Transcript Highlights:

• Communist countries like China use advanced technology to track every citizen for social and political
• Communist countries like China use advanced technology to track every citizen for social and political
• Computer technology has put the privacy of Americans increasingly at risk.
• Oregon Board of Dentistry, Charity Ludwig, Chair Thompson, Aaron Tinkle; State Board of Denture Technology
• Directors, Claire Ervin, Maria Rodriguez, Malik Seals; Board of Trustees of Oregon University of Technology

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Communist countries like China use advanced technology to track every citizen for social and political
• Communist countries like China use advanced technology to track every citizen for social and political
• Computer technology has put the privacy of Americans increasingly at risk.
• Oregon Board of Dentistry, Charity Ludwig, Chair Thompson, Aaron Tinkle; State Board of Denture Technology
• Directors, Claire Ervin, Maria Rodriguez, Malik Seals; Board of Trustees of Oregon University of Technology

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number ten, DHS Division of Aging, Adults, and Behavioral Health Services with Karasoft Technology Corp
• Number 10, DHS Division of Aging Adults and Behavioral Health with Karasoft Technology Corp.
• Number 21, Department of Shared Administrative Services with Carasoft Technology Group.
• This is for conducting a statewide skills assessment for information technology personnel.
• This is to conduct a statewide information technology applications assessment.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that we will test the market on, is what we're calling the technology adoption challenge.
• I've seen many unsuccessful technology projects.
• myself pick and choose the technologies that everybody should have, that we should say this is what
• So, perhaps there's an enhancement to a technology or a brand new technology.
• And third, since we know federal money doesn't last forever, doesn't last forever, if this technology

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, that's work to be done, but we've also got multiple technology systems that need performance
• How can we accommodate that, leveraging technology and virtual after-hour service deliveries?
• How can we accommodate that leveraging technology and virtual after-hour service deliveries?
• But that's not great for our employers that need people in data security and cyber technology.
• We are also doing some changes in our eligibility system, where we are employing AI technology to help

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs. Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Business, Labor, and Technology: after consideration on the merits, the committee recommends
• President, the Committee on Business, Labor, and Technology has had under consideration and had a hearing
• <00:31:00.640> had<00:31:00.799> under<00:31:01.039> consideration Technologies
• had under consideration Technologies had under consideration ahead<00:31:01.760> of<00:31:01.840
• Technology Committee will meet tomorrow Technology Committee will meet tomorrow at<01:34:28.080> 8

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and House messages. Committee reports advanced a number of bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 163, House Bill 1320, Senate Bill 160, House Bill 1210, and several board and commission appointments recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also received House action on multiple bills, including concurrence in Senate amendments to House Bills 1239, 1262, and 1110, a request for a conference committee on House Bill 1084, and transmission of several other measures to the Revisor of Statutes. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 22, designating July 12-18, 2026, as Plastic Pollution Awareness Week. Senator Cutter spoke in support, arguing that plastic pollution harms environmental and human health, disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and cannot be solved by recycling alone. The resolution was adopted on a 25-9 vote, with several senators recorded in opposition, and co-sponsors were noted. The chamber also recognized guests from the Colorado Society of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals, as well as visitors from the Colorado School of Mines and former Senator John Evans. Later, the Senate considered special orders on the consent calendar, including House Bills 103, 1026, and 1051, and adopted the committee reports and the bills. House Bill 1026 was amended and House Bill 1051 was advanced to third reading and final passage. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 117, concerning permissible methods for the sale of lottery tickets. Senator Bridges explained that the bill was intended to respond to lottery rules allowing online sales and credit card purchases, but said the measure had been narrowed in committee and then raised constitutional concerns under Colorado’s prohibition on slot machines outside limited gaming areas. The transcript ends during that debate, before final action on Senate Bill 117 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• information and communication technology information and communication technology intended<01:44
• Information and communication technology presents a huge barrier to those with disabilities, as
• submitted via accessible uh technology submitted via accessible uh technology and<01:52:36.400><
• So this technology bill matters to me because just being able to come up here and talk means so much.
• information and communication technology information and communication technology intended<02:25

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard Senate Bill 1322, SD2, HD1, a comprehensive measure revising Hawaii’s mental health code. The bill would clarify emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization procedures for people who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse and deemed imminently dangerous, expand notice requirements, allow certain information-sharing for assisted community treatment petitions, and add liability protections for emergency responders and providers. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill as a collaborative update to the law, while the Department of Health asked for a copy of provider-generated emergency transport documentation within five days for data and planning purposes. Testimony was sharply divided. Queen’s Health System, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, HHSC, and the Institute for Human Services supported the measure or parts of it but requested amendments, including clarifying whether a second psychiatric exam is required, restoring a 72-hour rather than 48-hour stabilization window, and adjusting where patients are taken when an MEO cannot be reached. The ACLU of Hawaiʻi strongly opposed the bill, arguing it weakens due process and civil liberties, especially around involuntary commitment, assisted community treatment, emergency transport by police, and reduced procedural safeguards; it urged the committee to hold the bill and consider an interim working group. Louie E.K. of the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center also opposed the bill, focusing on immunity from negligence, the use of police for transport, and the reduction of a three-provider review to one in state-hospital treatment orders. Other testimony included support from an individual who said the bill could improve mental health care delivery amid provider shortages, and a comment from Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center warning that the substance use portion of the bill lacks evidence of effectiveness and could be misused. In response to committee questions, the Attorney General’s office said the measure was developed with input from multiple stakeholders, including state agencies, hospitals, the ACLU, HHSC, and IHS, and that it aims to make assisted community treatment more accessible and effective by streamlining the legal process and improving consequences for noncompliance. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• these innovation low-risk technologies these innovation low-risk technologies are<01:48:04.440><
• <01:49:05.120> company We are a geothermal technology company We are a geothermal technology
• <01:49:12.320> that Our company grew out of technology that Our company grew out of technology
• <01:52:32.640> as and embrace emerging technologies as and embrace emerging technologies as
• <01:58:11.040> into loop heat exchanger technology into loop heat exchanger technology into

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So being able to have the technology, which does exist,...
• Sixth grade at a school that did not have technology at all.
• And by the end of the year, they had not utilized technology at all.
• And we had seen the impact that taking technology out of the...
• and reducing technology in their classrooms because of the impact that technology has on... ...the impact

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• maybe where it is in its uh, technology maybe where it is in its uh, technology life<00:52:18.319
• There are certain technologies that no matter what you do, it's not going to drive down the price.
• But there's a lot of technologies where that's not the case.
• our hardware and software technologies our hardware and software technologies that<01:27:08.239>
• ,<01:27:19.520> but and deploying GETS uh technologies, but and deploying GETS uh technologies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We want people to access, we want people to use technology to access coverage. That is important.
• have brick-and-mortars are being impacted as more insurance companies are going into more of a technology
• So for the past 40 years, we haven't modernized the consumer technology protections, and so this is what
• We welcome the technology because this is what our consumers want.
• And things are changing so rapidly with technology that we need to have the regulatory scheme in place

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, the bill did add AI and other emerging technologies.
• :54.959> emerging bill did add AI and other emerging bill did add AI and other emerging technologies
• . um we had that input and technologies. um we had that input and um<00:03:59.280> we<00:03:59.599
• You've also got ENT funds that they can choose to spend on technology and things like that.
• they can choose to spend on technology they can choose to spend on technology and<00:11:50.800><

Bills: HB329, SB5, HB329, SB5, HB43, HB75, HB396

Keywords: military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, computer science, education reform, digital literacy, high school graduation, teacher training, education, public schools, constitution amendment, national anthem, weekly broadcast

Transcript Highlights:

• Fraud has evolved into organized, technology-driven schemes that target seniors, small businesses, and
• They are constantly deploying new technology. They spend a lot of that money in technology.
• They are constantly deploying new technology. They spend a lot of that money in technology.
• Paul, you muted yourself or some kind of technological mess-up?
• “One of the advances of technology and how it’s helping serve and reach customers safer and easier.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with the increase in blockchain tracing technology, that percentage of fraudulent transactions should
• that combines an aircraft as an advanced aviation surveillance technology that combines an aircraft
• I'm personally boycotting any aircraft that is using, or any airport using, this technology for landing
• Our debate is not landing fees; it's using this technology to collect them.
• And this technology is being such a game changer that we are now taking air traffic that used to fit

Summary: The committee first took up SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers at subsidized companies using secret-ballot union elections and prohibiting neutrality agreements. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect workers and taxpayer dollars, and he noted he would amend the Attorney General enforcement language to allow appeals. Supporters argued it protects secret ballots and transparency, while opponents said it is a form of union-busting, could conflict with federal labor law, and would burden contractors and workers. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a roll call vote, with Senators Bracey Davis, Smith, and Errington voting no and the remaining recorded votes in favor. The committee then heard CS/SB 198, which regulates cryptocurrency kiosks to combat fraud, especially against seniors. The bill requires kiosk registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions involving non-U.S. wallets. Supporters from consumer and senior advocacy groups said the bill would help stop widespread scams, while one industry witness praised the bill’s fraud protections but suggested narrowing the daily limits and new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably by roll call vote. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor described it as a work in progress aimed at ending inhumane breeding conditions, improving consumer disclosures, and creating breeder standards and penalties; an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported many animal welfare provisions but objected to the three-day financing waiting period, shelter-space requirements, expanded reimbursement, and litigation exposure. Animal welfare supporters backed the bill, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors’ access to apps. The bill requires age verification, parental consent for minors, notice of app changes, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said it would better protect children online and help enforce existing age-based restrictions, while opponents warned it could require overcollection of personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate tools parents already have. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee took up CS/SB 422, which would bar use of ADS-B aviation data to calculate or collect certain airport fees, with an amendment adding departures to the covered activities. A pilot supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport advocates opposed it, saying it would undermine airport finances and force less efficient fee collection methods. The transcript ends during testimony on this bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here with TSA, our Technology Student Association.
• And we are focused in areas of marketing, finance, technology, and information technology.
• As new technologies come around, we definitely employ them.
• That's all in new techniques and new technology. Okay. So, Mr.
• So I want to know if technology is helping us out.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our obsession has been patient care and advancing novel catheter-based technologies, publishing high-level
• We have the technology to address this.
• We have the technology to address this.
• If we were to do a complex valve replacement technology, then the team would actually double in size
• so they can use computers and technology for paying bills, managing all of their home business needs

Bills: SB1001, SB1011, SB1016, SB1052, SB1072, SB1100, SB1112, SB1113, SB1116, SB1118, SB1120, SB1121, SB1122, SB1123, SB1124, SB1125

Keywords: appropriation, economic security, blind individuals, older adults, state funding, medical examiners, sudden infant death, autopsy protocols, forensic pathology, public health, religious exemption, employment practices, COVID-19 vaccination, accommodation, discrimination, assisted living, health care, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physician orders, informed consent

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then took up a series of health and human services bills. The first group focused on radiation protection in cardiac catheterization and other ionizing-radiation procedure rooms: SB 1120 would require at least half of procedure rooms in covered facilities to have a radiation protection system by July 1, 2027; SB 1118 would create a state grant program for rural hospitals to help pay for those systems; and SB 1121 would prohibit requiring lead aprons in rooms equipped with such systems, while allowing voluntary use with a real-time dosimeter. Physicians, nurses, and a hospital CEO testified that long-term radiation exposure and heavy lead aprons have caused cancer, cataracts, and orthopedic injuries, and that commercially available systems can reduce exposure to near zero. Some members raised questions about cost, vendor involvement, FDA clearance, and whether the bills should be discussed with stakeholders; the Health Systems Alliance of Arizona said it was neutral and wanted further stakeholder meetings. All three bills were adopted by 7-0 votes, with SB 1120 and SB 1121 amended. The committee then heard SB 1001, which would appropriate $1 million to the Department of Economic Security for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program. Blind and low-vision speakers described long waitlists, the need for independent living training, and how services help seniors remain at home rather than enter more costly care. The bill passed 6-0 with one member not voting. Next, SB 1072 proposed ongoing General Fund and Medicaid spending to raise reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, plus room-and-board funding and a workforce survey/reporting requirement. Providers testified that the system is underfunded, staff turnover is high, overtime is extensive, and many people wait for services; the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee also approved SB 1125, requiring the Department of Child Safety to annually seek MOUs with tribes and improve tribal access to information about placements and enforcement actions involving licensed group homes, after members asked about the stakeholder process and tribal participation. SB 1123, which removes the requirement that a supervising forensic pathologist be board-certified before delegating autopsy-related tasks to trainees, passed after Maricopa County said the change would help address training delays and workforce shortages. SB 1052, allowing mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy in assisted living facilities under specified safeguards, drew support from the sponsor and an assisted-living operator but also opposition from a member concerned about off-label treatment in nonmedical settings; it passed 5-2. Finally, SB 1112, reducing the number of acquaintance witnesses required in court-ordered treatment proceedings from two to one and allowing a judge to waive the witness requirement in some cases, passed 5-2 after testimony from supporters who said the current rule often blocks treatment for seriously mentally ill people and from opponents who argued it weakens due process. The committee then began SB 1113, which would allow service of court-ordered evaluation and treatment documents by evaluation-agency employees or other court-authorized persons, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Restaurants do tend to be the lower technology; they do better flipping burgers than they do website
• It says, furthermore, please note that if you plan on adding any overlay technology or plug-in to your
• In fact, adding these ineffective technologies to your website creates a separate but equal scenario.
• effort to cure your unlawful discrimination, such technologies were not result in your compliance.
• In fact, adding these ineffective technologies to your website creates a separate but equal scenario.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we would also look at some technology upgrades throughout our building.
• Some of our technology upgrades, we had some access controls we were trying to put in.
• By using the funds to obtain improved training helmets, we can buy gunshot boxtech technology.
• So, and then the technology upgrades, there's a little more on that that I spoke of earlier for technology
• So, we're really excited about that technology to help us address that problem.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The technology wasn't quite there, but through the icon system and some builds that we helped design
• The technologies there, we just got to make sure everybody's comfortable with it, their their Lawyers
• Utilize Fuchsia technology and drones to enhance Operational monitoring for the facility.
• We're working with the technology and helping develop it, but we want the The same thing ties in with
• I need more space, and I need more infrastructure for technology to move that forward.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the meantime, uh, technology has evolved, um, and some of the terms used in the policy are glaringly
• In the meantime,<00:14:11.440> uh<00:14:11.600> technology<00:14:12.240> has<00:
• 14:12.480> evolved<00:14:13.680> um meantime, uh technology has evolved um meantime, uh
• technology has evolved um and<00:14:14.079> some<00:14:14.320> of<00:14:14.399> the
• kind of funny to look at, some of the older stuff, but, uh, the goal was to change it to modern technology

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.