator Murdoch explained that the bill had been difficult to negotiate and that the enacting clause was stricken so work could continue on a committee substitute. He said the technology would allow existing transmission towers to carry lighter, more efficient lines, reduce wildfire risk, and potentially lower long-term rates by easing congestion. Senators asked about costs, who pays, and whether ratepayers or large load users would bear the burden; an amendment changed language from “customer funded” to “large load user funded.” The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill 7 ayes to 3 nays.
The committee also advanced several nominations and bills related to environmental and energy policy. Steve Mason was confirmed to the Environmental Quality Board by an 8-0 vote. House Bill 4316, which removes an old deadline that prevented nonprofit corporations from converting into water districts and accessing grant funding, passed 8-0. House Bill 4484, allowing discretionary use of state-owned or state-leased vehicles between employees’ homes and workplaces to save mileage costs, passed 9-0. House Bill 3464 created a statewide framework for energy storage and solar facilities; a motion to table an amendment failed, and the bill passed 10-0 after debate over landowner protections, decommissioning, fire safety, and dual-use agricultural concerns.
The committee then passed House Bill 3173, the Well-Repurposing Act, 10-0, to allow orphaned and abandoned wells to be repurposed for geothermal and energy storage uses, with discussion about surface-owner rights and possible tweaks to the geothermal temperature definition. House Bill 3469, a measure easing surety requirements for smaller producers by allowing a stair-stepped compliance schedule, passed 9-0. Finally, House Bill 3989 was amended for drafting corrections and then passed 9-0; it relates to the one-megawatt load standard and uses actual load over a two-year period rather than plate load. The chair ended the meeting by thanking members and staff and adjourning the committee.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Commerce and Economic Development Feb 13th, 2026 at 05:24 pm
House Commerce & Economic Development Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm interested in having an independent task force to bring us some data and information on private equity
- And so I wanted to note more that this task force, I believe, can bring us some independent information
- More that this task force, I believe, can bring us some independent information of how private equity
- It is Enmar's position that we believe it would be a great use of time and resources of the state to
- part of the United States economy.
Keywords:
public utility, certificate of public convenience and necessity, certificate of need, Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility regulation, ratemaking, energy storage, battery storage, grid reliability, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation plant, utility expansion, service territory, mutual domestic water consumer association, economic development department, clean energy, fossil fuel reduction