Transcript Highlights:

• NID is the network interface device on the house, so that connects from the street into your household
• The next slide covers the statewide education network, the SEND.
• Today, we have network infrastructure in 223 schools, providing connectivity to 96,000 students around
• This is an overview of the statewide education network where we have nodes active today throughout the
• Benefit from the networks that we're creating. I think we need those partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to House Bill 6, the Kentucky Communications Network Authority reported on its capital projects
• House Bill 6, the Kentucky Pursuant to House Bill 6, the Kentucky Communications<00:01:59.920> Network
• <00:02:00.240> Authority Communications Network Authority Communications Network Authority
• On House Bill 6, reporting Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital projects, we did have a
• Communications Network Authority capital Communications Network Authority capital projects,<00:02:27.680

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April 27 minutes, and a report of informational items. Those informational items included University of Kentucky medical equipment purchases, UK’s planned use of restricted funds for a public-private partnership, school district debt notices, UK’s use of construction management at risk for five projects, Kentucky Communications Network Authority capital project reporting, and UK lease improvements. The main action item was University of Kentucky’s request for approval of a $600 million central plants and utility infrastructure P3 tied to the Chandler expansion and other campus facilities. UK said the project would modernize and expand utility capacity, improve redundancy and efficiency, and support 24/7 hospital operations. UK explained that the financing would combine private equity and nonprofit debt, with no UK or Commonwealth debt or upfront payment, and that future availability payments would come from UK Healthcare funds. Members asked about the financing stack, the source of the restricted funds, and whether existing units would be replaced or modernized. The committee then approved the P3 agreement by roll call vote. The committee also considered and approved a lease renewal for a 20,000-square-foot College of Medicine facility near the Bowling Green Medical Center. UK said the lease would cost $38 per square foot, or $912,000 annually, and supports its long-running partnership with Bowling Green Hospital and planned medical student growth in the region. Members spoke favorably about the local impact of the program, and the lease renewal passed by roll call vote. Finally, the Finance and Administrative Cabinet reported three items requiring no action, including a $2.103 million Transportation Cabinet Department of Aviation project for two medium box hangars at Capital City Airport. Cabinet staff said the project would be funded by federal aviation money and restricted aviation funds, and later explained that the restricted funds come from a jet fuel tax deposited into the Aviation Economic Development Fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• We reestablish those networks of communication. And then that's all it takes.
• Florida Public Radio stations and TV stations through the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network have
• and the students and professionals behind it have always answered... ...other systems failed, our network
• Beacon stands for Broadcast Emergency Alerts and Communications Operations Network.
• It ensures Floridians can access real-time guidance even when the power is out and cell networks are

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to discuss the use of artificial intelligence in emergency management and related public-safety applications. The panel included the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the University of Florida, and Florida International University. FDEM described current uses of AI for invoice anomaly detection, automated situation report drafting, and data synthesis in WebEOC, emphasizing that AI is used to speed analysis and improve efficiency but not to replace human decision-making. The agency also said counties retain access through backup communications such as Starlink and generators, and that WebEOC provides shared visibility, archived documentation, and a common operating picture across all 67 counties. University of Florida representatives highlighted Beacon, an AI-enabled public safety audio service developed with FDEM and public media partners to distribute official alerts across multiple platforms, including mobile devices and digital streams. UF IFAS described a geospatial AI “Gaia bot” that turns satellite data into natural-language answers and maps for crop damage assessment and flood-risk mapping, with a focus on making complex Earth-observation data more accessible to growers and policymakers. FIU presented AI models that predict water levels and flood mitigation settings much faster than traditional simulation tools, with comparable or better accuracy, and said the work includes explainability features and broader research on compound flooding. Members asked extensive questions about storm surge, hallucinations, whether generative AI or large language models were being used, data vetting, and hardware needs. The witnesses repeatedly stressed that their systems are not autonomous, that human review remains central, and that the models used are primarily data-driven predictive tools rather than chatbot-style generative AI. The meeting ended with thanks to the panelists and an announcement that the committee’s policy chief was leaving for another position. Representative Mooney then moved that the committee rise, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the meeting. unexpectedly you may
• the<00:09:55.079> event<00:09:55.320> of<00:09:55.399> a<00:09:55.519> network
• <00:09:55.880> failure<00:09:56.440> it end in the event of a network failure it end
• in the event of a network failure it may<00:09:56.680> be<00:09:56.880> necessary<00:09
• Moving on to our next testifier, we have Energy Justice Network in opposition, in Zoom.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on HB 976, a measure related to incentives for renewable fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Supporters said the bill would help close the cost gap between renewable and conventional fuels, strengthen Hawaii’s energy security, support climate goals, and encourage local economic development. Testifiers from Pono Pacific, PAR Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Pacific Biodiesel, Aloha Carbon, and others described ongoing or planned projects, local feedstock development, and potential benefits for agriculture, waste diversion, and emissions reductions. Several testifiers also discussed proposed amendments. The Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition said it wanted to remove the import tax credit, eliminate the aggregate cap increase to avoid additional state funding, and revise local-production language to rely on a carbon-intensity threshold rather than location-based preferences. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised technical concerns about the bill’s administration, including prorating credits if the cap is exceeded and the feasibility of a 30-day filing window. Some supporters urged keeping solid waste, including construction and demolition debris, as eligible feedstock, while Energy Justice Network opposed that approach and also urged removing GMO-related language and waste-based feedstocks because of environmental and toxic emissions concerns. Opposition testimony focused on the bill’s cost and feasibility. Energy Justice Network and Ted Metros argued the measure could become a large subsidy for a refinery and questioned whether Hawaii has enough land and water to produce meaningful quantities of biofuel locally. Metros also criticized the refundable credit structure and said the state should not bear the cost for what he described as a benefit largely tied to tourism and imported fuel. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair later noted the committee had received 13 testimonies in support, 18 in opposition, and seven comments, and then invited further discussion on cost allocation and lowering caps to broaden participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• > are<01:37:08.120> already Across our network, programs are already Across our network
• This is a real the shared network.
• It's key to understand that this is one network.
• Every dollar that's currently there needs to go towards our 911 network as well.
• <02:05:24.840> fee communications network fee communications network fee to<02:05:26.160><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another issue that arises even during patient encounters is the issue of navigating in and out of network
• In an out-of-network pharmacy or even trying to get labs done in an out-of-network laboratory also costs
• The closest laboratory that was in-network was in Albuquerque.
• So, some of those questions are asked for reasons related to out-of-network labs and networks.
• What is in-network and out-of-network?" They should be able to answer that for us. Thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's one of the reasons we have the network that we do, because Minnesotans want to go visit
• We have the fourth largest road network in the country. largest road network in the country.
• Why do we have the fourth largest road network in the country? Because Minnesota doesn't just...
• And user fees, sure, they don't cover the entire cost of our road network.
• This road network where we're saying we should travel less... it's that is a... Vision.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a member of Small Business Majority's network. I'm here to share why AB 2116 is needed.
• I'm a member of Small Business Majorities Network. I'm here to share why AB2116 is needed.
• Danny Kando Kaiser on behalf of the Cameo Network in strong support. Thank you.
• Danny Kando Kaiser on behalf of the Cameo Network in support. Thank you.
• Danny Kando Kaiser on behalf of the Cameo Network in support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the goal is to fortify the networks, and that requires a lot of training.
• Amador's LEAP program professionals and specialists and train our networks on that.
• On the CYBHI fee schedule, we are here in Subcommittee, as well as the Alcove Network.
• That is a patchwork network.
• I'm here with the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network.

Summary: The hearing focused first on behavioral health, especially serious mental illness and anosognosia, a condition described by witnesses as a neurological symptom that prevents people from recognizing they are ill. The chair framed the issue around families cycling through emergency rooms, jails, conservatorships, and short-term stabilization without lasting treatment, and warned that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce Medi-Cal funding and worsen access. Dawn Marie Anderson gave a personal account of her son’s long history of psychosis, homelessness, arrests, repeated jail and state hospital stays, and eventual stability when he received sustained medication and coordinated support. She argued that the system often treats the problem as criminal rather than medical and that voluntary programs and short-term services are not enough for people who lack insight into their illness. Other panelists, including representatives from the California Behavioral Health Association, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Health, and the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, agreed that anosognosia is not denial or noncompliance and said the system needs long-term, coordinated care, including assertive community treatment, mobile crisis, supportive housing, medication support, and stronger handoffs between county and managed care systems. They said CalAIM and other reforms have improved some coordination, but significant gaps remain, especially for people with serious mental illness, for those in jail or locked settings, and for people with private insurance, which witnesses said often offers little meaningful coverage for early psychosis or intensive behavioral health services. Several witnesses urged the Legislature to protect Medi-Cal, shore up county safety-net services, and invest in training and family engagement. The committee then turned to the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, with a focus on the virtual services platforms BrightLife Kids and Soluna and the CYBHI fee schedule. DHCS reported strong growth in app registrations, coaching sessions, referrals, and positive user outcomes, saying the platforms provide free, culturally responsive, early-intervention support statewide and help connect users to higher levels of care when needed. On the fee schedule, DHCS said more than 500 LEAs, colleges, universities, and school-linked providers are participating, 181 LEAs have submitted claims, and $9.6 million has been reimbursed to date, with 41,556 students represented in claims. The chair and several members criticized the pace of implementation and the amount of money spent relative to reimbursement levels, saying the Legislature had requested data earlier and that the return on investment still appeared low. DHCS responded that many claims are still being submitted, that 70% of denials are correctable, that $400 million in capacity grants has been distributed locally, and that reimbursement is increasing rapidly as more districts come online. Public comment included a rural county behavioral health director who said private insurance denials leave counties with significant uncompensated work, especially for unlicensed staff providing case management and mobile crisis services.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also connected with Metro Food Justice Network.
• And we're hosting our Justice Network.
• And this is as much or more than the mobile phone networks that advertise on TV tell their networks.
• their<00:53:29.760> networks.
• TV tell their networks. TV tell their networks.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um they must Integrated Service networks um they must pay<00:07:38.080> a<00:07:38.199> 1%
• The department also ensures provider network adequacy of HMO networks and of the networks of the health
• <00:40:59.599> adequacy<00:41:00.359> of<00:41:00.560> HMO provider network
• adequacy of HMO provider network adequacy of HMO networks<00:41:02.119> and<00:41:02.560> of
• the networks and of the networks of the networks and of the networks of the health<00:41:04.040><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting was an informational walkthrough for the Health Finance and Policy Working Group, focused on committee structure, budget basics, and major health-related accounts and programs. Staff explained the roles of House Research and House Fiscal, then reviewed key funds used by the committee, including the general fund, government special revenue fund, federal funds, the health care access fund, remediation account, and drinking water revolving fund. They also outlined the committee’s main budget areas, noting that medical assistance is the largest general fund item and that the Department of Health is a substantial agency funded by a mix of federal, general fund, and special revenue dollars. A major portion of the presentation covered subsidized health coverage programs. Staff described Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) as an entitlement for eligible Minnesotans, with no premiums or cost sharing, and explained its managed care and fee-for-service delivery systems. MinnesotaCare was presented as a separate federal-state basic health program for people who are not eligible for MA, with income limits, premiums for adults age 21 and older, and cost-sharing requirements; staff noted that federal premium tax credit changes affect MinnesotaCare premium ranges. The presentation also summarized MNsure’s role in the individual market and in determining eligibility for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, MinnesotaCare, and MA. The committee also received an overview of health-related licensing boards and occupational regulation. Staff said Minnesota has 16 health-related licensing boards, funded mainly through the state government special revenue fund and subject to legislative appropriation, and explained that health occupations may be regulated by the Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, or the boards under chapter 214. Interstate licensure compacts were briefly noted as a way to ease practice across states. No bills were debated and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and to grow and expand the networks.
• lot of money to maintain the networks lot of money to maintain the networks and<01:02:18.319>
• Another requirement that they have is you have to have your networks be open access.
• I have never seen an open network work anywhere in the country.
• but also makes investments in networks but also makes investments in networks to<01:18:05.199>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza. University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alcove is a network of centers around California that provide needed mental health support for young
• I’m a project coordinator with the California Youth Empowerment Network, and I’m also here on behalf
• of the Human Response Network up in Trinity County and Project Youth in San Diego County.
• I'm a project coordinator with the California Youth Empowerment Networker, Kyan.
• Omar Altamimi with CPEN, the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• on your last question, the definition of the grid equipment includes the routable connectivity, so network-to-network
• In your written testimony, you use the term Frankenstein networks.
• The networks that come together, it's never just one entity.
• The network of business opportunities and communication networks that come together is essentially what
• You're still able to sort of thrive in those networks.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:10.080> to which funds maternal health networks to which funds maternal health networks
• So certainly technical assistance networks to work together and brainstorm to get at new solutions to
• to work together and brainstorm networks to work together and brainstorm to<01:04:30.960> get
• <01:05:37.039> and<01:05:37.279> and funding um lack of uh networks and and funding
• I'm Molly Montigue with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, better known as RAINN.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly, the body is familiar with our mission, a safe, economical, and effective transportation network
• If we're going to have a national rail network, we need to expand it because it needs to go north and
• And it should be on the national network and it should be funded by Amtrak.
• My argument with Amtrak has been it should be on the national network, and they should fund it through
• But ultimately, if they added to the national network they would fund it.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT: continued protection for user devices and the department's network.
• augmentation, support recovery, remediation, and long-term efforts to strengthen the department's network
• IT, continue protection for user devices and departments network.
• Continue protection for user devices and department's network, enhancing cybersecurity, and multi-factor
• augmentation, support recovery, remediation, and long-term efforts to strengthen the department's network

Summary: The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting. The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases. The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the 4B disaster response network. Senator Campbell. Thank you Madam Chair.
• We also leverage their network monitoring. And we use all of them.
• Attacks that we detected so we do so because D.I.R. and provides a network monitoring for the state network
• So as you know, one of the ways that I like to equate it is you have the state network.
• We call that the AgroStress Network.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, the policy provisions in the bill include Department of Commerce thermal energy networks,
• It deals with thermal energy networks.
• It deals with thermal energy networks. It deals with thermal energy networks.
• <00:14:45.720> So,<00:14:45.880> there's networks ends up being zero.
• So, there's networks ends up being zero.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This goes from the network level, such as on Wi-Fi networks, to the device level, the app store level
• This goes from the network level, such as on Wi-Fi networks, to the device level, the app store level
• Next we have Glenn Williams, Boston Neighborhood Network. Good afternoon. Do you hear me? Yes.
• I'm the General Manager of Boston Neighborhood Network.
• I'm the General Manager of Boston Neighborhood Network.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held its second hearing on a large docket of technology, internet, cybersecurity, broadband, and media bills. Early testimony focused on community media funding legislation, with lawmakers and local access advocates arguing that as cable subscriptions decline and streaming grows, revenue tied to cable franchises no longer supports community television and PEG programming. Supporters said community media remains a key source of local news, government meeting coverage, and civic transparency as newspapers disappear or consolidate. A related bill on cable contract oversight also drew support, with testimony that the Department of Telecommunications and Cable is backlogged and should more actively review municipal-provider agreements and report its workload to the committee. Another major topic was a proposal to create a Massachusetts Innovation Fund for state IT modernization. The Alliance for Digital Innovation backed the bill, saying agencies need flexible upfront capital to replace outdated systems and improve cybersecurity, and pointing to the federal Technology Modernization Fund as a model. The witness noted that funding for the state program still needs to be identified. The committee also heard strong support for a bill requiring free broadband in public housing, with Rep. Emmela Goodwin and MAPC describing internet access as essential for jobs, school, telehealth, and civic participation. They said the digital divide in Massachusetts is driven largely by affordability rather than infrastructure, though questions were raised about costs, wiring, and whether all housing sites already have broadband access available at the curb. A substantial portion of the hearing centered on bills to limit addictive social media feeds for minors. Supporters, including lawmakers, parents, teens, and advocacy groups, argued that algorithmic feeds contribute to addiction, anxiety, body image problems, and other harms, and said the bills would restrict surveillance-based curation and overnight notifications while leaving search and followed accounts available. Opponents, including FIRE, CCIA, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, argued the bills would require invasive age verification, threaten privacy and cybersecurity, burden adults’ anonymity, and likely face First Amendment challenges. They also warned the measures could disadvantage smaller businesses and may be unconstitutional based on recent court rulings in other states. The committee also heard support for blockchain-related bills creating a commission, a pilot program, and consumer education efforts, with testimony that Massachusetts has the talent but needs a coordinated state strategy. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.