Transcript Highlights:

• He supported jurisprudence, veteran affairs, finance, and economic development.
• He supported jurisprudence, veteran affairs, finance, and economic development.
• Due to a limited number of veteran cemeteries, families of these veterans must travel long and far to
• opportunities to address the operational needs of veterans' cemeteries.
• to address the operational needs of veterans' cemeteries.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, heard an invocation, dispensed with the previous journal, and received a House message. Members also recognized Dr. Namita Bardwaj as doctor of the day. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 554 honoring Christopher “Chris” Jake Stone of Santa Fe for his heroism during the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting, with several senators and the lieutenant governor offering remarks about his sacrifice and the ongoing impact on his family and community. The Senate also signed a number of bills and resolutions and adopted Senate Resolution 533 recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program class, with multiple senators highlighting individual interns and the program’s role in developing future public servants. The floor then took up and passed several bills, often by suspending the regular order and the three-day rule. These included HB 1639 on a study of cancer incidence among female firefighters; HB 102 granting early registration for students in military-related programs; HB 4325 increasing civil penalties for barratry; HB 5342 creating a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline trust fund and related funding study; HB 3370 allowing late timberland appraisal applications after an owner’s death; HB 3376 requiring certain guardians to complete dementia/Alzheimer’s training; HB 132 extending confidentiality protections to information about hostile acts by foreign adversaries; and HB 1978, which sought to restrict ERCOT interconnections, but its motion to pass to engrossment failed on a 20-11 vote. Additional measures passed included HB 511 on unsolicited voter registration mailings, HB 2187 on nurse staffing, retaliation, and overtime protections, HB 2510 creating offenses for unlicensed assisted living operations, HB 694 on DFPS notification timelines, HB 1893 making license plates in law-enforcement video nonconfidential for public information requests, HB 2733 updating barratry and solicitation laws for digital communications, HB 4506 allowing opt-in electronic zoning notices, HB 3751 transferring a TxDOT property to DPS, HB 3033 creating a grant program for nonprofits supporting injured or killed DPS employees, HB 4273 on Medicaid fraud prevention and eligibility verification, HB 3211 on vision care benefits, HB 4529 exempting certain DoD-certified child care facilities from state licensure, HB 2522 easing fingerprinting requirements for certain vehicle dealers, HB 4219 tightening public information request response requirements, and HB 4783 requiring a report on opioid antagonist programs. The Senate also received a House message noting passage of SB 9, and a nominations committee report was announced for future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on and against. reputation for honoring our veterans. reputation for honoring our veterans.
• Okay, members, you're voting on House Bill 67, eligibility of veterans for veterans property tax exemption
• Vietnam veteran ribbons and all the Vietnam veteran ribbons and all the other<00:31:16.480><c> wars</
• </c><00:31:48.000><c> for</c> House Bill 67, eligibility of veterans for veterans property tax exemption
• I move House Bill 68, Veterans Exemption.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> community and ensure that other veterans community and ensure that other veterans receive<00:12:
• Getting toxic-exposed veterans access to their records to prove their claims, cancer care for veterans
• </c><02:12:34.639><c> Crisis</c> folks they support Veterans Crisis folks they support Veterans Crisis
• </c> fund getting toxic exposed veterans fund getting toxic exposed veterans access<02:12:58.440><c>
• </c><02:26:13.399><c> no</c> even heard a bit ago about veterans no even heard a bit ago about veterans

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This also, you can't even have veterans working at gun stores here.
• This summer, I was part of the military veteran affairs.
• And since our chairman isn't sticking up for our veterans, I will.
• That's the type of training our veterans get, Madam President.
• Our veterans went overseas. Please. Our veterans went overseas and fought for our rights.

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered an invocation, and handled several announcements and courtesy motions, including excusing some members and relaxing the dress code. The chamber then adopted committee reports on several bills, including Senate Bill 50, Senate Bill 30, and Senate Bill 43. It then moved to third reading of Senate Judiciary Committee substitute for Senate Bill 17, the “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act.” SB 17 was read at length and explained by Senator O’Malley and co-sponsor Senator Bergman as a gun crime prevention measure aimed at dealer security, employee training, recordkeeping, reporting requirements, inspections, and a ban on future dealer sales or transfers of certain firearms and accessories, including high-capacity magazines, .50-caliber rifles and cartridges, gas-operated semi-automatic firearms with detachable magazines, and machine guns. Supporters argued the bill targets the retail-to-criminal pipeline, improves accountability, and would help reduce gun trafficking and violence. Opponents argued it infringes on constitutional rights, would not stop criminals from obtaining guns, and would burden law-abiding citizens and dealers. The chamber then debated Floor Amendment No. 1 by Senator Brantley, which would have struck Section 7, the portion banning certain weapons and devices. Supporters of the amendment said Section 7 was the most constitutionally vulnerable part of the bill and would likely be litigated, while opponents said the section was central to the bill’s purpose and consistent with Second Amendment case law. The amendment failed on a roll call vote, 15-22. A second amendment by Senator Block, which would have exempted certain under-21 employees from the bill’s age restriction if they were military members, veterans, or had completed hunter safety or 4-H programs, was then taken up and debated, with supporters emphasizing military training and youth firearms education as evidence of responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 208 by Senator Kathy provides relative to certain services for veterans, restrictions on
• services provided to veterans for compensation.
• McFarland replied that it did, and that the change was that it allows the veteran to choose if they want
• McFarland confirmed that it was, saying the bill now allows the veteran to choose if they want to use
• Owen asked whether any veterans organization was contacted before these changes were approved at conference

Bills: HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HCR112 , HR307 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR79 , HCR104 , HB75 , HB410 , HB719 , HB750 , HB944 , HB1098 , HB1220 , HB1252 , HB359 , HB210 , HB468 , HB1117 , SB382 , HB368 , HB552 , HB732 , HB870 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB149 , SB208 , SB274 , SB300 , SB312 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB258 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• They're working on legislation to pass that any disabled veteran, combat veteran, and they're working
• on legislation to pass that any disabled veteran doesn't have to pay any tax at all.
• Our state is so out of control in its spending that we cannot support disabled combat veterans.
• We need to see specific language in Section 1 that exempts disabled veterans and elderly from any and
• The students that we serve are adult learners, working parents, veterans, and individuals looking to

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction and first reading and reference of bills: HB 1413, technical correction, veterans tuition
• board of security having under consideration set of Bill 1268 reading the property tax exemptions, veterans
• Your committee recommends that the bill, 1268 reading the property tax exemptions veterans submits the
• House Bill 2792, property tax exemption for veterans. Mr. President, Mr. President, there's an 8A.
• Even though it's for veterans and I support veterans and what this bill is doing, obviously the bill

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call showing 27 present, and approval of the prior journal. Members then introduced guests, including representatives of the Arizona Fair Association, Mohave County fair staff, a constituent guest, a physician candidate shadowing a senator, Father David Myers, and the Doctor of the Day. The chamber also received messages and read a long list of bills placed on second reading. The Committee of the Whole considered three measures. SB 1268, a veterans property tax exemption cleanup bill, was explained as clarifying that the exemption applies to a veteran’s primary residence and, if jointly owned, still counts as 100 percent; it received a do pass recommendation. SB 1051, requiring hospitals to collect and report patient immigration-status information for accounting purposes, drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would improve accountability for hospital spending and taxpayer costs, while opponents argued it would intimidate patients, discourage care, burden hospitals, and target immigrants unfairly. Despite repeated points of order and appeals over germaneness and remarks, the bill advanced on a 16-13 vote. SB 1316, creating a rural health transformation fund process with public hearings and JLBC involvement, was presented as a transparency measure for roughly $167 million in federal rural health funds; supporters favored legislative input, while opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay care. It advanced 17-13. The Committee of the Whole reported all three bills do pass, and the Senate adopted the report. HB 2792 was substituted for SB 1268 as an identical measure and passed with the emergency clause by a 29-1 vote. SB 1123 and SB 1145 also passed, and SB 1125, dealing with child safety and communication with tribal nations regarding group homes, passed unanimously 30-0. SB 1316 passed 17-13, and SB 1051 passed 17-13 after a lengthy floor debate in which supporters framed it as a fiscal/accountability measure and opponents called it harmful, anti-immigrant, and likely to deter medical care. The Senate then announced committee meetings for the next day and adjourned until Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Vice President of Veterans and Public Safety at the Meadows Mental Health Institute.
• Commission as the Veterans Mental Health Director.
• We have local veterans that are trained to provide peer support to other veterans and families in their
• We helped design it after the Military Veteran Peer Network and then get it stood up.
• I mean, as a state, we did it with the Military Veteran Peer Network.

Bills: HB35 , HB138 , HB754 , HB1314 , HB1612 , HB2254 , HB2510 , HB2789 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4643 , HB4783 , HB138

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• "As Chair of Veteran Affairs, I went down to that, sat with some friends with Lockheed Company in the
• But the PGA, in particular, in the Valero Open contributes more to our veterans than the NFRA."
• "And contributes more to our veterans than the NFL, the MLB, and the NBA combined.
• One PGA event contributes more to our veterans than the NBA, the NBA, the NFL, and the MLB combined.
• do for our veterans.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation, and routine business including dispensing with the previous day’s journal, receiving a House message on HB 104/HJR 34, and a gubernatorial message naming two appointees to the Texas Real Estate Commission. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, Golf Day in Texas, Cindy Ramos-Davidson, and the 50th anniversary of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. Members then adopted memorial resolutions honoring fallen first responders, including Deputy Jesse Ray Perez and Deputy Melissa Pollard, and the Senate agreed to adjourn in their memory. The Senate considered and passed several bills. SB 2199 increased penalties for loading overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; SB 1959 adjusted permit factors for the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District; SB 1376 changed supervision rules for code enforcement officer trainees; SB 2595 created a new offense for harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while concealing identity with a mask or similar headgear; SB 1012 authorized sale or lease of certain surplus state property in Austin; SB 2245 revised bonded title procedures; SB 2605 created a municipal housing authority asset commission; SB 3044 expanded and adjusted the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District; SB 628 clarified county fire code enforcement authority through interlocal agreements; SB 2778 raised the spending threshold for emergency services district employees; SB 3039 addressed public higher education transfer issues; and SB 2523 allowed release from municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition. Most of these bills were passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and final passage was completed, often by wide margins. The chamber also took up SB 1844, which would require cities to provide services before expanding taxing areas into limited-purpose jurisdictions; a floor amendment narrowed the bill, and it was passed to engrossment. SB 2284 clarified municipal and county authority over firearms, airguns, archery equipment, and related items, and was passed despite opposition. SB 2529, dealing with the vote threshold for taxing units to adopt higher tax rates or issue tax bonds, prompted extended debate over voter approval and representative decision-making; after questions, the bill was passed to engrossment and held. At the end of the session, the Senate recessed for 20 minutes and announced it would meet as the Caucus of the Whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• resolution expressing gratitude and solemn remembrance of the service, sacrifice, and bravery of veterans
• , including United States veterans and Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, and Vietnamese veterans involved in the
• </c><00:27:13.440><c> and</c> including United States veterans and including United States veterans and
• refugees in 1975, is now home to 10,11 Cambodian, 97,741 Hmong, 13,074 Lao, and 34,210 Vietnamese veterans
• including the United States secret war in Laos, honors the service, bravery, and sacrifice of all veterans

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 788 is a veterans nursing homes bill.
• This would authorize the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs to allow a 501
• , and surviving spouses to create veterans and spouse-designated nursing home beds in a skilled nursing
• This would authorize the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs to allow a 501
• Members, there's a real shortage for veterans' beds in the state of Florida to the tune of about 4,000

Summary: The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association. Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably. The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair, and members, Senate Bill 78 is a veterans nursing homes bill.
• This would authorize the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs to allow a
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit retirement community operating on a campus with housing for only veterans, their
• This would authorize the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs to allow a
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit retirement community operating on a campus with housing for only veterans, their

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures. The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony. Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices. The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's minority businesses, veterans, and all within rural Colorado.
• </c> veterans, and all within rural Colorado. veterans, and all within rural Colorado.
• </c><00:53:46.160><c> and</c> behind um, rural Colorado veterans and behind um, rural Colorado veterans
• I think this military and our veterans.
• ><02:09:12.079><c> affairs</c> civic, military, and veterans affairs civic, military, and veterans affairs

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• currently for a veteran, they can call in to utilize their veterans exemption once they've qualified
• Also, a reminder, if it wasn't on there, like your veterans, if you didn't have a veterans notice on
• Also, a reminder, if it wasn't on there, like your veterans, if you didn't have a veterans notice on
• , if you didn't have a like your veterans, if you didn't have a veterans<00:51:19.200><c> notice</c><
• So, a veterans exemption is treating a person that wasn't a veteran differently, right?

Committee: Joint Revenue

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And our veterans, 9 million veterans, could get their VA health care paid for for the next two years.
• And our veterans, 9<00:27:58.640><c> million</c><00:27:59.039><c> veterans,</c><00:27:59.520><c> could
• Day veteran services and honored<01:02:37.920><c> veterans</c><01:02:38.720><c> with</c><01:02:39.040
• ><c> a</c><01:02:39.200><c> 100red-year</c> honored veterans with a 100red-year honored veterans with
• They help veterans get health care.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also put dollars in for our veteran teachers to receive a raise, which 50% of them will.
• We also put dollars in for our veteran teachers to receive a raise, which 50% of them will.
• Not all of the veteran teachers have been teaching for 10 years or longer.
• We have more veterans that are living on the streets.
• We say we love our veterans, and we still don't protect them the way we should.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial funding bill clarifies that...
• The Veterans Memorial Committee of Forest Lake has served as an advisory and advocacy partner to the
• Ron Miller, the chair of the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee.
• Yes, I am Ron Miller, and I've been the chair of the Forest Lake Veterans Memorial Committee since we
• We have 66 pavers that we sold just over this winter, and we'll be the Veterans Memorial site ends in

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Marine veteran.
• and a bona fide Bronze Star recipient, and to immediate family members of the veteran.
• Finally, the bill tasks ADOT with depositing the $25 fee in the Veterans Donation Fund. Mr.
• Anything for our veterans, I always say that, and I love supporting our vets.
• there's another sign that says Veterans Memorial Highway.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy Arizona Department of Transportation presentation on major corridor projects, beginning with Interstate 11. ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said the entire 280-mile I-11 corridor from Nogales to the Nevada line is covered by a federal lawsuit, which has paused Tier 2 work pending a Tier 1 reevaluation and public comment period expected later this year and into early 2027. Members asked whether the northern segment could move forward separately; ADOT said the lawsuit covers the full corridor and that segmentation would likely add time and cost. The committee also heard updates on SR 347 and the I-10 Wild Horse Pass corridor, including widening, interchange reconstructions, grade separations, and traffic-management improvements, with members raising concerns about congestion, signal timing, construction hours, signage, and safety. ADOT also presented the West Kingman I-40/US 93 project, a $106.5 million free-flow ramp project that is about 60% complete and expected to finish in early 2027; members discussed temporary traffic controls near Beale Street and the need for better access and safety in the area. The committee then moved to a mass hearing on the Regional Transportation Advocacy Council (RTAC) bill, House Bill 2304, which appropriates about $473 million for a list of rural and small-metro highway projects. Testimony came from regional planning organizations, county officials, mayors, and city staff supporting projects in Apache Junction, Show Low, Chino Valley, Sedona, Eloy, Coolidge, Casa Grande, Lake Havasu City, Clarkdale, San Luis, and Yavapai County. Speakers described projects such as road widenings, bypasses, bridge and interchange improvements, flood and evacuation routes, freight access, and safety upgrades, often emphasizing local matching funds, shovel-ready status, and economic development benefits. Committee members frequently asked about traffic flow, emergency access, and project design details, while the chair reminded witnesses that support in the budget would still depend on members advocating for the projects during budget negotiations. No final vote on the RTAC bill or the individual project bills was taken in the portion provided, but the chair announced a mass-motion approach: members and witnesses would be allowed to speak briefly on each project, after which the committee would vote on the package together. The meeting also included brief staff explanations of several individual appropriation bills, including funding for Apache Junction, the Wolford Road extension in Show Low, Ray Lane in Graham County, SR 89 widening in Chino Valley, and Sedona roadway and roundabout-related improvements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Substitute Senate Bill 5827, an act relating to veterans discharge definition, modifies the definition
• Substitute Senate Bill 5827, an act relating to veterans discharge definition modifies the definition
• An act relating to veterans discharge definition modifies the definition to allow an individual releasing
• We have not done a major update to the low-income senior, disabled persons, and veterans property tax
• Senate Bill 5954, concerning veteran survivor tuition waiver eligibility, I move that Senate Bill 5954

Bills: SB6147 , SB6082 , SB5862 , SB5882 , SB6323 , SB6346 , SB6162 , SB6256 , SB6220 , SB5650 , SB6343 , SB6113 , SB6211 , SB6114 , SB5898 , SB6347 , SB6244 , SB5868 , SB5762 , SB5988 , SB6194 , SB6246 , SB6223 , SB6052 , SB5828 , SB5954 , SB5963 , SB5909 , SGA9306

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: grocery establishments, closure notice, consumer rights, local businesses, student financial aid, financial aid fraud, higher education, college enrollment fraud, fictitious students, ghost students, enrollment fraud, aid integrity, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, AI fraud, fraud prevention, Washington State, legislative audit, JLARC, full-time equivalent

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's also beautiful and functional, and the veterans are proud of their space.
• And we do jammies and socks and different things, blankets for the veterans every year.
• I called and asked the activities director, what do the veterans want?
• It might be the nicest facility that veterans have anywhere in the country.
• It might be the nicest facility that veterans have anywhere in the country.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.