Transcript Highlights:

• It is up to the districts how they choose to implement those kinds of parameters, how they confiscate
• the idea of the highest outcomes that we have seen... ...and those kinds of parameters, how they confiscate
• is that the first year they had an increase in some of the behaviors because they were having to confiscate

Bills: SB23 , SB73 , SB210 , SB234 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16

Committee: Senate House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 23, which would require school districts and charter schools to adopt and implement policies prohibiting student use of wireless communication devices during the school day, with exceptions for medical needs, assistive technology, emergencies, and educator-approved instructional use. The sponsors and PED/Broadband officials said the bill builds on last year’s law, responds to classroom distraction and cyberbullying concerns, and pairs the mandate with access to the Education Technology Infrastructure Fund for implementation support. Supporters included NEA-NM, AFT-NM, Teach Plus, New Mexico Kids Can, higher education, ECED, and others, who said the bill would improve focus, classroom culture, and student readiness. Some members questioned the three-year phase-in, local control over consequences, effects on recess/lunch and after-school programs, charter and virtual school enforcement, and whether statewide mandates were necessary; the committee ultimately advanced the bill on a 6-3 vote, with Senators Pope and Soules voting no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 73, which would add a requirement that driver education include instruction on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and others outside vehicles. The sponsor and supporters from APS, NEA-NM, AFT-NM, PED, Albuquerque city officials, cycling and pedestrian advocates, and individuals affected by traffic violence said New Mexico’s high pedestrian and bicyclist fatality rates make the training necessary and that better education could improve safety and awareness. Some testimony connected the bill to broader public health, climate, and Vision Zero efforts, while several speakers shared personal stories of crashes and losses. Committee members asked about the three-hour requirement, whether it would apply to existing drivers, how it would be implemented by DOT and MVD, and whether the bill should also address training for vulnerable road users themselves; concerns were also raised about rural road conditions and the limited behind-the-wheel training currently required. The committee passed SB 73 on a 6-3 vote, with Senator Thornton voting no. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 234, an appropriation of $1.2 million to Albuquerque Public Schools for transportation of students in foster care. The sponsor and an expert witness, a former CYFD caseworker, described serious transportation failures after contracts were terminated, saying caseworkers were forced to drive children themselves and that missed or late rides disrupted schooling and overburdened staff. APS, New Mexico Child First Network, and CYFD all supported the bill, saying it would clarify responsibility, relieve caseworkers, and ensure continuity of transportation for foster youth. Committee questions focused on why the appropriation was limited to APS rather than other districts with transportation shortfalls, whether $1.2 million would be enough, who would provide the rides, and what safety/background-check standards would apply if contractors were used. The bill was still under discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:00.399><c> I</c> of grain. Think about that type thing. I of grain.
• Grain prices have been challenging.
• But any of grain counterpart were here.
• We're in a low side for our grain farmers.
• Uh if a low side for our grain farmers.

Committee: Joint Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> just</c> where it was going to you can still just where it was going to you can still just confiscate
• it right you don't have to confiscate it right you don't have to there's<00:52:41.440><c> there's</c
• If it costs a million dollars to dispose, when you confiscate, can you charge back to whomever you confiscate
• Everything is under investigation, but when you finish, I mean, with whoever you confiscate from, you
• </c><00:57:17.640><c> from</c> with with whoever you confiscate from with with whoever you confiscate

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony first from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Director Tommy Johnson outlined short-term goals to reduce overcrowding, improve living and working conditions, fill vacancies, expand mental health services, and update the correctional master plan. He said the department is still dealing with severe overcrowding at facilities such as OCCC and HCCC, with 947 people at OCCC against a design capacity of 628, and noted 938 inmates are currently housed on the mainland because of temporary repairs at Halawa. He also reported progress on staffing, saying the correctional officer vacancy rate has dropped from 34.3% to 24% through expanded recruitment. The department’s major budget request was $30 million for planning and design for a new Old Triple C project, along with other requests for re-entry services, identification documents, security systems, radios, sink-toilet modules, and trauma-informed care. Members asked about the timing and scope of the OCCC project, courtroom space in new facilities, and the department’s plan to use the funding to improve re-entry and reduce recidivism. The committee then heard from the Department of Law Enforcement on a wide range of priorities. The department described requests to expand agricultural crime enforcement, traffic enforcement, illegal fireworks enforcement, and facilities such as a police building at the DKI airport, a state training center, and new police facilities in central and Leeward Oahu. It also discussed a major IT request for a statewide law enforcement and critical infrastructure notification platform, plus funding for grants management, the Wahiawa Civic Center and court complex, the prescription monitoring program, narcotics enforcement operations, and the narcotics lab. A significant portion of the discussion focused on a proposed traffic enforcement program for commercial vehicle inspections, speeding, and DUI enforcement, which the department said would be funded with federal dollars and would operate concurrently with county police. Committee members questioned whether the effort duplicated county jurisdiction and how the program would be trained and staffed. Members also pressed the department on salary disparities for deputy sheriffs and related vacancies, and the department said the administration was working on a supplemental agreement and placeholder funding to address the issue. Additional discussion covered agricultural crime staffing, the Silver Alert program, and expansion of the forensic lab to handle explosives, firearms, and related evidence. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the meeting moved from the corrections presentation to the law enforcement budget review with questions and answers throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment that prohibits the state from confiscating monies from

Summary: In caucus, members discussed two bills they expected to move to the floor, with the chair noting they needed 31 votes and also had nine additional bills to handle later. The first measure, HCR 2040, would amend the Arizona Constitution to bar school districts from using public money or resources to support labor organizations or conduct union activities during working hours; the Senate amendment also bars the state and political subdivisions from negotiating certain labor terms with unions while affirming employees’ right to negotiate their own terms. The bill’s sponsor concurred and argued it simply prevents taxpayer dollars from subsidizing a private organization. The second measure, HCR 2048, originally dealt with withholding elected state officers’ salaries until a budget is enacted, but the Senate replaced it with a strike-everything amendment focused on protecting scholarship accounts for children of military families. Staff explained the amended version would prohibit the state from confiscating money from those accounts under specified conditions, void any conflicting future law or voter-approved measure, and prevent severability of violating provisions. The sponsor strongly concurred, saying the measure was intended to stop harmful provisions, including a proposed anti-ESA ballot initiative, from affecting military families. No formal votes were taken in the caucus transcript, and members indicated they would go to the floor to pass the bills with limited discussion. The meeting ended with the chair adjourned the caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you're going to be getting into grain you're going to be getting into grain farming,<00:02:00.560
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.

Transcript Highlights:

• Within four hours, my Echo was confiscated.
• Within four hours, my Echo was confiscated by the administration.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard HB 103, which would require hospitals and surgical centers to adopt policies using surgical smoke evacuation systems during procedures. Representative Woodson and several nurses and health care advocates testified that surgical smoke contains harmful chemicals and pathogens, poses respiratory risks to operating room staff and patients, and that the bill is needed to protect nurses and address workforce shortages. Members from both parties voiced support, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 223, as amended, which would allow residents of nursing home or assisted living rooms to use fixed cameras, with guardrails on consent, non-rotatable placement, and prohibitions on posting footage online. The sponsor said the measure is intended to help families monitor loved ones and deter abuse or neglect, while supporters from AARP and some caregivers described cameras as tools for accountability and peace of mind. Facility and industry representatives raised concerns about privacy, dignity, roommate consent, and the potential impact on personal care conversations and resident autonomy. After questions and debate, members discussed how consent would work, who could access recordings, and how the bill would handle roommate changes and misuse of footage. The sponsor said the bill would continue to be refined in later committees. HB 223 was reported favorably as amended by a 16-2 vote, with Representatives Campbell and Franklin voting no. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This applies only to grain and fiber production, and the crop must remain below our state law for the
• That's an important detail for grain. Specifically, those growing for grain and for fiber.
• That's an important detail for grain and for fiber, not for CBD growers.
• First, they are only growing for grain or for fiber.
• Those who do participate tend to pick low-risk type activities, meaning grain or fiber.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate adopted a strike-everything amendment that prohibits the state from confiscating monies from

Transcript Highlights:

• do we identify the holes in the marketplace for agriculture across the state, whether it's in our grain
• I'm people are seeing people come to my facility and they're loading grain out of my bean and they're
• I'm people are seeing who buys grain.
• Well, multiply that times 25,000 bushel and all of a sudden you've paid for half of your grain bin.
• Well, multiply that times 25,000 bushel and all of a sudden you've paid for half of your grain bin.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28, which would create a framework for the $5 million in agricultural economic development funding included in the 2024 budget. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified that the bill is intended to support agriculture-focused economic development, especially processing and further processing projects, by giving the Department of Agriculture tools to identify opportunities, convene partners, and offer incentives. He emphasized the role of the new economic development division in the department and said the effort is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the state Economic Development Cabinet. Shell and several senators described the bill as a rural development tool aimed at helping smaller communities attract projects that fit their scale. He cited examples such as poultry processing, grain and elevator operations, milling, and specialty crop ventures, arguing that local processing can create jobs, strengthen markets for farmers, and keep more value in Kentucky. Senators discussed the need for return-on-investment metrics and clawback provisions for unsuccessful projects, and Shell said the framework includes those concepts. He also said the department is working on opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and other markets that could bring more acres into production. Members also raised questions about small-farm innovation, raw milk, and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Shell said raw milk testing and related consumer protection issues are more closely tied to the University of Kentucky and the department’s consumer/environmental protection functions than to the bill’s economic development focus, but he said the department can help expand small-farm programs such as Kentucky Proud, Buy Local, KOAP, CAP, food-as-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. The discussion also turned to beef processing and feedlot development, with Shell saying Kentucky wants a beef processor but first needs to prove it can feed cattle at scale; he said changing conditions in western states could create an opening for Kentucky if it can build the necessary supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now on to Kernza perennial grain.
• Now on to Kernza perennial grain.
• Now on to Kernza perennial grain.
• I don't know that I've ever had this grain, so is it a grain? It is. It is a grain.
• Harvest</c> in Grain process uh grain Harvest in Grain process uh grain Harvest processing<00:47:55.599

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Provide your grain bill so you can show the math, and then submit your return like you normally would
• But depending on how their reporting is done, perhaps they might not have the grain bill themselves and
• They will provide a copy of the grain bill.
• Yeah, I think one of the comments referenced validation of the grain bill and sourcing the claims.
• And so I just... ...of the grain bill and sourcing the claims.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates with no questions, and several Commerce rules were approved, including repeals tied to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act because they were superseded by Act 116 or duplicative of statute. The Insurance Department’s new rule for online marketplace guarantee providers was also approved, with Airbnb used as an example of the type of platform covered. The Department of Education presented an update to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program to align payment milestones with Act 502 of 2025, and DFA presented a rule implementing a new tax credit for Arkansas rice used in beer and sake production under Act 874 of 2025. Members asked about verification of grain bills and whether the credit was broadly available; DFA said the rule tracks the statute and requires producers to submit the grain bill with their return. DHS then presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes from Public Law 119-21, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64, changing treatment of dependents and exemptions, and adjusting energy assistance income treatment; the rule was approved despite one public comment. Later, DHS Medical Services amended the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to allow rehab hospitals to operate psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for those services, and also secured approval for a recovery audit contractor exemption because Arkansas law bars contingency-fee contractors and the state already has other program integrity safeguards. The Board of Public Accountancy’s rules implementing Act 428 of 2025 were approved after discussion of a new CPA licensure pathway requiring a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience, changes to substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of a government/not-for-profit coursework requirement. The committee also approved the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, retained all 18 DAPSAF rules under a review of Group 3, filed outstanding 2023-session rulemaking updates, and adjourned after filing monthly updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• You also have to have used 20% Arkansas rice in your grain bill in the production of that beer and sake
• To calculate the credit, you multiply the percentage of Arkansas rice that you use in your grain bill
• Provide your grain bill so you can show the math, and then submit your return like you normally would
• They will provide a copy of the grain bill.
• And so I just..." "...of the grain bill and sourcing the claims.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates and had no questions, so both were filed. The Department of Commerce sought repeal of rules tied to the minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act, explaining the rules were repealed by implication or duplicative of statute; all were reviewed and approved. The Insurance Department presented a new rule implementing Act 426 of 2025 for online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb-style host damage protection as an example, and it was approved. The Department of Education updated the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rule to reflect statutory payment amounts for milestones and diplomas, and it was approved. DFA presented a rule creating a reporting method for the Arkansas rice beer and sake excise tax credit; members asked about verification of Arkansas rice use, and the rule was approved. DHS presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes to work requirements and energy assistance counting, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64 and removing some exemptions; it was approved after questions about terminology and waiver-related issues. The committee also approved DHS Medicaid rules allowing rehab hospitals to bill for psychiatric units and exempting Arkansas from the federal recovery audit contractor requirement, citing other program integrity measures already in place. The State Board of Public Accountancy, under Labor and Licensing, presented rules implementing Act 428 of 2025, including a new CPA licensure pathway with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience, substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of the government not-for-profit accounting requirement; despite some negative comments, both rules were approved. The committee then granted the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, and approved its request to retain all 18 Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation rules under Act 781 review. Remaining outstanding 2023-session rulemaking and monthly updates were noted in packets with no questions, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• To calculate the credit, you multiply the percentage of the Arkansas rice that you use in your grain
• Provide your grain bill so you can show the math, and then submit your return like you normally would
• They will provide a copy of the grain bill.
• Yeah, I think one of the comments, you know, reference, like, validation of the grain bill and sourcing
• And so I just... ...of the grain bill and sourcing the claims.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, look at the money that state police gets from uh drugs and things that are confiscated and properties
• and things police gets from uh drugs and things that<00:40:22.079><c> are</c><00:40:22.240><c> confiscated
• </c><00:40:23.040><c> and</c><00:40:23.200><c> properties</c><00:40:23.599><c> and</c> that are confiscated
• and properties and that are confiscated and properties and all<00:40:24.079><c> that.

Committee: Joint Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• impound adjustments for putting a sticker on the plate instead of requiring law enforcement to confiscate
• 06:56.560><c> law</c><00:06:56.800><c> enforcement</c><00:06:57.280><c> to</c><00:06:57.520><c> confiscate
• </c> requiring law enforcement to confiscate requiring law enforcement to confiscate the<00:06:58.440

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• partner in the Senate, um, Senator Latz, I talked about, um, license plates when police have to confiscate
• partner in the Senate, um, Senator Latz, I talked about, um, license plates when police have to confiscate
• partner in the Senate, um, Senator Latz, I talked about, um, license plates when police have to confiscate
• partner in the Senate, um, Senator Latz, I talked about, um, license plates when police have to confiscate

Bills: SF1959 , HF2444 , SF2298 , HF2445 , SF2216 , HF2443 , HF2130 , HF1943 , HF2436 , HF2442

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also going to give confiscation and seizure disposition for products.
• We're also going to give confiscation and seizure disposition for products.
• going</c><00:41:57.520><c> to</c> We're also going to We're also going to give<00:41:59.839><c> confiscation
• </c><00:42:00.720><c> and</c><00:42:00.960><c> seizure</c> give confiscation and seizure give confiscation

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 302, which would expand access to medical cannabis by removing the in-person provider-patient relationship requirement and related restrictions. The Department of Health supported the bill, and multiple advocates and organizations testified in support, including the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Cannabis Reform, Marijuana Policy Project, and others. Supporters said the measure would improve access for patients, especially on outer islands, and some urged broader amendments allowing providers to certify cannabis for any medical condition and to speed registration and treat in-state and out-of-state patients equally. No opposition was heard, and the bill was left with no questions after testimony. The committee also heard HB 1052 HD1, which clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission may use universal service fund monies to provide free telecommunications access for individuals with print disabilities. Testimony was uniformly supportive from the DCCA Division of Consumer Advocacy, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, the Public Utilities Commission, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii. Witnesses described the program as an important accessibility service that has been operating under prior appropriations and should continue under the universal service program. HB 1482, relating to controlled substances and hemp/synthetic cannabinoids, drew support from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Health, Honolulu Police Department, and others, with some comments from the Attorney General’s office. Supporters said the bill would clarify that delta-8 THC is a controlled substance and help enforcement against illegal hemp products and synthetic cannabinoids. Testimony and questioning focused on the need for better lab testing capacity, retail registry and age-gating, seizure authority, nuisance abatement, and possible use of special funds or appropriations to support enforcement. Members also discussed enforcement of illegal hemp businesses and whether additional funding or statutory changes would be needed. Finally, the committee took up HB 712, a 340B drug-discount measure affecting safety-net providers and contract pharmacies. Hospitals, health centers, and provider groups testified in support, saying the bill would protect access to discounted drugs and preserve funding for services such as chronic disease management, transportation, and specialty care. Pharmaceutical-industry representatives opposed the bill or sought amendments, arguing the 340B program has expanded beyond its original intent and lacks transparency, and they requested reporting or audit-like provisions to verify claims and revenues. Members questioned both sides about alleged abuse, the growth of contract pharmacies, and whether the bill should include transparency requirements before moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• It'll also allow the department to use the 13B process with respect to licensed grain dealers and grain
• So, so same shall pass. respect to licensed grain dealers and respect to licensed grain dealers and grain
• 03:00.480><c> it</c><00:03:00.800><c> will</c><00:03:01.760><c> uh</c><00:03:02.959><c> change</c> grain
• Um it will uh change grain warehouses.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• has been saved or a crime has been prevented, but just knowing that hundreds of these have been confiscated
• 00:08:55.760><c> these</c><00:08:56.000><c> have</c><00:08:56.240><c> been</c><00:08:56.399><c> confiscated
• </c> hundreds of these have been confiscated hundreds of these have been confiscated uh<00:08:57.839>
• In that time, and mind you, this is the city of Montgomery only, they have confiscated 171 of these devices
• by uh uh more of them being confiscated by uh uh good<00:45:05.359><c> police</c><00:45:05.599><c> work

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when he did that, he confiscated their rifles and fined them both $400 and took away their hunting
• want somebody coming in, no matter who it is, and saying that we're going to search your home and confiscate
• </c><01:46:29.040><c> your</c> search your home and confiscate your search your home and confiscate your
• ><01:46:30.560><c> a</c><01:46:30.719><c> warrant</c><01:46:31.199><c> and</c><01:46:31.440><c> confiscate
• </c> home without a warrant and confiscate home without a warrant and confiscate your<01:46:32.159><c

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy