Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 5234 deals with snowmobile registration fees.
• Senate Bill 5234 deals with snowmobile registration fees.
• A vintage snowmobile is defined as a The fee for snowmobiles is $50.
• The registration fees for snowmobiles are deposited into the snowmobile account, which is used for snowmobile-related
• snowmobile fee from $12 to $18, effective September 30, 2006.

Bills: SB5234, SB6110, SB6176

Keywords: snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation, vehicle license fee, RCW 46.17, fee schedule, renewal fee, initial fee, Washington state, electric-assisted bicycles, electric motorcycles, transportation regulation, safety standards

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on impaired driving, beginning with data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission showing that about half of traffic fatalities involve an impaired driver, with alcohol the most common substance involved. Mark McKinney presented crash trends, age-group patterns, the link between impairment and speeding, racial disparities in impaired-driving fatalities, and survey results showing support for lowering Washington’s per se BAC limit from 0.08 to 0.05 increased from 54% to 71% after respondents received information. He and later panelists said a lower limit would deter drinking and driving, encourage planning ahead, and align with international research showing fewer alcohol-related fatalities and serious injuries without major effects on arrests or the hospitality industry. The committee also heard personal and agency testimony supporting the 0.05 proposal. Joshua Jackman described severe injuries from a 2007 drunk-driving crash and said the bill could help prevent similar tragedies. AAA Washington, the State Patrol chief, and the Transportation Secretary all supported the measure, emphasizing safety, deterrence, and the costs of impaired driving to road workers, work zones, and state finances. Committee members asked about enforcement, blood testing, and how the law would affect drivers and passengers; witnesses said enforcement practices would remain based on observed impairment and that the bill was aimed at prevention rather than increasing arrests. The committee then held public hearings on three bills. SB 5234 would raise snowmobile registration fees from $50 to $75 and vintage snowmobile fees from $12 to $18 to support snow park operations; State Parks and snowmobile groups supported it, while one club representative opposed the fee increase and urged broader program reform. SB 6110 would clarify the distinction between e-bikes and higher-powered e-motos and direct a workgroup to recommend a statutory framework for e-motos; students, cities, trail groups, and recreation advocates supported clearer definitions for safety and enforcement, while some local officials asked for an immediate e-moto definition and civil infraction authority. SB 6176 would allow enforcement of expired vehicle registrations for parked, unoccupied vehicles on public right-of-way and certain parking facilities; the sponsor said it would help recover unpaid tab revenue, and the hearing began with opposition testimony from a tax watchdog group before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another type of fee is a retail delivery fee, so a fee collected on deliveries received by folks in-state
• House Bill 2139 raises registration fees for snowmobiles.
• The bill raises the initial and annual registration fee for a snowmobile from $50 to $75, and for a vintage
• This fee revenue largely supports the Parks and Recreation Commission's snowmobile program, which maintains
• On DNR-managed land specifically, these fees support snowmobiling and other winter recreation activities

Bills: HB2109, HB2139, HB2192

Keywords: vehicle loads, public highways, transportation, road safety, infrastructure, HB2139, snowmobile registration, snowmobile fee, vehicle license fee, registration fee, Department of Licensing, RCW, vehicle registration, winter recreation, off-road vehicle, moped, motorcycle, trailer, recreational vehicle, vintage snowmobile

Summary: The House Transportation Committee held a work session featuring a National Conference of State Legislatures briefing on declining gas tax revenues and alternative transportation funding tools. Doug Schenkel and Lexi Elio described trends in state motor fuel tax revenue, rising construction costs, and the growing impact of more fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. They reviewed state responses such as indexed gas taxes, electric vehicle and hybrid fees, road usage charges, transportation network company fees, retail delivery fees, and per-kilowatt-hour charges on non-residential EV charging. Members asked follow-up questions about Virginia’s mileage-based fee program, enrollment rates, and whether states had reduced gas taxes when adopting road usage charges; the presenters said they would follow up with more information. The committee then heard a staff presentation comparing Washington’s transportation budget and system with Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah, highlighting Washington’s large ferry system, fish passage obligations, and unusually high debt service. Members asked about the Climate Commitment Act’s effect on fuel taxes, debt service interest, and whether Washington’s roadwork costs differ from other states, and staff said they could provide additional detail later. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2109, which would allow vehicles being towed on trailers to use a covering to contain mud, rocks, or other debris instead of requiring the vehicle tracks or undercarriage to be cleaned first. Staff said the bill would not affect the existing six-inch freeboard rule for loads and noted modest fiscal impacts for the State Patrol and WSDOT. Representative Dent and a constituent testified in support, explaining that tracked construction equipment is difficult and time-consuming to clean before transport. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill was left at public hearing. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2139, a request bill from State Parks to raise snowmobile registration fees from $50 to $75 and vintage snowmobile fees from $12 to $18. Supporters, including State Parks, DNR, a county commissioner, and several recreation advocates, said the increase was needed to maintain snow parks, grooming, sanitation, and safety, and that the program had seen declining registrations and rising costs. Opponents argued that many snowmobiles are unregistered, enforcement is weak, and the fee increase could further reduce compliance; they also questioned why sales tax revenue and administrative costs were not being redirected differently. State Parks said it had already reduced services at some snow parks, was exploring more targeted enforcement, and had surveyed users, with a majority favoring a fee increase. The committee then received a briefing on House Bill 2192, which would update the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s role by formally authorizing it to function as a public health authority, collect and analyze health care and crash data, convene a confidential fatality review committee, and review a broad range of records related to traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Staff said the commission already performs similar work and reported no fiscal impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's begin with Senate Bill 5234 concerning snowmobile registration fees.
• Senate Bill 5234 raises the snowmobile registration fee, the annual registration fee from $50 to $75.
• The annual registration fee from $50 to $75, and the vintage snowmobile fee from $12 to $18.
• This particular local TBD fee is not a fee that is weight-based, per se.
• This particular local TBD fee is not a fee that is weight-based, per se.

Bills: SJM8016, SB6230, SB5234, SB6081, SB6265, SB6170, SB6131, SB6155, SB6176, SB6238, SB6253, SB6311, SB6032, SB6262

Keywords: bridge repair, infrastructure, emergency funding, transportation, public safety, cash transactions, pennies, currency, economic efficiency, financial regulation, snowmobile, snowmobile registration, vehicle registration fees, registration fee, Department of Licensing, DOL, recreational vehicles, winter recreation, vintage snowmobile, parks and recreation

Summary: The committee’s work session focused first on ignition interlock device compliance. Traffic Safety Commission staff described a Yakima County pilot that provides enhanced probation supervision and support for DUI-affected drivers, reporting that compliance with interlock installation rose from roughly 16%–20% before the program to 41% after implementation among the medium- and high-risk population. Staff identified major barriers as cost, confusing and inconsistent procedures, and transportation access, and suggested policy changes such as allowing payment plans and simplifying compliance pathways. JLARC then presented its preliminary audit, estimating an overall 41% installation/completion rate statewide, finding that installation rates rise with income, that financial assistance reaches only about 11% of eligible users on average, and that the Department of Licensing and State Patrol need clearer coordination, goals, and a formal agreement to jointly administer the program. The State Patrol also reported on a Snohomish County outreach pilot that made 616 contacts, found many drivers were unaware of financial assistance, and identified some drivers as physically unable to drive, without vehicles, unable to afford the program, or subject to active warrants; the patrol said it would continue similar outreach in Yakima and use data analysis to target compliance efforts. The committee then received a broader traffic safety update from the Traffic Safety Commission. Staff reported that serious injuries and fatalities in traffic crashes rose sharply over the last several years, though 2024 showed some improvement, including a 9% drop in fatalities and a 15% drop in impaired-driving fatalities from 2023. Pedestrian deaths remained high, while unrestrained and speeding-related fatalities also remained significant concerns. The commission also presented telematics-based research showing that targeted enforcement and visible police presence can reduce speeds; one project found each additional hour of officer presence per mile was associated with a 5.6 mph decrease in average speed. A second telematics project using opt-in insurance-based data showed high rates of phone use and speeding among drivers, and the commission said local agencies are using the tool for corridor-level enforcement planning and evaluation. In public hearing, the committee heard Senate Joint Memorial 8016, which asks federal officials to treat the Fairfax Bridge closure and replacement as an emergency and to accelerate federal review. The sponsor and several supporters from Wilkeson, Carbonado, recreation groups, and nearby communities said the bridge closure has hurt tourism, emergency response, and access to Mount Rainier and surrounding recreation areas. Testimony was entirely in support, and the chair announced 67 pro and zero con sign-ins. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment in light of the Treasury’s decision to stop minting pennies. Staff explained the bill’s rounding rules and noted a Department of Licensing fiscal note of about $186,000 for technology changes; retail and food industry representatives supported the bill but asked for amendments on permissiveness, tax treatment, consumer protections, and local preemption. During executive session, staff briefed several bills and substitutes, including snowmobile registration fee increases, gender-designation record confidentiality, streamlined salvage-title transfers, utility and fish-barrier-related changes, inflation adjustments for emergency state highway work thresholds, public-health authority language for the Traffic Safety Commission, special parking privilege renewal changes, expired registration enforcement, oil tanker tug-escort requirements, and transit board labor-member provisions. No final votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided, though the committee waived the five-day notice to hear the day’s public hearing bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's where the $73 fee was established. I agree with the staff.
• House Bill 2139 increases snowmobile registration fees.
• And without this fee increase, the services that are currently expected of the State Parks won't be able
• State Parks will be a little mixed on the side today simply because it is a fee increase, and of course
• we always are a little concerned sometimes we see fee increases to the end users.

Bills: HB1367, HB2172, HB2718, HB2139, HB2192, HB2307, HB2379, HB2467, HB2495, HB2604

Keywords: motorcycle safety, right shoulder, shoulder riding, limited access roadway, freeway, expressway, highway congestion, lane splitting, traffic safety, RCW, Washington traffic law, roadside assistance, emergency vehicles, tow truck, congested traffic, motorcyclist, route jurisdiction, abandonment, transportation, local governance

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s route jurisdiction transfer study. Staff explained that counties own about 49% of center lane miles, cities 22%, and the state 9%, and that only 16 route jurisdiction transfers have occurred since the process began in 1991. The study found the current state highway system is generally well connected and did not need wholesale realignment, but recommended clarifying statutory criteria, improving the transfer process, and strengthening interagency coordination and recordkeeping. Members discussed why transfers happen, who pays for transferred roads, and how the Legislature should handle abandonments and major decommissionings. House Bill 2172 was then heard, which would fold large abandonments into the RJT process, require pre-request conferences, add cost/risk reporting, update highway criteria, and require legislative approval for certain decommissionings. Support came from Tacoma, the Transportation Commission, counties, cities, and the Transportation Improvement Board, while the sponsor said a substitute would narrow the bill so agreed transfers could proceed without final legislative approval. The committee next heard House Bill 1367, which would allow motorcycles to travel on the right shoulder of limited-access highways in slow or stopped traffic, subject to speed limits and other restrictions. The bill’s substitute would limit shoulder use to wider shoulders, require hazard lights, bar overtaking on the shoulder, and assign liability for debris-related damage to the rider while shielding governments from claims. Testimony was sharply divided: motorcycle advocates and some riders said the bill would reduce fatigue, heat stress, and rear-end risk, while the State Patrol and WSDOT opposed it as unsafe, especially because shoulders are used for emergencies, maintenance, and incident response and may contain debris. The Department of Licensing and WSDOT described potential implementation and maintenance costs. Substitute House Bill 2174 would create local or state “crash prevention zones” on roads with repeated serious collisions or fatalities, require public notice and an engineering/traffic study, increase enforcement, and impose a $73 penalty for certain infractions in the zone, with revenue dedicated to safety improvements. The sponsor said it was intended as a temporary tool for dangerous corridors such as Highway 395 and Highway 12, while counties and cities supported the concept but asked for liability protections similar to the Senate companion bill. Finally, House Bill 2718 proposed major permitting and project-delivery reforms for transportation projects, including deadlines for agency permit meetings and decisions, early tribal and local consultation, deemed approval in some cases, a public contractor rating website, and a report on further streamlining ideas. The sponsor framed it as a “shot clock” approach to reduce delays and costs, and members raised questions about how the contractor ratings would work and whether the bill would alter existing performance review systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2601 is about motorcycle weight fees.
• Currently, motorcycles pay a weight fee of $35 at registration because that is the fee for the lowest
• , not based on their weight, with a fee of $15.
• This lower fee would take effect in July of 2007.
• In the vehicle weight fee schedule, House Bill 2601 would create a new lower category in the weight fee

Bills: HB2305, HB2601, HB2604

Keywords: vehicle registration, travel vans, motor homes, transportation regulation, HB2601, motorcycle weight fee, motorcycle registration, vehicle licensing, Department of Licensing, weight-based fee, motor home fee, RV registration, scale weight, vehicle weight, RCW, Washington state, registration fees, license fees, vehicle fee schedule, fee distribution

Summary: The committee held public hearings on three transportation-related bills. House Bill 2305 would exclude travel vans from Sound Transit’s motor vehicle excise tax by distinguishing them from motor homes; staff said the Department of Revenue saw no fiscal impact, while the Department of Licensing estimated a one-time $129,000 system update cost and an indeterminate revenue impact. The sponsor and one testifier argued the bill would correct a classification issue and reduce costs for owners of smaller camper-style vans, especially in the Sound Transit area. House Bill 2601 would create a new motorcycle weight-fee category with a $15 fee instead of the current $35 fee applied under the lowest vehicle weight bracket. Staff estimated about 190,000 annual transactions and roughly $3.8 million per year in lost revenue to multimodal transportation accounts, plus about $20,000 in Department of Licensing programming costs. The sponsor and a motorcycle rights advocate said the bill was a matter of fairness because motorcycles do not weigh anywhere near 4,000 pounds and the lower fee would better match actual road use. House Bill 2604 would remove notarization requirements for documents transferring ownership of totaled vehicles to insurers and for limited powers of attorney used for that purpose, allowing electronic or printed signatures. Staff reported no fiscal impact from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner or the Department of Licensing. The sponsor and three testifiers from Copart said the change would streamline title transfers, reduce delays and travel burdens for consumers, and help people—especially those in rural areas or without easy transportation—get paid faster after a total loss. The public hearings on all three bills were closed, and the committee adjourned to caucuses.

Bills: HF4261, HF4263, HF4264, HF4787

Keywords: natural resources, motorboat, boating safety, personal watercraft, PWC, watercraft operator permit, boater safety exam, off-road vehicle, ORV, ATV, snowmobile, state trail pass, cross-country ski pass, horse pass, state park permit, game and fish, hunting license, fishing license, wildlife permit, invasive species

Transcript Highlights:

• Fraudulent registration stickers for snowmobiles and watercraft.
• Section three is basically the same language for snowmobiles.
• Section three is basically the same language for snowmobiles.

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Transcript Highlights:

• The platforms make money by charging bettors a fee for bringing together users of the opposite side of
• 00:25:10.400><c> charging</c><00:25:10.960><c> betterers</c><00:25:11.279><c> a</c><00:25:11.520><c> fee
• </c><00:25:11.840><c> for</c> money by charging betterers a fee for money by charging betterers a fee

Bills: HF2354, HF3407, HF4359, HF4192, HF3356, HF3695, HF1597, HF3155, HF3871, HF4437, HF4446, HF3990

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, ghost guns, unserialized firearms, 3D-printed guns, 3D printer firearms, CNC milling, home-built firearms, firearm serialization, serial numbers, unfinished frame, unfinished receiver, ghost gun ban, gun control, firearm design files, CAD files, digital gun blueprints

Bills: HF1667, HF2526, HF68

Keywords: correctional fees, supervision fees, probation, Department of Corrections, criminal justice funding, electronic home monitoring, drug testing, restitution collection, community service work, postprison supervision, court-ordered services, fee sunset, fee phaseout, offender fees, community corrections, supervised individuals, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Commercial motor vehicle carriers with terminals in the state are required to pay a $16 annual fee.
• The fee is apportioned for interstate vehicles operating under the International Registration Plan.
• After deduction by DOL for cost of administration, fees must be deposited in the State Patrol Highway
• The commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee assessed on commercial motor vehicles is increased from
• DOL reports a one-time cost of $33,000 for contract programmers to program the new fee distribution.

Bills: HB2347, HB2410

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on House Bill 2410, which would create a commercial truck safety and education council, increase the commercial vehicle safety enforcement fee from $16 to $32, and dedicate the new revenue to truck safety and training programs. Committee staff outlined the bill’s licensing and training requirements, council structure, funding, confidentiality provisions, and fiscal impacts. The prime sponsor said the bill was intended to improve truck driver education and safety, and testimony from the Washington Trucking Associations, trucking companies, insurers, and business groups was strongly supportive. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission testified “other” and said it supported the safety goal but still had concerns about clarifying the commission’s role and responsibilities. A committee member asked about bridge strikes and truck crashes involving in-state versus out-of-state drivers, but no data was immediately available. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 2347, which would repeal last year’s luxury aircraft tax on non-commercial aircraft valued above $500,000. Staff explained that the tax is scheduled to take effect April 1 and would send revenue to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel account; the repeal would take effect immediately. The bill’s sponsor argued the tax unfairly burdens business, medical, agricultural, wildfire, and other aircraft uses, and said aircraft and related jobs were already leaving the state. Many witnesses from business aviation, airports, manufacturers, and industry associations testified in support of repeal, describing aircraft relocations, vacant hangars, lost fuel and lease revenue, and reduced investment. They also argued the tax is difficult to administer because many aircraft are used for mixed business and personal purposes. The Port of Seattle testified “other,” agreeing the tax has outsized impacts but urging a narrower fix rather than full repeal so the state can still fund sustainable aviation fuel infrastructure. Committee members asked about out-of-state aircraft, lost revenue, and whether Canada’s repeal of a similar tax offered a lesson; no action was taken on the bill. After the hearings, the committee received a work session on tolling technology from the Transportation Commission and consultants. They summarized a pilot using a smartphone app for toll collection, including tests on SR 520 and a hypothetical SR-18 segment toll. The presentation said the app worked well when paired by Bluetooth, had high customer satisfaction, and could complement existing toll tags and video tolling, though privacy and setup issues were noted. The commission recommended keeping current tolling systems, conducting a fully operational pilot within about three years, and planning for future technology integration through a marketplace approach. The meeting ended when the chair adjourned the committee for caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any fees recovered cannot be... my apologies... any fees recovered cannot be placed in a general revenue
• The optics of now charging an accident response fee to what their mission is, which is to go serve...
• ...an accident response fee to what their mission is, which is to go serve.
• Those accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.
• Those accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition

Summary: The Public Safety Committee first considered several gubernatorial nominations. Brent Black of Bixby was renominated to the Forensic Review Board, with Senator Guthrie noting the board’s seven-member makeup and the need for mental health professionals; the nomination was advanced 8-0. Lou Ann Moody of Henrietta was then presented for the Forensic Review Board. Moody described her long legal career, her work as city attorney and in juvenile/dependency matters, and her decision to avoid criminal defense work to avoid ethical conflicts. Members asked about the board’s caseload and meeting schedule, and the nomination was advanced 8-0. The committee also heard the nomination of a retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer, Mr. McCoy, to the OSBI Commission. He emphasized his decades of law enforcement and emergency-management experience, and the nomination was advanced 8-0. The committee then took up House Bill 3045, with an amendment offered by Senator Reinhart. The amendment would allow certain fire departments, rural fire districts, and fire protection districts in municipalities under 200,000 population to recover accident response fees, while preventing those fees from going into general revenue or funding non-fire services. Reinhart explained the bill was intended to address fire departments’ ability to recover costs while limiting the impact on the state’s two largest cities. Senator Brooks questioned why the exemption would apply only to the largest municipalities, and Reinhart responded that Tulsa and Oklahoma City would see the greatest fiscal impact and that rural departments lacked comparable revenue sources. Senator Murdoch raised a point that the bill had an unescorted fiscal impact on municipalities and asked for a ruling under the Municipal Fiscal Impact Act. The chair took the matter under advisement and, at the sponsor’s request, laid the bill over rather than proceeding further. The meeting concluded with members offering extended personal remarks thanking the chair and vice chair for their leadership and service, and the chair adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• It updates certain agriculture fees every so often.
• This gives a list of the fees, a list of where we're at, all the different things.
• These will, in case you don't know, these fees will go through a board.
• And so we never have the wherewithal to raise fees.
• There's a lot of fees in here.

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Bills: SB145, SB143

Keywords: auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control, pesticide registration, pesticide applicator, pest management consultant, plant protection, nursery license

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies, first responder agencies, from charging a fee to respond.
• Responding that they also shouldn't charge a fee for what basically is their mission, which is to be
• And one of the ideas that came up was to charge an accident response fee when fire departments go out
• Those fees will only be charged to insured drivers.
• Accident fees can be $710 to $1,800 per accident.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It updates certain agriculture fees every so often. We have caps on these agriculture fees.
• This gives a list of the fees, a list of where we're at, all the different things.
• These fees will go through a board.
• And so we never have the wherewithal to raise fees.
• There's a lot of fees in here.

Bills: HB2, SB145, SB143

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, auditing, financial reporting, state auditor, public agencies, capital outlay, compliance, federal audits, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, fee update, regulatory fees, egg inspection, egg grading, egg dealer, pesticide control

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused. The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt. The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• First item on the agenda is Senate Bill 38, fees on registered pet food.
• Madam Chair, it's a $100 fee to register a pet food brand, and then that goes into the fee and is distributed
• So there's a fee on registration, pardon me, Madam Chair, Representative.
• There's a fee on registering the pet food.
• It's just the fee. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 38, which would make permanent the New Mexico affordable spay-neuter program funded by fees on registered pet food. The sponsor and supporters said the program helps reduce companion animal overpopulation, shelter intake, and euthanasia, while opponents argued the charge is an unlawful tax, is tied to ongoing litigation, and that required annual reporting has not been done. After public testimony, the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 38 by a 10-1 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 17, a gun-safety measure that would impose new requirements on firearms dealers and prohibit future sale of certain assault-style and high-capacity weapons. Supporters, including sponsors, gun-violence survivors, public safety advocates, and some local officials, argued the bill would address straw purchasing, trafficking, dealer accountability, and mass-casualty weapons. Opponents, including firearms retailers, ranchers, law enforcement, and gun owners, said the bill would burden lawful businesses, raise constitutional concerns, and do little to stop crime. After extensive testimony and questions about the bill’s legal basis, definitions, and dealer regulations, the committee did not vote and instead rolled the bill for further work on amendments. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 41, as amended, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor. Support came from the Chamber of Commerce and sexual assault advocacy groups, who said delayed disclosure is common and justice should not expire before survivors are ready to come forward. Committee members asked detailed questions about the bill’s scope, including why certain offenses remained covered and how the criminal statutes are categorized. The committee adopted an amendment to correct drafting issues and then passed SB 41 as amended on a 10-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 264, an elections safety bill that would strengthen penalties for election interference, create emergency polling-place protocols, and clarify when law enforcement may be present at polling places at the request of election officials. Supporters said it was needed to protect voters from intimidation, while an opponent argued it could put law enforcement at risk and restrict their ability to vote. The sponsor and Secretary of State explained that the bill was aimed at preventing ordered deployment of armed personnel to polling places, not barring officers or service members from voting. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• There were some other things, California caps attorney's fees.
• We have taken away the tool that exists to change behavior when we've kept those fees.
• if I am a health care provider and I've been sued for malpractice, all I have to do is waive those fees
• This is not a fee issue. It would have an impact on how plaintiffs' attorneys are paid. Mr.
• If this was about fees, I'd be making a very different motion. Okay, then fair enough.

Bills: SB38, SB17, SB41, SB264

Keywords: SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration, New Mexico, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, sexual crimes, statute of limitations

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 99, a proposed reform of the Medical Malpractice Act. Representative Chandler said the bill is intended to address physician shortages, rising malpractice premiums, and litigation pressures by changing punitive damages rules, including a higher standard of proof, a requirement that punitive damages not be pleaded in the initial complaint, and limits tied to the type of provider. Supporters, including physicians, business leaders, and some patients, said the bill would help retain doctors, improve access to care, and create more predictable liability exposure. Several supporters also said current malpractice conditions are driving doctors out of the state and harming rural access to services. Opponents argued the bill would reduce patient recovery, create unequal treatment based on insurance status through the bill-versus-paid provision, and raise constitutional concerns involving equal protection, collateral source rules, and separation of powers. They also criticized the bill for not addressing other drivers of malpractice, such as hospital practices, prior authorization, staffing, and background checks for out-of-state doctors. Some witnesses urged amendments to protect the Patient Compensation Fund, ensure future medical expenses are covered, require minimum surcharge settings, and improve oversight of providers entering the state. Committee members questioned the sponsor and witnesses about whether the bill would actually lower premiums, whether it would improve access to care, and how it would affect hospitals, independent providers, and the Patient Compensation Fund. The sponsor said the bill was based on negotiations and comparisons with other states, and that it should help premiums over time. Members raised concerns about the fund’s solvency, the role of hospitals in the fund, and whether some provisions would survive legal challenge. No final vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated amendments would be discussed later and the committee would continue the hearing the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have an increase in taxes and fees to support the state road fund.
• This increases the heavy vehicle weight distance tax by 35% and increase vehicle registration fees by
• So they're not gonna get any less money based on the new vehicle registration fee increases that are
• There's no additional fee today. You got to tell her what the question is.
• We share with them the vehicle registration fees. They have the ability to do this.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• on top of fees.
• , also known as swipe fees.
• The fees are blank.
• Who sets these fees?
• Our fees, credit card fees for MasterCard and Visa. Okay.

Bills: HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175, HB245

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• Swipe cap or fee caps.
• those fees every single time.
• Banks should set their own fees.
• Where do those fees come from?
• Fee caps aren't the answer.

Bills: HB245, HB245, HB700, HB2783, HB3526, HB3900, HB4061, HB4124, HB4166, HB4395, HB4534, HB4609, HB4641, HB4736, HB4738, HB4739, HB4945, HB5015, HJR175

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees