SB20 — The committee begins discussion of Committee substitute for Senate Bill 20, and the sponsor explains that this bill addresses the primary purpose of the measure.
Director of Viaro — Introduced as the Director of Health and Life Insurance at OSI.
Dr. Alejandra on Parin — Introduced as a pharmacist with OSI.
Dr. Monica Snowden — Introduced as an MD with OSI.
Dr. Kenan Ryan — Introduced as a pharmacist and chief medical officer for Medicaid at the health care authority.
SB20 — A motion is made to adopt the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee substitute for the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee substitute for Senate Bill 20, and the discussion continues with the same committee substitute reference.
SB20 — Senate Bill 20 is discussed as a bill the witness opposes, even after amendments made by the sponsor and advocates. The conversation then moves to a formal motion to do not pass SB 20 while advancing the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee substitute for the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee substitute, with the motion restated in the following mention.
Mr. Brent Moore — Identified as having provided much of the bill language and later testifying in opposition on behalf of America’s Health Insurance Plans.
Gloria Doherty — Testified in support on behalf of the New Mexico Nursing Association and the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council.
Ellen Pines — Testified in support on behalf of the Disability Coalition.
Pat Block — Testified in opposition as a registered lobbyist for Otero Consulting and Crime Therapeutics.
Brent Moore — Testified in opposition as a registered lobbyist for America’s Health Insurance Plans.
Marla Schottes — Testified in opposition as a registered lobbyist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico.
Dr. Nieser — The chair announces Dr. Nieser will testify online and gives time limits.
Dr. Bronwynniser — A forensic psychologist and NAMI New Mexico board member testifies in support of SB 20.
SB20 — The witness, speaking on behalf of NAMI New Mexico, supports SB 20 and urges a yes vote, emphasizing that the bill would help reduce burdens associated with frequent prior authorization.
Dr. Neeser — The chair thanks Dr. Neeser after testimony concludes.
SB20 — The motion specifically references the SHPAC committee substitute.
Secretary Emily Coulton — The chair asks Secretary Emily Coulton to come up for the next bill.
SB21 — The committee discusses Senate Bill 21 as amended, which would establish an annual Medigap open enrollment period with guaranteed issue protections for eligible Medicare beneficiaries already enrolled in a Medigap plan. Members explain that the bill would give enrollees another chance to change plans around their birthday, describe it as a consumer-friendly measure, and note that it could promote a more stable and balanced risk pool and Medicare supplement market. The discussion then moves through public support, committee consideration of the bill, and concludes with a due pass motion and roll call vote on SB 21 as amended.
Reena Szczepanski — Likely the senator being referenced as 'Senator Spanics' in the transcript, asked to discuss the amendment.
David Gallegos — Asked to comment as a co-sponsor and spoke in support of the bill as consumer-friendly and helpful for seniors.
Mark Duncan — Likely a transcription error referring to Senator Brandt or another senator; the transcript is unclear.
Katy Duhigg — Name appears in the roll call, likely referring to Senator O'Malley, but the exact member ID is uncertain from context.
Susan Herrera — Name appears in the roll call, but the exact member ID is uncertain from context.
Pat Woods — Likely a mis-transcription of Senator Woods; recorded as voting yes.
Heather Berghmans — Senator Bergmans is mentioned twice during the roll call, likely as a mis-transcription of Senator Berghmans, with the name repeated as part of the attendance call.
George Muñoz — Senator Muñoz’s Senate Bill 177 is introduced and he presents the bill as an economic development opportunity centered on New Mexico’s quantum ecosystem. After the chair explains the presentation process, Muñoz continues outlining the state’s concentration of quantum scientists and the broader coordinated effort, then closes by introducing staff support.
SB177 — The committee turns to Senate Bill 177 after completing the vote on Senate Bill 21.
Alex — Provides technical support testimony on quantum and says New Mexico has a singular opportunity.
Alex — Referenced as someone whose thinking the speaker trusts and who is involved in the proposal.
Alex — Described as the expert whose guidance the speaker accepted.
Alex — Responded that the concern is valid and said the proposal is anchored around the DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative.
Alex — Will help identify incoming companies and provide updates.
Alex — Spent time with Senator Figueroa answering questions.
Cindy Nava — Was thanked for bringing the bill forward and wished luck on moving new industry to New Mexico.
Meredith Dixon — Representative Dixon is credited with having worked on the issue for some time and with helping guide the speaker toward understanding the proposal.
John — Spent time with Senator Figueroa answering questions.
Gail Armstrong — Asked why the funding was not routed through the process that had been created.
Gail Armstrong — Referenced as having raised concerns about the flow of capital.
Gail Armstrong — Referred to as someone who speaks slowly and thoroughly; likely a mistaken transcription of a member name, but no exact match is certain.
Gail Armstrong — Referenced as the senator whose question about the $60 million public safety appropriation is being answered.
Gail Armstrong — Addressed directly by Alex in response to the question.
Gail Armstrong — Likely intended to be Senator Woods; objected that public safety does not belong in this bill.
Gail Armstrong — Asked if there was anything else before the committee moved to a vote.
Gail Armstrong — Argues there is a marketplace option and Medicaid covers a lot, so the legislation is unnecessary.
Gail Armstrong — Votes yes.
Gail Armstrong — Votes no.
Nora Sackett, Director of the Technology and Innovation Office — Explained that risk mitigation comes from policy at the Economic Development Department and its funding administration processes.
Nora — Continued the explanation of leveraging as funding opportunities.