Transcript Highlights:

• However, SB 165 expands adult sentencing eligibility significantly, a costly approach without evidence
• marketplaces across the country have had their enrollment hit really hard due to changes that limit eligibility
• marketplaces across the country have had their enrollment hit really hard due to changes that limit eligibility

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Summary: The committee heard a series of capital, bond, environmental, economic development, juvenile justice, and health care bills. Senate Bill 240, the capital outlay package, was presented as a $1.3 billion statewide appropriation, including discretionary capital projects and agency projects; after questions about CYFD projects and House/Senate capital allocations, the committee voted do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 248, the general obligation bond package totaling about $392.5 million for senior centers, libraries, higher education, and tribal projects, also received a do pass after questions about project vetting, bond timing, and school bus funding. House Bill 80, which increases the share of oil and gas conservation tax revenue going to the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund to speed orphan well plugging and site cleanup, drew strong support from business, environmental, and industry groups; members discussed funding balances, procurement bottlenecks, and the distinction between abandoned and orphan wells before voting do pass. House Bill 184, making technical fixes to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund and related distribution rules, passed with little debate. The committee also heard Senate Bill 172, which expands the TRIGGER program allowing companies to access national laboratory expertise; supporters from the labs, the governor’s office, universities, and business groups cited job creation, follow-on investment, and commercialization gains, while one senator raised concerns about the long extension of the program. The bill passed do pass. House Bill 95, creating a judge for the First and Second Judicial Districts, was described as matching a previously heard Senate bill and passed do pass. Senate Bill 165, a major juvenile justice bill, generated the most extensive debate: the sponsor said it updates the juvenile code, raises the age for certain serious offenses, extends services for youth sentenced as adults, and expands community corrections; law enforcement supported it, while the Public Defender, youth advocates, the ACLU, and a Bernalillo County commissioner opposed it, arguing it expands adult sentencing and relies too heavily on incarceration. Despite those objections, the committee voted do pass. Finally, House Bill 4, which increases the Health Care Affordability Fund distribution to support premium assistance and related coverage programs, was amended so that a portion of the premium surtax would go to the Behavioral Health Program Fund and any unexpended balance would revert to the affordability fund. Supporters from BeWell, health advocacy groups, the insurance office, and homeless services said the bill would protect coverage gains and help offset federal changes; members asked about the amendment’s effect on the behavioral health fund and the bill’s flexibility if revenues decline. The amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• You know we have the exchange carrier group, the rural carriers, we have the metro areas, we have wireless
• carriers, we have radio carriers.
• I'm the CEO of Plateau Telecommunications.
• This is part of eligible telecommunication carrier status.
• Just a quick question: Who gives the eligible telecommunications carrier the ETC... designation?

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• money that you've put in the rural health care fund for the past couple of years, as well as another eligible

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• In this case, eligible telecommunications carriers could register with the Public Regulation Commission
• telecommunications carrier, and receive that benefit on their monthly broadband bill.
• On the telecommunications, I know, like Mescalero Apache Telecom, are they eligible for this type of
• Mescalero Apache Telecom is an eligible telecommunications carrier and would be eligible to receive this
• How do they determine that household is eligible?

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• money that you've put in the rural health care fund for the past couple of years, as well as another eligible

Bills: SB152, SB145, HB2, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Summary: The committee first set aside Senate Bill 247 because the Attorney General and bill sponsor were not present. It then heard Senate Bill 190, which would authorize bonding to help Healer Regional Medical Center in rural southwest New Mexico replace an aging linear accelerator used for cancer radiation treatment. The sponsor and hospital representatives said the equipment is at end of life and that replacing it would keep patients from having to travel long distances for care. The committee adopted a friendly amendment adding an emergency clause, but members then questioned the financing, noting the $5.7 million cost, the lack of local matching funds, and the fact that the equipment’s useful life is only about 10 years while the proposed bonds would run for 30 years. After extended discussion about interest costs and timing, committee members explored alternatives to reduce the state’s borrowing burden, including using existing rural health care funds, federal grant money, or structuring a county lease arrangement rather than issuing bonds. The bill was left pending while staff and the sponsor were asked to look into those options and report back. The committee also briefly heard from the Department of Justice about concerns raised by the Public Education Department regarding Gallup-McKinley and online learning companies; DOJ said investigations were ongoing but it could not say whether a lawsuit would be filed. Members expressed concern about possible large liabilities and discussed bringing the Attorney General and PED Secretary back in executive session. The meeting then shifted to House Bill 2 and related budget matters. Staff walked members through numerous line items, flagging some as potentially duplicative, unspent, or in need of further review, including attorney general litigation funds, rural health, education, transportation, tourism, energy, and economic development items. The committee adopted the “grow” spreadsheet after members said they had reviewed it, and then discussed reserve targets. Staff presented several scenarios to raise reserves from about 26.7% toward the 27.5% target, including cuts to natural resource, environmental, higher education, and transportation appropriations. Members generally favored a flexible “scenario five” approach and were reluctant to sweep older capital outlay projects immediately, preferring to wait until the capital outlay changes bill is resolved. The committee planned to continue the budget discussion the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have another supportive letter from the New Mexico Exchange Carrier Group.
• And there's some eligibility criteria.
• ECECD will certify credit eligible... the population a little bit.
• ECED will certify credit eligible. An aggregate annual cap of $10 million.
• Is there an eligibility for in-kind donations as opposed to money?

Bills: SB190, SB152, SB77, SB150, SB151, SB156, SB172, SB182, SB185, SB212, SB170, SB133, SB174, SB163

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Senate Bill 1046 would require that any critical telecommunications infrastructure
• There are included restrictions for critical telecommunication infrastructure equipment and civil penalties
• Senate Bill 1046 would require that by January 1st of each year, each telecommunication provider will
• Senate Bill 1046 would require that by January 1st of each year, each telecommunication provider will
• certify to the Corporation Commission that all critical telecommunication infrastructure and equipment

Bills: SB1046

Keywords: telecommunications, broadband, internet infrastructure, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, national security, foreign adversary, China, Chinese equipment, supply chain security, network equipment, microchips, Arizona Corporation Commission, telecommunications provider, communications infrastructure, Huawei, ZTE, state-owned enterprise, sanctions, infrastructure security

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Darby, your bill relates to access. ...by a certified telecommunications provider to the rights
• Under current Texas law, investor-owned utilities... ...municipally owned utilities and telecommunications
• We've got not only people who are currently underserved by telecommunications or broadband that we have
• So we're regulated as a mixed-size carrier, but we serve predominantly rural areas, just like other rural
• Taylor Telcom is a rural telecommunications provider.

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My bill addresses this by creating new statutory provisions for telecommunication companies regarding
• My bill addresses this by creating new statutory provisions for telecommunication companies regarding
• This new statute mandates that a telecommunications company may not use inaccurate or misleading caller
• The bill requires that a telecommunications company provide the telephone number and location from which
• If a telecommunications company is in violation of this provision, it may be held civilly liable and

Bills: S0888, S1516, S1562

Keywords: professional services, design professionals, contracting parties, indemnification, public policy, caller identification, telecommunications, fraud prevention, STIR/SHAKEN, telecom regulations, call blocking, consumer protection, motor vehicle, franchise, dealership, distribution, licensee, successor, franchise agreement

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met with all members present and took up three bills. On Senate Bill 1562, as amended by a strike-all, Senator Trumbull explained that the measure would apply only to new vehicle brands and would limit any one dealer or dealer group to no more than one-third of statewide sales after a brand reaches 1,000 vehicles in Florida, with the stated goal of promoting competition and preventing manufacturers from concentrating sales through a single dealer. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. Senator Smith later asked to be recorded in the negative on this bill, and Senator Yarbrough asked to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1562 and SB 888. The committee then heard Senate Bill 888 by Senator Martin, which would limit professional services contracts for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects so they are liable only for their own negligence or that of those under their supervision, extend those protections from public to private contracts, void broader indemnity clauses, require a professional standard of care, and prohibit additional-insured requirements. There was no debate or opposition, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, Senator Garcia presented Senate Bill 1516 on caller identification information, citing the volume of robocalls and fraud losses among older adults. The bill would prohibit misleading caller ID practices, require telecommunications companies to provide accurate originating number and location information, create penalties for violations, and require STIR/SHAKEN authentication or a comparable framework. Two appearance forms were filed in support from the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar and AARP, and Senator Smith voiced support during debate. The committee reported the bill favorably. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members of the public, the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Broadband will come to order.
• I'll agree that they should be eligible. Correct. Okay. Gotcha. Mr.
• addresses, which basically states that certain locations would be eligible for funding.
• It would still be eligible for funding. And so that, you know, obviously is a great concern.
• Change the way eligibility is considered under state law. Chair Holland, any questions?

Bills: HB2838, HB2964, HB3213, SB924

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• This is necessary because eligibility for federal subsidies are tied to that definition of broadband,
• television company as compensation for occupying the right-of-way for its cable lines, including a telecommunication
• drive down a street in Austin or any other city in Texas and not see streets being torn up by telecommunication

Bills: HB2838, HB2964, HB3213, SB924

Keywords: broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority

Transcript Highlights:

• Clause H is grants for counties to support county agricultural inspectors, and the eligibility for this
• </c><00:18:19.600><c> eligibility</c><00:18:20.320><c> for</c><00:18:20.559><c> this</c><00:18:20.840
• ><c> is</c> the eligibility eligibility for this is the eligibility eligibility for this is laid<00:18
• Section 12 establishes the eligibility for county inspector grants.
• Section 12 establishes the eligibility for county inspector grants.

Bills: HF1704

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• The Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Broadband will come to order. and the clerk will call the
• Everyone, I want to thank you for being here at the public hearings of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications
• It relates to the access by a certified telecommunications provider to the rights of way and poles of
• . as far as eligible.
• Now, an eligible location... There's some nuance to that.

Bills: HB3713, HB3953, HB4055, HB4272

Keywords: telecommunications, local exchange companies, universal service fund, rate maintenance, business expansion, broadband access, internet service, multiunit residential properties, urban areas, affordability programs, fiber-optic cables, public land, construction permits, environmental impact, notification requirements, municipal projects, infrastructure, facility relocation, public right-of-way, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> businesses Minnesota's telecommunication businesses Minnesota's telecommunication providers<00:34
• </c><00:34:46.800><c> installer</c> underground telecommunications installer underground telecommunications
• <00:36:36.079><c> infrastructure</c><00:36:36.880><c> is</c> telecommunications infrastructure is telecommunications
• <00:40:18.000><c> infrastructure</c><00:40:18.680><c> is</c> telecommunication infrastructure is telecommunication
• </c> infrastructure related to an eligible infrastructure related to an eligible economic<01:31:19.000

Bills: HF47, HF335

Keywords: telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the amendment adds an eligible use to the AGRI grant program.
• courses for 40 hours to help with safety because there is a rise in dangers from underground telecommunications
• is a rise in uh dangers from there is a rise in uh dangers from underground<00:14:47.240><c> telecommunications
• </c> underground telecommunications underground telecommunications installation<00:14:48.880><c> across

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• Forty thousand members, both combat-eligible veterans and their auxiliaries, are family members.
• Eligible applicants must provide proof such as a work visa.
• lawfully request the borrower's individual taxpayer identification number if the borrower is not eligible
• The borrower's individual taxpayer identification number, if the borrower is not eligible to receive
• among immigrant families, keeping them from seeking the health care that states have said they're eligible

Bills: SB1232, SB1421, SB1505, SB1511, SB1520, SB1803

Keywords: outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting, undocumented immigrants, financial services, identification requirements, loans, foreign remittances, transitional housing, military, veterans, grant program, supportive services, SB1511, commercial driver license, CDL, nondomiciled CDL, nondomiciled commercial driver license

Bills: HB220, HB259, HB463, HB536, HB750, HB830, HB950

Keywords: child exploitation, online reporting, platforms, cyber crime, PROTECT Act, excavation, demolition, infrastructure repair, BEAD Program, utility damage, construction coordination, contact point, emergency services, telephone charge, wireless service, reporting requirements, communications district, wireless communication, school safety, community permits

Transcript Highlights:

• name, dated February 9, 2026, at 6:50 p.m., modifies board membership by extending the window for eligible

Bills: SB1047, SB1365, SB1474, SB1618, SB1620

Keywords: National Guard, active duty, combat, Arizona, declaration of war, state law, military service, property tax, exemptions, veterans, disabilities, widows and widowers, Arizona Revised Statutes, immigration enforcement, local law enforcement, federal cooperation, law enforcement training, public safety, military affairs, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• They are eligible to provide this entry-level driver training, but face very real costs in delivering
• They are eligible to provide this entry-level driver training, but face very real costs in delivering
• They are eligible to provide this entry-level driver training, but face very real costs in delivering
• They are eligible to provide this entry-level driver training, but face very real costs in delivering
• They are eligible to provide this entry-level driver training, but face very real costs in delivering

Bills: HF1167, HF1242

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance