Transcript Highlights:

• As we approach an era where artificial intelligence makes convincing false media increasingly accessible
• example, we are currently considering whether to build out battery cell and composite manufacturing capabilities

Bills: SB29, SB406, SB447, SB875, SB893, SB1033, SB1346, SB1362, SB1539, SCR22, SB 29

Keywords: business organization, internal management, corporate governance, partnerships, liability reduction, birth certificate, biological sex, gender identity, health and safety, sex assignment, SB 875, Texas, independent school district, ISD, school board trustee, superintendent, campus administrator, electioneering, political signs, early voting

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, member, HB 2592, Artificial Intelligence State Agency's Rules, requires ADOA to have budget
• the director of ADOA to have every budget unit identify opportunities to implement artificial intelligence
• requires ADOA to submit a report that identifies each budget unit that implemented an artificial intelligence

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee worked through a very long minority caucus calendar covering a wide range of bills, with many items being described and then either left on consent, pulled from consent, or noted for votes. Topics included bullion and state depository proposals, a produce incentive appropriation, a biennial budget change, veterans services funding, driver licensing and traffic enforcement measures, procurement and public records changes, school board and school facilities rules, SNAP work requirements and verification, child welfare and juvenile justice provisions, housing and homelessness measures, energy and fuel policy, election administration, and several tax, commerce, and licensing bills. Members repeatedly raised concerns about constitutionality, federal preemption, duplication of existing law, and whether some measures were policy priorities that had been vetoed in prior sessions and were returning unchanged. Several bills drew extended debate. Members objected to English-proficiency requirements for commercial drivers and motor carriers, arguing federal law and the supremacy clause would bar them. Earned wage access regulation prompted strong opposition over consumer harm, overdraft cycles, and high effective APRs. School-related bills were criticized for overregulating public schools while not imposing similar requirements on ESA/private-school programs, especially on fingerprint clearance and reporting. SNAP-related bills were also opposed as setting unrealistic mandates and repeating vetoed proposals. Other contested measures included a drag-show criminalization bill, a bill restricting photo enforcement, a bill limiting local regulation of unmanned aircraft, and a bill conforming Arizona tax law to federal changes, which members said would benefit wealthy taxpayers and corporations without a clear funding source. The committee also heard a number of supportive or less controversial measures, including bills on veterans awareness, dementia care telemonitoring, Braille transcription funding, CPA licensure pathways, cash acceptance by retailers, and some child safety and court administration changes. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, while others were noted as having unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The meeting ended with caucus announcements, including an affordability award presentation, an upcoming Latino Caucus discussion on community land trusts, and an invitation to African American Legislative Day activities, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also continue its examination of artificial intelligence.
• Legislative Education Study Committee has convened an Education Data Governance and Artificial Intelligence
• Statewide education data governance and policies to address artificial intelligence.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas can reap enormous savings and better service delivery by harnessing artificial intelligence, but
• caption: Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1964 relating to the regulation and use of artificial intelligence
• Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1964, relating to the regulation and use of artificial intelligence

Summary: The Senate first adopted a motion to move the intent calendar deadline to 4 p.m. and then took up several bills by suspending the regular order of business. Senate Bill 2031, concerning removal of high fences around breeder deer release sites, passed after an amendment shortened the testing period from five years to three, tied visible identification requirements to the date Parks and Wildlife began requiring them, and made the bill effective immediately. Senate Bill 1490, a cleanup to adult charter high school funding, and Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2227, creating a process for delayed birth certificates and renamed the Charles E. Barton Act, both passed unanimously after floor amendments. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1964, regulating artificial intelligence systems used by state agencies, also passed unanimously after the author described guardrails for high-risk AI and disclosure requirements. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 2877, which increases penalties for election fraud and related attempts; after debate over whether existing law already covers some conduct and whether the bill was necessary given the small number of convictions, it passed to engrossment and later final passage on a 21-10 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2658, on brackish groundwater production and study, passed after four amendments, including one giving water districts authority to stop production if monitoring shows harm to freshwater supplies or subsidence and another returning a portion of transported water revenue to districts. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 648, strengthening recording requirements for real property instruments to help prevent deed theft, also passed on a 26-4 vote. Other measures approved included Committee Substitute Senate Bill 401, making it easier for homeschool students to participate in UIL activities through local district opt-in/nearest-district participation rules; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 407, requiring health care facilities to honor conscience or religious vaccine exemptions for employees, despite extensive questioning about patient safety and immunocompromised patients; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 2117, creating a Texas Committee on Foreign Investment to review risky foreign acquisitions; Senate Bill 1718, adding the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program after a failed amendment seeking equal space for gun-control advocacy; Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1626, clarifying limits on censorship and interference with digital expression by social media platforms; and Senate Bill 2206, updating the state R&D franchise tax credit and related sales tax treatment, which passed 31-0. The chamber also debated Senate Bill 1395 on school health advisory councils. An initial amendment to restore voting seats for teachers and school employees failed, but a later amendment by Senator West added students back in an advisory, non-voting capacity. The Senate then handled routine motions, committee scheduling, first-reading referrals, and adjourned until April 29, with the session ending in memory of two constituents.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are a lot of really, really, really intelligent people in this room as a unique and special
• in this country, which is salt of the earth, working with a pick and shovel but also incredibly intelligent
• Just obviously is hopefully reflection of the fact that we're trying to approach this with intelligence

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They might not be as bright and intelligent. ...as I have. They're devastated.
• They might not be as bright and intelligent as you. They're going through shock.
• woman that stands in front of us to be anything but some of the most morally courageous, hardcore, intelligent

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several insurance- and trust-related bills. CS/HB 265, relating to post-judgment execution proceedings involving terrorism, was presented as a measure to help victims enforce long-standing judgments against terrorist assets; it received no opposition in testimony and was reported favorably. CS/HB 1173, concerning the Florida Trust Code, clarified that the Florida Attorney General is the only public official with standing to enforce charitable trusts administered in Florida; members discussed that it was intended to resolve ambiguity identified by a court decision, and it also passed favorably. The committee then took up PCS/HB 643 on residual market insurers. The bill would remove the “diligent effort” requirement for surplus lines placements, revise surplus lines eligibility, and let Citizens policyholders elect arbitration through DOAH or the courts at renewal or issuance. The sponsor argued the changes would reduce red tape and give consumers more options, while an opponent from the Florida Justice Association warned that removing diligent-search protections could push more policyholders into higher-cost, less-regulated surplus lines coverage and that arbitration could favor insurers. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of premium credits for arbitration, the effect on Citizens, and the loss of consumer protections, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, PCS/HB 1047 on insurance regulation generated extensive debate. The bill would reduce pre-licensure hours for general lines agents from 200 to 60, clarify restrictions on public adjuster conduct, require claims-handling manuals only for active residential property insurers, and define “sufficient evidence” for bad-faith claims with examples and a 10-day objection/response process. Supporters said it would streamline claims handling and clarify timelines; opponents and several members argued it could burden policyholders, especially after disasters, and might make it easier for insurers to delay or deny claims. There was also concern about the reduced training hours for new agents and the lack of detail on what constitutes sufficient evidence or a specific objection. After a divided debate, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-6 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trafficking, online radicalization, and emerging threats driven by technology and artificial intelligence
• They also warn that artificial intelligence and digital platforms are accelerating these threats at a

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through motions, third reading, confirmations, and a consent calendar. Senator McNerney moved SB 1011 to the inactive file. The chamber also confirmed Preston Prince to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors by a 30-9 vote and reappointed Stephanie Landrigan to the State Mining and Geology Board by a 30-9 vote. Several policy bills were debated and passed. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby, requiring disclosure for advertisements using synthetic performers, passed 38-0. SB 1373 by Senator Grove, narrowing mental health diversion eligibility for certain serious offenses and restoring judicial discretion, passed 32-0 after extensive debate focused on public safety and victims. SB 1393 by Senator McGuire, a fisheries omnibus bill, passed 39-0. SB 995 by Senator Pérez, the Masuma Khan Justice Act addressing conditions and oversight in detention facilities, passed 39-0. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado, creating an Office of Food Security and Affordability, passed 37-0. The Senate also passed SB 1266 by Senator Stern, changing how copper wire theft damages are valued for public and telecommunications infrastructure, and SB 1211 by Senator González, clarifying conviction integrity units’ authority to investigate factual innocence claims as open cases, both by unanimous roll call. SB 1302 by Senator Wahab, the sunset bill for the Board of Registered Nursing, passed 38-0 after one objection to unanimous roll call. SB 1181 by Senator Hurtado, a school safety bill focused on coordination to protect youth and amended to remove fusion centers, passed 33-0 after members discussed privacy, trust, and local implementation concerns. The special consent calendar, containing multiple bills and a resolution, was adopted 39-0. The Senate then announced budget subcommittee meetings, noted completion of House of Origin work on 341 bills for the month, and recessed with the next floor session scheduled for June 1 at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2949, Energy Costs, Long-Gated; Natural Resources and Energy and Water and Artificial Intelligence
• With the Speaker's permission, the House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee will meet tomorrow

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Kelly Arwari. Members then used points of personal privilege to introduce a range of guests and groups, including clergy, healthcare advocates, short-term rental representatives, firefighters, and a Guatemalan ambassador, and the chamber also heard a proclamation recognizing the bilateral relationship between Arizona and Guatemala. Additional announcements highlighted School Counselors Week and Black History Month, along with committee meeting notices and other procedural items. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole and considered several bills. HB 2029, relating to groundwater grant funds and water-use identification, was recommended do pass; HB 2045, addressing drive-by shootings, was recommended do pass; HB 2062, creating a Buffalo Soldiers territorial monument, was recommended do pass; HB 2126 was amended on the floor and then recommended do pass as amended after friendly amendments were described as tightening the language; and HB 2131 was recommended do pass. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, and those measures were referred to engrossing. The chamber next took up HB 2792, an emergency measure concerning property tax exemptions for veterans, and passed it 57-0, with several members speaking in support and describing it as a cleanup measure tied to prior budget action and veteran tax relief. Members then debated HCR 2043, which calls on Congress to convene an Article V convention to propose a federal term-limits amendment; supporters argued term limits are needed and that the resolution is a way to pressure Congress, while opponents warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and questioned the process. The resolution passed 33-24 and was conveyed to the Senate. The House then recessed, returned briefly for additional committee and bill-routing announcements, and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought it was very intelligent on Page one trainee with you came well prepared and you had a great
• I just want to remind you all that Speaker Perez has designated next week as artificial intelligence

Transcript Highlights:

• DISTRICT BOARD OF APPEALS AND SAFETY VERSUS HEALTHCARE REQUIREMENT FOR A RULE IF COMMON UNDERSTANDING INTELLIGENCE
• AGAIN REVOLVES AROUND THE IMPERMISSIBLY VAGUE RULE HERE AND PERSONS OF COMMON UNDERSTANDING AND INTELLIGENCE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend Title 14 of the Delaware Code relating to the artificial intelligence and extended reality
• This bill introduces artificial intelligence and extended reality in the schools.
• We want actual intelligence, not artificial intelligence.
• make one note: when I talk to high school students or middle school students about artificial intelligence
• priorities on... ...the addictive design, and they focus their priorities on children's emotional intelligence

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation.
• A comment on, you know, this is talking about artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, but we
• Today I'm here to discuss artificial intelligence and the growing impact it is having in cases that we
• Artificial intelligence is changing child exploitation in North Dakota, not in theory, but in what we
• So, in closing, artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing child exploitation.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 16 minutes and then heard a presentation from Dr. Ramona Danielson on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their economic and public-system impacts. She explained that ACEs are population-level risk indicators, not individual diagnostic tools, and said higher ACE exposure is associated with more chronic illness, mental health challenges, child welfare and justice involvement, and lower workforce participation. She cautioned that precise dollar estimates are difficult because of the many interacting factors across the life course, but said the direction of the impact is clear and that evidence-based interventions and protective factors can reduce harm. Members asked about definitions of a “healthy family,” same-sex couples, divorce, substance abuse, trends in ACEs, and home visiting; she emphasized supportive relationships, protective factors, and the importance of positive childhood experiences. The committee then heard from Allison Mahoney and Missy Barranco, along with a recorded family story from Abby, about evidence-based home visiting programs in North Dakota. Abby described how Healthy Families North Dakota supported her family after a premature birth and NICU stay by providing weekly in-home coaching, developmental screenings, postpartum mental health check-ins, referrals, and parenting support. The presenters explained that home visiting is voluntary, relationship-based, and usually begins prenatally or shortly after birth, with referrals coming from hospitals, WIC, pregnancy navigators, human service zones, self-referrals, and other community partners. They said North Dakota currently has four main evidence-based models operating through 12 organizations, with Healthy Families available in all 53 counties, though only a fraction of eligible families are served. Funding was described as a patchwork of federal MIECHV/Title IV-E, Medicaid, state and tribal funds, philanthropy, charitable gaming, and other grants; members discussed whether the Legislature or agencies should expand support and how to improve outreach and sustainability. Finally, the committee received a memorandum on artificial intelligence and sexual exploitation, focusing on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, sextortion, and chatbot-related risks. The report summarized federal and state law, including North Dakota’s existing computer-generated image provisions, the federal PROTECT Act, the Take It Down Act, and recent federal executive orders on AI policy. Members discussed the need for child-safety protections, the limits of executive orders, and broader concerns about AI’s effect on critical thinking and misinformation. The committee then heard from BCI Special Agent Cassidy Halsef, who said AI is already driving a sharp rise in child exploitation cases in North Dakota, including AI-generated explicit images of real minors and school-based incidents involving mass-shared manipulated images. She said investigators are seeing more cyber tips, more difficult forensic work, and lasting harm to victims and families, and urged stronger legal penalties, specialized training, victim services, and prevention education in schools and communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• He later became First Sergeant in the Military Intelligence Company in the 7th Special Forces Group at
• never know the full extent of his contributions to our country— but we... ...we do know he served capably
• I don't know the number, but I certainly know that we have the capability to do it.
• like we've done over the past few sessions when we have trouble finding lawyers who are experienced, capable
• So that is amazing, and we know that you got that intelligence from your uncle.

Bills: SB6, SB30, SB13, SB2878, SB2501, SB66, SB268, SB331, SB618, SB414, SB1394, SB2425, SB898, SB993, SB442, SB735, SB784, SB2538, SB1919, SB1013, SB2215, SB2322, SB626, SB570, SB747, SB2183, SB673, SB1015, SB1447, SB1370, SB1784, SB1897, SB2873, SB2891, SB2933, SB2540, SB2681, SB2695, SB1965, SB2203, SB872, SB875, SB1030, SB1277, SB1730, SB1681, SB1152, SB2969, SB2747, SB2705, SB2541, SB1708, SB2080, SB2721, SB1986, SB2392, SB2539, SB2857, SB2799, SB2785, SB2782, SB1531, SB1927, SB1263, SB1098, SB835, SB3070, SB22, SJR27, SB25, SB7, SB552, SB1612, SJR87, SJR1, SB6, SB30, SB13, SB2878, SB57, SB127, SB293, SB441, SB3059, SB512, SB241, SB1718, SB140, SB2055, SB2075, SB2018, SB1534, SB1567, SB785, SB1233, SB1580, SB1663, SB413, SB447, SB519, SB467, SB1579, SB1191, SB1021, SB1838, SB2807, SB2835, SB546, SB2121, SB2167, SB2035, SB2024, SB1032, SB1049, SB1266, SB1400, SB1302, SB401, SB1596, SB1281, SB1242, SB1343, SB310, SB1346, SB2753, SB2703, SB2221, SB1719, SB2177, SB800, SB790, SB748, SB571, SB1957, SB1923, SB1896, SB1760, SB1335, SB2368, SB2477, SB2587, SB2972, SB2986, SB2965, SB1563, SB1467, SB1164, SB1137, SB614, SB705, SB961, SB918, SB955, SB869, SB850, SB863, SB1610, SB1055, SB2206, SB457, SB2337, SB1362, SB926, SB1494, SB251, SB456, SB500, SB1307, SB2615, SB2995, SB2321, SB973, SB974, SB865, SB506, SB781, SB1522, SB1558, SB510, SB667, SB763, SB2073, SB1858, SB1660, SB505, SB2900, SB1433, SB1540, SB1964, SB1300, SB1644, SB2217, SB2373, SB2431, SB1758, SB2480, SB3039, SB3047, SB3073, SB2920, SB2781, SB826, SB766, SB2460, SB527, SB1946, SB2885, SB1243, SB2610, SB2595, SB857, SB2501, SB66, SB268, SB331, SB618, SB414, SB1394, SB2425, SB898, SB993, SB442, SB735, SB784, SB2538, SB1919, SB1013, SB2215, SB2322, SB626, SB570, SB747, SB2183, SB673, SB1015, SB1447, SB1370, SB1784, SB1897, SB2873, SB2891, SB2933, SB2540, SB2681, SB2695, SB1965, SB2203, SB872, SB875, SB1030, SB1277, SB1730, SB1681, SB1152, SB2969, SB2747, SB2705, SB2541, SB1708, SB2080, SB2721, SB1986, SB2392, SB2539, SB2857, SB2799, SB2785, SB2782, SB1531, SB1927, SB1263, SB1098, SCR9, HB5560, HB762, HB 107, HB 114, HB138, HB4386, HB2495, HB581, HB3348, HB5323, HB1584, HB4341, HB6, HB171, HB143, HB449, HB3486, HB4263, HB5246, HB2, HB2011, SB17, SB21

Keywords: electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, judicial branch, court security, expunction, pretrial intervention, youth diversion, record retention

Transcript Highlights:

• And these tech companies are optimizing their artificial intelligence for these emotional and social
• And in that period of time, those seven months, the artificial intelligence that these tech companies
• They're speaking to a mindless artificial intelligence that does not understand its consequence, nor
• The artificial intelligence revolution is scary because we don't know what the future holds.
• The artificial intelligence revolution The artificial intelligence revolution is<02:32:36.960> scary

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies. A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33. The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery. After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The introduction of artificial intelligence is making these scams all the more prevalent and harmful.
• With the advent of new technologies like artificial intelligence, senior fraud is...
• Artificial intelligence, senior fraud is more prevalent today than it ever has been.
• And as they get artificial intelligence and new technologies to try to get in the pocketbooks, in the
• parabolic in their talent to steal our money. in their talent to steal our money through artificial intelligence

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:23.200> Gabbard<00:18:24.080> and of national intelligence Gabbard and of national
• intelligence Gabbard and Secretary<00:18:24.880> of<00:18:25.039> War<00:18:25.280>
• Despite Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's skepticism on the matter, the U.S. bombed Iran
• Uh despite director of national<00:36:16.960> intelligence<00:36:17.359> Tulsy<00:36:17.760
• > Gabbard national intelligence Tulsy Gabbard national intelligence Tulsy Gabbard skepticism<00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and celebrating SB 53 as one of California's leading accomplishments in the area of artificial intelligence
• see, if this is one of California's signature leadership efforts by the governor in artificial intelligence
• Built by state staff for state staff, Poppy acts as an intelligent assistant to automate routine tasks
• Built by state staff for state staff, Poppy acts as an intelligent assistant to automate routine tasks

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals, primarily from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program under Proposition 12, a transition away from the state hemp program to USDA oversight by January 1, 2028, ongoing support for agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to the department’s indirect cost cap. The LAO generally supported the animal care, hemp transition, and statistics proposals, while also urging future review of the Prop 12 funding once litigation is resolved. The indirect-cost-cap language was described as technical and not increasing charges to programs, and it was held open with no objections from the LAO or Finance. The committee also discussed the new federal Workforce Pell program and related Cradle to Career funding and trailer bill language. Finance said the state is still reviewing federal rules and is focusing on basic implementation steps, with the trailer bill assigning eligibility determinations to the California Student Aid Commission, requiring data sharing through Cradle to Career, and prioritizing public institutions first. The LAO urged caution because the federal rules were just finalized and said the Legislature should better define the process and costs before appropriating the $1.3 million requested for Cradle to Career. Members raised policy concerns about limiting the program to certain institutions and about aligning the proposal with pending legislation and broader workforce policy. The Department of Technology presented a $1 million request for Poppy, the state’s digital assistant, to expand a secure GenAI platform for state employees. Members asked detailed questions about data security, model training, bias controls, and whether the system could eventually support local governments; CDT said the system uses state-controlled cloud infrastructure, does not use user data for training, and quarantines new models for review. CDT also sought provisional authority for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative to cover possible operating shortfalls while the network is still being built; the LAO remained concerned about broad spending authority, and several members questioned the revenue assumptions and oversight. FTB then proposed retaining a smaller set of CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, with the LAO saying the reduced staffing level was broadly reasonable but still worth legislative scrutiny. The committee also began hearing the administration’s revenue proposals, including a permanent limitation on business tax credits and a tax on electronically delivered prewritten software, with the LAO generally supporting the goal of raising ongoing revenue but recommending changes to the software proposal’s exemptions and business-use treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think he's one of the most intelligent people in the Capitol. He understands all this stuff.
• I think he's one of the most intelligent people in the Capitol. He understands all this stuff.
• I think he's one of the most intelligent people in the Capitol. He understands all this stuff.
• I can't speak intelligently to the other two because, for me, they're too complicated.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• where maybe you can see when you talk to somebody that, hey, you know, this person actually Is an intelligent
• person, and I might be able to go a lot down lower on the LSATs because you know, I can tell they're intelligent
• Is an intelligent person, and I might be able to go a lot down lower on the LSATs because you know, I
• can tell they're intelligent or they present better.

Bills: SB1, SB3

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• I want this committee, you're all very intelligent, and I want you to work and tell me what you're thinking
• all<00:07:19.840> very this committee, you're all very this committee, you're all very intelligent
• 07:21.120> you<00:07:21.280> to<00:07:21.360> work<00:07:21.520> and intelligent
• and I want you to work and intelligent and I want you to work and tell<00:07:21.840> me<00:07

Keywords: Government Structure - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up an Irish trade commission bill, described as a recurring measure that had previously stalled in the other chamber. Members said prior concerns had been reconciled, no questions were raised, and the committee moved it out by voice vote. The next major item was Senator Boyd’s “People’s Access Act” (SB 2259), which would require public bodies to livestream meetings and provide a central listing of those streams. Boyd said the bill was intended to improve public access, especially for people who cannot attend in person, and noted it had passed the Senate before. Members asked whether the bill would cover subcommittees and subboards; Boyd said those meetings were not contemplated in the bill. Senator Blunt supported the transparency goal but raised concerns about small municipalities lacking staff or equipment to comply, and suggested the notice links be housed on a Department of Finance and Administration page rather than with the Secretary of State. The committee adopted that amendment. After further discussion, members added population-based implementation dates for municipalities and discussed a possible due-diligence exception for technology failures, with several senators emphasizing the need to balance transparency with practical limits for small towns. The bill was then reported out as amended. The committee then began Senator Boyd’s task force bill (SB 2260), which would direct several health and human services agencies—including Medicaid, Human Services, Child Protective Services, Health, and Mental Health—to recommend ways to reduce duplication and improve coordination in licensing and certification processes. Boyd said the bill grew out of testimony about inefficiencies in child care and mental health regulation and was intended to create a more streamlined process. Discussion began, and Senator Sparks suggested considering whether the Department of Rehabilitation Services should also be included, but no action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.