Transcript Highlights:

• We just celebrated a couple of years ago 100 years since Illinois No. 3.
• 61-14B-3.1 and Section 61-14B-15.1 in NMSA 1978, being Laws 1999, Chapter 128, Sections 3 and 8, as
• House Bill 213, having been read by title, is ruled germane pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(3) of
• 3 and 8, as amended, effect of January 1st, 2028.
• Is ruled germane pursuant to Article 4, Section 5(B)(3) of the New Mexico Constitution, ordered printed

Bills: HM3 , HM11 , HM14 , HM15 , HM18 , HM21 , HB10 , HB11 , HB12 , HB13 , HB14 , HB31 , HB50

Keywords: nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we support the added language in Section 3 to include health care facilities, including hospitals
• Secondly, also in Section 3, we ask to include provisions that were included in the bill as a pass out
• It also creates liability as to Section 3.
• My name is Tiani Milner, and I am the section chief of the major economic crimes unit of the Attorney
• My name is Tiani Milner and I am the section chief of the major economic crimes unit of the Attorney

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken. For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Going back to tab 3, Senator Sharief, you are recognized to explain CS for Senate Bill 196.
• And the second part of that, the second question was in Section 6.
• So I am speaking on the medical marijuana section of the bill.
• I wish to be recorded in the affirmative on Tabs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Thank you. Senator Harrell.
• I wish to be recorded in the affirmative on tabs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Thank you. Senator Harold.

Bills: S0042 , S0196 , S0878 , S0902 , S0914 , S1092 , S1168 , S1340 , S1404 , S1414 , S1684 , S1686

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, uterine fibroids, health database, medical research, personal data protection, women's health, clinical laboratory, licensure, healthcare personnel, technologist, technician, medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment on page 3, line 9, identified as MOET 510, and the amendment on page 3, line 9, identified
• So the amendment on page 3, line 9, identified as. amendment on page 3, line 9, identified as Moet 510
• I move page 3, line 9.
• I move MOET 515 on page 3, line 9.
• I'd like to move MOET 516 on page 3, line 9.

Summary: The House Education Committee first briefed several bills and amendments before going into caucus, then returned for executive action. House Bill 1295, on comprehensive literacy programs, was amended to require aligned literacy curricula and reporting, with one proposed substitute withdrawn and several amendments debated; the committee rejected amendments that would have added implementation deadlines and reporting, adopted an amendment requiring a 2032 OSPI report on literacy outcomes, and advanced the bill with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2262, which adds cursive signature instruction to mandatory high school civics and requires election-related reporting on signature mismatches, was amended to recognize culturally specific signatures, include historical context about marginalized communities, remove a graduation-credit condition, and drop State Board monitoring language; the committee rejected a null-and-void amendment and advanced the bill. House Bill 2551, allowing certain school districts to sell real property with superintendent authorization, was debated as a fiscal flexibility measure and passed out of committee on a 10-4 vote. The committee also considered House Bill 2593 on school district fund balances and monthly financial reporting. A proposed substitute shifted the bill away from mandatory minimum fund balances toward formal financial monitoring for districts below required levels, technical assistance from OSPI, and possible withholding of apportionment payments for reporting failures; an amendment removed the withholding provision, and the substitute bill was then advanced with a do pass recommendation. House Bill 2594, establishing state-based protections for homeless students and aligning state requirements with McKinney-Vento, received a technical amendment to avoid duplicative provisions and was reported out unanimously. House Bill 2636, creating a Public Education Performance Operations and Funding Review Commission, was substantially revised into a Public Education Review Advisory Council that would work with JLARC to review education policy requirements and funding; a null-and-void amendment failed, and the committee advanced the substitute bill unanimously. Throughout the meeting, sponsors and members emphasized literacy improvement, student access, district fiscal stability, and reducing or reviewing unfunded mandates. Several members spoke in support of the bills as tools to improve outcomes or provide flexibility, while others raised concerns about mandates, reporting burdens, and the practicality of implementation. Final actions included multiple do pass recommendations, with recorded votes on HB 2551, HB 2593, HB 2594, and HB 2636, and unanimous or near-unanimous support on the other measures after amendment debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• 6 AB c d so it's the subheadings section 6 AB c d so it's the subheadings ABC<01:11:19.880><c> 3</c>
• </c><01:12:02.560><c> of</c> Section 3 ABC introduces examples of Section 3 ABC introduces examples of
• I have a problem with potential unintended consequences with the new section, Roman 3, little C, which
• Roman 3 little with the new section Roman 3 little C<01:21:13.480><c> which</c><01:21:13.960><c> prohibits
• one testimony um in Roman in section one Roman<01:29:46.600><c> 3</c><01:29:47.600><c> one</c><01:29

Committee: House Election Law

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll further add a new section 3 amending 21H-163 HRS.
• </c><01:26:16.480><c> 3</c><01:26:16.719><c> amending</c> further add a new section 3 amending further
• add a new section 3 amending 21H-1631HRS.
• 21H</c><01:26:23.760><c> section</c><01:26:24.080><c> 3</c> Section 3 is amended 21H section 3 Section
• 3 is amended 21H section 3 section<01:26:24.800><c> 201H-163</c> section 201H-163 section 201H-163 HRS

Summary: The joint House committees on Housing and Education heard HB 1713, HD1, which would repeal school impact fees and transfer remaining balances in the school impact fee and certain fair share accounts to the school facilities special fund. The Department of Education testified in opposition, while the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, the Attorney General’s office (with comments and suggested constitutional amendments), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, NAP Hawaii, Avalon Development Company, Mark Development, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Landis Research Foundation, BIA Hawaii, and others testified in support. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The DOE said the bill would weaken a key tool for matching school facilities to residential growth, while supporters said the current program leaves funds unused or restricted in ways that limit their effectiveness. A lengthy discussion followed about the difference between the older school impact fee program and the separate fair share agreements tied to land use entitlements and change-of-zone approvals. DOE Deputy Superintendent Jesse Suki explained that fair share funds are tied to the district where they were collected, may be too small to build a full school on their own, and are held until needed for projects such as Core Ridge, Central and West Maui, and other planned schools. Committee members pressed DOE on why funds had remained unspent for years, how much money was in the accounts, and whether the department had reviewed audit findings about the program. Members also questioned whether homeowners ultimately bear these costs through developers passing them along. The committee did not take a vote during the portion of the meeting provided. The discussion ended with members and DOE debating whether the current statute should remain in place, whether past entitlements should be affected, and whether the bill should be amended to better address remaining construction-related obligations and the use of collected funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• , new sections, regarding assessments and tier logic for other programs.
• , new sections, regarding assessments and tier logic for other programs. additional sections, new sections
• So we say next year we’ll save around $6 million, $3 million in general revenue, $3 million federal funds
• , and then another $3 million bringing a total...” “...revenue, $3 million federal funds, and then another
• $3 million, bringing a total of $9 million in municipal government, state county.

Summary: The committee approved the December 8 minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees, adopting the chair’s recommendations. The main substantive item was a DHS rule package revising the State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, implement Act 853 by shifting licensure/certification for personal care agencies to the Department of Health, lengthen personal care prior authorizations from six months to one year, and keep the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and add/update sections for PASS, AR Choices, Living Choices, and PACE. DHS argued the current independent assessment process is costly and not controlling utilization, citing a 95% approval rate, annual spending of more than $212 million on personal care for about 17,000 people, and an estimated $6.173 million in savings from eliminating the Optum assessment and reducing prior-authorization frequency. Agency witnesses said the new process would reinsert primary care practitioner involvement, use standardized evaluation and prescription forms, and rely on personal care provider nurses for the assessment step, with training already available through an AFMC contract. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers, whether the change would delay services, and whether the savings estimate accounted for training or provider burden. Some members also raised concerns about conflicts of interest, the workload on physicians, and whether the agency had adequately worked with the existing vendor to improve the current system. The discussion became contentious, with Senator Irvin and others strongly opposing the proposal as inconsistent with the earlier independent-assessment approach and urging DHS to slow down and work with legislators. Other members asked for clarification on how the new process would work for new applicants and whether it would affect waiver or PASS participants; DHS said the rule would not apply to PASS and should not delay services. At the end of the hearing, the chair offered DHS the option to pull the rule down and work off-record with legislators on a revised proposal, and DHS agreed. The meeting then adjourned without further business or a final vote on the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3D, Article 3 of the state constitution.
• 3D, Article 3 of the state constitution.
• Saturday, May 3, 2025.
• Saturday, May 3, 2025.
• Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then moved into special order and returning messages. Early floor action included passage of HB 6503 (relief for Mandy Penny Lamon by Sarasota County), HB 1123 (sewer collection systems), HB 211 (farm products), and a joint resolution on ad valorem tax exemption for agricultural tangible personal property, all approved without opposition. Several other measures were temporarily postponed before the chamber recessed and later returned to messages from the House. The Senate then took up a series of House amendments and conference-style motions on major bills. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response was amended and concurred in after debate over hurricane recovery, local government moratoriums, evacuation timing in the Keys, and property tax and redevelopment provisions; it passed 34-1. CS/HB 1609 on waste incineration and auxiliary containers was heavily debated over plastic and polystyrene preemption, local beach and park regulations, and landfill/incinerator provisions, then passed 26-10. CS/HB 1205 on citizen initiatives was amended to allow volunteers to carry up to 25 petitions without registration/training and passed 28-9. The Senate also refused to concur in a House amendment to SB 234 on offenses against law enforcement, and in SB 116 on veterans, seeking to restore funding for veteran suicide prevention. Later, the chamber approved or advanced several education and health-related bills. CS/HB 1255 on education was amended and passed, with changes to school readiness and other education provisions. CS/HB 875 on educator preparation passed after discussion of cognitive science, classroom management, teacher excellence programs, and the phaseout of the general knowledge test. CS/HB 1105, a large education package, passed after debate over charter school conversions, cell phone restrictions, and other school governance changes. In health care, CS/HB 1427 was introduced as a comprehensive package combining multiple health-related provisions, though the excerpt ends before final action on that bill. Throughout the day, the Senate also concurred or refused to concur in various House amendments on mental health, financial institutions, land development, brownfields, and out-of-network provider legislation, with votes generally recorded and several measures passing on divided but mostly favorable roll calls.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:41.760><c> 185,</c> on House Bill 2, page 70, section 185, on House Bill 2, page 70, section
• Um every year the class 3 ACPs.
• /c><00:16:48.720><c> and</c> department has to review class 3 and department has to review class 3 and
• "So, again, is that under section 186?
• It's around $3 million per general fund.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I just want to say I think I understand what's happening here in section 3, but I want to...
• Section 3 says, subject to subsection B of this section, the changes in law made by this act apply to
• Section 3 is the same in both.
• Section 3. Section 3 of House Bill 748, and then... Of Senate Bill 835, it's just section 2.
• 1, Section 9 of the U.S.

Bills: HB128 , HB34 , HB 128 , HB621 , HB748 , HB2259 , HB2960 , HB3113 , HB4749 , SB835

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in section three.
• It's in section<00:27:23.440><c> three.
• </c> ought to pass by a vote of 3 to1. ought to pass by a vote of 3 to1.
• </c><01:11:40.960><c> and</c><01:11:41.120><c> amends</c> section five to section seven and amends section
• The Senate will be attentive to the clerk. 3 to2. Senator Ganon for the Senator 3 to2.

Transcript Highlights:

• , amending Section 16-1620, Idaho Code, to revise terminology, amending Section 16-1621, Idaho Code,
• Amending Section 16-1620, Idaho Code, to revise terminology, amending Section 16-1621, Idaho Code, to
• Amending Section 16-15-I-I-O-Code to revise terminology.
• To revise terminology, amending section 16, 1620, Idaho Code, to revise terminology, amending section
• Fifty-four ayes, 13 nays, 3 abstentions.

Transcript Highlights:

• 3(c), Florida Constitution, and Section 11.01, Florida Statutes, do hereby proclaim: Section 1, that
• 3(c), Florida Constitution, and Section 11.01, Florida Statutes, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida
• Section 3.
• It does not change the employee's contribution rate, which remains 3%.
• It does not change the employee's contribution to the rate, which remains 3%.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Section 3 increases the debt limit of the Public Facilities Authority's credit enhancement program
• Sections 4 and 5 infrastructure bonds.
• </c> So moving on to section 6, section 6 amends a definition in chapter 474A, Minnesota's Bond Allocation
• ><c> 7,</c> Moving on to section 7, section 7 facilitates the implementation of the BCA Maryland building
• Yes, we are meeting on Thursday at 3:00 p.m.

Bills: HF4736 , HF4737 , HF3806 , HF3352 , HF4840 , HF3748

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• 3% of nothing is nothing.
• They have this additional 3% cap.
• Those are the ones that we have in front of us, Section 11 and Section 57.
• I give you kind of a general overview in this section. The next section relates to committee...
• That's in this next section.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the last section. Section 2, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.
• Read the last section. Section 3, this act shall take effect two years after it shall become a law.
• Read the last section.
• Read the last section. Section 3, this act shall take effect immediately. Call the roll.
• &gt;&gt; READ THE LAST SECTION. &gt;&gt; SECTION 3, THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation focused on memory, gratitude, and recognizing the unseen people who sustain public life, then approved the prior day’s journal and moved through introductions of guests, including domestic violence advocates, medical scholars, and student advocates. Senator Webb’s Resolution 1633, designating February 23, 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day, was adopted after remarks describing the scope of domestic violence in New York and the need for more survivor services. The chamber also adopted memorial Resolution 1558 honoring Margaret D. Williams, a vocalist, public servant, and community leader, and Resolution 1630 marking the 20th anniversary of Park and Public Lands Advocacy Day, with comments emphasizing the health and community benefits of parks and green space. The Senate then took up a series of bills on the calendar, passing measures including amendments to the Environmental Conservation Law, Labor Law, Education Law, Administrative Code of New York City, General Municipal Law, Tax Law, Cannabis Law, and Executive Law. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as the Anti-Waiver of Employment Rights Act, which would prevent employers from forcing workers to waive labor and human rights protections in applications or onboarding documents. Several bills were passed by wide margins, while some were laid aside for the day. The chamber also restored Senate Print 438 to the third reading calendar after reconsideration. A contested amendment to Calendar 234, Senator Comrie’s Executive Law bill, was ruled non-germane by the chair; Senator Walczyk appealed, arguing the amendment addressing the state energy code and all-electric building mandate was relevant to housing costs, but the Senate voted 20 to sustain the chair’s ruling. The underlying bill was then returned to the non-controversial calendar and passed. Finally, the Senate adopted a concurrent resolution electing two members to the Board of Regents, with supporters praising the nominees’ experience and critics objecting to the limited vetting time; the resolution passed 42-15. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, February 26 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's set on a quarter section of land, but it's not parceled off.
• So there's a 3% cap year over year taxable evaluation.
• So that's not a 3% increase. It's more like a 99% increase.
• Which one I like to take up amendment number 3. Clerk will read.
• Speaker, I move to amend House Bill 4490, page 6, section 3, lines 9 through 13.

Bills: HB3407 , HB1242 , HJR1081 , HB3443 , HB3781 , HB1939 , HB4237 , HB3430 , HB3321 , HB3905 , HB3329 , HB4253 , HB4421 , HB4311 , HJR1046 , HB2015 , HB3244 , HB4265 , HB3941 , HB4203 , HB2941 , HB3695 , HB3380 , HB3132 , HB3673 , HB3134 , HB3383 , HB4490 , HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 3.
• ><01:38:15.280><c> applies</c><01:38:15.600><c> to</c> 9 section 3 of this act applies to 9 section 3
• <04:52:26.320><c> 2016-3-301.5</c> section 2016-3-301.5 section 2016-3-301.5 to<04:52:28.400><c> search
• <04:58:32.718><c> 2016-3-301.5</c> section 2016-3-301.5 section 2016-3-301.5 to<04:58:35.040><c> search
• c> institutional petitioner. 8 section 3 in institutional petitioner. 8 section 3 in Colorado<05:00:55.360

Transcript Highlights:

• The journal show it has been read at length the third time, section by section.
• The journal show it has been read at length the third time, section by section, and now placed before
• The journal shows it has been read third time at length, section by section, and placed before the Senate
• The journal shows it has been read the third time at length, section by section, and placed before the
• The journal show it has been read the third time at length, section by section, and properly placed before

Transcript Highlights:

• Section four by let's count please bring your amendment down front.
• Members, we're moving on to Article 3.
• Substitute Senate Bill 1 under Rule 8 Section 4 of the House.
• Senate Bill 1 is finally passed subject to Article 3, Section 49A, Texas constitution. Mr.
• House Bill five. 500 is finally passed subject to Article 3 section 49 a Texas Constitution I do want

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption