Transcript Highlights:

• contribute to our local food culture and foraging traditions without compromising the health of our ecosystems
• contribute to our local food culture and foraging traditions without compromising the health of our ecosystems
• contribute to our local food culture and foraging traditions without compromising the health of our ecosystems
• ><00:22:29.000> species<00:22:29.360> in<00:22:29.520> the<00:22:30.159> ecosystem
• <00:22:31.159> um impact other species in the ecosystem um impact other species in the ecosystem

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• environmental standpoint, grazing animals, the hoof activity that they create, the benefit to the ecosystem
• , and the ecosystem services is so significant.
• in support of not just the U.S. consumer, but as well as just our U.S. broader economy and the ecosystems
• And the ecosystem services is so significant.
• in support of not just the U.S. consumer, but as well as just our U.S. broader economy and the ecosystems

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Commonwealth, but also other general aviation airports, as you see here, in order to have that ecosystem
• <00:34:17.520> that<00:34:17.839> brings order to have that ecosystem that brings order
• to have that ecosystem that brings the<00:34:18.639> advanced<00:34:19.119> air<00:34:
• 30.160> think<00:35:30.240> we<00:35:30.560> can<00:35:31.040> uh the ecosystem
• that I think we can uh the ecosystem that I think we can uh continue<00:35:31.520> to<00:35:31.760

Keywords: The live stream for this meeting was prematurely interrupted. The full version will be uploaded in the next few days., 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an update from Kentucky’s three major commercial airports: Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Louisville Regional Airport Authority (SDF and Bowman Field), and CVG. Lexington’s Eric Franco described post-COVID growth that has already exceeded pre-pandemic activity, along with a master plan focused on the whole airport, expanded surface parking, relocation of the air traffic control tower, and a major terminal project estimated at $500 million to $700 million. He emphasized the airport’s role in serving both passenger and corporate aviation across central Kentucky and thanked the legislature for prior funding, including $5 million for parking. Louisville’s Dan Mann reported record passenger growth, expanded nonstop service, and especially strong cargo activity driven by UPS, noting SDF is now among the busiest cargo airports in North America and Bowman Field remains the state’s busiest general aviation airport. He highlighted major infrastructure needs, including airfield and terminal work, parking expansion, and a planned federal inspection service facility to support international flights around events like the Kentucky Derby.

Transcript Highlights:

• , going to hurt our ecosystem, going to hurt our environment.<01:22:08.960> We<01:22:09.280>
• . ecosystem. ecosystem.
• in the state of have a great ecosystem in the state of Alabama<01:25:49.199> WHERE<01:25:49.440
• But in the name of business, why are we willing to sacrifice our total ecosystem around drinking water
• willing to sacrifice our total ecosystem willing to sacrifice our total ecosystem around<01:28:52.239

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with a prayer by Pastor Jeremy Ward and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Sophia Woods. A quorum was established with 27 senators present, and the Senate adopted routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow bills and committee reports to be introduced throughout the day. The chamber also referred Executive Message 69, appointing Brandy Williams to the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission, to the Committee on Confirmations. The Senate received several Judiciary Committee reports. House Bills 41 and 149 and Senate Bills 230, 87, 169, 238, and 233 were reported favorably, with amendments on Senate Bills 87, 169, and 233. Those measures received second reading and were placed on the calendar for the next legislative day. The Senate also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 31, commending Mackenzie Grace Stigel, and Senate Joint Resolution 32, recognizing the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for its national ranking; guests from the school were welcomed in the gallery. The Rules Committee report was then adopted by a 33-0 vote, setting a special order calendar that included Senate Bill 71 on administrative rules, along with several other bills on dredging, county subdivisions, legislative matters, public corruption, rural hospital investment, minority affairs, campaign finance, and natural resources. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 71, the “sound science” bill, which would limit state agencies from adopting environmental rules more stringent than federal law and require science-based standards where federal law is absent. Senator Coleman-Madison offered an amendment to preserve stronger scientific and causal standards, arguing the bill could weaken protections in heavily burdened communities; the amendment failed on a roll call vote of 25 nays to 1 yea. Senators then continued debating the bill’s effect on ADEM’s authority, emergency rulemaking, federal standards, and environmental enforcement in Alabama.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're already having problems establishing minimum in-stream flows to support our ecosystem, and this
• Salton Sea, which is critical to ensuring the health and well-being of the sea itself, the overall ecosystem
• resources to restore this toxic body of water, and they have done so in an effort to protect the ecosystem
• resources to restore this toxic body of water, and they have done so in an effort to protect the ecosystem

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Walking along our shores, she saw what many others ignored: fragile ecosystems at risk.
• Walking along our shores, she saw what many others ignored: fragile ecosystems at risk.
• 07.120> others<00:15:07.480> ignored,<00:15:08.520> fragile<00:15:08.959> ecosystems
• many others ignored, fragile ecosystems many others ignored, fragile ecosystems at<00:15:10.000>

Keywords: House streaming session for Monday, March 9, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, established a quorum, and approved the previous day’s journal. The main formal action was the reading and adoption of a House resolution honoring the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion for their World War II service, with remarks emphasizing their role in clearing a massive mail backlog, supporting troop morale, and breaking barriers for African American women in the military. The resolution was read in full and presented on March 9, 2026. The chamber then handled introductory legislation and Senate messages on consent calendars. House Bills 1632 through 1642 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives 62 through 65 were referred to Appropriations. Senate Bill 439 was introduced in the House and referred to Economic Matters, and Senate Bill 69 was introduced and referred to Government, Labor, and Elections. No objections or recorded votes were noted on these referrals. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of caucus and guest announcements. Members announced upcoming caucus meetings, a high school shadow day, an Iftar dinner hosted by the Muslim and Women’s Caucuses, a Women’s Caucus election with in-person and remote voting times, and other constituent and guest recognitions, including District nights and visits from AFSCME Maryland Council 3, the Junior League of Annapolis, foster youth participants, and student pages. The House then adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader until Tuesday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• :20:01.200> we<00:20:01.440> offer<00:20:01.679> a We're really creating an ecosystem
• But a fair number do stay here in the Commonwealth, within a really growing ecosystem space here around
• /c> Commonwealth uh within a really a Commonwealth uh within a really a growing<00:20:37.200> ecosystem
• <00:20:38.000> space<00:20:38.320> here<00:20:38.559> around growing ecosystem
• space here around growing ecosystem space here around space<00:20:39.280> science.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met to hear from Morehead State University President Jay Morgan, who outlined the university’s budget and capital priorities. He described Morehead as a Kentucky-serving, largely low-income student institution with an aging campus, and said the university’s long-term plan is to renovate existing facilities, decommission older buildings, and replace outdated space with more efficient construction. He thanked the General Assembly for prior support, especially asset preservation funding, fire and tornado insurance premium support, and a prior university inflationary adjustment. On the operating side, Morgan asked that insurance premium support continue, that the earlier inflationary adjustment roll forward, and that the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education’s request for a minimum distribution in the performance funding formula be supported. He noted Morehead has received little or no performance funding in recent years and said that if no additional formula funds are added, the university would prefer a line-item appropriation. On the capital side, he requested continued asset preservation funding and outlined several construction priorities: a new applied science building, a new agriculture science building, a new space science technology building, and a cost-share replacement for the aging Maze Hall residence hall, with the state covering $10 million of a $20 million project and Morehead matching the rest. Morgan also discussed the Craft Academy, saying the current appropriation supports 200 students and that the university would like to increase the line item to expand enrollment by about 20 students. In response to questions from Chairman Tipton, he said Morehead had previously explored but ultimately rejected a public-private partnership model for housing, preferring to own and control its residence halls to keep housing costs manageable for students. He also explained that the land surveying courses in the applied science proposal are a popular part of related programs and that Morehead’s space science program is a major research-and-contracts-driven operation with about 250 students, federal and private research ties, and graduates working both in Kentucky and elsewhere. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes and discussed that upcoming postsecondary budget meetings would continue over the next several weeks to gather input on the new budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• This panel will explore how regional economic trends are impacting San Diego's innovation ecosystems,
• the things about Cal State San Marcos that's part of CSU and so important in the higher education ecosystem
• really appreciated since I've come to the San Diego region is that higher education works as an ecosystem
• really appreciated since I've come to the San Diego region is that higher education works as an ecosystem
• I’m here to tell you about my mission, my founder journey, and highlighting the incredible ecosystem

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact held an informational hearing in San Diego focused on “Making Sense of California’s Economy: Real Cost Pressures and Household Impacts Facing San Diego.” Chair Salas and Assemblymember Darshana Patel opened by emphasizing affordability, housing, and the importance of bringing state policy discussions into the community. The first panel featured leaders from Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, who described the region’s innovation ecosystem, the university’s role in social mobility and workforce development, and the importance of partnerships with K-12 schools, community colleges, military installations, and industry. They also highlighted regional strengths in life sciences, aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and venture-backed innovation, while warning that housing costs, federal research cuts, permitting delays, and small-business fragility threaten growth and talent retention. Committee members asked about collaboration among higher education institutions and what state policy changes could help. Panelists said the region’s universities are complementary rather than competitive and stressed the value of public-private partnerships, social innovation, and aligning academic programs with employer needs. On policy, they urged faster permitting, possible regulatory sandboxes, stronger research investment, support for cross-border trade and manufacturing, and more housing affordability to keep workers in the region. The second panel centered on small business and entrepreneurship, with testimony from Hydrostasis founder Dr. Debbie Chen, Amai co-founder Sven Davison, and Asian Business Association San Diego CEO Jason Pagal. Chen described building a hydration-monitoring wearable, the barriers women founders face in accessing capital, and the importance of SBDC, Stella Foundation, and university internship support. Davison described Amai’s edible cup business and how tariffs, supply-chain costs, and financing constraints forced the company to pivot manufacturing plans. Pagal presented survey data showing high relocation intent, difficulty hiring, and low confidence among businesses, and recommended expanded technical assistance, regional cost-of-living adjustments, and small-business affordability zones. During questioning, members discussed targeted procurement and local incentive models, the role of SBDC and other support networks, and how to better tailor state programs to local conditions. Public comment came from the California Southern Small Business Development Corporation, which stressed that access to affordable capital remains a major challenge and noted the volume of loan guarantee requests coming from San Diego. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with closing remarks from both members underscoring the need to use local testimony to shape future state policy and support California’s economy, families, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as you know, California's rocky reefs and marine ecosystems are critical to maintaining our state's
• But everyone in the state caring about our marine ecosystems and also just contamination in general is
• But everyone in the state caring about our marine ecosystems and also just contamination in general is
• This exemption could be applied without consideration for the ecosystem benefits that older, larger,
• The scope of these qualifying projects would reduce ecosystems' abilities to regenerate after severe

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously, as you all know, this is a unique and critical moment for our health care ecosystem.
• the health care oversight that we need to ensure that we're driving population health across our ecosystem
• have the health oversight that we need to ensure that we're driving population health across our ecosystem
• Sen, Department of Corrections, Secretary Lang, and others, to ensure that collectively across the ecosystem
• our call centers, the ability to navigate people through the system, and everybody in the delivery ecosystem

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires that we cannot issue a permit if it will degrade ecosystems.
• So in Minnesota we value our ecosystem.
• What we did to evaluate the impact to the ecosystem was Have the exact date in front of me.
• the impact to the ecosystem.
• case where it relates to ecosystem case where it relates to ecosystem impacts.<00:36:02.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It strengthens our statewide innovation ecosystem and improve our competitiveness in attracting entrepreneurs
• strengthens our<00:05:30.600> statewide<00:05:31.080> innovation<00:05:31.640> ecosystem
• <00:05:33.120> and our statewide innovation ecosystem and our statewide innovation ecosystem

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:21 HB 480 Discussion: 01:40 HB 480 Voting: 02:36 HB 577 Discussion: 05:14 HB 577 Voting: 08:38 HB 692 Discussion: 09:23 HB 692 Voting: 14:00 HB 869 Discussion: 15:21 HB 869 Voting: 18:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deploying clean energy in Minnesota, so let's capitalize on that to create an energy innovation ecosystem
• so let's capitalize on that to create an energy<00:01:17.520> Innovation<00:01:18.320> ecosystem
• c><00:01:19.280> here<00:01:20.280> in<00:01:20.640> what energy Innovation ecosystem
• here in what energy Innovation ecosystem here in what is<00:01:21.200> probably<00:01:21.680>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• by age uh and into education ecosystem by age uh and into<00:03:24.080> schools,<00:03:24.560
• <00:21:19.360> And education and workforce ecosystem.
• And education and workforce ecosystem.
• And how does it ecosystem? What's not?
• The ecosystem comes to them and gives them the support they need.

Bills: HF3650, HF2238

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, HF2238, Minnesota, workforce development, construction trades, youth skills training, youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, construction training, career and technical education, CTE, child labor laws, minor labor, labor exemption, workforce pipeline, skilled trades

Transcript Highlights:

• I was establishing a nationwide management plan for beavers and aquatic ecosystems.
• I was establishing a nationwide management plan for beavers and aquatic ecosystems.
• I was establishing a nationwide management plan for beavers and aquatic ecosystems.
• I was establishing a nationwide management plan for beavers and aquatic ecosystems.
• I was establishing a nationwide management plan for beavers and aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is needed is the promotion and restoration of wild octopus in their natural ecosystems.
• What is needed is the promotion and restoration of wild octopus in their natural ecosystems.
• that are already there uh our ecosystems that are already there uh we're<01:12:32.040> asking
• I think is warranted, and again, invasive species is damaging our environment, our fragile ecosystems
• I think is warranted, and again, invasive species is damaging our environment, our fragile ecosystems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge ecosystem. I support this bill.
• In January 2022, she ecosystem.
• ,<00:46:23.440> leading digital asset ecosystem, leading digital asset ecosystem, leading
• Gone are and innovate in this ecosystem.
• By requiring issuers to ecosystem.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think in the near term, getting better at using diverse sets of energy into one energy ecosystem.
• It's an innovative ecosystem.
• Again, it's a DOE-led initiative to establish a federated research ecosystem.
• Again, it's a DOE-led initiative to establish a federated research ecosystem.
• The ecosystem itself is driven by both a push from research institutions and the industry pull from market

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think in the near term, getting better at using diverse sets of energy and to one energy ecosystem.
• It's an innovative ecosystem.
• Again, it's a DOE-led initiative to establish a federated research ecosystem.
• It's an innovative ecosystem.
• Again, it's a DOE-led initiative to establish a federated research ecosystem.

Summary: The meeting opened with remarks about the value of public engagement and the quality of questions from the group, followed by a series of technical presentations from Idaho National Laboratory staff. Joe Renovitz described recent nuclear regulatory changes tied to presidential executive orders, including NRC Part 53 for advanced reactors, the forthcoming Part 57 for very small reactors, and DOE updates to reactor authorization standards. He emphasized efforts to align DOE and NRC processes, use risk-informed and performance-based licensing, support reactor deployment for AI/data centers and national security, and use AI to speed communications and crosswalks between DOE and NRC requirements. In response to questions, he said there was no plan to merge agencies, but rather to improve coordination and public outreach through groups like GAIN and NEI. David Tolman then discussed the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel storage, transportation, disposal, and reprocessing. He explained high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), why it is needed for advanced reactors, and DOE’s HALEU Availability Program and related investments in enrichment, transportation, deconversion, and supply chain development. He also covered spent fuel management, the possibility of centralized storage or a fuel-cycle campus, the Center for Used Fuel Research, and ongoing work on high-burnup cask testing and reprocessing technologies. Tolman described aqueous, pyrochemical, and fluoride-volatility reprocessing approaches, noting the advantages and waste characteristics of each, and said several companies are working with INL on these technologies. Ashley Shields presented INL’s AI and nuclear work, focusing on the Genesis initiative and the Prometheus effort to use AI to design, license, build, and operate reactors with far less human intervention. She described INL’s broad use of generative AI tools, the need to manage large volumes of legacy technical data, and applications in reactor design, materials discovery, autonomous laboratories, and digital twins. Shields said AI is being used to reduce the enormous documentation burden in nuclear licensing and to support autonomous or remotely operated reactor demonstrations, while stressing that humans remain in supervisory roles. In discussion, she addressed data security, model access, and the continued need for software engineers. The session then recessed briefly and resumed with Mitch Kerman beginning a presentation on critical minerals and materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• , some services may fall outside the bill's scope entirely, creating patchwork protections in an ecosystem
• > where<00:19:18.880> teens<00:19:19.280> frequently<00:19:19.760> move ecosystem
• where teens frequently move ecosystem where teens frequently move between<00:19:20.400> platforms
• <00:21:46.240> teens<00:21:46.799> move<00:21:47.039> quickly online ecosystems
• . teens move quickly online ecosystems. teens move quickly between<00:21:47.679> apps<00:21:48.799

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media practices for minors by requiring verifiable parental consent for accounts and restricting addictive features and targeted advertising for youth users. Chair Scott offered an A2 amendment, with an oral clarification striking specific language and two commas; the committee adopted the amended A2, and the bill was then discussed as amended. The bill author described social media as addictive by design and said the measure would use age-estimation technology to identify users 15 and under, require parental consent, and provide a different, less addictive experience for youth. Supportive testimony came from the Minnesota Catholic Conference, parents Jerry and Giana Cox, and a Minnesota high school student, all arguing that social media harms youth mental health, encourages excessive use, and exposes children to manipulation, cyberbullying, and addictive design features like infinite scroll and autoplay. They said the bill would help parents, protect children, and reduce exploitation of minors’ data. Several committee members also spoke in favor, saying the bill addresses corporate negligence, youth mental health, and the need to act even if the proposal needs more work. Opposition testimony came from industry groups including the Computer and Communications Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, and NetChoice. They argued the bill is vague and narrow in scope, could create uneven coverage, and may push platforms toward intrusive age-verification or digital-ID-like systems that raise privacy and data-breach concerns. They also said restrictions on personalized or algorithmic features could weaken safety tools and make it harder to protect young users. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the excerpt, but the amended A2 was adopted and the bill remained under discussion.