Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 508 by Menendez et al. recognizes the members of the 13th class of the Senator Gregory
• , serving in Senator Adam Hinojosa's office; Crystal Valdez, serving in Senator Carol Alvarado's office
• ; and Ezra Villarreal, who's in Senator Molly Cook's office. and Leticia Torres, who is in my office.
• or a little experience working in this building, you are already miles ahead of so many of your peers
• The chair announces the signing of the following in the presence of the Senate: SCR 19.

Bills: HJR34 , HB6 , HB18 , HB39 , HB107 , HB114 , HB138 , HB247 , HB300 , HB647 , HB748 , HB762 , HB793 , HB1240 , HB1275 , HB1397 , HB1584 , HB1700 , HB1875 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB2071 , HB2254 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB2516 , HB2712 , HB2713 , HB2715 , HB2760 , HB2842 , HB3088 , HB3104 , HB3260 , HB3479 , HB3575 , HB3687 , HB3788 , HB4163 , HB4187 , HB4205 , HB4370 , HB4384 , HB4655 , HB4753 , HB4809 , HB4850 , HB5195 , HCR90 , HCR98 , SJR60 , SB203 , SB317 , SB719 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1071 , SB1232 , SB1319 , SB1483 , SB1633 , SB1798 , SB1978 , SB2233 , SB2363 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2717 , SB2797 , SB2841 , SB2928 , SB3038 , SJR5 , SB4 , SB9 , SB21 , SB23 , SB27 , SB34 , SB40 , SB75 , SB213 , SB458 , SB482 , SB493 , SB840 , SB841 , SB843 , SB912 , SB1241 , SB1253 , SB1350 , SB1388 , SB1423 , SB1535 , SB1559 , SB1789 , SB1951 , SB2037 , SB2143 , SB2155 , SB2544 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2308 , HB2525 , HJR34 , HB1393 , HB26 , HB388 , HB2712 , HB1633 , HB685 , HB762 , HB2286 , HB1606 , HB1458 , HB1240 , HB2791 , HB3146 , HB1397 , HB2061 , HB647 , HB4738 , HB2563 , HB128 , HB581 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2358 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB793 , HB1734 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB3104 , HB5180 , HB1584 , HB3806 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB1522 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB1314 , HB2254 , HB1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3505 , HB4205 , HB5652 , HB3687 , HB2025 , HB3395 , HB2495 , HB138 , HB18 , HB1700 , HB4655 , HB2516 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB300 , HB2713 , HB39 , HB114 , HB24 , HB3088 , HB4163 , HB3479 , HB2842 , HB519 , HB609 , HB1275 , HB1592 , HB3348 , HB120 , HB6 , HB247 , HB1533 , HB2421 , HB2273 , HB2464 , HB2011 , HB3575 , HB3788 , HB4370 , HB4809 , HB5057 , HB5084 , HB5534 , HB5668 , HB3424 , HB2715 , HB2564 , HB2760 , HB2765 , HB2898 , HB3260 , HB3800 , HB4396 , HB5195 , HB4341 , HB43 , HB5686 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2518 , HB4310 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB180 , HB5323 , HB2 , HB149 , HB4945 , HB2434 , HB2529 , HB3161 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB5155 , HB5667 , HB4996 , HB2697 , HB2492 , HB2355 , HB2282 , HB2001 , HB1902 , HB1866 , HB1445 , HB1443 , HB1306 , HB1024 , HB908 , HB305 , HB285 , HB449 , HB171 , HB47 , HB3464 , HB2637 , HB4263 , HB5436 , HB4429 , HB3986 , HB3966 , HB3510 , HB2560 , HB2026 , HB2688 , HB4076 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB1978 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1538 , SB719 , SB3071 , SB3065 , SB823 , SB3062 , SB719 , HB39 , HB114 , HB138 , HB247 , HB300 , HB762 , HB793 , HB1275 , HB1584 , HB1700 , HB1894 , HB1965 , HB2254 , HB2340 , HB2350 , HB2760 , HB2842 , HB3088 , HB3104 , HB3260 , HB3479 , HB3575 , HB3687 , HB3788 , HB4163 , HB4205 , HB4370 , HB4655 , HB4809 , HB5195 , SB1978 , SR508 , HJR34 , SB963 , SB1383 , SB1883 , SB1968 , HB2525 , HB112 , HB117 , HB557 , HB783 , HB869 , HB876 , HB1039 , HB1201 , HB1347 , HB1359 , HB1650 , HB1788 , HB1904 , HB1955 , HB2370 , HB2849 , HB2853 , HB3066 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3567 , HB3672 , HB3715 , HB3720 , HB3883 , HB3954 , HB3976 , HB4070 , HB4098 , HB4222 , HB4327 , HB4359 , HB4412 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4894 , HB4926 , HB5115 , HB5165 , HB5320 , HB5437 , HB5499 , HB5596 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5654 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5659 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5665 , HB5666 , HB5670 , HB5671 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5677 , HB5678 , HB5679 , HB5680 , HB5681 , HB5682 , HB5688 , HB5694 , HB5695 , HB5696 , HB5699 , HCR46 , HCR59 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HCR142 , HB112 , HB117 , HB557 , HB783 , HB869 , HB876 , HB1039 , HB1201 , HB1347 , HB1359 , HB1650 , HB1788 , HB1904 , HB1955 , HB2370 , HB2849 , HB2853 , HB3066 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3567 , HB3672 , HB3715 , HB3720 , HB3883 , HB3954 , HB3976 , HB4070 , HB4098 , HB4222 , HB4327 , HB4359 , HB4412 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4894 , HB4926 , HB5115 , HB5165 , HB5320 , HB5437 , HB5499 , HB5596 , HB5650 , HB5651 , HB5654 , HB5656 , HB5658 , HB5659 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5665 , HB5666 , HB5670 , HB5671 , HB5672 , HB5674 , HB5676 , HB5677 , HB5678 , HB5679 , HB5680 , HB5681 , HB5682 , HB5688 , HB5694 , HB5695 , HB5696 , HB5699 , HCR46 , HCR59 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR111 , HCR142

Keywords: HJR 34, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, real property, border counties, U.S.-Mexico border, United Mexican States, border security, border security infrastructure, landowner, county tax base, local government, tax relief, property value increase, infrastructure improvements, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, mental health

Transcript Highlights:

• During that time, he was unable to fulfill the duties of his office, not because he was convicted of
• Most of them either get there through a vehicle that they have themselves or through bus transportation
• And some of these kids don't have cars, don't have access to a vehicle.
• educators, including many from your district, and many of you, I'm grateful. came into my office or
• The Office of Inspector General plays a critical role in safeguarding taxpayer dollars. by detecting

Bills: HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB39 , HB 102 , HB 126 , HB290 , HB300 , HB2143 , HJR2 , HB147 , HJR6 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB 124 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB1587 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , SB1

Keywords: career readiness, education reform, workforce training, public schools, financial aid, applied sciences, career education, high school diploma, certificate program, work-based learning, job placement, high-growth jobs, technical training, cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, mental health, telehealth

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 add that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office
• of Motor Vehicles, shall create these specialty license plates when applicable statutory provisions are
• of the new plates.
• And so the goal is to have all of this wrapped up by the end of this fiscal year.
• Consideration and adoption of minutes from the 2025 regular session, all of these dates.

Bills: HB129 , HB130 , HB854

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Public Works

Keywords: HB 129, Act 783, highway designation, memorial highway, Louisiana Highway 173, Louisiana Highway 3194, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, road signage, honorary naming, commemorative sign, transportation, HB 130, Act 124, Louisiana highway memorial, road naming

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on March 17 and first took up House Bill 129, which would designate a portion of Louisiana Highway 173 as the Dr. Harry Blake Senior Memorial Highway. An amendment package was adopted that also added a separate designation for a portion of Louisiana Highway 3194 in Shreveport as the Virginia Green Evans Memorial Highway. Representative Walters described both honorees as important figures in civil rights and community service. HB 129 was then reported with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 130, which redesignates the elevated portion of Interstate 220 in Caddo Parish as the American Legion Post No. 14 Memorial Bridge. Amendments were adopted to add “Memorial Bridge” to the name. Representative Walters spoke in support of honoring veterans, and HB 130 was reported with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 854, a specialty license plate bill. Amendments added several schools, made technical changes, required OMV implementation when statutory and system requirements are met, removed a provision allowing OMV to retain $1 per annual fee, and redirected annual fees to the Louisiana chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and the R. Tamney-Fleming Lupus Foundation. Members raised concerns about the growing number of specialty plates and OMV’s ability to produce them, but HB 854 was also reported with amendments. After the bills, the committee received an update on the proposed privatization of the Cameron Ferry Service. The Secretary said the process began with an unsolicited proposal from Laborde and a competitive solicitation that produced a qualified bid, and that negotiations would focus on service improvements rather than guaranteed cost savings. Members asked about costs, maintenance, fuel, staffing, and the impact on travel times if the ferry is out of service. The Secretary said the goal is to complete the process by the end of the fiscal year, around July 1. The committee then adopted the minutes from the listed 2025 regular session dates and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have scholarships for kids of vets, providing for service officers' training.
• , all of us.
• Members, the Attorney General of Oklahoma, our chief law enforcement officer, currently there is no requirement
• So section 3A of this draft says, 'No person shall be eligible for office of ...
• Attorney General except a citizen of the United States of the age of not less than ...'

Bills: HJR1074 , HB3501 , HJR1070

Committee: House Rules

Keywords: Oklahoma veterans lottery, veterans trust fund, constitutional amendment, lottery proceeds, veterans services, military families, veteran assistance, emergency relief, indigent veteran funerals, veterans outreach, service organizations, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, National Guard, Air National Guard, Purple Heart, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma Veterans Council

Summary: The committee began with HJR 1074, a proposed Veterans Lottery Trust Fund measure. After adopting a scrivener’s-error amendment, the author explained it would create a veterans lottery game as a two-step process: first establishing the trust fund and board structure, then returning later to authorize the game itself. Members questioned how the money would be appropriated and whether the legislature could direct spending, as well as whether the lottery would compete with existing education lottery revenue. The author said the intent was for the funds to go to the Veterans Lottery Trust Fund and then be distributed by the board, and argued it would create recurring revenue for veterans without relying on annual appropriations. The committee approved the measure 7-1 and reported it do pass. Next, the committee considered HB 3501, which would allow the ABLE Commission to issue multiple manufacturing licenses for one premises. A PCS was adopted as the working draft without objection, and the bill passed 8-1 after brief discussion and no substantive debate. Finally, the committee took up HJR 1070, which would require the Attorney General to be a licensed attorney. An amendment was adopted to change the required practice threshold from 10 years to 5 years to align with requirements for district judges and Supreme Court justices. Members asked about residency, whether the requirement would apply to current candidates, and why the change was needed now. The author said it would not affect current candidates but was intended for future elections so the chief law enforcement officer would be an actual attorney. The resolution passed unanimously, 9-0, and was reported do pass.

Transcript Highlights:

• the clerk of the committee.
• southern part of the United States.
• Members, questions of the author. All right.
• Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo [member_166]. Aye.
• This is the codification of federal law.

Bills: HCR98 , HB180

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: counter-unmanned aircraft systems, C-UAS, counter-drone, drone mitigation, unmanned aircraft systems, UAS, border security, U.S.-Mexico border, aviation safety, airspace regulation, federal preemption, Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, FBI, state-local coordination, tribal and territorial partners, border patrol, cartels

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum present and first took up HCR 98, a resolution urging Congress to improve coordination among federal, state, and local authorities on counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) technology for border security. The author and sponsor described increasing drone activity along the border, saying unauthorized drones are used to track agents, identify weaknesses, and smuggle contraband, and argued for clearer procedures to detect, identify, and neutralize such aircraft. There was no public testimony, and the committee voted 4-0 to report HCR 98 favorably to the full Senate; the resolution was also ordered for local and uncontested calendar placement without objection. The committee then heard HB 180, sponsored by Chairman Birdwell, which would authorize the governor to coordinate directly with Mexican officials and individual Mexican states on border security agreements and appoint representatives to implement them. Birdwell said the bill would codify prior border-security cooperation efforts, improve responses to cross-border challenges such as drug and human trafficking, and include a finding that entrants from foreign countries must use a legal port of entry. No questions were asked, and there was no invited or public testimony. After the hearing, the committee left HB 180 pending. The meeting concluded with no further business and the committee standing in recess subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's kind of an odd way of doing it.
• The statement of purpose of amendment? Yes. Page two of nine? Yes. Okay.
• Oh, and a couple of sessions of...
• And it's changing it because the Office of Recovery Reinvented has a different name.
• That's because there are 85 employees in the office of DPI and then all the employees in all the schools

Bills: SB2015

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met with all members present and took up several bills, focusing most of the discussion on SB 1577 and SB 1619, along with a detailed review of the HHS budget bill draft. On SB 1577, Senator Magrum explained that the bill was being revised to focus on wastewater rather than raw water, possibly shifting the Washburn project to the Department of Water Resources so it could access matching funds, and potentially converting the bill into a line of credit if federal money is restored later. Members discussed whether to keep an emergency clause or instead use a date-based approach, and agreed the bill would likely be handled through the full committee and possibly reconsidered later. On SB 1619, Senator Davison said amendments were still being worked on, including changes requested by the Bank of North Dakota, and the committee planned to hold it for possible amendment before full committee consideration. The bulk of the meeting was a section-by-section review of the HHS appropriations bill draft. Members discussed one-time funding items such as technology projects, child care programs, housing programs, behavioral health facility grants, infant and toddler care provider support, juvenile justice diversion, medical housing, and other public health and human services projects. Several adjustments were noted, including reductions or changes to IMD-related funding, incarcerated-person treatment funding, the child welfare technology project, and the provider rate increase. The committee also discussed the FTE block grant structure at length, with staff explaining that the apparent increase in positions reflected budgeting mechanics, zero-dollar “phantom” positions, and positions approved previously but not counted in the FTE total. Members raised concerns about transparency and whether the bill should list FTE numbers, but staff said the block grant was intended to give the department flexibility while quarterly reporting would provide oversight. Other topics included Medicaid expansion funding and provider reimbursement rules, the move toward certifying human service centers as certified community behavioral health clinics, a moratorium on new ICF beds, and studies or reports on Medicaid, obesity, disability services, truancy, and behavioral health facility grants. The committee also discussed removing or revising broad intent language in Section 31 so the department would report findings rather than implement changes without further legislative action. No final votes were taken in the transcript; instead, members agreed to make a few technical adjustments, continue reviewing the bill, and likely revisit it the next day before moving it to conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I still, as part of that, just having the $5 out as one-time funding, too, would be part of that.
• And so you had discussed giving us a line of credit instead of carrying over the dollars.
• of federal.
• The second set of deliverables might be, I'm trying to think of a project that we have.
• We might have a deliverable of you're going to train all of our staff because we all have.

Bills: SB2015

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division met to finalize changes to the human services budget bill and related amendments. Members discussed several items, including a proposed $5 million appropriation for the Altru Hospital project to address inflationary costs, with the rest of the funding question left for conference committee. They also agreed to keep the 10-year operating requirement language for the project and remove a matching-funds provision that was no longer needed. The committee spent considerable time on the OASIS child welfare IT system. Donna Auckland explained that the project is still in the RFP stage, with vendor selection and contract negotiation likely taking months, and that the system will require 50-50 federal matching authority. Based on that testimony, the committee agreed to reduce the general fund amount from $14 million to $6 million and use a line of credit for the remaining authority, while preserving the federal match authority so the contract can be signed and the project can proceed. Members also approved a technical fix to add governor’s designee language for the Children’s Cabinet, which had been missed in another bill already on the governor’s desk. Keith reviewed updated long sheets showing additional budget adjustments, including provider inflation changes, a $50,000 Family Voices grant, reductions to CARES Act COVID funds, and moving the $5-per-day basic care rate increase from ongoing to one-time funding. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the committee adjourned with plans to reconvene Monday if the final bill version was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the infrastructure.
• For any of those of you that may be paying attention?
• kind of housing.
• of the session at this point.
• There's a lot of questions. There's a lot of questions, and it's a worthwhile goal.

Bills: SB2015

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee first discussed a wastewater infrastructure bill, centered on whether state support should be provided as a grant or through the existing Clean Water State Revolving Fund as a low-interest loan program. Department of Environmental Quality official David Brushwine explained that the SRF already finances wastewater projects, can leverage federal funds with state bond proceeds, and could accommodate the Washburn, Lincoln, and Peasant projects if they are ready to proceed. Members noted that losing federal grant support would make projects harder for local residents to afford because costs would be recovered through utility rates or special assessments, but the projects would still be eligible for loans. Senator Magrum indicated he would likely concur with the budget after this discussion, and the bill was set aside for later consideration. The committee then turned to a proposed amendment for a four-plex housing project for people with disabilities or other special needs. Senator Mathern described Sections 7 and 8 as creating a design consultation appropriation and a revolving loan fund modeled on existing hospital and nursing home loan programs, while Section 9 would transfer $3.3 million from the state infrastructure fund. Members debated ownership, rent subsidies, repayment terms, and whether the state should finance the project directly or leave it to a private developer with Department of Human Services oversight. Concerns were raised that the state should not own the housing and that the proposal needed more work to be workable, but the committee ultimately reached consensus to adopt Sections 7 and 8 and leave out Section 9 for further conference committee discussion. The committee also reviewed provider inflation and long-term care rate issues, with members discussing whether to support a 2% and 1.5% inflation adjustment and how to handle the $5-per-day basic care rate. Staff explained that the $5 payment was already in the base budget, but members debated whether it should remain ongoing or be treated as one-time funding and paired with a study of rate rebasing. The committee agreed to have draft language prepared to remove the $5 from the base budget and add study language, then moved the bill forward for drafting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So part of that is in this biennium and part of it in the coming biennium.
• It's kind of lipstick kind of thing. I won't go there, but so.
• Chairman, members of the committee, 25% of the... But, Mr.
• People aren't going to know all of these things of how it got here or there.
• “A reduction of $4,749,032.

Bills: SB2015

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission. A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action. The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• He came to my office looking for a little bit of help with this issue, and so I volunteered to give him
• And so a facility like this, at least some of the components of this align with some of the work that
• of course.
• sort of definition of place and if there's one or two.
• The end of the week. The end of the week?

Bills: SB2015

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Resources division met with a quorum and spent much of the meeting on a proposed “medical home” concept for people with significant disabilities and medical needs. Matt Schwartz described the need for small, community-based homes so adults like his daughter could live in a least-restrictive setting without losing housing if service providers change. Architect Jeff Eubel presented a conceptual budget for one roughly 5,000-square-foot facility for four residents, explaining that the design would likely include four large sleeping units, common space, support areas, and medical infrastructure such as emergency power, oxygen, sprinklers, and accessibility features. Committee members and George Sink, joining by phone, raised questions about layout, zoning, ownership, staffing, and whether families would actually move loved ones into such facilities if they were far from home. The department said the concept was not in the governor’s budget and identified staff who could continue discussions; the committee did not take final action and instead discussed refining the language with interested members. The committee then turned to amendments related to long-term care and behavioral health funding. One amendment would reduce a planned $4 million general fund incentive payment and instead create a withhold-based quality program for nursing facilities, to be developed collaboratively by the department and providers and reported to Legislative Management by September 2026. The department said it could live with the language but preferred the governor’s timing; several senators questioned whether the committee should be directing an operational policy change and whether the study would simply delay implementation. No vote was taken, and the amendment was set aside for later consideration. A second amendment would clarify use of an existing $2 million general fund item for behavioral health services in nursing homes and basic care facilities, directing it toward training, technical assistance, consultation, and direct patient care for residents with medically based behavioral health disorders. Members noted the funding was already in the bill and discussed it in the context of other budget items, but again deferred action. The committee also clarified that a separate $750,000 juvenile justice diversion appropriation in House Bill 1425 was distinct from a similar amount in the budget and should likely remain in that separate bill. The chair indicated a goal of having amendments ready by the end of the week, and the committee recessed without final votes on the discussed items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I appreciate the foresight of doing a bill like this, a vehicle bill as we call them.
• Chair, I appreciate the foresight of doing a bill like this, a vehicle bill as we call them.
• Um, this is the Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services policy proposal.
• Pong Jang, director of the Driver and Vehicle Services division.
• vehicle Jang, director of the driver and vehicle services<00:35:56.720><c> division.

Bills: HF3919 , HF3791 , HF1781 , HF3908 , HF4233 , HF3966 , HF3430

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicle fleet. sir charge of $91, making the total due sir charge of $91, making the total due $1,03
• ><c> fe</c> only 1% of our passenger vehicle fe only 1% of our passenger vehicle fe fleet.<00:43:03.760
• </c> up substantially with weight of a up substantially with weight of a vehicle. vehicle. vehicle.
• engine vehicle, that we should be looking at the size of the vehicle both from a weight perspective
• engine vehicle, that we should be looking at the size of the vehicle both from a weight perspective

Bills: HF3919 , HF3791 , HF1781 , HF3908 , HF4233 , HF3966 , HF3430

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• To move this bill out of committee, it allows hemp manufacturers to participate in markets outside of
• As part of the overall agreement to be able to get to a policy bill that we can pass out of committee
• There are different ideas of plans.
• in a couple of weeks.
• some of the terms in these provisions.

Bills: HF1224 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• of weeks.
• of weeks.
• of weeks.
• of weeks.
• of weeks.

Bills: HF1224 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage postponement, homeowners, redemption period, Minnesota Statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, our first testifier is Eric Taubel, who is the Interim Director of the Office of Cannabis
• We've identified a number of application areas or changes; it could delay the ability for the office
• We also thank the **Office of Cannabis Management** for championing many of these changes.
• directs the Office of Cannabis Management and will never take root in Minnesota.
• a clearly defined set of rules laid out by the Office of Cannabis Management.

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• of the Office of is the interim director of the Office of Cannabis Cannabis Cannabis Management.<00:
• We also thank the Office of Cannabis Management for championing many of these changes in their agency
• We also thank the Office of Cannabis Management for championing many of these changes in their agency
• The Office of divided supply chain.
• ><c> the</c><01:16:04.640><c> office</c><01:16:04.880><c> of</c> 342.02 which directs the office of 342.02

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• any of it out.
• </c> of that money. of that money.
• did a really great job of pulling together stakeholders with Beck and the state office to try to figure
• You know that the power of the voice of youth have and also we know that there are a lot of disconnected
• It's different for all of us.

Committee: House Families & Children

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:10 - Discussion of 26RS HB 669 08:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 669 09:25 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 36 13:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 36 14:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 686 29:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 686 30:10 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:50.799><c> of</c> Representatives of the Commonwealth of Representatives of the Commonwealth
• </c><00:21:25.840><c> of</c> Representatives of the Commonwealth of Representatives of the Commonwealth
• The House of Citation of achievement.
• </c><00:22:51.280><c> of</c> Representatives of the Commonwealth of Representatives of the Commonwealth
• But today, they're hosting a legislative reception from 5:30 to 7:30 at the office of Cornerstone Government

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:02 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:49 Report of Committees 06:49 Orders of the Day 08:20 HB 4 08:33 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 17:34 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 27:40 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 29:22 ConC/Rules Report 33:29 Floor Amendments 35:06 Adjournment 35:37, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow bill co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the journal and received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 48 and 102 and requested concurrence. The clerk then reported second-reading bills including measures on school bus safety, special license plates, healthcare workforce credentials, housing, veteran PTSD treatment, postsecondary education, the Kentucky Fire Commission, and local purchasing, along with committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on cultured meat, eviction/removal of unlawful occupants, involuntary commitment, grand jury service, CPA licensure, physical therapy, engineering scholarships, rabies vaccinations, the Controlled Substance Prescribing Council, robotics, reading and language arts instruction, and the education assessment/accountability system. The main floor action was House Bill 4, relating to grooming a minor. The sponsor described the bill as creating criminal penalties for grooming behavior, with enhanced penalties when the offender holds a position of authority. A floor amendment was adopted making technical wording changes and adding siblings and volunteers to the bill’s lawful-purpose exceptions. Members from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child protection and the need for stronger legal tools, though one member said she wished the age threshold were higher. The House then passed House Bill 4 as amended by a vote of 98-0. After HB 4, the House moved through announcements and legislative citations. Members recognized the Corbin Middle School football team and the Lion County High School boys basketball team, and honored M. Samantha Shaver, DMD. Committee meeting notices were announced for several panels, including Economic Development, State Government, Natural Resources and Energy, Families and Children, and Health Services. The clerk also reported newly introduced bills and resolutions covering school foods, family care leave, correctional services, protective orders, data privacy, school funding for districts with high tax-exempt property, Medicaid coverage for adult day health and in-home attendant care, alternative diplomas, Kentucky Nurses Day, a sister-city partnership with Israel’s Shamron Regional Council, and DUI. The House then recessed briefly for committee meetings, received committee referral and rules reports, introduced floor amendments to HB 257 and HB 305, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of brain issues involved.
• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee.
• Chairman, members of the committee.
• accent, any sort of speech impediment, any sort of anything, sometimes a soft voice.
• And so I was pretty proud of these guys.

Bills: SB194 , SB200 , SB203 , SB204 , SJR3

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Summary: The committee first announced that House Bill 161 would be rolled over until Monday so the sponsor could work out unintended errors and bring back a clean amendment. The committee then heard House Memorial 2, which calls for a Legislative Education Study Committee study of screen time in elementary classrooms, including instruction, assessment, and general use. The sponsor and supporters said the memorial is intended to examine the effects of screen use on young children’s learning, attention, literacy, social-emotional development, and physical well-being, and to develop research-based guidance rather than rely on anecdotes. Testimony in support came from educators and school leaders, including AFT New Mexico, NEA New Mexico, and the superintendent of Carlsbad Municipal Schools, who argued that screens are being used too heavily in elementary settings and that hands-on learning and direct interaction are being displaced. Committee members raised questions about whether the study should extend beyond elementary grades to secondary education, online books, and AI-related assessment issues such as voice recording and accessibility. The sponsor and legislative staff said the memorial is currently limited to elementary classrooms but could potentially be expanded; they also noted that assessment-related AI concerns would fall within the study. The committee then approved HM2 on a do-pass motion with no opposition. The committee next heard House Memorial 16, recognizing the New Mexico State University Physical Science Laboratory for 80 years of service and contributions to research, innovation, national security, workforce development, and economic prosperity. Support testimony highlighted the laboratory’s role in southern New Mexico and its status as one of eight FAA test sites for unmanned aerial systems. A member of the public also testified in support as an NMSU alum and STEM advocate. The committee approved HM16 on a do-pass motion with no opposition. The meeting also included introductions from visiting high school students and a reminder that Monday is NMSU Day at the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, prior to the start of the session, I've talked with the Chair of the House Ed, and both of us
• each of their growth funding, provided whole bunches of all of this.
• There was a full-court press to get more power in the governor's office, and one of those was to go to
• I believe the continuity long-term... of who's in the governor's office that allows for consistency in
• kind of changing the structure of... ...there was a discussion of kind of changing the structure of

Bills: SB194 , SB200 , SB203 , SB204 , SJR3

Committee: Senate House Education

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Summary: The committee began with announcements about an upcoming Friday breakfast and presentation with the School Board Association in El Dorado, then moved through a series of education appropriation and capital-style bills. The first major item was Senate Bill 194 for Luna Community College baseball and softball fields. Senator Campos and Luna officials described the project as part of a larger athletic and community complex, emphasizing the college’s NJCAA compliance turnaround, 100% athlete graduation rate, 3.44 average GPA, and the fact that 94% of athletes are New Mexico residents. Supporters said the fields would improve recruiting, reduce annual rental costs, and add community amenities such as a walking path, soccer pitch, and wildfire resiliency training space. Several senators raised concerns that the project should go through the normal capital outlay process and questioned funding sources, ongoing operating costs, bathrooms, electricity, parking, audits, and whether the $5 million request was sufficient. Despite those concerns, the committee voted 5-3 to give the bill a due pass. The committee then heard a request for KANW educational radio funding. KANW’s general manager and staff said the station is celebrating 75 years, serves much of the state with news, cultural programming, Spanish music, and emergency alert services, and is one of the state’s primary radio stations. Supporters praised its public service and statewide reach. However, several senators objected to the funding mechanism, arguing that the request was being routed through growth funding rather than the usual capital or appropriations process and that other legislators lacked equal access to those funds. After discussion about federal funding cuts, translator opportunities, and the station’s educational mission, the committee voted 3-5 and the bill failed. Senate Bill 203, a duplicate of a previously heard Northern New Mexico State School documentary bill, was quickly tabled on motion. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 3, which would ask voters to replace the current appointed Secretary of Education model with an appointed State Board of Education that would hire a state superintendent. Senator Soles argued the change would create more stability and reduce political whiplash, while supporters from the school board and superintendent associations backed the idea but noted concerns about appointment clarity. Opponents from PED, KIDS CAN, the Chamber of Commerce, charter schools, and others argued the proposal would add bureaucracy, reduce accountability, sideline the governor and voters, and repeat a failed pre-2003 system. Committee members were split along similar lines, with supporters emphasizing continuity and critics stressing accountability and local control; the transcript ends before a final vote on SJR 3 is shown.