Transcript Highlights:

• have individuals physically present in the hearing room to testify and also individuals joining us remotely
• If you are remote, please remember to keep yourself on mute until it is your turn to speak.
• If you are remote, please remember to keep yourself on mute until it is your turn to speak, and do not

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a brief hybrid hearing on late-file bills, with Chair Becca Rausch outlining procedures and limiting testimony to three minutes. The hearing focused on six home rule petitions from Ayer, Boxborough, Groton, Lincoln, Nahant, and Sharon that would restrict or prohibit the use of anticoagulant rodenticides, referred to by speakers as harmful “escars.” Testimony was uniformly in support of the petitions. Speakers including Christine Goulet, Heather Packard of Mass Audubon, Carrie Stamos of Save Lincoln Wildlife, and Lisa Nayan de Muel described the dangers of these poisons to bald eagles, other wildlife, pets, and ecosystems, and argued that towns had already shown local support for restrictions. Several witnesses said non-rodenticide pest management methods and integrated pest management can work effectively, and urged the committee to report the bills favorably. Mass Audubon also framed the local petitions as a step toward a broader statewide ban, citing recent action in Rhode Island, California, and other states. No opposition testimony was presented, and no votes were taken during the hearing. After the final witness, the chair asked whether anyone else wished to be heard and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Alvarado, how do you vote? Senator Alvarado votes aye. Senator Braun, how do you vote?
• Senator Braun, how do you vote? Senator Braun votes aye. Thank you. How do you vote?
• Senator Conway, how do you vote? Senator Conway votes aye. Mr.
• Senator Braun, how do you vote? Senator Braun, how do you vote? Senator Braun votes aye. Mr.
• Senator Trudeau, how do you vote? Senator Trudeau votes no. Mr.

Bills: SB5223 , SB5067 , SJM8002 , SB5855 , SB5865 , SB5272 , SCR8406 , SB5000 , SB5500 , SJM8006 , SB5325 , SB5286 , SB5937

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial honors for the Washington National Guard, including the presentation of colors, a prayer, and recognition of Major General Welsh and other Guard members in the chamber. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 8668, which praised the Guard’s service in emergencies, disaster response, elections support, counterdrug training, and youth programs. Several members spoke in support, citing recent flood response efforts and the Guard’s work during COVID, and the resolution was adopted unanimously with all members’ names added as co-sponsors. The chamber then confirmed three gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees: Ann M. McQuaid to Bellingham Technical College, Elisa Munoz Estes to Grays Harbor College, and Felicia Hancock-Lewis to Wenatchee Valley College. Each confirmation passed by wide margins or unanimously after brief supporting remarks about the appointees’ education, military service, and community involvement. The Senate also considered and passed several bills. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5865, concerning garnishment forms, was amended to delay implementation and then passed 46-3 after supporters called it a technical fix and opponents focused on timing. Substitute Senate Bill 5855, dealing with face coverings by law enforcement officers, drew extensive debate and multiple failed amendments; supporters framed it as a transparency and accountability measure aimed at masked federal immigration enforcement, while opponents argued it was overbroad, ineffective against federal officers, and harmful to state and local law enforcement. The bill passed 38-19. The Senate also passed Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 on explicit depictions of minors, after an amendment clarifying liability and defenses, and Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268 on community custody for unlawful firearm possession, after a date update amendment. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5081 on unattended motor vehicles and Senate Joint Memorial 8002 urging action on Medicare Advantage overpayments and fraud were both adopted unanimously or by large margins. Later, the Senate took up Substitute Senate Bill 5067, lowering the DUI blood alcohol threshold from 0.08 to 0.05; the bill drew strong support from the sponsor and law enforcement-focused supporters, but also criticism that the lower threshold would not address the most dangerous impaired drivers and might have limited practical effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then remotely we have—oh, she's not in line. Okay, so that's it.
• And then remotely we have—oh, she's not in line. Okay, so that's it.
• And now we have a remote testifier, Patrick Walsh. Patrick, are you on?
• Next we have two remote testifiers: Patrick Walsh, superintendent.
• </c> you thank you next we have two remote you thank you next we have two remote testifiers<00:58:44.520

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I ask you all to vote green. Further discussion to the bill. are excellent soldiers.
• I ask you all to vote green. sacrifice. I ask you all to vote green.
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. Bliss, I. Hussein.
• Momani Hensley votes Momani Hensley, I. Momani Hensley votes I.<00:05:27.240><c> Perez-Vega.</c> I.
• Perez-Vega<00:05:32.960><c> votes</c><00:05:33.400><c> I.</c> Hussein.

Transcript Highlights:

• be a simple motion in the House to move and a vote.
• </c> motion in the house to move and a vote motion in the house to move and a vote that's<02:11:24.760
• , that the process was something that could be remote?
• We take a vote, yeah.
• </c><06:20:40.478><c> yes</c> Murphy yes the clerk votes yes Murphy yes the clerk votes yes representative

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance Crime Bureau and Catherine Knudson from the Washington State Association for Justice, also remotely
• And I'm seeing people in the room that are signed in as remote, so I might be messing with your testimony
• Brokers and I'm seeing people in the room that are signed in as remote, so I might be messing with your
• You can begin when you're ready, and we will then go to our remote testifiers. All right.
• All right, let's move on with our other remote testifiers.

Bills: SB5831 , SB6178

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with the remote testifier. By notifying everyone, we will set the timer at two minutes.
• We'll start with the remote testifier.
• And I would like to invite forward Steve Ellis and Mike Ennis after the remote testifier.
• We would like to invite Dania Otto as a remote testifier.
• The last two testifiers will be remote. Jake Lewing and Tim Gould. Jake, please.

Bills: SB6005

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, transportation appropriations, capital budget, supplemental budget, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferries, Puget Sound ferries, tolling, express toll lanes, highway safety, traffic safety, impaired driving, ignition interlock, speed cameras, transit funding, public transit, multimodal transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll start with the remote testifier. We will start by notifying everyone.
• We'll start with the remote testifier.
• And I would like to invite forward Steve Ellis and Mike Ennis after the remote testifier.
• We would like to invite Dania Otto as a remote testifier.
• The last two testifiers will be remote: Jake Lewing and Tim Gould. Jake, please.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Dees but I also have um the house remote Dees but I also have um the house remote testified<00:56
• Seeing none, nobody on the blue sheet, the remote people that have signed in for House Bill 519.
• Seeing none, nobody on the blue sheet, the remote people that have signed in for House Bill 519.
• people that have sheet the uh remote people that have have<01:53:10.199><c> signed</c><01:53:10.760>
• on the amendment so the would be a vote on the amendment so the amendment<01:54:22.840><c> basically

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 619, which would appropriate $1 million to the Solid Waste Management Fund for matching grants to municipalities and businesses for waste diversion projects, with 50% of the money prioritized for food waste diversion. Representative Karen Ebel, the sponsor, said the fund would help New Hampshire meet its solid waste diversion goals, preserve landfill capacity, and support composting, recycling, and related local business activity. She cited New London’s composting program as an example, saying 172 families participated and 32 tons of food waste were diverted in 2024, reducing tipping and trucking costs. Committee members asked about possible alternative funding sources, including a surcharge on landfill tipping fees. Ebel said many other states use such surcharges to fund recycling and solid waste programs, while New Hampshire relies on general funds. She also said the current fund balance was about $900,000 because some money had been used for staffing, and that the grant program was still in rulemaking. Questions also focused on how household composting works and whether municipalities could generate revenue from compost; Ebel said participation is optional, most programs use buckets and transfer stations, and the main benefit is cost savings from reduced disposal rather than compost sales. Testimony in support came from the New Hampshire Municipal Association and the Northeast Resource Recovery Association. Both said municipalities are interested in food waste diversion and composting, that these programs can reduce long-term disposal costs and property tax pressure, and that there is growing demand for technical assistance and grant support. The Northeast Resource Recovery Association said food waste makes up about 24% of municipal and business waste, that fewer than two dozen communities and fewer than two dozen businesses currently offer such services, and that a City of Lebanon pilot program saw about 30% savings by composting on site. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but is working on rulemaking for the grant program and expects strong interest from municipalities, private composters, farmers, and anaerobic digester operators. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• state, and if you could just provide for us an explanation of how those FTEs operate, do they work remotely
• have an issue in here that are savings because we have consolidated those offices and had them work remotely
• And then those staff can then work remotely. And so this is just one of those things.
• And then those staff can then work remotely. And so this is just one of those things.
• And so some folks have been working remotely.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.
• All members vote who desire to vote. All members vote who desire to vote.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the plan is to lay the bill over as well, so there will not be a vote on the bill.
• And members, I'm inclined to just vote to approve this.
• </c><00:14:58.880><c> learning,</c> district 8,000 kids to remote learning, district 8,000 kids to remote
• or that they didn't go at all, remote or that they didn't go at all, that<00:15:21.680><c> there</c>
• yes for House community and please vote yes for House File<00:36:35.359><c> 4477.

Bills: HF4477

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• The Veteran Affairs Committee agreed, voting for my bill by voice vote without opposition.
• Members record their vote by electronic device. It's a five-minute vote. The yays are 370.
• Jackson of Illinois. >> Votes aye. I'll do it on this vote. I'll do it on this vote.
• </c> that is the Voting Rights Act. that is the Voting Rights Act.
• </c> preclare every voting law. preclare every voting law.

Bills: HB1558 , HB3400 , HJR117 , HB4446 , HB3494 , HB3481 , HB2701 , HB2034 , HB3854 , HB3951 , HB3579 , HB2721 , HB3767 , HB1860 , HB2334 , HR1107 , HB3426 , HB3427 , HR452 , HB5100

Keywords: financial management, government oversight, budgeting, accountability, reporting, federal financial management, government accountability, oversight, taxpayer funds, Office of Management and Budget, OMB, Chief Financial Officer, CFO, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, internal controls, financial reporting, financial audits, governmentwide financial management plan, financial management status report, performance metrics

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe they've remembered their Democrat votes on conscience.
• Having said that, votes on conscience.
• And I ask that you please vote it. Thank you. Any questions from the committee?
• </c><02:23:50.560><c> Um</c> both uh voted unanimously that we do.
• Um both uh voted unanimously that we do.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• modifies laws governing civil marriages, including who may officiate a civil marriage, permitting remote
• </c> civil marriage, permitting remote civil marriage, permitting remote examination<00:27:09.600><c>
• That's the voting law. I heard the word blur. I heard the word plain language.
• We want to make sure that every bill that can get the votes will get passed.
• And is there a chance we'd ever vote it out Wednesday and not Friday, or what's your big-picture plan

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• How in the world is that even remotely possible? It's money that will be saved.
• I now move the House Committee substitute for House Bill 2589 and 1995 be voted do pass.
• By your vote of 11 ayes, five noes, and one present, you have voted the House Committee substitute for
• I have a vote of 11 yes and six noes. We have voted SB 977 and 1011 do pass.
• By your vote of 11 yes and six noes, we have voted SB 977 and 1011 do pass.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency heard House Bill 1995, sponsored by Representative Irwin, which would reduce Missouri vehicle license plates from two to one per vehicle. Supporters argued it would save the state money, simplify installation for vehicles without front-plate brackets, and align with a “one plate” principle. Representative Irwin said the bill was the same as House Bill 2589, and a public advocate testified in favor, also questioning the fiscal note and saying the Department of Revenue should not need an additional employee. Committee members raised concerns about law enforcement, including plate visibility for radar, FLOCK cameras, identifying vehicles traveling in opposite directions, and possible impacts on stalking cases; one member also suggested a rideshare carve-out. Irwin said he had spoken with the Highway Patrol and FOP, and that the FOP did not object, though the Highway Patrol had concerns. After the hearing, the committee entered executive session and adopted a House Committee Substitute combining HB 1995 and HB 2589. Representative Burton objected to rolling the bills together, saying it limited additional testimony, while others noted the issue had already been heard previously. The substitute was then voted do pass by a roll call vote of 11 ayes, 5 noes, and 1 present. The committee also took up Senate Bill 977 and Senate Bill 1011 in executive session and voted both do pass by a roll call vote of 11 yes and 6 noes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, including remote possible.
• And so we do that in some locations remotely.
• So sometimes it's a phone remotely.
• I have a photo of the vote. It was 300 and something to one to table it.
• It was 300 and something to one to vote.

Summary: The subcommittee met to continue its review of recommendations for New Hampshire’s family court, with the chair emphasizing a collaborative approach and noting that the group would focus on the origins of the family division, recurring problems identified in earlier reports, and comparisons with other states. Members discussed organizing testimony into three broad topics: the court hearing process and pro se litigant preparation, mediation/arbitration/counseling, and the interaction of domestic violence issues with family court and related criminal proceedings. The chair also noted that the subcommittee would not meet again for two weeks and encouraged members to review materials from Judge Michael Mace and NCSL research on other states’ family court systems. Attorney Heather Culp, senior administrator for the judicial branch’s circuit court, testified about New Hampshire’s ADR programs. She explained that the Office of Mediation and Arbitration, created by statute in 2007, oversees more than 12 statewide ADR programs across the Supreme, Superior, and Circuit Courts, including family division programs such as divorce-parenting mediation, neutral case evaluation, guardianship, termination of parental rights, and voluntary adoption mediation. She said the divorce-parenting mediation program is the largest family division ADR program, with about 3,400 mediation sessions in 2023 out of roughly 6,700 cases, and that most cases involving minor children are referred to mediation soon after the first appearance session. Culp described the family division process as beginning with a first appearance session led by a case manager, who provides information, helps with paperwork, and schedules mediation, usually within 30 to 45 days. She said mediation is strongly encouraged in parenting and divorce cases, but there is no requirement to reach agreement, and parties may settle some issues while leaving others for court. She also explained that mediation is prohibited or limited in certain domestic violence cases: cases with active civil protection orders may proceed only with both parties’ consent and possible safeguards, while cases involving criminal protective orders are not sent to mediation. Mediators in court-referred family cases are contracted with the court and must be certified by the executive branch’s mediator certification board; mediators do not communicate with judges, except through a brief ADR report noting whether the case settled or what the next procedural step is. Members asked about referrals, timing, and the meaning of “neutrals,” and Culp said the court uses in-house contracted neutrals for family division ADR and does not refer divorce-parenting cases to outside providers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please vote green. Okay. Any further discussion?
• Um so, um I encourage a green vote.
• The clerk will call the names of the members voting remotely. Allen votes aye. Berkel.
• Berkel votes aye. Fransen. Fransen votes yes. Fransen votes aye. Kozlowski votes aye. McDonald.
• Joe McDonald votes aye. Momanyi-Hiltsley votes aye. Wageman votes aye.

Summary: The House took up Senate File 1714, a bill on state government and payment transparency in public contracts. Representative Scott explained that the measure is intended to help Minnesota contractors and subcontractors know when public project payments have been made by requiring public owners, upon written request, to provide pay application and payment information within seven days at no cost. He said the bill had bipartisan support and backing from stakeholder groups, including trade associations and public entities, and that it would improve transparency for small businesses and workers waiting to be paid. The bill was amended with a technical change adding a missing word, and the amendment was adopted without opposition. During floor discussion, Representative Cleborn supported the bill, while Representative Berg asked whether trade unions supported it and noted that unions already have collective bargaining rights. Representative Sexton responded that IBEW and several trade unions had reached out and were very supportive. Scott later said he had received a text from Berg indicating support as well. After discussion ended, the House took a roll call vote. The bill passed as amended by a vote of 133 ayes and 0 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a very large amount of work to get through today, with a lot of bills to be voted on.
• Members, that's it for voting. Thank you all very much for your patience.
• Members, that's it for voting. Thank you all very much for your patience.
• Those in Austin are exploring higher-paying fully remote roles.
• Remote work is a valuable non-monetary benefit and easy, no-cost retention tool that boosts productivity

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, and Representative Jones to explain her vote. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
• No, and I'd like to explain my vote. Minority Whip Martinez? No, and I'd like to explain my vote.
• Oh, and Representative Jones to explain her vote. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Oh, and Representative Jones to explain her vote. Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Please vote yes on HB 306. Thank you. Thank you. New Mexicans. Please vote yes on HB 306.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 279, on a committee substitute that narrowed the bill to privacy and safety protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care. The substitute would strengthen limits on disclosure of protected health information, restrict geofencing around care facilities with exceptions for security and research, clarify emergency stabilization obligations under state licensing law, and allow abortion-medication labels to omit a prescriber’s personal name and address. Supporters including ACOG, the ACLU, the League of Women Voters, the Health Care Authority, and advocacy groups said the bill protects patients and providers from surveillance, harassment, and out-of-state investigations. Some members raised concerns about HIPAA, research data, and whether the bill could go too far, but the substitute passed 6-2. The committee then approved House Memorial 1, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to study whether a constitutional amendment should create an independent commission to manage CYFD. Supporters said the department needs a comprehensive structural review, while opponents argued New Mexico already has enough reports and should act on existing recommendations instead of commissioning another study. House Memorial 31 also passed; it directs the Health Care Authority to re-evaluate a rule limiting home health agencies to serving patients within 100 miles of their licensed locations, in light of access needs in remote areas such as the Navajo Nation and anticipated demand from uranium workers. House Bill 306, dealing with facility fees, was amended by substitute to prohibit such fees for certain preventive services, vaccinations, telehealth, and some services provided in vehicles, while exempting rural hospitals and requiring notice to patients. Hospital representatives opposed the bill, warning it would add financial pressure and could still be passed through to patients or premiums, while insurers, retiree advocates, and consumer groups supported it as a way to curb confusing and costly add-on charges. The committee also advanced House Memorial 36 to create an unfunded nursing shortage task force focused on graduation rates, retention, and barriers to training, and House Memorial 35, which would ask HCA to seek a Medicaid state plan amendment for pediatric palliative care. Supporters of the palliative care memorial described major access gaps for children with complex conditions, especially in rural areas, and the memorial passed after testimony from a rural pediatric hospice nurse and committee discussion about the small number of eligible children and the burden on families.