Transcript Highlights:

• measures measures and responsible gaming measures measures and efforts<01:08:10.319><c> to</c><01:08
• This is a huge, huge expansion of gaming and unregulated, and I think eventually we can hopefully all
• </c> in the game. in the game.
• The gaming laws are different and everything.
• The gaming laws are different and everything.

Bills: HF1758 , HF4437 , HF4353

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: infertility, health insurance, fertility preservation, medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, prediction markets, sports betting, online wagering, event contracts, election betting, political betting, sportsbook, gambling regulation, lawful gambling license, Gambling Control Board, unauthorized gaming, esports betting, financial technology, payment processor, advertising restrictions

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to take up tab 15, CS for SB 1580 on illegal gaming by Senator Martin.
• Illegal gaming is a great question.
• So there are two federal circuits that have decided in Diamond Games v. Reno and U.S. v.
• Alana Zimmel, Florida Gaming Commission, Executive Director, waves in support.
• Just really quickly, Senator Martin, this does involve some gaming regulations questions.

Summary: The Committee on Rules heard a long agenda of growth-management, elections, education, housing, and professional-licensing bills. The first major item was SB 354 on “Blue Ribbon Projects,” a framework for very large planned developments on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area. After adopting a strike-all amendment, senators debated whether the bill adequately protected conservation land, local government authority, neighboring property, concurrency, and multi-county projects. Supporters argued it would create more orderly, master-planned growth and preserve large areas of land; opponents said the reserve areas were too weakly protected and the bill preempted local control. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably on a party-line style roll call, with Chair Pasadomo and Vice Chair Jones voting no. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates to disclose any foreign citizenship and, through amendments, adds a 2026 congressional qualifying framework tied to apportionment and redistricting, including revised petition rules and deadlines. Members discussed disclosure, redistricting, and candidate vetting, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill, was also amended and approved; the amendments addressed My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, firefighter hiring, workforce housing code accommodations, and related financial-services issues. CS/CS/SB 1620, the school board members’ bill of rights, was narrowed by substitute amendment to focus on access to records, fiscal transparency, NDAs, and related rights, and it passed after supportive testimony from school board and superintendent representatives. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” after debate over whether the terminology change could affect the seriousness of the crime or existing case law. SB 1548, a Live Local/affordable housing update, was reported favorably with little debate. Finally, the committee approved the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates, after amending it to require immediate supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Throughout the meeting, many public commenters and senators weighed in on the balance between development and conservation, local control, and the scope of state regulation, with several bills drawing both strong support and strong opposition before final votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm game. So, thank you. Representative Presega, I concur with Representative Jan.
• </c><01:10:43.360><c> where</c> a corridor before the game where a corridor before the game where concessions
• When there's a hockey game development.
• </c> congregate and watch the game together. congregate and watch the game together.
• , not being at a corporate the game, not being at a corporate suite. suite. suite.

Bills: HF2080 , HF356 , HF1968 , HF228 , HF569 , HF603 , HF692 , HF1455 , HF2224 , HF1361

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: contamination, water supply, municipal bonds, environmental mitigation, city funding, Sauk Rapids, PFAS contamination, drinking water, pollution control, bond issuance, Cokato, capital investment, school infrastructure, state bonds, HF228, Lakes Area Police Commission, Lindstrom, Chisago City, regional training facility, public safety facility

Transcript Highlights:

• Game and Fish, Representative Tosh, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The Game and Fish and State Police Subcommittee met yesterday afternoon.
• These are appropriation fund transfer requests for the Game and Fish Commission or Conservation Incentive
• These are appropriation of fund transfer requests for the Game and Fish Commission or Conservation Incentive

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• How about a Twins game tonight?” Or we would go fishing or we would go hunting.
• </c><00:09:07.960><c> about</c><00:09:08.120><c> a</c><00:09:08.160><c> Twins</c><00:09:08.480><c> game
• How about a Twins game do? Okay. How about a Twins game tonight?" tonight?" tonight?"

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the county fish and game commissions can use revenue generated from violations of the Fish
• and Game Code to protect fish and wildlife.
• Currently, the county fish and game commissions can use revenue generated from violations of the Fish
• and Game Code to protect fish and wildlife.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're going To talk about winning and losing, is UNM getting that increase because they won games?
• I mean, both schools have been to a bowl game in the last 10 years, so you know I don't know that we
• And Texas Tech beat Arizona in an overtime game. And that kid played for UNM.
• We're not going to play games on House Bill 8 or 9 or whatever number it is.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can PT, they can eat, they can sleep, they can do everything self-sufficient and is going to be a game-changer
• So really a game-changer for Texas. We're very fortunate, um.
• Their boat had crashed and, and sank, and, and, uh, we were able to walk, uh, Parks and Wildlife game
• Lubbock, Texas, we don't have a problem, but with this remote issuance of driver license would be a game-changer

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:06:48.479><c> and</c><00:06:48.720><c> fish</c><00:06:48.960><c> licenses</c> reduction for games
• and fish licenses reduction for games and fish licenses for<00:06:50.240><c> the</c><00:06:50.639><c
• The last item, or last funding area, for the DNR deals with the Game and Fish Fund.
• There's one study funded by the Game and Fish Fund on line 125.
• So that's a loss to the um game and $5.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's for weddings, corporate events, and, of course, Viking game days.
• I had spent 25 years in gaming at Native casinos, which was an excellent experience.
• I had spent 25 years in gaming at Native casinos, which was an excellent experience.
• students to one of the gaming sites, and maybe the college can pick them up there.
• /c><00:46:30.920><c> the</c> of the gaming sites and maybe the of the gaming sites and maybe the college

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• California Fish and Game regulations only regulate aquatic transgenic animals, with the regulations silent
• From 2003 to 2016, the Fish and Game Commission banned the sale of genetically modified fish.
• It will reduce the burden of regulating this industry from both the Fish and Game Commission and the

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• subdivisions, public organizations created by the state of Idaho, which I assume are things like Fish and Game
• subdivisions, public organizations created by the state of Idaho, which I assume are things like Fish and Game
• chairman of county commissioners would be able to issue a potential violation as it related to Fish and Game

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to making fun websites and games, the better coding... one instance, and I think we will
• In addition to making fun websites and games, the better coding.
• In addition to making fun websites and games, the better coding model you have, the more it's able to
• what your investment, your security investment portfolio really looks like, because that will be a game
• Thank you, Chair. it in minutes, you are behind the game.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you noted, Chair, I am joined by Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O'Shea and my colleague, Undersecretary
• The Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Conservation and Recreation are reviewing their
• Recreation, overseen by a stewardship council, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife within Fish and Game
• And I think also, too, the Department of Fish and Game is going to be coming up with a biodiversity plan
• But that just says we need to up our game. And, um, um, uh... We need to up our game.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was a little late to the game.
• I mean, what's our end game?
• We're going to get out of the game?
• So same question I did ask on 401: What's our end game? To what end?
• What's our end game? To what end?

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and took up several insurance and health care-related bills. SB 192, a dental reimbursement bill, was amended to allow dentists to opt in electronically to credit-card payment methods and to clarify applicability and effective date; it was reported as amended. SB 84 would require prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 under current clinical guidelines and prohibit cost-sharing; supporters from the American Cancer Society said Louisiana has a high incidence of prostate cancer and that out-of-pocket costs deter early screening. The committee adopted amendments and reported the bill as amended. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network participation for certified registered nurse anesthetists, drew support from nursing and hospital groups and was reported favorably. SB 169, a cleanup bill on biomarker testing, was also amended and reported. The committee spent substantial time on SB 401, which creates a temporary prescription drug affordability board to review pricing data on selected drugs and report findings to the legislature. Supporters said the board would improve transparency and help lawmakers understand drug pricing trends; opponents raised concerns about confidentiality, market effects, and the lack of a defined policy outcome beyond reporting. Amendments narrowed the scope, added confidentiality protections, and removed opposition cards, and the bill was reported as amended. SB 387, a major PBM reform bill tied to SB 401, would change PBM compensation, rebate handling, formulary practices, audits, and appeals, while excluding ERISA plans after discussion and amendment. Supporters argued it would curb spread pricing and other practices that raise costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA warned it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums or disrupt city, school board, and small-group plans. After extensive debate and a roll call, SB 387 was reported with amendments by a 10-4 vote. The committee also considered SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and public adjusters to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments limiting the requirement to individual licenses and removing one statutory reference, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the need for transparency in drug pricing and PBM practices, the role of ERISA and non-ERISA plans, and potential impacts on public employers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• firearm safety and awareness instructional materials. ...to coordinate with DPS and the Arizona Game
• I would never want to dictate that to the Department of Education and Game and Fish stuff. Mr.
• Game and Fish. So, Mr.
• And just bringing in the subject matter experts of DPS, Department of Public Safety, and Game and Fish
• it requires in the following subsection C that the Department of Education coordinate with DPS and Game

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first considered SB 1422, which would continue the Credit Enhancement Eligibility Board for 10 years. Staff explained that the board supports a credit enhancement program used largely for charter school debt, helping borrowers secure better ratings and lower interest rates. There was no public testimony, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation by an 8-1 vote. Members then heard SB 1166, allowing county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation through accommodation schools to students in grades 11 and 12, provided they are at least 16. The Arizona Association of County School Superintendents supported the expansion, but one member opposed lowering eligibility from 12th grade to 11th grade. The bill received a due pass recommendation on an 8-1 vote with one present and two absent. SB 1684, which would create a cause of action against public schools for failing to address known bullying that leads to serious physical injury, drew strong opposition from school and legal groups. Opponents argued it was constitutionally problematic, overly broad, lacked key definitions, and could create liability for conduct outside a school’s control; supporters emphasized school accountability in serious bullying cases. After testimony, the committee held the bill with objection. The committee also passed SB 1424, requiring annual age-appropriate firearm safety awareness instruction in K-12 schools beginning in 2027-2028, despite opposition from gun-safety advocates and education groups who argued it shifted responsibility from adults to children and schools and was an unfunded mandate. The bill passed 6-5. Later, SB 1475, barring students with certain criminal convictions or juvenile adjudications from participating in school district-sponsored interscholastic activities, drew opposition from criminal justice advocates and some members who said it was overly punitive and could harm rehabilitation, while supporters argued the offenses were serious and that participation is a privilege. It passed 6-5. SB 1572, requiring Celebrate Freedom Week civics instruction in public schools, also passed 6-5 after members debated whether it duplicated existing civics requirements and whether it imposed new curriculum burdens. Finally, SB 1741, requiring districts and charters to allow release-time religious instruction and award credit under certain conditions, was presented and opposed by a secular education advocate who argued it undermined local control and could lead to legal and academic problems; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why, when this bill was written, it is Department of Education, Game and Fish, and DPS doing
• I would never want to dictate that to the Department of Education and Game and Fish. Mr.
• Game and Fish. So, Mr.
• And just bringing in the subject matter experts of DPS, Department of Public Safety, and Game and Fish
• it requires, in the following subsection C, the Department of Education to coordinate with DPS and Game

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Fish and the Game Commission into a wildlife agency.
• the public a voice to encourage the department to openly and competently address issues that affect game
• Over the past 13 years, I think I can count on one hand the number of game commission meetings that I
• Over the past 13 years, I think I can count on one hand the number of game commission meetings that I
• We've been engaged in game and fish issues for many years, and we were one of the lead organizations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 55, which would expand New Mexico’s solar market development income tax credit from 10% to 30% after the federal solar credit expired, raise the per-credit cap from $6,000 to $15,000, and keep the existing overall $30 million cap with a sunset in 2032. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would help stabilize the residential solar sector, protect jobs, and support consumers, small businesses, small agriculture, and tribal communities. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, though some members raised questions about fiscal capacity and the bill’s impact. The committee passed SB 55 on a 7-4 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 267, the Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Act, on a committee substitute. The bill would require utilities to file and maintain wildfire mitigation plans, obtain PRC approval, and receive a rebuttable presumption in civil actions if they substantially comply; it also includes access provisions for mitigation work on private and public property, cost recovery, damage limits, and a one-year statute of limitations. Utilities and co-op representatives supported the bill as a way to reduce wildfire risk and address rising insurance costs, while insurers, OSI, and wildfire-victim advocates opposed it, arguing it overly limits liability, shifts losses to homeowners and insurers, and does not fully compensate victims. Several committee members expressed concern about the liability standards, deemed approval, access to property, and the short limitations period, but the bill ultimately passed on an 8-3 vote after the chair corrected the motion and revote. Next, House Bill 320, the Industrial Carbon Reduction Act, was presented. It would create production incentives and capital grants for industrial materials made at least 40% cleaner than the industry average, with clawbacks for underperformance and competitive review by EDD and Environment. Supporters from the gas company and chambers of commerce said it uses performance-based incentives to encourage cleaner manufacturing, attract investment, and create jobs. One member raised an anti-donation clause concern, but the sponsor said the bill’s performance requirements and clawbacks address that issue. The committee passed HB 320 on a 10-1 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, a follow-up to last year’s wildlife agency reform bill. It would replace vetoed language by creating a process for a governor’s removal of a wildlife commissioner that includes notice, a hearing, and direct review by the New Mexico Supreme Court, while keeping the governor’s removal authority for cause. Ranching, angling, outfitter, and conservation groups supported the bill as a bipartisan fix that adds accountability and avoids political retaliation. Members asked about the removal process and direct Supreme Court review, and some who had initially been skeptical said the testimony changed their view. The bill was moving forward with support at the end of the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because if someone is playing a long game and they want to get an appointment, what is?
• I would note, Madam Chair, Senator Steinberg, as you know, we did this for the Game Commission, right
• You've got four years in the Game Commission. Now, that might be too long.
• And that was a really thorny issue we dealt with in the Game Commission.
• And so I tried that Game Commission bill a couple of times before I got a governor to sign it.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Private ranches that were acquired by Game and Fish using funding from the Freeport-McMorrin settlement
• And transferred it to Game and Fish.
• 5,900 acres with restoration projects to restore its habitat that also is now owned by New Mexico Game
• You know, Game and Fish, they've got a lot of area out there where they're doing conservation work.
• The Game and Fish bought, or is constantly buying some land.